The truth is we need to drastically shrink the size of the federal government. Its unbelievably inefficient.
Government tightening policy has always lead to spending being moved around, and combined with tax cuts that makes for larger deficits. Every single time.
What needs to be more efficient is the health insurance system. Pretty much any other civilized country could be looked at for inspiration. Then the military. Taxes needs to at least be kept intact and fiscal policy needs to improve.
The sad fact is that the political system makes the easy solution impossible. We know that after half a century. The open question is what the possible avenues are.
The GOP and DOGE tried that and the national debt has since skyrocketed due to corruption and illegal wars. So much for those $5,000 DOGE Dividend checks Elon and Trump were discussing.
Smaller federal government doesn't mean a less corrupt government, just a less useful government to the average American struggling to make ends meet.
US taxes (state, federal, and local) are approaching 30 cents on every dollar, and that is with the Fed spending ~135% of revenues each year.
You might point out that many Europeans have higher taxes, and they do. However, they also have healthcare and generous national pensions. Americans have to pay for those after taxes. This makes it hard to freeze services and raise taxes.
The US has to get more efficient.