So what could be done? A 15% top rate graduated income tax conservatively raises $2.5B.  Bumping that as State tax is deductible by itemizers, and adding some basic subsistence allowances for stiff taxes on gasoline ($6/gallon) and booze (by gallon of alcohol volume bought by consumer instead of current excise tax) we get to actually start paying our own way. 

The obstacle is that we have whingers who enjoy the concept of privatizing return, but are allergic to privatizing cost. And, of course, it is this gang famous for demanding that we socialize loss, lol.  These folk are looking to demonize "welfare chiselers" while all along the worst of the breed was staring back at them from their own mirror ;-)