Congressman Paul Ryan–ranking Republican on the House Budget Committee–released a budget proposal that solves the long-term U.S. deficit.  So honest it’s crazy…  Or crazy like a fox?

Given that federal health care programs are the biggest driver of long-term projected deficits, something has to be done:

Also see the Congressional Budget Office’s 2009 - 2019 Budget Outlook Summary.

Rep. Ryan’s alternative budget proposal to President Obama’s budget release last week accomplishes this by privatizing social security and creating a voucher plan for Medicare, shifting the burden of paying for Medicare from government to individuals.  For shizzil folks, the CBO examined the proposal, and OMB Director Peter Orzag called it a “serious proposal.”

Agree or disagree with the seriousness of the plan, but one thing is for certain: Rep. Paul Ryan has cojones–(Read the Washington Post interview with Rep. Ryan).