Michael Hiltzik: Social Security is again in the crosshairs of a GOP budget, even though a long-term fix would be simple

A hoary old chestnut in government circles describes all budgets as mostly political documents.

But what can you say about a budget that's nothing but political?

Therein lies the challenge in analyzing a document titled "Fiscal Sanity to Save America." It's the proposed federal budget for fiscal 2025 issued by the Republican Study Committee, which comprises most of the Republicans in the House.

It's a lumbering 180-page document filled with GOP talking points about federal spending. Therefore it brims with misconceptions, misstatements and outright lies.

I read it so you don't have to, but feel free to do so, just (advisedly) not on a full stomach. It calls for cuts in federal pay and benefits, repealing Obamacare, and — most importantly — slashing benefits in Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.

Unsurprisingly, Democrats see the document as providing grist for their campaign commercials from now to the end of recorded time. President Biden wasted no time voicing his opinion about it, saying, "80% and large corporations against middle class families."