I used to think that way. The problem is, it doesn't work. No politician who wants to keep their job will cut spending. The only way it will happen is if voters demand that spending be cut, and the only way that will happen is if the voters are forced to pay for the government they're getting.As far as increasing taxes, I'm a firm believing that all spending cuts should be done first.
I think every new bill that requires more spending should be accompanied by tax increases - tax increases labeled to associate them with the new spending they support. That's the only thing that will get people's attention. As long as they're not paying for it, they'll vote for every new bene a demagogue politician proposes.