Cutting spending that funds programs people use will not be popular (and will have vocal opponents). Eliminating bureaucratic jobs to cut spending will increase unemployment somewhat significantly and will not be popular. Implementing some form of Means Testing that will reduce the Social Security benefits to future retirees with some degree of wealth will not be popular. And, of course, increasing taxes is never popular.
But these are all things that are going to have to be at least considered to put us on a path to a balanced debt. If you are a politician hoping to get re-elected and/or to help your party retain or gain seats, you don't want to be the person to make those unpopular decisions. You "let the next guy" worry about it.