If we can offload the burden of the bankers and the profligate politicians we can retire earlier than that (though the idea that we should is one that may be contentious -- financial independence seems the more laudable goal rather than sloth and idleness).

Seldom do resources get misused faster than when in the hands of politicians -- particularly those running for re-election.

The issue with most of the right is that they don't address the theft and slavery that is fiat, which is why they render themselves mostly irrelevant. The left insists on having things paid for, which at least acknowledges affordability issues, even if not the real core of the problem. A conservative agenda that doesn't recognize central banking and fiat as inherently collectivist and extractive says little more than "stop whining," and may as well be agents of that central banking establishment. When you get to pick between a socialist wing and a kleptocrat wing, and neither is willing to stand up for property rights, it's hardly a surprise that things get dysfunctional.