"What I think we need to do to engage the American people in a conversation about entitlement reform is to have a bipartisan group of people who come together and put every solution on the table, every alternative on the table. And then we ought to engage in a long conversation with the American people so they understand the choices"

Carly Fiorina is calling for a collaborative and inclusive approach to the contentious issue of entitlement reform, such as Social Security, Medicare, and other government benefit programs. Her suggestion is to create a bipartisan group, implying that solutions should not be devised through partisan gridlock or from one ideological perspective alone. By assembling people from across the political spectrum, Fiorina emphasizes the value of diversity in thought and experience, which increases the chance of developing balanced solutions that have broader support.

Significantly, she advocates for putting "every solution" and "every alternative" on the table. This approach suggests open-mindedness, a willingness to challenge sacred cows and conventional wisdom on all sides, and recognition that entitlement reform likely demands difficult choices that cannot be resolved through quick fixes or ideological rigidity. Rather than dismissing potential reforms out of hand due to political sensitivities, Fiorina encourages an honest and comprehensive examination of possible changes, even if they are politically controversial.

Fiorina also stresses the importance of "engaging in a long conversation with the American people". She recognizes that entitlement programs are deeply personal and significant to millions, and that any changes will have wide-reaching effects. Her language suggests that successful reform requires patience, transparency, and public involvement. Rather than handing down solutions from above or making decisions in closed rooms, she advocates for a democratic process where the public is brought into the discussion, educated about the realities, implications, and trade-offs involved, and given the opportunity to understand and weigh in on the decisions that will affect their lives.

Ultimately, Fiorina’s perspective underlines the necessity for thoughtful, inclusive, and transparent policymaking. She acknowledges the complexity of entitlement reform and the need to rebuild trust with the public by treating them as informed partners in the policy process, rather than as passive recipients of technocratic decisions.