You can participate in this by taking this survey which allows you to specify where to cut and where to increase. Your Uncle Dave would slash defense spending more than half, eliminate farm subsidies, eliminate the high-speed rail and raise funding for education.
An innovative study has found that when a representative sample of the American public was presented the federal budget, they proposed changes far different from those the Obama administration or the Republican-led House have proposed.
The biggest difference in spending is that the public favored deep cuts in defense spending, while the administration and the House propose modest increases. However, the public also favored more spending on job training, education, and pollution control than did either the administration or the House. On average the public made a net reduction of $146 billion–far more than either the administration or the House called for.
In other words, the public takes a considerably more humane view of spending than either party, is considerably less beholden to the military-industrial complex, and doesn’t seem to care if the super-rich get a bit offended.
The study was the combined effort of a think tank, the Program for Public Consultation, and the polling firm Knowledge Networks. They presented an elaborate questionnaire to more than 2,000 respondents.
Given the goal of cutting the deficit, the average Americans did the job — cutting it way more deeply, in fact, than either the Democratic or Republican proposals call for.
Ironically, the political subgroup that did the worst job was the slice of respondents who identified themselves as Tea Party sympathizers. They were the least likely to raise taxes and also the least likely, when faced with actual programs, to make cuts.
The next worst were Republicans, then Democrats. Independents raised taxes more than Republicans and cut spending more than Democrats, ultimately reducing the deficit by a whopping $195 billion.
There were many options that weren’t on the table such as closing tax loopholes. Using them has become something of an art.
Off shoring has become the in way for large corporations to avoid the regressive taxes many of you are suggesting. The US is already well on its way to becoming the worlds third largest economy.
I’m not sure you have to pay death taxes if you hire the correct tax and estate planning lawyers.
I strongly suggest all of you look at what the accounting office had to say after it came out with its recent study.
The Fed Gov is throwing around mountains of money with little to no clue as to where the money is going. You may have ten or fifteen different organizations doing more or less the same thing.
If you read that report and you still think effectively nationalizing the economy is going to work you are truly insane.
>> dusanmal said, on March 3rd, 2011 at 6:56 pm
>> 2) Read Constitution and eliminate any and all Govt. functions not specifically listed there. Dept’s of Education, Energy, Commerce, Agriculture,…
Wow, what a vision for America — turn it back to the 18th Century.
No roads, tv, electricity or sewers mentioned in the Constitution? You don’t get ’em!
But corporations? Not mentioned either. Oddly, I never hear “originalists” advocating for the end of those!
Words have a meaning and a context:
Social Security would be fine if the money collected for the past 70 years was actually held in a bank somewhere. Instead: it has been plundered and spent by those in charge.
If you give me $1 to hold for you do you still “have it” if I spend that dollar on something else?
So–we are constantly lied to by both sides, by the media, all the time. Our government is more lies and fraud than anything else yet it garners “support” by those who enjoy one lie over another. Yes, we will get that $1 back on retirement when the government prints up a whole new batch of fiat currency which will have the purchasing power of cents on the dollar because printed money is not worth near as much as banked dollars.
Its the way of the world. Which lies do like to hear and pass on to others?
Silly hoomans.
#35. yes. thanks.
#26 — OK tinfoil. More details please.
For Social Security, you say “turn it into a means tested benefit. You only get it if you need it.”
1. What’s the test criteria?
2. What is a NEED?
3. Should lifetime lazy freeloaders get the same benefit as lifetime hard working citizens? If so, why?
#35 Bobbo – why does the fact that it was squandered on other things make it ok to cut/forget about/not pay back? SS is not a gift from a benevolent government to be cut in hard times. It was citizens money, entrusted, to be paid back when needed in old age.
If I loan you a dollar, you do not have it if you spent it on something else. But that doesn’t negate you owing me the money.
Talking about SS as if it were an expenditure loads the argument. It is a debt that needs to be paid.
TEA PARTY is not a registered political party.
GOP is a registered political party.
TEA PARTY is simply a current marketing program of the GOP.
Wake up teaople.
I’d have Obama have the government mint print off fifty $1 Trillion dollar-bills with Curly from the Three Stooges on them. Give 3 of them to China with a letter saying “debt paid”.
And from this point forward, all dollars printed have the “Monopoly-guy” on them so everyone knows we are being paid in “funny money”.
The reality is that the next 30 years are going to suck … Americans are lazy and fat and don’t want to do “real jobs” so we extended the unemployment benefits to 3 years for these fat bastards.
I think this is a good plan, no fat bastard out of work for 3 years is going to beat me out for a job. 😉
There are several quotations that might summarize the issues
“Nothing is for nothing” “You cannot have your cake and eat it too” and that there is no such thing as as Free Lunch
On top of that you cannot export your source of income and livelihood to Chinese factories, buy the products and live off the fat of the land forever
“Fixing” social security is, of course, as easy as saying – no exemptions from social security tax.
There. It’s done.
Anyone who needs that explained hasn’t passed Civics 101.
It’s amazing. Absolutely nothing this article mentions, surprises me in the least. In fact the only thing that does surprise me about the research, is that any group would actually be funded to reach these conclusions. Most of the controlled media would scorn such research. Especially all of the Republican sympathetic owners of the vast majority of broadcast media.
The based this study on 2,000 people. That’s actually double the number of the Nielsen Families, who’s viewing habits supposedly determine what we get to watch on Tv. Though frankly I think they’re cherry-picked to reflect what the media moguls want. But the thing is that shows are made or broken, based on what 1,000 views think. And here 2,000 people have a far superior idea of how to balance the US nation budget. And it doesn’t matter, they’ll be totally ignored.
The simple truth is, the US Congress, and the Presidential administration doesn’t want to balance the national budget, in any realistic and practical manner. They only say they do. And perform this elaborate song and dance, while racking up more debt, and splurging big time on their own pet earmark projects. And always giving the Military Industrial Complex everything it wants, and even what it pretends it doesn’t want, in terms of a mega-billion budget each year. Whether there’s a war being fought somewhere or not. They are the sacred cow of the US economy.
So it’s no surprise that substantial cuts to that gargantuan budgetary lead balloon, causes tremendous savings and deficit reduction. But no President or Congressman has got the GUTS to say NO to the M.I.C. and that a time proven fact. Even after the US economy lies in ruins, some day. The US military will have a new job protecting all of the billionaires, and their castles and mansions, from the hungry jobless hordes. Sort of like the Dark Ages, in Europe. And all those freak billionaires will require for a quality of life, like Charles Sheen, will be lots of booze, drugs, and loose women. WINNING!
Tax vowels. A E I O U.
How about cutting the number of congressional aids? It’s not like they read the legislation anyway.
Break social security/medicaid out from the primary government budget, funded solely by payroll taxes and make it a separate department, similar to the Fed, with directors nominated by the president for 5 year terms.
Cut defense by 15%, most discretionary spending by 10% and cut all corporate and farming subsidy programs across the board 100%.
Increase taxes to make up the difference, with those making 250K or more getting the largest increases. Those making under 25$K after personal exemptions should pay nothing, other than payroll taxes. To sweeten investing, allow the first $2K of investment earnings to be exempt, with tiered rates at 10K, 50K, 100K, and 500K — otherwise have it taxed at personal rates but only if the 250K or above is increased substantially.
However, allow higher demonstrated charitable deductions to offset taxes. If you make the money and help others, you should get a break. If you are a greedy ass, you should pay for it.
sargasso_
Tax vowels. A E I O U.
Y?
Start by eliminating 20% of Defense. Start by laying off half the Generals and Admirals. Currently, we have three times the number of Generals as at the end of WWII and 1/10 the men is uniform.
Eliminate most of the VA. Give all injured military an insurance card that would be treated the same as if they were a private citizen. Retain only that portion of the VA that deals with aspects of post military life poorly done outside, such as PTSS and amputation rehabilitation.
Raise taxes. For years the right wing nuts have been adamant in that lower taxes cause increased jobs. Instead we are seeing the highest unemployment since the Depression when the taxes were also very low. Raising taxes to Reagan’s level would solve our problems.
Tax banks and ALL financial institutions making windfall profits.
Create a new tax bracket for those earning over $1 million @ 40%.
Increase money to educate our children, Pell grants, and for student research.
Increase policing of our food, drugs, environment, etc. The idea that our taxes were reduced doesn’t comfort those with poisoned water from natural gas drilling or emphysema from a coal fired plant or birth defects from a poorly researched drug or e. coli 157 from cow shit in my hamburg.
Increase money for alternative energy. Every nickel spent on American energy is that much less to be spent on foreign energy. Renewable energy is the only form that doesn’t run out.
My score was a -91.8B Use that to pay down the debt.
#38–tcc3==
1–why does the fact that it was squandered on other things make it ok to cut/forget about/not pay back? /// I responded only to the oft stated defense of SS that “it is solvent.” Its not. And since the money is not there, to pay it back will require the US Gov to go into debt–or to print the money. Its the evil of accrual accounting methods that the gov corrupts fraudulently by replacing money with IOU’s and then calls it “solvent.” My main point is that this IOU will be paid but only by cents on the buying power of devalued bucks. We the people are currently screwed and no one even accurately acknowledges it. SS is NOT bankrupt in the way the PUKES claim but it is NOT solvent in the way the DUMBO’s claim.====Lied to by both sides.
2. SS is not a gift from a benevolent government to be cut in hard times. It was citizens money, entrusted, to be paid back when needed in old age. /// More lies. when you pay in $1 and get $4 back—thats welfare. Not zero based welfare but still welfare.
3. If I loan you a dollar, you do not have it if you spent it on something else. But that doesn’t negate you owing me the money. /// I said just the opposite.
4. Talking about SS as if it were an expenditure loads the argument. It is a debt that needs to be paid. /// Paying a debt with borrowed money rather than money in a lock box is an expenditure.
Just words. See how they form your very thoughts?
Not that its any of my business, but I’d end social security, cut defense to real defense which would be a 90% reduction, end almost all federal agencies, abide by the 10th Amendment, abolish the Federal Reserve System, legalize drugs, and hold the state to the non-aggression axiom. That’s just for starters.
Eliminate the Department of Energy.
Eliminate the Department of Education.
Both waste hundreds of billions each year and we have nothing to show for all of this money.
Cut the defense budget by half. Bring all US troops home. Japan and Korea can defend themselves.
Eliminate the home mortgage interest deduction, which is a $200 billion annual subsidy for the wealthy and the stupid who overpay for bubble-zone real estate.
That’s probably half the deficit right there.
I’d add a surcharge on all government pensions over $50k (state and local). 90% sounds right… there’s no reason a government employee should retire rich at 48. If they can’t live on a $50k pension, boo hoo, they can save like the rest of us. Then a 90% tax on all banker bonuses.
That should just about do it.
can’t believe i’m saying this but i mostly agree with what Dave’s saying.
50% is a bit ridiculous on military because it’s such a big part of our economy and employs so many Americans. You’d instantly shoot unemployment up to 20%. Closing all uneeded bases and selling the property to pay down the debt would be a good start.
Eliminate ALL subsidies, Eliminate IRS and go to FairTax, Eliminate the Dept of energy which has done nothing since Carter created it. We don’t need high speed commuter rail at all, nobody will ever use it and the 1700’s are over. Go forward not backward.
As for spending more on education….? we spend more already than most every country, with mediocre results. we need to fix HOW we’re teaching and fire teachers who aren’t doing a good job. oh, yeha forgot, can’t fire them because of unions……
Congress : 50% pay cut, (add automatic reductions during recessions / depressions), no more benefits
End all federal pensions.
End medicare & medicaid, fund no cost clinics.
Cap or end subsidies
Cut defense 10% each year
Raise taxes on gasoline, alcohol, tobacco each year
Make it illegal for any company winning government contracts to have a financial privacy jurisdiction. (offshore tax haven)
Why can corps hide their income when individuals cannot? This, alone, will make a significant difference. Then roll back to earlier personal tax rates, especially for the highest earners.
Then cut military, corporate welfare, and create a strong mechanism to attack fraud in gov spending.
Sadly, none of it happens until the orgy with congress and lobbyists ends.
Remove the recognition of corporate entities as people with human rights.
Means-test entitlements.
simplified tax code – very few tiers, no deductions.
But first we have to give Right-wingers brains and compassion.
get rid of all tax breaks, minimum wage for all elected officials, also all elected officials must devest themselves of their accumulated assets, sell their mansions, move into public housing, and their kids can go to public schools like the rest of working america.
#50, Triple-B FTW.
Taxed Enough Already Dude, you are crazy and stupid. Get rid of FCC, and every douchbag will jump on the airwaves with a “data” or “DJ” service that jams every other douchbag. I suppose you think the FAA should be defunded too?
>> dusanmal said, on March 3rd, 2011 at 6:56 pm
>> 2) Read Constitution and eliminate any and all Govt. functions not specifically listed there. Dept’s of Education, Energy, Commerce, Agriculture,…
So you would remove the FDA that tests and monitors the drugs and food coming into and circulating around the country? Companies are notorious for hiding any mistakes or dangers to the consumer, and you would want to leave all the safety at the hands of the company?
What about the CPSC, you wouldn’t want them to make sure products on the market are safe?
Sure you could replace those agencies with private companies but the constitution doesn’t say anything about that.
Also now you plane ticket will cost twice as much because the airline industry is almost 50% subsidized. So flying to vegas won’t cost you $500, it will be $1000. And those roads you drive on? Prepare for a bumpy ride because those are also subsidized, so your town will only afford to repave every half century. Maybe if a private company sticks red light cameras, stop light cameras, and speed sensing cameras at every intersection it will generate enough city revenue to fund a new road.
1. Tax the very rich much harder and the slightly rich modestly harder.
2. Reduce military spending Big Time.
3. Set the retirement age to 67 for under 50, 68 for under 40, 69 for under thirty and to 70 for all under 20.
4. Give the President a Constitutionally Sound line-item veto.
5. Establish a Cabinet post of “Best Deal Acquisitions.”
#50 Bobbo – You speak of borrowed money as if that’s the only way to fund anything. You’re buying in to the Republican lie that any and all tax increases are theft/wrong/off the table.
I realize and agree with what you say about borrowed money, and no its not sustainable. Yes it should have been in a locked box. No, you cant just discharge a debt because you don’t feel like paying it any more.
There was a lot of talk about whether the US would default on its obligations during the debt ceiling debate recently. Why is it “ok” to default on the American people, when its not ok to default on foreign debt? Fundamentally its because there’s nothing we can do about it, but that doesn’t make it right.
Check this out:
http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2011/02/23/pm-how-to-fix-social-security/
1) No Social Security cap. And don’t base it on salary, but ALL income.
2) LOWER the retirement age to 60, this way there would be more young to pay for SS.
3) Medicare for all. Health insurance costs too much. Let the rich pay for optional services, and give everyone what they need to have a healthy existence.
4) Tax the richest 10% at a rate of 90% on ALL INCOME. It worked in the 50s and 60s, it will work now.
5) Cut the military budget by 50%. We spend more on our military than the rest of the members of the UN COMBINED. We are not the world’s police.
6) End tax exemptions for oil, gas, petrochemical and nuclear companies, and their subsidiaries.
7) Have a draft service. Draft ALL kids, male and female, into some kind of service, based on their abilities. A test would have to be created, so that these kids could be put into the proper agencies to intern for a couple of years, or serve the military.
8) Initiate tariffs. If it costs a dollar to make a widget here, and ten cents to make it in China, if China wants to import their widgets, they have to pay 90 cents per widget.
9) Fund infrastructure and alternative energy programs. This would create mor jobs, upgrade/repair our infrastructure, and make us less dependent on petroleum.
10) Fully fund ALL education through college.
Institute the Twit Tax. Charge .05 each for sending or posting cat photos; forwarding links to YouTube videos of morons whacking themselves in the crotch; posting links to any articles about vapor-brained “celebrities”; or pointless cellphone calls (“I’m walking into the store now.”) or text messages (“LOL KTHXBYE”).
Best estimate is that it will raise 735 quadrillion dollars in the first three minutes AND will not negatively impact anyone with a 3-digit IQ (i.e., the 600 people still left who actually perform any real WORK).