Tuesday, February 08, 2005

Budget Proposal

As Bush's proposed 2006 budget reaches the desks of congressmen and women, we as the public are afforded the yearly opportunity to see exactly what our nations priorities are, at least according to the president. Mr. Bush vowed in his State of the Union address to cut the deficit in half by 2009, a goal that he wishes to work towards by eliminating "150 nonmilitary programs, including 48 in the Department of Education, that he says have become ineffective." If President Bush's proposed budget were enacted as is (which is likely not to happen), it would be the first time since that Reagan administration that there was an overall reduction in spending, in the area of "nonsecurity-related programs." While Mr. Bush is trimming the "pork" in many domestic areas, he has proposed increasing Defense Department spending by five percent, with the goal of ensuring a safer America.
I do not want it to be thought that I disagree with any of the specfic proposals I mentioned. I have a feeling that there does exist many ineffective programs that are really just a waste of money. Also, I agree with the importance placed on the Department of Defense, because we need a safe and strong America. However, I do disagree with the president when it comes to his tax policies and proposals. I'm sure that all are aware of the theory of the "trickle down economy," so it suffices to say it is my belief that this theory is no longer as strong as it once was. Some possible reasons for this include; the breakdown of trade barriers as globalization takes hold, and the fact that the additional income held by business owners, from the tax cuts, can now be used to purchase more technology rather then labor.
My question to you is, would you be willing to part with a slightly larger portion of your income in order to lead our country out of debt?
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/07/politics/07cnd-budg.html

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