Bush Budget Cuts

[elNastioBananaHando]

Just wondering what some of the other DDM political minds have to say about the current Budget Cuts that might be set into motion by the our great fearless leader. Budget Cuts will be made on Education and Medicare.

The overall federal education budget would be cut by $3.1 billion, or 5.5 percent from 2006 levels. Much of the cuts would come from scrapping 42 education programs totaling $3.5 billion, including programs for the arts, state grants for vocational education, Perkins loans for low-income college students and the Even Start literacy program for poor families. However, Congress rejected cutting most of these programs when Bush requested their elimination last year. Congress cut only five of the 48 programs Bush slated for elimination in last year's budget proposal.


Bush is also seeking savings by trimming the growth of spending in Medicare, the government’s giant health care program for the elderly and disabled, by $35.9 billion over five years. The reductions, which are certain to face stiff opposition in Congress, would among other things reduce inflation adjustments for hospitals, nursing homes, home health care providers and hospices.

Thoughts? Opinions?

[Ash]

Military spending increased, so that's good right?

[bryAnt]

It sounds like classic Bush to me. Let's reduce spending on the domestic front so we can increase military spending... yet again... sounds like a recipe for success...

[Adam D]

When you want to cut the deficit but give more money where it is needed the least, you have to cut it from programs that need it the most.

Take for example the $14 billion cuts in the student loan programs that were passed. Right after they were passed Congress approved $14 billion in subsidies for the oil industry.

[kit'n]

who needs an education or medical care anyway? pfft.

[Hey Bubu]

Originally Posted by kit'n

who needs an education or medical care anyway? pfft.

Exactly, let the elderly die off and the younglings join the army to take care of their educational needs.

I guess every child will be left behind afterall.

[HomoSexualPredator]

<pretty-jaded-today>
Over the weekend I actually broached the subject of politics with one of the staunchest religious-right fanatics I know - my dad. The state of the country is getting to the point where even he is wishing Bush wasn't even in office. As these right-wing nutjobs get older, they're finally realizing they've handed the country to the oil-tycoons on a silver platter.
</pretty-jaded-today>

[Satchel]

Not surprising in the least. Another fine example of being a uniter I guess.

[Hubb]

ugh

[PETA]

Indeed - why can't the federal government just make sure everyone gets the same medical care, same education, has the same comforts and the same clothes and don't object or you'll be required to attend re-Nedification....

The greater the demands on the government to provide X Y or Z the greater control over the greater number of aspects of your life. Dependency on government programs is a form of control.

[GLopez]

Originally Posted by xian

or you'll be required to attend re-Nedification....

"one of us.."

There aren't too many episodes of the Simpsons that I've missed.

[elNastioBananaHando]

Originally Posted by xian

Indeed - why can't the federal government just make sure everyone gets the same medical care, same education, has the same comforts and the same clothes and don't object or you'll be required to attend re-Nedification....

The greater the demands on the government to provide X Y or Z the greater control over the greater number of aspects of your life. Dependency on government programs is a form of control.

Are you in favor or against these budget cuts? Same educatoin and Same Medical Care I do agree.

[GLopez]

I thought I read somwhere that over 70 million baby boomers are about to hit the "elderly" age and if that's the case, with cutting over 35 billion... a lot of them are going to be left high and dry.

[Rufus Punk]

Originally Posted by GLopez

I thought I read somwhere that over 70 million baby boomers are about to hit the "elderly" age and if that's the case, with cutting over 35 billion... a lot of them are going to be left high and dry.

I covered this topic in my Government class this past semester. From what I researched, if things were to continue as they are, Social Security will be FULLY expended by 2026. The payout and benefits would ultimately be paid out more than they would be bringing in (which has happened thrice in Social Security's history).

The thought of this hit occuring even EARLIER than planned should draw a lot of ire from the public. Let's see if this happens.

Deficit. Funny money that we owe to ourselves that we will never be able to pay off.

Maybe I'm not supposed to get it.

/shrug

[PETA]

Originally Posted by elNastyAndy69

Are you in favor or against these budget cuts? Same educatoin and Same Medical Care I do agree.

too broad a question - I was just reacting to the general sense of dependence that seemed to be expressed in the thread... dependence on the gov't for education, health care, retirement etc.... ceeding control over these important issues to the government by virtue of an expectation that tax dollars would fund those programs is a dangerous thing imo....

Generally I think the Bush administration, with the aid of Congress, has done a great disservice with the level of spending they've authorized.... reeling in spending is good in general. Now, deciding which programs get cuts and which don't (or get expanded - only in DC is refusing to increase spending levels regarded as a funding cut ) is a policy matter and one can approve or condemn as one sees fit.