How would YOU divide up our federal tax dollars? (interstate, arsenal, drugs)

[sade693]

I see a lot of people complaining about welfare recipients in these forums. The idea seems to be that the nonworking poor are a drain on this nation in a way that other government programs are not.

So, I'm curious, if you were granted the power to decide how our federal tax dollars should be divided among the various government programs, what percentage of the budget would YOU devote to each program?

Here is an article with a nice chart showing how we currently divide the national budget:

Policy Basics: Where Do Our Federal Tax Dollars Go? — Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

If you don't want to click the link, here are the programs you have to choose from, listed in no particular order:

• Defense and Foreign affairs
• Science and medical research
• Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP
• Transportation infrastructure
• Social Security
• Education
• Safety net programs
• Interest on debt
• Benefits for veterans and federal workers
• Non-security international affairs
• Other

Are there any programs you think we should create that aren't listed? Are there any you would give ZERO funding? Do you think some of the categories should be split differently, like maybe including Medicaid and CHIP under "Safety net programs"?

[Kreutz]

Bare minimum for national defense (i.e. our own borders protected by a small defensive army and the nuclear arsenal).

Every agency that is not Constitutionally based (i.e. relating to interstate commerce- so I'd keep the postal service, FTC, FAA, FDA and EPA for interstate dispute mediation) can vanish with states taking their responsibilities over if they choose.


All monies saved go to paying off the debt.

[sade693]

You expect states to take care of everything from education to funding research to infrastructure all by themselves? A lot of the poorer states in the union, especially those in the South, would collapse.

[pnwmdk]

Originally Posted by sade693

You expect states to take care of everything from education to funding research to infrastructure all by themselves? A lot of the poorer states in the union, especially those in the South, would collapse.

Nonsense.

[Roadking2003]

Originally Posted by sade693

I see a lot of people complaining about welfare recipients in these forums. The idea seems to be that the nonworking poor are a drain on this nation in a way that other government programs are not.

So, I'm curious, if you were granted the power to decide how our federal tax dollars should be divided among the various government programs, what percentage of the budget would YOU devote to each program?

First, cut federal spending by 50% overall. Cut defense by 50%, eliminate corporate and individual welfare. Cut DEA by 90%. Eliminate the farm program. Cut ATF by 90%. Get the feds totally out of education. Those would be a good start.

[Roadking2003]

Originally Posted by sade693

You expect states to take care of everything from education to funding research to infrastructure all by themselves? A lot of the poorer states in the union, especially those in the South, would collapse.

Federal revenue sharing should be eliminated.

[dsjj251]

Originally Posted by Roadking2003

First, cut federal spending by 50% overall. Cut defense by 50%, eliminate corporate and individual welfare. Cut DEA by 90%. Eliminate the farm program. Cut ATF by 90%. Get the feds totally out of education. Those would be a good start.

so alot of arbitrary cuts just because they look good ?

[Roadking2003]

Originally Posted by dsjj251

so alot of arbitrary cuts just because they look good ?

The OP asked how we would allocate the money. The federal government is at least twice as big as it should be. We don't need such a big military and should close all foreign bases and end all wars. We shouldn't be fighting the war on drugs, etc, etc.

[Ellis Bell]

Originally Posted by sade693

I see a lot of people complaining about welfare recipients in these forums. The idea seems to be that the nonworking poor are a drain on this nation in a way that other government programs are not.

So, I'm curious, if you were granted the power to decide how our federal tax dollars should be divided among the various government programs, what percentage of the budget would YOU devote to each program?

Here is an article with a nice chart showing how we currently divide the national budget:

Policy Basics: Where Do Our Federal Tax Dollars Go? — Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

If you don't want to click the link, here are the programs you have to choose from, listed in no particular order:

• Defense and Foreign affairs
• Science and medical research
• Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP
• Transportation infrastructure
• Social Security
• Education
• Safety net programs
• Interest on debt
• Benefits for veterans and federal workers
• Non-security international affairs
• Other

Are there any programs you think we should create that aren't listed? Are there any you would give ZERO funding? Do you think some of the categories should be split differently, like maybe including Medicaid and CHIP under "Safety net programs"?

I would like to divide them up between, me, myself and I. Let the states take care of their citizens for a change and end the fed and let the money that is now going to the fed, put food on my table and pay my medical bills. Wow, that takes out two of your programs right there...maybe more.

What could you do with your money if it all came to you when you earned it? Because at the present it seems like our lives are being lived in a gambling casino where the house takes all and the players get $0.00.

[Ellis Bell]

Originally Posted by Roadking2003

The OP asked how we would allocate the money. The federal government is at least twice as big as it should be. We don't need such a big military and should close all foreign bases and end all wars. We shouldn't be fighting the war on drugs, etc, etc.

Deplete the size of the military? That is what those who wish to change our world and how we live are hoping we will do. However, for now they will settle for scattering our military off around the world, there by weakening our defenses. It is a great strategy that the American people are more than willing to help them out with. All they are waiting for now is our guns to be taken off the streets and they're in...which at the present is a work in progress.