Post by the Scribe on Dec 18, 2021 1:54:50 GMT
Where Your Tax Dollars Really Go
prospect.org/economy/tax-dollars-really-go/
Contrary to Republican talking points, programs like welfare and food stamps make up a tiny fraction of the federal budget.
BY ROBERT REICH AUGUST 6, 2019
Expand
ap_19189537166995.jpe
PATRICK SEMANSKY/AP IMAGE
The U.S. Capitol dome Washington
Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress claim that America spends too much on things like food stamps, welfare, and foreign aid.
But let's look at how the government actually spends your federal tax dollars each year. We’re going to look at what’s known as the “discretionary budget,” which has to be reappropriated by Congress each year.
Start with foreign aid, the conservatives' favorite boogeyman. It's $29 billion a year. That may sound like a lot but it's only 2 percent of all discretionary spending. Add all spending on international affairs, it's 4 percent.
budget.house.gov/publications/focus-function-introduction
What about science and technology, including NASA, the National Science Foundation, and research in clean energy, which conservatives love to hate? Just 3 percent.
budget.house.gov/publications/focus-function-introduction
The environment and natural resources—money for clean air, safe drinking water, and protecting public lands? Another 3 percent.
budget.house.gov/publications/focus-function-introduction
Roads, bridges, highways, airports, all transportation funding: Another 3 percent.
budget.house.gov/publications/focus-function-introduction
Community and regional development: 2 percent.
budget.house.gov/publications/focus-function-introduction
Law enforcement, the Department of Justice, the entire federal court system: 5 percent
budget.house.gov/publications/focus-function-introduction
The Centers for Disease Control, the National Institutes of Health, and rural health clinics: 5 percent.
budget.house.gov/publications/focus-function-introduction
Food stamps, energy assistance, child care, other income security: Just 6 percent.
budget.house.gov/publications/focus-function-introduction
Education and workforce training gets just 7 percent.
Veterans benefits account for 7 percent of the budget as well.
All other government services–including Energy, Agriculture, and Commerce–account for only 1 percent of the discretionary budget.
But that's only 46 percent. The remaining 54 percent of annual spending is on the military, which is more spent on the military than the next 7 nations combined. It’s huge. It’s about the only really big thing the federal government does.
You may be thinking, but what about Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act?
By law, these programs are mandatory spending, which don't require Congress to approve funding every year. Americans have paid into Social Security and Medicare over their entire working lives.
Yet they're still vulnerable. In fact, if Trump and Republicans in Congress aren't going to cut discretionary spending—especially on the military—the only places they can look to make way for more tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations are Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
That's been their goal all along.
Know where the money is really going. And know what they have in mind.
Expand
ROBERT REICH ECONOMIC POLICY BUDGET
ROBERT REICH
Robert B. Reich, a co-founder of The American Prospect, is a professor of public policy at the Goldman School of Public Policy at the University of California at Berkeley. He is the author of ‘Saving Capitalism: For the Many, Not the Few.’
prospect.org/economy/tax-dollars-really-go/
Contrary to Republican talking points, programs like welfare and food stamps make up a tiny fraction of the federal budget.
BY ROBERT REICH AUGUST 6, 2019
Expand
ap_19189537166995.jpe
PATRICK SEMANSKY/AP IMAGE
The U.S. Capitol dome Washington
Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress claim that America spends too much on things like food stamps, welfare, and foreign aid.
But let's look at how the government actually spends your federal tax dollars each year. We’re going to look at what’s known as the “discretionary budget,” which has to be reappropriated by Congress each year.
Start with foreign aid, the conservatives' favorite boogeyman. It's $29 billion a year. That may sound like a lot but it's only 2 percent of all discretionary spending. Add all spending on international affairs, it's 4 percent.
budget.house.gov/publications/focus-function-introduction
What about science and technology, including NASA, the National Science Foundation, and research in clean energy, which conservatives love to hate? Just 3 percent.
budget.house.gov/publications/focus-function-introduction
The environment and natural resources—money for clean air, safe drinking water, and protecting public lands? Another 3 percent.
budget.house.gov/publications/focus-function-introduction
Roads, bridges, highways, airports, all transportation funding: Another 3 percent.
budget.house.gov/publications/focus-function-introduction
Community and regional development: 2 percent.
budget.house.gov/publications/focus-function-introduction
Law enforcement, the Department of Justice, the entire federal court system: 5 percent
budget.house.gov/publications/focus-function-introduction
The Centers for Disease Control, the National Institutes of Health, and rural health clinics: 5 percent.
budget.house.gov/publications/focus-function-introduction
Food stamps, energy assistance, child care, other income security: Just 6 percent.
budget.house.gov/publications/focus-function-introduction
Education and workforce training gets just 7 percent.
Veterans benefits account for 7 percent of the budget as well.
All other government services–including Energy, Agriculture, and Commerce–account for only 1 percent of the discretionary budget.
But that's only 46 percent. The remaining 54 percent of annual spending is on the military, which is more spent on the military than the next 7 nations combined. It’s huge. It’s about the only really big thing the federal government does.
You may be thinking, but what about Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act?
By law, these programs are mandatory spending, which don't require Congress to approve funding every year. Americans have paid into Social Security and Medicare over their entire working lives.
Yet they're still vulnerable. In fact, if Trump and Republicans in Congress aren't going to cut discretionary spending—especially on the military—the only places they can look to make way for more tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations are Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
That's been their goal all along.
Know where the money is really going. And know what they have in mind.
Expand
ROBERT REICH ECONOMIC POLICY BUDGET
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Support The American Prospect's independent, nonprofit journalism by becoming a member today. You will stay engaged with the best and brightest political and public policy reporting and analyses, and help keep this website free from paywalls and open for all to read. Our membership levels offer a range of perks including an opt-in to receive the print magazine by mail.
Choose your membership level: IDEAS, POLITICS & POWER
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ROBERT REICH
Robert B. Reich, a co-founder of The American Prospect, is a professor of public policy at the Goldman School of Public Policy at the University of California at Berkeley. He is the author of ‘Saving Capitalism: For the Many, Not the Few.’