The Budget, The Deficit, The Debt

So, what we are being told is that the 432 members of the House and the 100 members of the Senate, along with the President; for several years now have been unable to agree on a budget, that too much debt ($17 Trillion + and counting) is not good, and that running Trillion Dollar Deficits every year is not a way to reduce debt.

In the State of Utah where I live, the week following the Government shut down, new unemployment claims surged by 7,000.  I am one of those fortunate souls.  If you take a moment to read back through my posts here you will be able to garner several things:

1.        I am a conservative, constitutionally minded, advocate for change in our
              government.

2.        I think most of the American Electorate, (The People) are simply ignorant
             when it comes to politics, government, and economics.

3.        If the American people do not re-educate themselves, and change their
             government, in the end the US and the world economies will suffer
             greatly.

4.        I do believe that a better America is worth fighting for and that true
             change, by the will of the people, can be accomplished. 

In one day, if 533 Idiots do not raise the Debt Ceiling the U.S. as a nation will experience many harsh realities and people around the world will suffer.  Let us not make any mistake about who is at fault here.  While it is very evident that our elected representatives hold the smoking gun and have their fingers on the trigger, it is our fault that our nation is here at this place now.

We have been here before, the debate about budgets, deficits, and national debt have ebbed and flowed like the tides and we have failed to direct our elected representatives in the matter.  However this again to me is not surprising. I have heard the conversations,

“we can’t cut military spending it will weaken America.”  A good friend of mine

Echo’s the reporting of the day in 2011 as the debate over budgets, deficits, and debt took center stage.  With 2012 Defense spending at $1.4 Trillion Dollars, I think that cuts are very appropriate and necessary.  The task of prioritizing and slimming and cutting out waste should go to the professionals we employ and elect in Washington and the Pentagon and the “this will weaken the US.” BS argument is null because it is their jobs to do what needs to be done with the money provided.

“Changing the retirement age for Social Security is not fair.”  Another good friend

Again echo’s the reporting of the day back in 2011 when the debate over budgets, deficits, and debt was center stage.  Again, we the people have to wake up and gain control of our senses and our government.  If you are on Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid no worries no change for you.  If your 62 well we just moved the goal post, don’t look for partial benefits till your 65, and none of us should be looking for benefits before 70!  If there is great hardship and inability to care for one’s self we should make exceptions and of course there is major reform needed in the system; the amount individuals pay, corporations pay, and the government pay into the fund as well as in how the fund can be used by the government but this must be part of the plan.

I highlight these two areas because they represent the two grate portions of the Nation’s Budget and the two great sides of the chasm that divides the people and their representatives. 

Start with the big things the rest will follow.  Not changing the way we do things will lead to much greater suffering. 

Thanks for stopping by.
Thomas M. Mangum