http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/10/politics/budget-negotiations/index.html?hpt=po_t1
I was glad to see that our divided government can still work together. Congressional negotiators have reached a bipartisan budget deal that would stop another government shut down from occurring. Both sides gave in a little bit to compromise, which is what we need right now. The proposal will raise spending for the next full fiscal year to $1.012 trillion. This deal would save $85 billion, while "Eliminating $63 billion in forced spending cuts to the military and other programs through sequestration to achieve total deficit reduction of $23 billion". President Obama even called this deal "A good first step".
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This budget is absolutely horrendous and undoes all of the (minimal) progress that we have made in the past five years—it ends the sequestration cuts. The sequester cuts were the only thing we have done that cut spending to any reasonable degree. Moreover, the budget failed to reform entitlements—the biggest long term danger this country faces. Sooner or later, spending cuts must happen. The longer we wait, the more painful the cuts will have to be. We cannot stop borrowing from our future in order to pay for the present; the only way that stops is spending cuts. If spending is our long term problem, how is a two year budget that increases spending a good idea?
ReplyDeleteI agree, surprisingly, with Andrew that government should cut spending. However, we differ on where spending should be cut. The sequestration cuts that are being eliminated by this new budget are in industries that I believe need more money: "education, medical research, infrastructure investments, and defense jobs." The budget, as clearly stated by the article, isn't ideal for either party, but I believe it is a step in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteI ultimately believe that increasing spending in areas such as "education, medical research, infrastructure investments and defense jobs" is good thing. And though, obviously, the reduction of spending is important, I think what we honestly need is a more drastic progressive tax. With the size of the United States government and the number of projects it sustains, I don't believe cutting spending drastically is going to solve our problems. Only cutting spending limits the benefits possible because there is only so much "meat" you can cut of before all you have is the bones. And overall, I think cutting spending would just stunt our countries growth.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that this deal could be created and that most people are agreeing on it. This is definitely a step in the right direction as far as compromise goes, and it should lead the way for future compromise to eliminate the bickering between the parties. Though the deal is not perfect, it is a good starting point. I fully support the continued spending on education, medical research, infrastructure investments and defense jobs, because as a nation those are some very crucial aspects.
ReplyDeleteWell this is a good sign to say the least. Having bipartisan agreement at any time, especially in recent years is something that can generate more agreement, hopefully. I'm glad to see this, since we haven't had any big compromises unless it was a near-crisis situation as the article said. Moving forward this is a big step in a long journey that congress must take
ReplyDeleteThis is obviously a step in the right direction. I'm glad that there's finally some sort of agreement going on in Washington. I agree with Emily that a "more drastic progressive tax" is needed as well. Cutting spending will only get us so far, cutting some here and raising some taxes there will better improve the economy, I think.
ReplyDeleteCuts obviously need to be made somewhere, but I'm glad the cuts on education, defense jobs, and medical research are being reduced. This deal displays compromise, which is a good thing to see. President Obama's comment on this deal being a "good first step" is very true as it would be the beginning of more negotiations on how to further decrease the deficit each year.
ReplyDeleteI agree that this is a step in the right direction, however small a step it is. The budget plan prevents cuts to discretionary spending (which funds many important government agencies). But according to the plan's authors, it more than makes up for such allowances by cutting mandatory spending, which happens automatically by law. I agree with Olivia that education, medical research, and infrastructure investments are worthy of greater funding and should not be cut if we want to invest intelligently in the future of the country. I do think the defense budget could be cut; the military is a little too well-funded in my opinion. Americans in general feel very strongly about having a strong military, but I'd like to see some investigation into how the military might manage its money more frugally.
ReplyDeleteThis is a step in the right direction, but they're not there ye.
ReplyDeleteSorry about that^^^. But as I was saying this is a step in the right direction, but they are not there yet. There needed to be spending cuts, which they did. I especially like the set spending amount that they also agreed on. With the set amount, they now know how much money is appropriate and can allocate funds accordingly.
ReplyDeleteSpending needs to be cut, I think everyone agrees with that. I think most people also agree that this deal is a step in the right direction, but it's not perfect. Obviously, another government shutdown should be avoided at all costs, as even having one is bad enough. Personally, I think we need a combination of tax reform and budget cuts to get our country out of debt, or at least towards that general direction. Also, the space program is more important than people give it credit for, and it should get more funding.
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