Trump Budget

[Matata]

Haven't read or analyzed the entire thing but I'd like to see less money going to military and more to infrastructure and healthcare.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/16/politics/trump-budget-cuts/

http://thehill.com/policy/finance/324145-trump-unveils-first-budget-blueprint

 

[ruby59]

Haven't read or analyzed the entire thing but I'd like to see less money going to military and more to infrastructure and healthcare.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/16/politics/trump-budget-cuts/

http://thehill.com/policy/finance/324145-trump-unveils-first-budget-blueprint

100% agree, Matata.

Every time I go under a tunnel in my home state I look for falling debris. And our roads are literally falling apart.

And I would love to see decent affordable healthcare and better prices on medication.

My MIL is on Medicare. When she gets into the donut hole, which can be as early as March, her meds can reach $800 a month or more.

 

[Arcadian]

Lots to say, not at liberty to do so. Can only say that it won't pass as is.

 

[Kbell]

At least they're getting an early jump on it unlike past years.

The Fed gov't wastes $$... The amount is shameful. In my ex's ONE small department alone
they wasted millions - literally - and that's according to those working there (or not working and not showing up
but of course getting paid over 6 figures) to see the waste firsthand. So even though it sounds warm & fuzzy to increase
budgets in say environment - it's a waste when it's not used properly & just makes
for a nice media statistic.

 

[redwood66]

At least they're getting an early jump on it unlike past years.

The Fed gov't wastes $$... The amount is shameful. In my ex's ONE small department alone
they wasted millions - literally - and that's according to those working there (or not working and not showing up
but of course getting paid over 6 figures) to see the waste firsthand. So even though it sounds warm & fuzzy to increase
budgets in say environment - it's a waste when it's not used properly & just makes
for a nice media statistic.

Yes they do. I am glad to see such big cuts though they will be reduced in order to pass.

 

[partgypsy]

Cost of security for Trump Tower: $183 million/year. Budget for National Endowment Arts/Humanities: $148 million/year.
Cost of 1 weekend government cost for Trump to visit Mara lago: 3 million. Yearly federal cost of Meals on Wheels: 3 million.

the budget that Trump proposed, really reflects his values (or lack thereof). (increasing the Defense budget when we have the biggest defense budget any country on earth, while cutting or gutting other much smaller programs). He's like the guy who buys a shiny new SUV with all the bells and whistles, and then is looking in the couch cushions for spare change, letting his yard die, and forgoing flossing and dentist appointments to pay for the SUV payments.

 

[lovedogs]

Cost of security for Trump Tower: $183 million/year. Budget for National Endowment Arts/Humanities: $148 million/year.
Cost of 1 weekend government cost for Trump to visit Mara lago: 3 million. Yearly federal cost of Meals on Wheels: 3 million.

the budget that Trump proposed, really reflects his values (or lack thereof). (increasing the Defense budget when we have the biggest defense budget any country on earth, while cutting or gutting other much smaller programs). He's like the guy who buys a shiny new SUV with all the bells and whistles, and then is looking in the couch cushions for spare change, letting his yard die, and forgoing flossing and dentist appointments to pay for the SUV payments.

Exactly. This budget shows what he thinks matters, and what he thinks doesn't. No surprise I disagree with him on all points.

 

[redwood66]

It is not the purpose of the federal government to support the "arts." Let those interested in artistic projects source funding from like minded individuals.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Endowment_for_the_Arts

The NEA offers grants in the categories of: 1) Grants for Arts Projects, 2) National Initiatives, and 3) Partnership Agreements. Grants for Arts Projects support exemplary projects in the discipline categories of artist communities, arts education, dance, design, folk and traditional arts, literature, local arts agencies, media arts, museums, music, musical theater, opera, presenting (including multidisciplinary art forms), theater, and visual arts. The NEA also grants individual fellowships in literature to creative writers and translators of exceptional talent in the areas of prose and poetry.

The NEA has partnerships in the areas of state and regional, federal, international activities, and design. The state arts agencies and regional arts organizations are the NEA's primary partners in serving the American people through the arts. Forty percent of all NEA funding goes to the state arts agencies and regional arts organizations. Additionally, the NEA awards three Lifetime Honors: NEA National Heritage Fellowships to master folk and traditional artists, NEA Jazz Masters Fellowships to jazz musicians and advocates, and NEA Opera Honors to individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to opera in the United States. The NEA also manages the National Medal of Arts, awarded annually by the President.

The NEA is the largest grantmaker to arts organizations in the nation.[citation needed]

Relative scope of funding[edit]
Artist William Powhida has noted that "in one single auction, wealthy collectors bought almost a billion dollars in contemporary art at Christie's in New York." He further commented: "If you had a 2 percent tax just on the auctions in New York you could probably double the NEA budget in two nights."[10]

 

[partgypsy]

Why is it not the purpose of the government to fund the arts? We have historically done it as have many other countries. Just because you don't feel it is valuable, doesn't mean others agree with you, including many many presidents. And as a cost-cutting measure, it is ludicrous. Cutting 1% of waste in the military would provide more money than completing defunding some of these programs. And the programs provide jobs that will be lost as well.

“The arts are essen­tial to any com­plete national life. The State owes it to itself to sus­tain and encour­age them….Ill fares the race which fails to salute the arts with the rev­er­ence and delight which are their due.” Winston Churchill

Regarding defunding of the EPA, here's another quote:

"it is also vandalism wantonly to destroy or to permit the destruction of what is beautiful in nature, whether it be a cliff, a forest, or a species of mammal or bird. Here in the United States we turn our rivers and streams into sewers and dumping-grounds, we pollute the air, we destroy forests, and exterminate fishes, birds and mammals -- not to speak of vulgarizing charming landscapes with hideous advertisements. But at last it looks as if our people were awakening." Teddy Roosevelt

 

[ruby59]

Why is it not the purpose of the government to fund the arts? We have historically done it as have many other countries. Just because you don't feel it is valuable, doesn't mean others agree with you, including many many presidents. An as a cost-cutting measure, simply cutting 1% of waste in the military would provide more money than completing defunding some of these programs. And the programs provide jobs that will be lost as well.

“The arts are essen­tial to any com­plete national life. The State owes it to itself to sus­tain and encour­age them….Ill fares the race which fails to salute the arts with the rev­er­ence and delight which are their due.” Winston Churchill

Regarding defunding of the EPA, here's another quote:


"it is also vandalism wantonly to destroy or to permit the destruction of what is beautiful in nature, whether it be a cliff, a forest, or a species of mammal or bird. Here in the United States we turn our rivers and streams into sewers and dumping-grounds, we pollute the air, we destroy forests, and exterminate fishes, birds and mammals -- not to speak of vulgarizing charming landscapes with hideous advertisements. But at last it looks as if our people were awakening." Teddy Roosevelt

In your home do you have a budget. I am sure everything you want to purchase is important to you, but when money is limited, some things have to go.

Same in government. It is why our deficit is astronomical. Some day it is going to have to be paid back and I do not want to saddle future generations with it.


As far as the EPA, I was reading up a bit and some of the mandates are just absolutely ridiculous - severely restricting what some can do on their own land.

 

[redwood66]

Why is it not the purpose of the government to fund the arts? We have historically done it as have many other countries. Just because you don't feel it is valuable, doesn't mean others agree with you, including many many presidents. And as a cost-cutting measure, it is ludicrous. Cutting 1% of waste in the military would provide more money than completing defunding some of these programs. And the programs provide jobs that will be lost as well.

“The arts are essen­tial to any com­plete national life. The State owes it to itself to sus­tain and encour­age them….Ill fares the race which fails to salute the arts with the rev­er­ence and delight which are their due.” Winston Churchill

Regarding defunding of the EPA, here's another quote:

"it is also vandalism wantonly to destroy or to permit the destruction of what is beautiful in nature, whether it be a cliff, a forest, or a species of mammal or bird. Here in the United States we turn our rivers and streams into sewers and dumping-grounds, we pollute the air, we destroy forests, and exterminate fishes, birds and mammals -- not to speak of vulgarizing charming landscapes with hideous advertisements. But at last it looks as if our people were awakening." Teddy Roosevelt

No one said you couldn't have the arts but the government should not be subsidizing it. We are in a time of no extra money to spend. Do you want to borrow money from China for the arts? That is my decision making process for spending.


I favor the policy of economy, not because I wish to save money, but because I wish to save people. The men and women of this country who toil are the ones who bear the cost of the Government. Every dollar that we carelessly waste means that their life will be so much the more meager. Every dollar that we save means that their life will be so much the more abundant. Economy is idealism in its most practical form. - Calvin Coolidge

 

[partgypsy]

If you look at the budget that is proposed, it is penny wise, pound foolish. If you say we have no money, than why does Trump propose increasing the budget for Defense, when even Defense is not asking for this money?

We spend more on defense than the next 7 countries, COMBINED. In contrast if we went to single payer insurance, not only would everyone get covered, the national cost of health care would GO DOWN.

The EPA is necessary. More necessary than additional military bloat. Funding our infrastructure is necessary. Not building a wall across Mexico. The people who are closest to the issues with border control, such as the governers of those states do NOT WANT the wall. They know it is uneffective use of money.

Spending on the NIH, not only puts research dollars for cancer cures and health, it is training and funding the next generation of American scientists and doctors. People are lamenting US education is not good. Let me tell you, if there are no good science and techology jobs out there, our country is going to lose our competitvesness in the long term.

Things like the National endowement of the Arts, is pennies on the dollar. I am HAPPY to have that portion of my tax dollars be spent that way. Very UNHAPPY to have my tax dollars wasted in the way that Trump has proposed.

 

[Maria D]

No one said you couldn't have the arts but the government should not be subsidizing it. We are in a time of no extra money to spend. Do you want to borrow money from China for the arts? That is my decision making process for spending.


I favor the policy of economy, not because I wish to save money, but because I wish to save people. The men and women of this country who toil are the ones who bear the cost of the Government. Every dollar that we carelessly waste means that their life will be so much the more meager. Every dollar that we save means that their life will be so much the more abundant. Economy is idealism in its most practical form. - Calvin Coolidge

Oh no, I would never want to borrow money from anyone, much less China, for the arts. When I feel a need for art I go to my (adult) coloring book.

I want to us to borrow money, tons and tons and craploads of money, for a HUUUUUUGE and beautiful Wall. A wall between us and Mexico. Because I'm so tired of those illegal Mexicans crossing the southern borders and making their way up to Maine. (um wait, I might be confusing things with the legal migrant farm workers who come up every year to pick our blueberry, apple and potato crops.) But whatever, I still want that wall! Because it will Make America Great Again, I am sure of it! When we have that wall, we won't NEED any money for medical research, I just know it!

Calvin Coolidge did indeed say it best, every dollar that we carelessly waste on things like education, health and human services, transportation infrastructure, and the environment will make the lives of Americans "so much the more meager." What Americans really NEED is a WALL and much much much more military equipment! The men and women of this country toil for these very things!

All of these congressman coming out against Trump's budget are traitors. Trump is a visionary that knows EXACTLY what this country needs and what is absolutely best for us. In Trump We Trust.