Larger Spending Cuts Needed to Balance the Budget

Sequestration, the set of automatic spending reductions set to hit on March 1, barely makes a dent in federal spending over the next decade. Much larger spending cuts are needed to rein in growing spending and debt and avoid a debt crisis.

This was the apparent message that spawned the interim election of 2010. After pursuing several websites with the constant eye for mismanagement of funds, we could not possibly add up the grotesque negligence the American government has committed with wasteful spending.

I hope we all remember the days of the $64.00 hammer, as well as many other pawned off amounts totaling billions of dollars used as waste, more government spending, entitlements (not SSAN or Medicare), or even the now very “hush-hush on the down low” with earmarks, rewards, and out-right corruption when the government needs it.

Federal spending is projected to grow from $3.6 trillion in 2013 to more than $6 trillion by 2023, a 69 percent increase without sequestration. Even with sequestration, federal spending would still grow by 67 percent. Sequestration barely even slows the growth in spending, let alone cuts any spending out of the overall budget.

Although sequestration this year will cut $85 billion out of agency budgets, the actual spending reduction in fiscal year (FY) 2013 will be only about $42 billion, as spending budgeted in one year often does not go out the door until future years. In the world of Washington budget-speak, this spending is referred to as “outlays.”

We clearly remember our elected officials in the evening hours before the 112th Congress was sworn in; musings such as “we can cut $100 billion on a daily basis” so why is President Obama even getting a chance at misappropriation of our money?

Spending continues growing at this massive pace because sequestration leaves the real drivers of spending and debt—the entitlement programs—nearly untouched. In 2013, spending is projected to grow by $57 billon without sequestration and by $15 billion with sequestration. The sequestration reduction to discretionary spending, including to defense, of $39 billion in 2013 is more than offset by the $85 billion increase in mandatory or entitlement spending this year.

Total spending in 2023 will be only 2.4 percent less than what it would have been without sequestration. Neither does sequestration rein in chronic deficits. Sequestration trims only 12 percent off cumulative deficits over the decade, while U.S. debt held by the public continues growing to economically damaging levels. Deficits return to trillion-dollar levels before the end of the decade. Tax increases would not solve Washington’s budget crisis but would only weaken the economy.

The President and Congress should put the budget on a path to balance by reforming the entitlements and cutting inappropriate and wasteful federal spending deliberately.

The stakes are high. Excessive government spending and debt hurt Americans in real ways by reducing their economic opportunities, which means less business and job creation, lower wages, and a much less prosperous future—especially for low- and middle-income earners.

We overwhelmingly understand the notion of less spending. However, by spending money repeatedly on government projects for agencies, splitting old agencies into newer ones, and just a little foresight could get us out of a huge planet ending nightmare. Examples such as a real look at real difficulties – how on anyone’s watch did 11 million illegal’s get into the nation without being apprehended? Furthermore, what type of sight does it take to look forward and creating a pathway to citizenship for these people who have chosen to break America’s laws.

Our president is spineless, that’s for sure. He would just as soon lie to the American people as he would to his own family. America! Wake up! Let’s take our nation back into civility.

About these ads