a) A balanced budget is a budget in which revenue is equal to expenditure. There is neither a deficit nor a surplus.
b) Federal entitlements are benefits provided by national government programs for people who meet eligibility requirements.
c) Social security is a large entitlement. It acts as a barrier to a balanced budget because it requires the government to pay out large amounts of money. Retired Americans are paying less in taxes now that they have a smaller income and are receiving more from the government in the form of benefits. As the retired population grows, the national government must pay out more and more money.
d) Large budget deficits require the government to borrow money and become indebted to banks and other nations. It can also lower the esteem of the country and cause a government to lose international respect and its sense of reliability and strength.
e) The projected revenue for 2012 was $2.6 trillion. Expenditures were $2.6 trillion and the deficit was $1.1 trillion.
http://www.usgovernmentrevenue.com/federal_budget_fy12
f) The total national debt is $16.53 trillion
http://www.usdebtclock.org/
Monday, February 18, 2013
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
G12
Substance:
President Obama focuses on assisting the majority, not the wealthy minority at the top of America. He also discusses the potential negative effects of sequestration. Obama also talks about health care reform, especially for the elderly. It seems that most of his arguments, whether economic or social, focus on asking the wealthiest Americans to contribute more and on helping to support middle class families and people hoping to climb into the middle class. Obama speaks about climate change and the environmental crisis, but environmental reform is something that has been sadly lacking in his administration. He often brings it up in speeches because it is something people like to hear about but he hasn't taken much action on one of the most monumental issues the world is facing. President Obama spent a lot of time discussing changes in the American education system. This is something Bush worked on, Obama is simply taking a different approach to the reform. Obama also introduces a commission to improve elections and voting experiences in the U.S. He focuses less on gun reform than I expected, he leaves it to the end. He discusses why we need gun reform more than the actual reforms he wants to see enacted. He is looking to impassion rather than to propose specific changes.
Style:
Obama begins very positively, citing the end of the war and a recovering economy. He gets right down to business stating, "the state of our union is strong." He is direct and to the point. The President keeps his speech fairly simple. He doesn't fill his points with big words and convoluted sentences. Obama makes his thoughts accessible to everyone, not just highly educated Americans. President Obama is diplomatic but he is focusing on more partisan and controversial issues than he did in his first term. He doesn't want to alienate anyone but he also isn't pandering to the Republicans. Obama gives direct instructions to Congress several times. He asks them to make changes to their education bill, to send him an immigration bill, and urges the House of Representatives to pass the Violence against Women Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act. The President pairs something controversial like gay marriage and the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell with something solidly supported like support of military families. President Obama was on fire as he closed his address. He was uplifting and inspirational as he highlighted the heroes present in the audience and called for American unity and solidarity.
Response:
Joe Biden seems slightly disengaged for the beginning of Obama's speech. It is incredible how much the audience's reactions run along party lines. It seems to me that politicians should focus in public interest rather then partisan support. This is something the American political system needs to improve on within both liberal and conservative parties. The applause is almost entirely from Democrats, while many Republicans stay seated. While Obama discusses education reform the media found probably one of the few children in the room to zoom in on. Vice President Biden immediately stood upon Obama's mention of immigration reform, indicating his strong support of this often emotionally charged topic. There is more universal report when Obama makes it clear that he finds the fact that families earning minimum wage live below the poverty line. This is an idea that most people can get behind. The same is true for Obama's stated support of American troops.
President Obama focuses on assisting the majority, not the wealthy minority at the top of America. He also discusses the potential negative effects of sequestration. Obama also talks about health care reform, especially for the elderly. It seems that most of his arguments, whether economic or social, focus on asking the wealthiest Americans to contribute more and on helping to support middle class families and people hoping to climb into the middle class. Obama speaks about climate change and the environmental crisis, but environmental reform is something that has been sadly lacking in his administration. He often brings it up in speeches because it is something people like to hear about but he hasn't taken much action on one of the most monumental issues the world is facing. President Obama spent a lot of time discussing changes in the American education system. This is something Bush worked on, Obama is simply taking a different approach to the reform. Obama also introduces a commission to improve elections and voting experiences in the U.S. He focuses less on gun reform than I expected, he leaves it to the end. He discusses why we need gun reform more than the actual reforms he wants to see enacted. He is looking to impassion rather than to propose specific changes.
Style:
Obama begins very positively, citing the end of the war and a recovering economy. He gets right down to business stating, "the state of our union is strong." He is direct and to the point. The President keeps his speech fairly simple. He doesn't fill his points with big words and convoluted sentences. Obama makes his thoughts accessible to everyone, not just highly educated Americans. President Obama is diplomatic but he is focusing on more partisan and controversial issues than he did in his first term. He doesn't want to alienate anyone but he also isn't pandering to the Republicans. Obama gives direct instructions to Congress several times. He asks them to make changes to their education bill, to send him an immigration bill, and urges the House of Representatives to pass the Violence against Women Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act. The President pairs something controversial like gay marriage and the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell with something solidly supported like support of military families. President Obama was on fire as he closed his address. He was uplifting and inspirational as he highlighted the heroes present in the audience and called for American unity and solidarity.
Response:
Joe Biden seems slightly disengaged for the beginning of Obama's speech. It is incredible how much the audience's reactions run along party lines. It seems to me that politicians should focus in public interest rather then partisan support. This is something the American political system needs to improve on within both liberal and conservative parties. The applause is almost entirely from Democrats, while many Republicans stay seated. While Obama discusses education reform the media found probably one of the few children in the room to zoom in on. Vice President Biden immediately stood upon Obama's mention of immigration reform, indicating his strong support of this often emotionally charged topic. There is more universal report when Obama makes it clear that he finds the fact that families earning minimum wage live below the poverty line. This is an idea that most people can get behind. The same is true for Obama's stated support of American troops.
Friday, February 8, 2013
G10
1) Healthcare and social security seem to be most important as they are some of the largest sections of spending in the proposed budget and have been added to significantly. Military spending has decreased and takes up a significantly smaller portion of the budget than in previous administrations.
2) The president's budget increases revenue from income taxes as he asks the wealthiest Americans to pay more towards their government. He has also cut the defense budget. These are both things he promised in his election campaign. As he pulls troops from the Middle East and winds down the conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan, less spending is necessary.
3) Republicans will most likely disapprove of the tax increase because they, as a party, do not support high taxes and often promote themselves as opponents to tax increases.
2) The president's budget increases revenue from income taxes as he asks the wealthiest Americans to pay more towards their government. He has also cut the defense budget. These are both things he promised in his election campaign. As he pulls troops from the Middle East and winds down the conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan, less spending is necessary.
3) Republicans will most likely disapprove of the tax increase because they, as a party, do not support high taxes and often promote themselves as opponents to tax increases.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
G9
1) I would raise taxes, specifically on the rich. People who earn 100,000 dollars a year or more or families that earn 200,000 dollars a year or more can afford to give some money back to the country and community that has allowed them to prosper. In addition, taxes on dangerous substances and materials such as alcohol, cigarettes, guns, and bullets could also be increased. None of these is necessary and so can taxed more heavily without a huge detrimental effect.
3) I chose to let many of the Bush tax cuts on wealthy Americans expire, meaning that high-income households will have to contribute more towards the services they enjoy such as roads, schools, and 911 response. I did not cut spending in regard to health care. I chose not to tighten disability or raise the eligibility age for medicare. I see health care for all Americans, regardless or income, as a priority so chose to protect those programs as I attacked the deficit. I also chose to reduce the number of troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and cut some weapons programs. I believe that troops should be reduced in these countries regardless of the economic benefits as we should encourage responsible self-government rathe r than military control overseas. I also chose not to cut too many jobs from the federal workforce as I believe it is important to keep Americans employed so that they maintain spending power and are able to support their families.
3) I chose to let many of the Bush tax cuts on wealthy Americans expire, meaning that high-income households will have to contribute more towards the services they enjoy such as roads, schools, and 911 response. I did not cut spending in regard to health care. I chose not to tighten disability or raise the eligibility age for medicare. I see health care for all Americans, regardless or income, as a priority so chose to protect those programs as I attacked the deficit. I also chose to reduce the number of troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and cut some weapons programs. I believe that troops should be reduced in these countries regardless of the economic benefits as we should encourage responsible self-government rathe r than military control overseas. I also chose not to cut too many jobs from the federal workforce as I believe it is important to keep Americans employed so that they maintain spending power and are able to support their families.
Monday, February 4, 2013
G7
1a) One reason Congress leaves the specifics of federal laws to agencies is to escape blame. If they keep their words vague they are not responsible for the policies that the American public may come to despise. This politically protects congressmen's backs. A more positive reason might be that Congress relies on the expertise of federal agencies. The congressmen may not be qualified to make judgements on exact regulations that need to be implemented in order to meet the goals they outline in a piece of legislation.
1b) My first reason above is supported on page 484 of the textbook when it states, "Congress is fond of stating a broad policy goal in legislation and then leaving implementation up to the bureaucracies. Members of Congress can thus escape messy details, and place blame for the implementation decisions elsewhere."
2a) The Environmental Protection Agency regulates how human activity affects the environment in order to minimize the environmental impact. The Federal Communication Commission regulates communication through radio, television, satellites, and telephones that occurs across state lines and internationally. The Federal Reserve Board controls monetary policy.
2b) The FCC is able to regulate obscenity and vulgarity in the media it regulates by fining companies who do not comply with the standards they set. The EPA sets standards for required fuel efficiencies of vehicles. The Federal Reserve Board may reduce the federal funds rate, or interest rate, it charges in times of financial crisis in order to aid in economic recovery.
3a) Congress controls the budget and so can withdraw funds from agencies it feels are not following legislative intent. This encourages federal agencies to follow the wishes of Congress. Congress can also investigate agencies that are taking too much liberty with the law and whose employees are exercising too much discretion.
1b) My first reason above is supported on page 484 of the textbook when it states, "Congress is fond of stating a broad policy goal in legislation and then leaving implementation up to the bureaucracies. Members of Congress can thus escape messy details, and place blame for the implementation decisions elsewhere."
2a) The Environmental Protection Agency regulates how human activity affects the environment in order to minimize the environmental impact. The Federal Communication Commission regulates communication through radio, television, satellites, and telephones that occurs across state lines and internationally. The Federal Reserve Board controls monetary policy.
2b) The FCC is able to regulate obscenity and vulgarity in the media it regulates by fining companies who do not comply with the standards they set. The EPA sets standards for required fuel efficiencies of vehicles. The Federal Reserve Board may reduce the federal funds rate, or interest rate, it charges in times of financial crisis in order to aid in economic recovery.
3a) Congress controls the budget and so can withdraw funds from agencies it feels are not following legislative intent. This encourages federal agencies to follow the wishes of Congress. Congress can also investigate agencies that are taking too much liberty with the law and whose employees are exercising too much discretion.
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