Budget of the United States Government, Fiscal Year 2012

Sigaba · 02-14-2011, 15:16

The purpose of this thread is to discuss the USG's FY 2012 budget.

The current administration has released a proposed budget for FY 2012.

The publication, in PDF format, is available here.

Summary tables are there for those who "just want the facts."

The president's budget message, available here, will provide plenty of heat for those of you trapped in the throes of winter.

**Pete** · 02-14-2011, 15:37

I notice in the future projections Discretionary spending is flat - creeps up only a tad each year - while Mandatory spending continues up at something like 150 Billion a year.

Read a letter to the Army Times today from a young SSG. He said all us old farts need to get on board and pay higher fees for our Tri Care. Sigh, so much for "Free Health Care for Life".

**Peregrino** · 02-14-2011, 20:09

The wife and I just got notices in the mail telling us our taxes have gone up - guess that's why the retirement checks weren't as big as they had been. So much for no tax increase for anyone earning less than $250,000. Now the current budget proposal is all about 2/3rds cuts, 1/3rd taxes? Lying bastidges! November 2012 can't get here soon enough.

Buffalobob · 02-15-2011, 06:57

Where is Bill Clinton when you need him? He at least knew how to balance a budget. All you need to do is find a young lady who likes to play around to keep him entertained.

Dusty · 02-15-2011, 07:25

It's a house of cards. Anybody who thinks otherwise is a lib or an idiot.

Richard · 02-15-2011, 07:29

Well, I certainly hope the government makes good use of the extra paper clips and staples they can now purchase by using the additional $1200 annually they just notified me will be pulled from my retirement.

Richard

1stindoor · 02-16-2011, 08:43

Here's what I would recommend...

1. 10% cut of every federal agency budget. Every single one...no exceptions...no exemptions. Everything from defense to interior, Presidential staff to junior congressman office supplies. If you're drawing a dime from Uncle Sam...don't expect more than .09 cents. Find a new way to work within your budget reduction.
2. No "new" spending. Period. Don't give a crap how you wrap it up and deliver it...if it's not already budgeted...live without it.
3. Hiring freeze...sorry nobody's going to backfill Bob when he retires in 6 months...it's called picking up the slack...learn how to do it.
4. Social Security...it's time to raise the retirement age. We live longer, we work longer...we can start drawing off the till later.
5. "American" products that are outsourced overseas now receive a hefty import tax. If your corporation is getting labor for pennies outside of US borders...you'll make up the difference when you try to sell your product. If it doesn't sell because you can't afford to be competitive...relook your market strategy.

Then again, I'm just a simple knuckle dragger.

Richard · 02-16-2011, 09:55

Quote:

10% cut of every federal agency budget.

That's a HUGE cut - maybe try 3% across the board first to see what happens and that would still be a CHUNK of $$$ not being spent.

I've begun to think of the federal budget in terms of a decent exercise/weight loss program for somebody who hasn't dieted/exercised in a long time - if you try to do too much too fast, you wind up injured and then the program stalls or is dropped.

Maybe I've become even more of a moderate in my advancing years - go figure.

And so it goes...

Richard