No, that isn’t a typo. In 2009, the Federal Deficit will be around $482 billion dollars. Can you honestly even picture that kind of money? It’s hard to even fathom such a staggering amount.
When you look at the expenditures of the United States, your mind will boggle even more. If we are to believe President Bush’s budget projections, this new budget will:
- Balance the budget by 2012
- Combat terrorism and protect the homeland to keep America safe
- Promote economic growth and prevent tax increases to keep America prosperous
- Address the challenges facing American families—quality education for their children,
affordable health care, rising energy costs, and falling home values - Spend taxpayer dollars wisely, focusing resources on programs that are getting results,
cutting wasteful spending, and holding the growth in non-security discretionary spending to
less than one percent - Slow the unsustainable growth of entitlement spending with sensible reforms
Wow. Those are some mighty lofty goals, Mr. President. Call my cynical, but I just don’t see any of those things happening by 2012. Oh sure, they’re wonderful goals. I absolutely agree that each and every one of those things are seriously important.
What I know will happen is that Government leaders will continue to receive huge raises each year, adding to their already insanely high salaries. Money will be appropriated to places that the general American population doesn’t feel it should go. More will be spent on the war than will be spent on Education and Health care combined.
When is the last time you remember a balanced budget, or a surplus of money in the Government? I don’t know about you, but it hasn’t been in any of my 37 years on this Earth.
