D.o.g.e.

[Kathianne]

Seems like you're concerned about the source of the chart rather than the facts of the chart itself.
let's just say this on that point.
That the site says it's purpose is
"Fighting for a U.S. federal budget that prioritizes peace, economic security and shared prosperity"
not
were an "anti-military leader's dream of how the 'insane' amount spent..."
I hope we can we agree on that much.


But you say the military budget is not a good point to start discussion, Ok, why not? Or why is SS, entitlements, or welfare a good place?
My question asked where is the place we are most likely to find the MOST dollars wasted and largest areas possible to cut unneeded spending?
I think that is the best place to start.

If you know of a better place to start I'm all for it.

Yeah, the chart says nothing, because the source is just 'whishes'.

[revelarts]

Yeah, the chart says nothing, because the source is just 'whishes'.

Show me a chart that includes ALL parts of the budget better than that one then Kath.

[Kathianne]

Yeah, the chart says nothing, because the source is just 'whishes'.

I have no problem discussing waste in military or any other starting point, just make it realistic.

Entitlements imo have plenty of waste, but as so often remarked, they are third rail.

[revelarts]

I have no problem discussing waste in military or any other starting point, just make it realistic.

Entitlements imo have plenty of waste, but as so often remarked, they are third rail.

Can you tell me what's unrealistic about the chart i posted, seems the information in it is from the OBM.


https://www.nationalpriorities.org/b...-101/spending/


"Discretionary Spending
By far, the biggest category of discretionary spending is spending on the Pentagon and military. In most years, this accounts for more than half of the discretionary budget. In 2020, because some discretionary spending passed through supplemental appropriations went to pandemic programs, the share of the discretionary budget that went to the military was smaller – even though the amount that went to the military was just as high as in previous years.

Other examples of discretionary spending include the early childhood education program Head Start (included in Housing & Community), public housing and homeless programs (Housing & Community), federal aid for public K-12 education (Education), Pell grants for low-income college students (Education), food assistance for Women, Infants and Children (or WIC, in Food and Agriculture), job training and placement for unemployed people (in Social Security, Unemployment and Labor), and scientific research through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Science Foundation (NSF), among many others.

Mandatory Spending
Mandatory spending is also legislated by Congress, often for multiple years at a time. It is dominated by the Social Security and Medicare programs, which provide income security and health insurance for retirees and some Americans with disabilities, and sometimes their families.

It also includes Medicaid, the health insurance program for low-income adults and children, and widely used safety net programs like food stamps (SNAP), welfare (TANF), and highway construction and maintenance, and other things.

When Congress decides to create a program like Social Security, rather than setting aside a certain amount of money, it sets rules for who can receive benefits from the program, and what those benefits will be. People who are eligible can get help, and the government covers the costs. Medicare and other programs work similarly.

One advantage of this kind of spending compared to discretionary spending (which is limited by the amounts Congress sets) is that it can more readily respond to unexpected circumstances like a recession, or a pandemic. During the COVID-19 crisis, for example, anyone who qualified for stimulus checks could get them. Unlike discretionary programs, the money didn’t run out and shut some people out.

Mandatory spending makes up roughly two-thirds of the total federal budget in most years, and more in some years.

In 2020, most pandemic relief fell under mandatory spending programs. This led to mandatory spending of $5.2 trillion, much higher than in previous years. The ability to quickly ramp up spending enabled the government to help people who lost jobs, those who got sick, and many others.

This chart shows where $5.2 trillion in mandatory spending went in 2020."

[Kathianne]

Better. You realize that about 25% of total budget is discretionary, right? The rest is payment on debt and entitlements. As the debt rises, which has been rapid the past 4 years, discretionary spending is either reduced or debt increases. Guess what the choices have been.

The only cuts possible are discretionary. I do wonder if you understand where the US military is today?

If you really don't care about who is ruling, then the military really is irrelevant. Choices.

[Gunny]

Better. You realize that about 25% of total budget is discretionary, right? The rest is payment on debt and entitlements. As the debt rises, which has been rapid the past 4 years, discretionary spending is either reduced or debt increases. Guess what the choices have been.

The only cuts possible are discretionary. I do wonder if you understand where the US military is today?

If you really don't care about who is ruling, then the military really is irrelevant. Choices.

Behind.

Guess what cuts look like when you have to go to war because you are deemed weak by aggressors? Ration cards. Nothing discretionary about them.

[fj1200]

Can you tell me what's unrealistic about the chart i posted, seems the information in it is from the OBM.

It's incomplete. What point are you trying to make? Do you know how far in the whole we are? Do you think they're going to find things that plenty of others haven't found? I wish them luck and hope they get budgets passed but be realistic about what can be accomplished.

[revelarts]

Better. You realize that about 25% of total budget is discretionary, right? The rest is payment on debt and entitlements. As the debt rises, which has been rapid the past 4 years, discretionary spending is either reduced or debt increases. Guess what the choices have been.
The only cuts possible are discretionary. I do wonder if you understand where the US military is today?
If you really don't care about who is ruling, then the military really is irrelevant. Choices.

Behind.
Guess what cuts look like when you have to go to war because you are deemed weak by aggressors? Ration cards. Nothing discretionary about them.

It's incomplete. What point are you trying to make? Do you know how far in the whole we are? Do you think they're going to find things that plenty of others haven't found? I wish them luck and hope they get budgets passed but be realistic about what can be accomplished.

'...it wont wont reduce the debt.. when you have to go war... ration cards... be realistic... you do realize..'
sheesh
Do you guys really want any cuts?
Where are the SMALL GOV'T conservatives?!
We've all seen R & D politicians TALK about cutting waste, (since CARTER for me) so yes waste has been SEEN before. "Nothing New".
Except this time it looks like some of it might get cut.

Shoot me why-dontcha for being a lil hopeful.

And pointing out areas that seem the most RIPE for BILLIONS in less spending.

[Kathianne]

'...it wont wont reduce the debt.. when you have to go war... ration cards... be realistic... you do realize..'
sheesh
Do you guys really want any cuts?
Where are the SMALL GOV'T conservatives?!
We've all seen R & D politicians TALK about cutting waste, (since CARTER for me) so yes waste has been SEEN before. "Nothing New".
Except this time it looks like some of it might get cut.

Shoot me why-dontcha for being a lil hopeful.

And pointing out areas that seem the most RIPE for BILLIONS in less spending.

LOL! That's rich! I'm the only one here advocating a way to phase out SSI. Return medical care to families/doctors/private insurance. SNAP and such, state level.

There we go!

Of course that won't be done.

[SassyLady]

LOL! That's rich! I'm the only one here advocating a way to phase out SSI. Return medical care to families/doctors/private insurance. SNAP and such, state level.

There we go!

Of course that won't be done.

Why would you want to do that instead of stop sending billions to Ukraine or building a train in South America? Why would you want to take funds away from Americans before we explore ways to stop giving to all the other countries around the world?