- At this stage, I do not have the kind of tools that the congressional budget office or well-educated economists would afford me, but the specifics herein are designed to give an idea of the magnitude of spending cuts I propose. Budgets will be refined as I am able to afford experts to assist me in making sure spending cuts will be appropriate in our financially complex nation.
- The federal government spent $6.5 trillion in 2022. I cannot yet promise this, but we should endeavor to cut federal spending by about 30+% within 2 years, without disruption to national security, or massive social disruption – that is a cut of $2 trillion/year ($6,000 per American, $20,000/family). This is an aggressive goal that will be refined with time, but it tells you how I think about spending. Many may argue this cannot be done, but I imagine most of those people will be tied somehow to the massive spending the government undertakes. Please listen to the budget hawks if you want the full story.
- I personally know people that are paid a full military disability payment of a normal salary, even while working two or three other good paying jobs. I personally receive social security disability payments I do not need to maintain my nice lifestyle. I will not support federal payments for anything except SS retirement (which is really insurance, in my view) to those that do not need the monies to live a modest, healthy, and safe lifestyle. Our government is not there to support us lavishly and should only be a safety net for those in real trouble.
- When COVID hit America, I was given two or three $600 payments from the federal government even as I continued to receive my Social Security check and had plenty of money in the bank to support myself. I was also given an $11,000+ loan to cover the fear of future rent losses in my rental home business. This was foolish spending/lending by our government. Spending must be means evaluated or it is simply wasteful spending.
- Over the years, I have carefully listened to many federal employees (one-on-one) who have confided in me the terrible nature of the federal budget system. It needs to be much more like the private sector. I have heard many times that a department is always expected to spend all monies budgeted for it, because if monies are not spent, the budget will be cut in the next year, which is considered a bad idea by federal managers and employees seeking to preserve their power and career. The incentive should be exactly the opposite, and should reward cuts in spending, within reason when they do not compromise public safety or welfare.
- Over the last several decades the federal government appears to have addressed the so-called $600 hammers. However, this excessive spending is only the beginning, in my view. We must also address the lack of competition in all budget categories (example: how many defense contractors really get a shot at competing to build a fighter jet, weapon system, or an aircraft carrier), and the spending that does not truly support America and its citizens (example: corporate welfare, energy subsidies or personal welfare that is not means tested.) Things like this are where the most waste is, and I will aim to prove it with time. I am told repeatedly that contractors can overcharge and get away with bloated budgets because of a lack of competition for their materials and services. This is a dirty little secret that protects power and turf in Washington, DC. We must get past this lack of competition.
- There are some departments that I would severely curtail, or even eliminate. These include the Departments of Education, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Energy, Health and Human Services, and Transportation. These all are newer departments which create an undue influence on the shaping of America, in my view. I prefer to see the open and free market to decide the issues these departments deal with. These departments represent over $1.1 trillion in spending/year. Many other departments are bloated.
- Government employees who will necessarily be cut from the federal workforce should be released with compassion, job training, and where possible and needed, severances, to help them adjust to new work. This may delay the spending cuts several months, but is the right thing to do, in my view.
My Stance on the Second Amendment
My perspective on the Second Amendment is unequivocal. The phrase “Shall not be infringed” leaves little to ambiguity. The Supreme Court, albeit by a slim margin in the Heller decision, has clarified that the Second Amendment rights extend to individual citizens, not just collective militias. Nonetheless, various state legislatures and judiciaries across the country have deemed certain firearm regulations to be constitutionally valid. The Supreme Court has been relatively reserved in its validation of these regulations, and there are indications that it may lean towards limiting or overturning comprehensive gun control measures. A stance that, in my view, is congruent with the Amendment’s intent.
2 Responses
Wonderful thoughts regarding spending! And especially nice to see per person or company, so we can imagine HOW these changes actually will affect us! Don’t worry about not having professional finance training as the other officials, for having a public member such as us, and one who UNDERSTANDS what we are dealing with is FAR better than any “officially” trained political advisors! Please do consider that we all have medical issues, whether from sickness or necessary surgery, and health insurance, while expensive, cuts these costs tremendously! Major public benefit. Extremely interesting and important that not all companies are given the ability to have a chance to produce products at cheaper prices. The things you bring up are fascinating and important, very impressive, and appreciate knowing! Brilliant to offer training after job severance. Making everyone more productive and happier
Thank you for your constructive and encouraging words. I am concerned about medical issues, but I do think once America heals from our current difficulties, so too will it’s people be better able to take care of themselves and heal their bodies, minds, and spirit. I think our nation will be able to afford incentivized healthcare for all once the economy blossoms for all, and I would want the see premiums, in part, based on a person’s fitness. I.e. you smoke, you pay more, or get less benefits. Please follow and comment, it means a lot to me. Blessings.