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Trump's proposed budget for 2018

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  • Schmidt
    2017-03-16 12:15:20 PM
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    Dylan Matthews, Vox, March 16, 2017: Donald Trump's First Budget Outline, Explained

    Donald Trump's budget proposal for the 2018 fiscal year (starting October 1, 2017) has produced considerable consternation amongst both Democrats and Republicans. It guts programs that support climate change, the poor, and the State Department (foreign aid) while the Military, Home land Security and Veterans get big increases.

    As per the New York Times, the Environmental Protection Agency's budget would be cut by 31 percent while eliminating or curtailing most of Obama's initiatives and executive actions. Likewise the State Department is cut by 28 percent and the Health and Human Services Department by 17.9 percent. The Legal Services Corporation, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Endowment for the Arts would be axed entirely.

    This is Trump's first pass at a budget. It is unlikely to pass in it's current form. He promises more details in May. Most people pay little attention to these presidential budget proposals, but we need to start actively protesting if we want to have our voices heard by the time Congress votes on its final budget.

  • jaredsxtn
    2017-03-16 02:12:09 PM
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    Schmidt Wrote: This is Trump's first pass at a budget. It is unlikely to pass in it's current form. He promises more details in May. Most people pay little attention to these presidential budget proposals, but we need to start actively protesting if we want to have our voices heard by the time Congress votes on its final budget.

    I understand that it's unlikely to pass in its current form, but this is the most absurd budget proposal I have ever seen. Gutting "Meals on Wheels" to help pay for a border wall? That is just nuts.

    The whole thing reads like a Steve Bannon wish list put into a budget proposal. Gut the programs that millions of people rely on in order to build a deportation force and spend even more money on an already bloated military.

  • wwjd
    2017-03-16 04:42:24 PM
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    Adding that medical research, such cancer research, is taking huge cuts.

    nbcnews.com/health/health-news/trump-bu...

    I continue to be puzzled by the endless need to increase the military budget. In the next war, how many times do we need to be able to blow up the world. I suppose we need to be #1 and not let Russia or China be able to blow up the world more times than we can.

    • USA 150 times
    • Russia 147 times
    • China 132 times


    Pretty close race. Happy

    Yeah, I get it. What is the point of having any kind of research when when the goal is to blow up the world.Wink

  • Schmidt
    2017-03-16 05:31:14 PM
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    Well the "end of days" prophecy is very real to many Evangelicals. Some 81 percent of white evangelicals voted for Trump, and his refusal to rule out a global nuclear war fits just fine with their ideology.

    The other point though is as we have mentioned before, the military machine and weapons exports are a big business for America. We have to keep feeding the military industrial machine that we created. If the public has doubts, play the fear card again and again. Playing on one's fears keeps the public in place...that and support the troops. Salute the flag.

  • wwjd
    2017-03-16 06:04:38 PM
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    Schmidt Wrote:

    Well the "end of days" prophecy is very real to many Evangelicals. Some 81 percent of white evangelicals voted for Trump, and his refusal to rule out a global nuclear war fits just fine with their ideology.

    From their (fatalist) perspective, it would resonates well. It something I can't identify with. I view Trump as a temporary detour, and we shall get back on track because we are a progressive nation going back 200+ years, but he could do a lot of damage before he leaves office. IMHO, Trump got elected because progressive\liberals were leaving behind those who voted him into office. What they really wanted was to be included\heard\respected, not be outsiders who get the leftovers.
  • Dutch
    2017-03-17 08:42:19 AM
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    Schmidt Wrote:

    Well the "end of days" prophecy is very real to many Evangelicals. Some 81 percent of white evangelicals voted for Trump, and his refusal to rule out a global nuclear war fits just fine with their ideology.

    The other point though is as we have mentioned before, the military machine and weapons exports are a big business for America. We have to keep feeding the military industrial machine that we created. If the public has doubts, play the fear card again and again. Playing on one's fears keeps the public in place...that and support the troops. Salute the flag.

    Yes Schmidt; talking about hypocrites; sure don't feed the poor, enrich the rich, and spent the money on war tools which don't help to put this country into the 21st century related to "health", "education" and "happiness" for all.

    Sorry to repeat myself; it is Hitler all over again.

  • Schmidt
    2017-03-17 09:08:22 AM
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    Trump is making deep cuts to many programs that help Americans to cope day-to-day. Defunding the Community Development Block Grant program, for example, will especially affect senior citizens. The Meals on Wheels program served over 219 million meals to 2.4 million homebound senior citizens in 2016. Oh and it also supported 330,000 jobs. It will save $3 billion in Trump's budget enough to cover about 13 percent of his wall.

    The EPA's budget is cut 31 percent and defunds "Obama's Clean Power Plan, international climate change programs and research, and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and the Chesapeake Bay Program". Who needs clean air and water when corporate profits are at risk?

    As per the Atlantic, he also proposes to cut funding entirely for 19 independent agencies.

    Here’s the complete list of the independent agencies Trump wants to defund:

    • African Development Foundation
    • Appalachian Regional Commission
    • Chemical Safety Board
    • Corporation for National and Community Service
    • Corporation for Public Broadcasting
    • Delta Regional Authority
    • Denali Commission
    • Institute of Museum and Library Services
    • Inter-American Foundation
    • U.S. Trade and Development Agency
    • Legal Services Corporation
    • National Endowment for the Arts
    • National Endowment for the Humanities
    • Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation
    • Northern Border Regional Commission
    • Overseas Private Investment Corporation
    • United States Institute of Peace
    • United States Interagency Council on Homelessness
    • Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

    He has called this the "America First" budget, but it would seem the only parts of America that benefits are corporations, the military, veterans and the rich. Looking at the list above of agencies that will be completely scrapped it shows the disdain he has for the lives of ordinary Americans.

  • Schmidt
    2017-03-17 09:22:42 AM
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    We should also note that the $54 billion in military expenditures will require that the Sequestration cap limits be exceeded. That will require the support of eight Democrats if the budget is filibustered. Will eight Democrats break ranks and support this budget? Not likely unless they get something in return. It will probably be some kind of "grand compromise" again and/or a government shutdown in the fall.
  • Schmidt
    2017-03-17 12:01:44 PM
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    Bloomberg, March 16, 2017: These 80 Programs Would Lose Federal Funding Under Trump’s Proposed Budget

    Hey, Bloomberg has a great graph and tables to help you understand the relative sizes of the additions and cuts to Trump's proposed budget. Click on the link above.

  • Schmidt
    2017-03-18 08:55:29 AM
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    MSN, New York Times, March 17, 2017: Trump Budget Cuts Put Struggling Americans on Edge

    The New York Times has visited several Trump voters affected by his proposed budget cuts to such organizations like the Highland County Community Action Organization, the Coalfield Development Corporation, and the Legal Service Corporation, all of which help struggling Americans manage day-to-day...barely. Trump's budget cruelly chops these organizations as not showing a return. I hate that fuckin' business language that everything has to show a return on the investment, which in the mentality of the business world means a profit.

    Read the NYT article above for stories of real Americans...some still holding onto hope that Trump will do them right...others not so sure.

  • Dutch
    2017-03-18 08:55:51 AM
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    Schmidt, it does not matter where he "saves" money. He throws all of the "savings" as fast out of the window as he gets it, either for an useless "wall" or giving the rich some more. As well the huge "waste bucket" called the Pentagon. Don't forget his weekly trips to Mar-a-Lago at $3 million per trip ( now already over $15 million) Yes he'll make America great again in "waste" but not "health" or helping the poor who voted for him. But yeah the solution is of course another war, so all the "deplorables" can then join the army and become cannon fodder and the family get then an gorgeous folded flag instead of food.

    And certain people will still say that this is an "caring" Democratic country; Where is the barf bucket.

  • Carlitos
    2017-03-19 04:18:51 AM
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    Even though Trump's plan does not cut discretionary spending, the second order effects could be like a government spending cut and/or tax hike on the economy.

    Stands to reason that the non-defense groups and individuals who will lose incomes over the $54 billion discretionary government spending shift would have higher marginal propensities to spend than the defense related groups and individuals who will now receive that $54 billion. Meanwhile, the actual output of non-defense groups receiving incomes from the discretionary budget directly supports and furthers other economic activity and transactions; whereas, bombs, weapons systems, and standing armies do not.

    So I see Trump's "skinny budget" as a net negative for the economy.

    His full budget proposal is expected in May.

    At this point, we should expect an attack on Social Security and Medicare, even though candidate Trump said he wouldn't do that. He's hardly kept his word on healthcare reform. But for no strange reason, he's not expected to change course on cutting taxes for rich people.

    What I fear is that this is all going to lead to higher deficits with nothing to show for it, and then once Trump blows it, we are back again to arguing deficits and debts in a time of crisis.

    Democrats fail to understand that Republican Deficit Hawks/Terrorists are trying to trap Democrats into accepting the economic argument that Peter must be taxed in order for government to get the funds to give to Paul. That's not how the monetary system works. That's not how operations work. Federal government spending/lending precedes revenues/repayment because the government is the issuer of the US dollar. We are giving funds to Paul to pay Peter who then can pay taxes. Our concern should be whether or not this all serves public purpose.

  • Schmidt
    2017-03-19 08:24:20 AM
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    Carlitos -- I always appreciate when you chime in. We've discussed the deficit/debt issue many times, and I agree with you and the MMTers that the "Federal government spending/lending precedes revenues/repayment because the government is the issuer of the US dollar." However, as we both know, much of Congress and the public for that matter lives in a different reality about budgets. They cannot think beyond their "household budget" and therefore hold the federal government to the same standard as their household budget when it comes to spending and borrowing. We don't need to argue the point...I agree with you.

    However, as you pointed out, our concern should be whether or not the budget serves the public purpose. For Trump's proposed budget, the answer is a resounding "no". It wastes money disproportionately on the military, and I'm hopeful that at least the 2011 Sequestration can hold back that $54 billion increase in military spending. However, many Democrats will likely side with Republicans on that issue...with fear mongering the military usually gets first cut at the trough.

    Not only that, Trumpcare also is a transfer of wealth to the Top 2 percent at the expense of health care the less fortunate. This is the rich man's budget and Trump is listening to "his kind" rather than the Appalachian coal miners and Rust Belt former factory workers who helped elect him...and still support him. Trump still has an uncanny ability to control the messaging, telling people what they want to hear. We'll see how long that lasts.

    In the final analysis, Democrats only tool is the filibuster, and that won't work for parts of Trumpcare that will pass with reconciliation. A government shutdown? I don't think Dems have the balls for it.

    Republicans as always will vote with their tribes. Elections have consequences.

  • Dutch
    2017-03-19 12:37:05 PM
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    Carlitos an Schmidt; both good stories. However don't count out the "human" factor; it is not only money what counts but also if it will be an "happy" country. The way Trump governs is only to spread hate as well creating enemy's. Money does not count for him as long as it flows in his direction. He does not care about deficits or the countries "mental" health. Like Bannon says; he wants total destruction of the present system here without what the consequences will be for the future of this country. The "motto" is "destroy" and "rule"(sounds like Stalin). Power over the people. He wants to be an"dictator" whatever it costs.
  • Carlitos
    2017-03-20 12:54:11 AM
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    Schmidt Wrote:

    ...However, as we both know, much of Congress and the public for that matter lives in a different reality about budgets. They cannot think beyond their "household budget" and therefore hold the federal government to the same standard as their household budget when it comes to spending and borrowing. We don't need to argue the point...I agree with you.

    I'd still say that the public and leadership is not that far off.

    And none of this is rocket science and I'm not very smart and I get it.

    Every time the debt ceiling debate and the deficit hysteria goes over the edge, it comes out down from some eminent voice at the top that the government does not ever have to default because it can always create and distribute the funds to pay its bills on time. Then the media calms down, and the politicians roll over on what needs to be done despite public perceptions and what the ideologues insist. Trump himself has said the government does not have to default because it can always "print the money" and a lot of people on the right recognize the same (that's not how it actually works but point is still valid). No conservative member of a professional field has ever not yielded to me on this point in private conversation. But the naysayers think its an undesirable option because they wrongly equate dollar creation with inflation. The data does not support that. So this is a very winnable argument, and it's won more and more each day as more professionals in the capitalist business and finance fields find about MMT.

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