Washington Whispers

6 Ways to Cut the Federal Deficit Today

July 1, 2010 RSS Feed Print

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With the budget deficit and national debt soaring, there has been lots of talk in Washington and among the G-20 economic allies to cut spending and balance budgets. But so far there has been little action. President Obama's bid last year to have Cabinet agencies cut $100 million mostly drew yawns. [See photos of the Obamas behind the scenes.]

This week Whispers asked Citizens Against Government Waste if they could find programs and billions of dollars to cut and CAGW's president and press office needed less than a day to come up with cuts totalling about $11 billion over five years. Their list includes killing sugar and milk subsides and two defense programs the Pentagon doesn't want but Congress does.

The list:

1. Kill the Defense Department alternate engine program for the Joint Strike fighter. The House of Representatives authorized $485 million for the engine in H.R. 5136, the FY 2011 Defense Authorization Act. Since 2004, Congress has earmarked more than $1.2 billion for the engine.

2. Eliminate funding for the Pentagon's C-17 transport. This would result in a one-year savings of $400 million and a five-year savings of $2 billion.

3. Reform the Agriculture Department's milk marketing orders program and deregulate milk pricing. This would result in a one-year savings of $1.15 billion and a five-year savings of $5.75 billion.

4. Eliminate the Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration that helps U.S. regions in foreign trade. This would result in a one-year savings of $201 million and a five-year savings of $1.081 billion.

5. Replace the $1 bill with a coin. This would save taxpayers $522.2 million per year.

6. Eliminate the Agriculture Department's sugar subsidy. This would result in a one-year savings of $160 million and a five-year savings of $800 million.

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1. Make common prescription drugs available over the counter: badder infection, yeast infection, estrogen cream, antibacterial topical creams for insect bites, must be other meds to add to the list.
2. Charge an upfront fee to visit ER - in cash. No cash, no service.
3. Change citizenship so people from other countries can't give birth and then the child automatically becomes a citizen.
4. End energy subsidies including doing away with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission - let renewables stand on their own - I think they can complete against other forms of energy if the subsidies stop for all types of energy. I mean all subsidies, hidden subsidies. Tax gasoline.
5. End senior center programs (I am a senior). Revise medicare programs so support vouchers are provided and senior must find their own care (vouchers for medical care only not daycare or other programs).
6. Reduce medicare payments charged by doctors and require doctors to accept a certain percentage of medicare patients.
6. Stop FDA regulation of drug prices. The cost to produce a drug is mostly pennies for the substances for one pill but with FDA regulation the cost can be $10 or more per pill. Have drug companies compete in the open market to sell their drugs at the going price.
7. Stop people from getting their spouses higher social security income if they are divorced.
8. Cut funding to new hospitals, airport, roads and upgrades to existing ones.
9. Cut education grants and funding to institutions.
10. Cut military - support reduced number and size of bases outside the country to say 10 that are 50% smaller.
11. Cut all foreign aid except for emergencies.

Cheryl McGovern of CA 11:00AM March 18, 2011

Though I hate to see money taken away These two programs as even stated by the Military are not needed.
The marketing , and regulation of milk prices by the govt is silly at best and serves only 1 purpose votes. It doesnt help the farmer or the consumer. Fair pricing should be based on need just like anything in a free market. The market sets the price.
Why should the US taxpayer pay the cost of helping US territories with foriegn trade. No offense but puertorico has voted against state hood on numerous occasions. Let them fend for themselves.
Have to say $1.00 bill never entered my mind but sound idea.
To subsidize sugar is totaly with out merit.
However their are many other items that need to be addressed.
1) Federal Pay and benifits. No raises or increases in Federal Employees until the budget is in the black. Include Congress and the executive branch.
2) The Federal Employees caught not performing in a manner consistant with thier jobs should be terminated. watching porn not inspecting signing off on documents such as emergency response for oil spills. Thats fired not layed off no severnce fired no unemployeement no retirement.
3) The President Should be limited to a number of appointees and thier salaries should be voted on by congress to many friends getting big checks.
4) Make Congress and the president work under a budget failure to do so should cause automatic vote by the country to impeach not congress.
Congressman should be let go by their districts and state.
5) Stop paying out millions to govts who do not assist the US or its causes. thier are many. If the taxpayers want they will mail them a check.
6) Stop getting involved in the free market the govt does not have the right change bancruptcy law or decide who will and will not succeed by giving bailouts.
7) Do away with Fanny and Freddie non profitable, eating to many tax dollars. If Barney Fanks, And Dodd disagree let them buy some shares if not shut up.

Jerry of NY 12:58PM July 06, 2010

Cut off ALL forms of public assistance. Might help with immigration as the now hungry, formerly "entitled" class has to try to compete with the illegals to eke out an existence.

Mssrs Jackson and Sharpton of IL 7:37PM July 05, 2010

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