Americans Want the U.S. to increase spending in almost every category

[FAITH-IN-HIM]

according to You.Gov

https://d3nkl3psvxxpe9.cloudfront.net/documents/Government_Spending_poll_results_aM0fEtB.pdf

The big disconnect is why they vote for the people who are least likely to do what they want. It's totally perplexing, but hopefully a sign that they will wake up.

See Question 2 in this poll.

72% want increased health care services. 71% want increased veterans services. 70% want increased mental health services. 72% want more disaster relief. And so forth, and so forth.

And in Washington, billionaires Musk, Trump, Lutnick (Commerce) and Bessent (Treasury) are slashing and burning, saying it will only be "short term pain," even though none has even the foggiest idea of what it's like to be one of the 40% of Americans who are "one paycheck away from poverty." To these Americans, a crisis is the check in the mail arriving a day late. Missing a paycheck could mean a car getting repossessed, an eviction, etc.

We need to have leaders who understand the impact of their decisions on the 99%. Instead, we have leaders who would consider it a hardship to fly first class because their private jet is in the shop for repairs.

40% of Americans only one missed paycheck away from poverty

Many otherwise middle-class people are "liquid-asset poor," meaning they can't withstand even a brief financial shock

www.cbsnews.com

Polls are insignificant. Americans vote based on a few key issues: the economy, immigration, pro-life stance, and US involvement in foreign wars. These determine their choice of leader; other issues are secondary.

Every American wants to eliminate fraud, abuse, and waste from the federal government. If someone doesn't care about these issues, I would question their sanity. I don’t think any American, whether liberal or conservative, wants Congress to allocate money for one purpose but spend it on another.

 

[Fantine]

Polls are insignificant. Americans vote based on a few key issues: the economy, immigration, pro-life stance, and US involvement in foreign wars. These determine their choice of leader; other issues are secondary.

Every American wants to eliminate fraud, abuse, and waste from the federal government. If someone doesn't care about these issues, I would question their sanity. I don’t think any b, whether liberal or conservative, wants Congress to allocate money for one purpose but spend it on another.

Musk has gone far beyond "fraud, waste, and abuse." His cuts are arbitrary and determined by AI, not thoughtful, informed people. The cuts have been completely politically motivated and partisan. They have hurt important programs and services to the American people. IRS cuts don't save money--they cost money.y--they were designed to let wealthy tax cheats avoid scrutiny.

And what have they done? NASDAQ suffered the worst loss in three years. Delta Airlines stock went down 15% in one day due to decreased travel. The immigration reign of terror will result in fewer temps working in agriculture and work shortages in companies like meat processors. The pro-life stance once again ignores (or harms) the already born. And US's response to Ukraine is an international, unprecedented disgrace. The request for many trillions in mineral rights in return for the $100 billion we've given them (mostly in used equipment) amounts to extortion--immoral and in many cases criminal.

 

[FAITH-IN-HIM]

The outrageous Secret Service costs for the agents to keep up (at government expense, paid to Mar a Lago) for Trump's frequent vacations to his outrageously priced hotel/home is certainly wasteful. In his previous administration, the Secret Service budget was exceeded by August, most of it going for full-priced accommodations going right into Trump's pockets.

Every President has taken vacations or spent weekends at their homes or resorts. President W. Bush went to his ranch, President Obama vacationed in Hawaii, and President Biden spent weekends in Delaware with the Secret Service present.

The President should take time off on weekends to relax. It's a demanding 24/7 job, so they need breaks, including playing golf occasionally. The Secret Service should protect them, as it's a necessary expense.

The issue with some Democrats and liberals is that they often criticize President Trump on trivial matters. Consequently, when these individuals address more serious issues, their concerns are not taken as seriously.

If you wish to critique President Trump's policies, focus on the issues that matter most to you. For instance, if you consider the Department of Education important, critique him for reducing its resources significantly. If healthcare is a priority for you, critique him for downsizing the CDC or NIH, or for withdrawing from the WHO.

For me, US foreign policy is paramount, which is why I criticize President Trump on this aspect. While I have disagreements with him on domestic policy, domestic issues can be resolved quickly by the next president, whether Republican or Democrat. However, once foreign policy is damaged, it can take 20 to 30 years to repair.

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

Reducing corporate and businesses tax rates from a high rate of 35% down to around 20% proved to be very, very helpful for a significantly strong majority of all Americans. Consequently, revenue grew from almost all of the different sources and types of federal taxes.

Do you have data to back these claims?

 

[Merrill]

Interesting to see the false scenarios the right creates--unshared by economists with experience and expertise.
But some people believe them.

low-quality post

you mean "economists" like Paul Krugman --who has been consistently wrong on virtually everything for decades (including calling the Internet no more important than a fax machine), or Robert Reich?

Robert Reich's F Minus In Economics: False Facts, False Theories

All I can say in my grade school Latin: Caveat lector.

www.forbes.com

fact: Inflation is a monetary phenomenon, and is stoked by money printing and excessive government spending. The "great inflation" on the 1970s started in the 1960s with the Great Society programs of LBJ (huge spending increases) and the "guns and butter" policies surrounding the Vietnam war. It then accelerated with the Oil Embargo --but that was not the cause of the inflation.

The political left in this country has been pushing false narratives and fake economics on this, such as

1. Inflation is simply a consequence of "corporate greed" --which is total nonsense and isn't backed up by any serious economic papers or historical data. It even defies logic (if companies can arbitrarily raise prices and gouge consumers, why did they wait until 2022 to suddenly decide to do it?)
2. Money printing doesn't cause inflation: which is contradicted by the numerous times in world history where it did exactly that, including right now

 

[7thKeeper]

My facts are based upon reality, not campaign statements.

You haven't given any.

 

[Fantine]

Inflation during Biden's term was worldwide. We recovered more quickly due to the sensible handling by the Fed and the Biden government. It was caused by post-pandemic demand and supply chain issues.
Historically, recessions occur during Republican terms. Democrats have more wars.
It is interesting hearing the excuses conservatives make for inflation. I don't believe them--or the non solutions--for a minute.

 

[Fantine]

Every President has taken vacations or spent weekends at their homes or resorts. President W. Bush went to his ranch, President Obama vacationed in Hawaii, and President Biden spent weekends in Delaware with the Secret Service present.

The President should take time off on weekends to relax. It's a demanding 24/7 job, so they need breaks, including playing golf occasionally. The Secret Service should protect them, as it's a necessary expense.

The issue with some Democrats and liberals is that they often criticize President Trump on trivial matters. Consequently, when these individuals address more serious issues, their concerns are not taken as seriously.

If you wish to critique President Trump's policies, focus on the issues that matter most to you. For instance, if you consider the Department of Education important, critique him for reducing its resources significantly. If healthcare is a priority for you, critique him for downsizing the CDC or NIH, or for withdrawing from the WHO.

For me, US foreign policy is paramount, which is why I criticize President Trump on this aspect. While I have disagreements with him on domestic policy, domestic issues can be resolved quickly by the next president, whether Republican or Democrat. However, once foreign policy is damaged, it can take 20 to 30 years to repair.

I criticize all of the policies you mention.

 

[Fantine]

Every President has taken vacations or spent weekends at their homes or resorts. President W. Bush went to his ranch, President Obama vacationed in Hawaii, and President Biden spent weekends in Delaware with the Secret Service present.

The President should take time off on weekends to relax. It's a demanding 24/7 job, so they need breaks, including playing golf occasionally. The Secret Service should protect them, as it's a necessary expense.

The issue with some Democrats and liberals is that they often criticize President Trump on trivial matters. Consequently, when these individuals address more serious issues, their concerns are not taken as seriously.

If you wish to critique President Trump's policies, focus on the issues that matter most to you. For instance, if you consider the Department of Education important, critique him for reducing its resources significantly. If healthcare is a priority for you, critique him for downsizing the CDC or NIH, or for withdrawing from the WHO.

For me, US foreign policy is paramount, which is why I criticize President Trump on this aspect. While I have disagreements with him on domestic policy, domestic issues can be resolved quickly by the next president, whether Republican or Democrat. However, once foreign policy is damaged, it can take 20 to 30 years to repair.

I criticize all of the policies you mentio

Do you have data to back these claims?

I have already provided data refuting them.

 

[Bradskii]

The President should take time off on weekends to relax. It's a demanding 24/7 job, so they need breaks, including playing golf occasionally.

I agree. It should literally be 24/7. It's not like you can choose not to answer the office phone when you're home. And so you need some time to switch off. Some family time. Catch a movie. Get a couple of friends over to watch the game. But 6 out of 7 weekends on the golf course? That, to me, doesn't show a commitment to the job.

Our last Prime Minister thought he needed a break with his family and flew to Hawaii for a few days. In the middle of one of the worst bush fire seasons we'd ever experienced. People were literally dying in the flames. There was uproar. He flew back immediately, but the damage was done. It was one of the reasons he lost the next election.

 

[civilwarbuff]

I imagine they might think "waste" is subsidies to oil companies, the $38 billion or so given to Elon Musk's SpaceX, which has exploded two rockets in the last month alone.

Watch and learn......

This is why they use UNMANNED spacecraft until proven......even then things happen......

 

[civilwarbuff]

The outrageous Secret Service costs for the agents to keep up (at government expense, paid to Mar a Lago) for Trump's frequent vacations to his outrageously priced hotel/home is certainly wasteful. In his previous administration, the Secret Service budget was exceeded by August, most of it going for full-priced accommodations going right into Trump's pockets.
When contracts are awarded to cronies, that's wasteful. I remember the Sec'y of Interior during the Trump years giving a contract to help Puerto Rico with Hurricane Maria to some buddies in Montana with a small business who did not have the ability to help at all.
The Defense Department is known for wasteful contracts to defense contractors.
The biggest waste I see right now is the CDC investigating the connection (debunked numerous times all over the world) between measles vaccines and autism. Why can't they just accept the fact that RFK, Jr. is misinformed, ignore him, and do something for the children in Texas and several other states to prevent a resurgence of measles? Two children have died already--as of a few days ago. Not only is this ridiculous investigation wasteful, children are dying in the interim.

Your sources for these claims?

 

[civilwarbuff]

I am sitting in a VA clinic right now and the nurse just said the VA has had to cut back on community care because of cuts. That could hurt those with lower ratings. My husband has a high rating so he will get priority.

As a former service member I thank your husband for his service.

However, if we keep burying ourselves in debt how long do you think that will last?

 

[civilwarbuff]

So do you think tax cuts for the wealthy help?

Who pays the most income tax? | USAFacts

Individual income taxes made up 49% of federal revenue in FY 2023.

usafacts.org

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

Who pays the most income tax? | USAFacts

Individual income taxes made up 49% of federal revenue in FY 2023.

usafacts.org

That link does not address the question of whether tax cuts for the wealthy actually help. In fact, it seems to imply that taxes from the wealthy are an important part of our national income. A tax break diminishes that.

But you and I have no say at this point. Our representatives have been elected. We can only watch the deficit and debt. So let's do that.

 

[civilwarbuff]

That link does not address the question of whether tax cuts for the wealthy actually help. In fact, it seems to imply that taxes from the wealthy are an important part of our national income. A tax break diminishes that.

From what I see from that chart it says the top (approx) 50-55% of the wage earners pay (approx)95+% of the income taxes, would you agree? So how much more do you want them to pay?......the rest of the 5% of income taxes?......so you can be free and clear? Somehow I am not seeing the justice in that......and that is coming from someone who is nowhere near the top 50%.......

 

[SimplyMe]

From what I see from that chart it says the top (approx) 50-55% of the wage earners pay (approx)95+% of the income taxes, would you agree? So how much more do you want them to pay?......the rest of the 5% of income taxes?......so you can be free and clear? Somehow I am not seeing the justice in that......and that is coming from someone who is nowhere near the top 50%.......

This starts to make a lot of sense when you realize the top 50% of the US own 97% of the nation's wealth, with the bottom 50% owning just the last 3% -- so it makes sense that those that own 97% of the country's wealth would pay over 95% of the income taxes.

Now, I realize wealth distribution is not quite the same as income but it isn't as far off as many think. Part of the issue is what gets defined as "income" -- as income from dividends and interest typically aren't counted the same as wages, including being taxed at a lower rate (capital gains tax, rather than income tax). A great example of this is Musk earning $50 billion from Tesla, which was paid as stock options, so not counted as "income" in the traditional sense. Now, if Elon were to pay roughly 10% of that 50 billion in tax (10% is close to what a middle class family will pay after deductions), then he'd pay $5 billion -- or the same as what half a million middle class American families making $100,000 would pay in income tax.

Now, I'm sure some would say that Elon is but one man and also the richest man in the world (most other even in the 1% aren't close to Elon's wealth) but that also ignores that Elon actually made far more -- as he was the richest man in the world and that was just what he was paid from Tesla, he has interest and other income from his investments, money paid from SpaceX, Boring, etc.

Again, the issue is that the amount earned in a year by that top 50% is still far more than that earned by the bottom 50% -- so income tax echoes this disparity.

 

[Fantine]

Your sources for these claims?

You can easily Google them. They're a part of our history.

 

[FAITH-IN-HIM]

I agree. It should literally be 24/7. It's not like you can choose not to answer the office phone when you're home. And so you need some time to switch off. Some family time. Catch a movie. Get a couple of friends over to watch the game. But 6 out of 7 weekends on the golf course? That, to me, doesn't show a commitment to the job.

Our last Prime Minister thought he needed a break with his family and flew to Hawaii for a few days. In the middle of one of the worst bush fire seasons we'd ever experienced. People were literally dying in the flames. There was uproar. He flew back immediately, but the damage was done. It was one of the reasons he lost the next election.

I believe that while citizens are suffering from calamities, it is inappropriate for the Prime Minister to be vacationing overseas with their family. President Bush ceased playing golf after troops were deployed to Afghanistan. His rationale was that if any mother saw the Commander-in-Chief playing golf while her son was fighting for the country, it would not be appropriate.

President Trump played more golf than President Obama; President Obama played more golf than President Bush. President Bush spent more time at his ranch than President Bill Clinton. These are trivia facts shared in a weekend newspaper for entertainment purposes. They are not intended to be serious or worthy of criticism.

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

From what I see from that chart it says the top (approx) 50-55% of the wage earners pay (approx)95+% of the income taxes, would you agree? So how much more do you want them to pay?......the rest of the 5% of income taxes?......so you can be free and clear? Somehow I am not seeing the justice in that......and that is coming from someone who is nowhere near the top 50%.......

You still do not address the question of tax breaks helping the economy.