The President’s 8th and final budget was released this week. It charted a familiar path: more deficit spending, a failure to include the costs of off-setting alternative minimum tax (AMT) relief, a failure to include the true costs of the war and a failure to provide pay parity for our civil servants. Once again, the President’s annual budget was filled with missed opportunities and misplaced priorities for America.
The Bush budget for 2009 continues the President’s legacy of fiscal irresponsibility. It leaves behind one of the largest budget deficits in U.S. history: $407 billion dollars. That doesn’t even include the cost of the war, which has been left out since the Iraq war began.
The five largest deficits in American history all have occurred under the Bush Administration. When President Bush took office, the national debt stood at $5.7 trillion. It is projected to increase to $9.7 trillion by the time President Bush leaves office — a $4 trillion increase in eight years. This fiscal record ties the hands of the next generation, which faces growing obligations with increasingly limited resources.
The Bush budget will also hurt Americans struggling to make ends meet by cutting Medicare and Medicaid, and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Medicare and Medicaid were slashed by $47 billion and LIHEAP took a $570 million cut. His budget will also hurt our long-term efforts to prepare Americans for better jobs in a global marketplace. It slashes important education and early literacy programs. The Bush budget even cuts funds to states and local governments to fight terrorism, reducing funding by 11 percent or $19.1 billion.
When it comes to the war, the President’s budget continues to understate the cost of our military’s operations in Iraq. The President’s new interest in earmarks—which the Democratic-led House cut in half and made transparent last year—is dwarfed by his spending on the war in Iraq. USA Today points out that eliminating every earmark approved last year would result in only a half of a percentage point of federal spending—and cover just six weeks of Iraq funding.
Our national budget should invest in our future and reflect the aspirations of the American people. The Democratic-led Congress will put forward a budget to take America in a New Direction to make critical investments to strengthen our economy, help Americans struggling to make ends meet in an economic downturn and to restore fiscal responsibility. It’s a different direction than the worn path President Bush has taken us down for eight years, the kind of change Democrats were elected to bring.
The combination of events were the February opening of the massive new flagship Whole Foods supermarket at Broad and Washington and the opening just this week of the seven-screen Paragon
With more citizens of Falls Church now living in multi-family buildings than in single family homes, the fact that the City government has not provided free trash pick-up services to
The following statement was issued today following the U.S. Senate passage of the comprehensive budget bill: “The Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association is deeply disturbed that the
Spring sports season has come to a close at Meridian High School, and it with the conclusion of a number of successful campaigns for the Mustangs. The boys’ soccer team
Legitimate news organizations need grass roots support like never before, and that includes your Falls Church News-Press. For more than 33 years, your News-Press has kept its readers informed and enlightened. We can’t continue without the support of our readers. This means YOU! Please step up in these challenging times to support the news source you are reading right now!
Jim Moran’s News Commentary
Tom Whipple
The President’s 8th and final budget was released this week. It charted a familiar path: more deficit spending, a failure to include the costs of off-setting alternative minimum tax (AMT) relief, a failure to include the true costs of the war and a failure to provide pay parity for our civil servants. Once again, the President’s annual budget was filled with missed opportunities and misplaced priorities for America.
The Bush budget for 2009 continues the President’s legacy of fiscal irresponsibility. It leaves behind one of the largest budget deficits in U.S. history: $407 billion dollars. That doesn’t even include the cost of the war, which has been left out since the Iraq war began.
The five largest deficits in American history all have occurred under the Bush Administration. When President Bush took office, the national debt stood at $5.7 trillion. It is projected to increase to $9.7 trillion by the time President Bush leaves office — a $4 trillion increase in eight years. This fiscal record ties the hands of the next generation, which faces growing obligations with increasingly limited resources.
The Bush budget will also hurt Americans struggling to make ends meet by cutting Medicare and Medicaid, and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Medicare and Medicaid were slashed by $47 billion and LIHEAP took a $570 million cut. His budget will also hurt our long-term efforts to prepare Americans for better jobs in a global marketplace. It slashes important education and early literacy programs. The Bush budget even cuts funds to states and local governments to fight terrorism, reducing funding by 11 percent or $19.1 billion.
When it comes to the war, the President’s budget continues to understate the cost of our military’s operations in Iraq. The President’s new interest in earmarks—which the Democratic-led House cut in half and made transparent last year—is dwarfed by his spending on the war in Iraq. USA Today points out that eliminating every earmark approved last year would result in only a half of a percentage point of federal spending—and cover just six weeks of Iraq funding.
Our national budget should invest in our future and reflect the aspirations of the American people. The Democratic-led Congress will put forward a budget to take America in a New Direction to make critical investments to strengthen our economy, help Americans struggling to make ends meet in an economic downturn and to restore fiscal responsibility. It’s a different direction than the worn path President Bush has taken us down for eight years, the kind of change Democrats were elected to bring.
Recent News
F.C. Hits the Big Time with Paragon & Whole Foods
The combination of events were the February opening of the massive new flagship Whole Foods supermarket at Broad and Washington
F.C.’s New Solid Waste Task Force Begins Work
With more citizens of Falls Church now living in multi-family buildings than in single family homes, the fact that the
Virginia Health Reacts to U.S. Senate Bill Passage
The following statement was issued today following the U.S. Senate passage of the comprehensive budget bill: “The
Meridian Tennis Player Reaches Singles State Finals
Spring sports season has come to a close at Meridian High School, and it with the conclusion of a number
STATEMENT OF SENATE INTELLIGENCE VICE CHAIR MARK R. WARNER
~ On Senator Kaine’s war powers resolution ~ WASHINGTON – Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Vice Chairman Mark R. Warner (D-VA) today
Paragon Theaters Host Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting
Guests at the gala grand opening of the state of the art Paragon Theaters in downtown City of Falls Church
Stories that may interest you
F.C. Hits the Big Time with Paragon & Whole Foods
The combination of events were the February opening of the massive new flagship Whole Foods supermarket at Broad and Washington and the opening just this week of the seven-screen Paragon
F.C.’s New Solid Waste Task Force Begins Work
With more citizens of Falls Church now living in multi-family buildings than in single family homes, the fact that the City government has not provided free trash pick-up services to
Virginia Health Reacts to U.S. Senate Bill Passage
The following statement was issued today following the U.S. Senate passage of the comprehensive budget bill: “The Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association is deeply disturbed that the
Meridian Tennis Player Reaches Singles State Finals
Spring sports season has come to a close at Meridian High School, and it with the conclusion of a number of successful campaigns for the Mustangs. The boys’ soccer team