[SOLVED] Week 6 Discussion 1: Presidential Advisor
I need an explanation for this Political Science question to help me study.
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
- Textbook: Review Chapter 2, 3 (pp. 56-59), 13
- Lesson
- Additional scholarly sources you identify through your own research
Initial Post Instructions
You are an advisor to the President tasked with cutting at least $300 billion from the budget. The president wants your recommendations to cut lines, not large categories. Explain why you chose those cuts.
Note: These are not true US budget numbers.
|
DOMESTIC PROGRAMS AND FOREIGN AID |
Cut some foreign aid to African countries |
?$17 billion |
|
? |
Eliminate farm subsidies |
?$14 billion |
|
? |
Cut pay of civilian federal workers by 5 percent |
?$14 billion |
|
? |
Reduce the overall federal workforce by 10% |
?$12 billion |
|
? |
Cut aid to states by 5% |
?$29 billion |
|
MILITARY |
Cut the number of nuclear warheads, and end the “Star Wars” missile defense program |
?$19 billion |
|
? |
Reduce military to pre-Iraq War size and further reduce troops in Asia and Europe |
?$25 billion |
|
? |
Cancel or delay some weapons programs |
?$19 billion |
|
HEALTHCARE |
Enact medical malpractice reform by reducing the chances of large malpractice verdicts |
?$ 8 billion |
|
? |
Increase the Medicare eligibility age to 68 |
?$ 8 billion |
|
? |
Raise the Social Security retirement age to 68. |
?$ 13 billion |
|
EXISTING TAXES |
Return the estate tax to Clinton-era levels, passing on an estate worth more than $1 million to their heirs would have portions of those estates taxed. |
?$ 50 billion |
|
? |
End tax cuts for income above $250,000 a year |
?$ 54 billion |
|
? |
?$ 172 billion |
|
|
? |
Payroll tax increase for people making over $106,000 annually contributing more to Social Security and Medicare. |
?$ 50 billion |
|
NEW TAXES |
Institute a Millionaire’s tax on income above $1 million |
?$ 50 billion |
|
? |
Add a national 5% sales tax |
?$ 41 billion |
|
? |
Add a tax on carbon emissions |
?$ 40 billion |
|
? |
Tax banks based on their sizes and the amount of risk they take. |
?$ 73 billion |
|
Total gap covered by your budget plan |
$_________________ |
Use evidence (cite sources) to support your response from assigned readings or online lessons, and at least one outside scholarly source.
Follow-Up Post Instructions
Respond to at least two peers or one peer and the instructor. Further the dialogue by providing more information and clarification. Minimum of 1 scholarly source, which can include your textbook or assigned readings or may be from your additional scholarly research.
