NYT budget balancing challenge

[TheManWithAUsername]

The purpose of this is to force us to back up vague statements about federal budgeting and to see where there is agreement.

The budget balancing tool is here: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/11/13/weekinreview/deficits-graphic.html

It’s based primarily on recommendations of so-called bipartisan commissions and groups. I’m sure there are additional options we would each choose to add, but this is the only tool like this of which I know. BTW, I don’t think a completely balanced budget should be the goal, but shooting for it will give room for error (or room for stimulus).

To play, go balance the budget with the tool, then come here and list the options you used. If you like, you can identify your ideology.

Domestic Programs and Foreign Aid
1. cut foreign aid
2. eliminate earmarks
3. eliminate farm subsidies
4. cut federal pay
5. cut federal workforce
6. cut federal contractors
7. other cuts to feds
8. cut aid to states

Military
9. cut nuclear arsenal
10. cut military personnel
11. cut fleet size
12. cancel some weapons
13. cut noncombat military
14. cut Iran/Afghan troops by 60k by 2015
15. cut I/A troops by 30k/2013

Health Insurance
16. med mal reform
17. medicare age to 68
18. medicare age to 70
19. cut tax break for insurance
20. cap medicare

Social Security
21. SS age to 68
22. SS age to 70
23. cut SS for richest
24. restrict disability
25. alternative inflation measure

Existing Taxes
26. Lincoln/Kyl estate tax
27. Obama estate tax
28. 90s estate tax
29. Obama cap gains
30. 90s cap gains
31. Bush tax cuts expire >250k
32. Bush tax cuts expire <250k
33. increase payroll tax cap

New Taxes and Reforms
34. millionaire’s tax
35. cut loopholes, cut rates
36. just cut loopholes
37. reduce mortgage interest deduction
38. sales tax
39. carbon tax
40. bank tax

[TheManWithAUsername]

Here’s mine.

1
2
3
7
9-12
14

23

28
30
31
33

34
36
37
39
40

Socialist, but content with Scandinavian style capitalism.

[Anonymous]

I'd like to play but I think my bias would show too brightly. Thanks for posting though - worth thinking about.

[Anonymous]

Why don't we just invade a country with a lot of oil and take all of that wealth and bring it here.

Who wants to invade Iraq?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why don't we just invade a country with a lot of oil and take all of that wealth and bring it here.

Who wants to invade Iraq?

I vote for invading Norway. At least it will be very clear even to the uninformed why we are there.