The 2004 Federal Budget. Does Anyone Find These Numbers Alarming?

http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/fy2004/sheets/fct_2.xls ^

[LowCountryJoe]

This is a link to the federal budget with line by line expenditures. I wanted you all to see it in case you've never bothered to check. In particular i want you to check out the following budgetary expenses identified by line numbers:

Figures are in millions of dollars so that 1,000 represents one billion.

256-261 ($22 billion) - Those poor farmers. When you buy your produce at your grocer you are really paying more than the market price because a binding price floor has been set above the true market price. If the agriculture industry were not subsidized, foreign growers would be able to compete with their cheaper crops and force the market prices lower. Of course this would push many domestic growers to find a different use for their land. Not to worry though, the American tax payers will continue to fund the programs that allow the federal government to step in and purchase all of the surplus produce on the market.

429-515 ($70 billion) - Everything in the education, higher education, and other training, in my opinion, should be funded at the state level. Wait a minute...hey wait, isn't this already being funded with property taxes and other taxes at county and state levels? I'm all for education but I believe the more local the government is in handling the money decisions, the more likely they will be responsible for they spending.

516-569 ($196 billion) - Any politician that exclaims, "We need a [insert words like universal, national, and socialized here] health system..." has obviously overlooked the fact that the very system they are touting is currently in place. Check it out for yourself these figures do not include Medicare which is a guaranteed issue health benefit entitlement for those persons that qualify at age 65.

596-690 ($312 billion) - Now admittedly there are some necessary expenses in this group but I'm sure that if you looked hard enough you'd see some disturbing things. These expenses do not include Social Security benefit payments which can be applied for as early as age 62 proving that you have 10 years (doesn't have to be consecutive) of qualifying payroll tax contributions to the system.

[PhiKapMom]

Either you are a troll from overseas or something is wrong that your sign-on date is tomorrow! Anyone care to explain how you have a sign-up for the next day?

Then you post your own vanity that is a hit piece on the President as a newbie? Instead of newbie -- troll is more like it!

Give me a break!

[JohnnyZ]

How is this a hit piece on Bush? Lots of people want to rein in spending, and none of them are Democrats.

[Uncle Miltie]

"Those poor farmers. When you buy your produce at your grocer you are really paying more than the market price because a binding price floor has been set above the true market price."

Sounds like a great reason for out of staters to help us get rid of the lousy Democrat Senators in the Dakotas. They feed truckloads of California and New York money to rich farmers, who are otherwise Republicans, just to ensure the Dems keep getting re-elected. The Dem Senators sell out poor consumers for votes, and the Rep Farmers sell out their political philosophy for cash.

Pitch Tommy Daschle, Kent Conrad, and Byron Dorgan!

[Doctor Stochastic]

I think the farm subsidies were re-instituted by the GOP after their takeover of Congress in 2000.

Of course the GOP spends bigger than the Democrats; they have more time to make up for.

[Uncle Miltie]

Out here they call it "farming the mailbox." The farmers' news stations first report the expected subsidy payments, second the protectionist tarriff progress, and eventually the weather.

Both parties are quite guilty, as you point out. Poor people funding rich farmers. Pisses me off. Like drug subsidies for millionaires.

Where's the justice?

(Severe right winger here, so don't misunderstand...)

[John H K]

Sorry, you don't know the drill; you're supposed to IGNORE stuff like billions of dollars year after year for farm subsidies, but throw a gigantic hissy fit every year when Congressional salaries go up a few thousand bucks.

[texastoo]

Is there any way to find out how much we spend on emergency medicaid. The American indigent and senior citizens are eligible for medicaid then illegal aliens are eligible for emergency medicaid. Are there any figures on either one?

Services for American medicaid can be cut but services for emergency medicaid for the illegals cannot be.

[texastoo]

Is there any way to find out how much we spend on emergency medicaid. The American indigent and senior citizens are eligible for medicaid then illegal aliens are eligible for emergency medicaid. Are there any figures on either one?

Services for American medicaid can be cut but services for emergency medicaid for the illegals cannot be.

[Jorge]

I don't find these numbers alarming at all.

Big spending is where it's at.

[OneTimeLurker]

"I don't find these numbers alarming at all.
Big spending is where it's at."

You know what they say....You gotta spend money to spend money...err or something like that!

[kenth]

Ya gotta spend money to take money?

[OneTimeLurker]

"Ya gotta spend money to take money?"

I was just doing a play on the phrase "it takes money to make money!"

[kenth]

So was I. heh...