Week 6 Discussion 1: Presidential Advisor

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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

End tax cuts for income below $250,000 a year

?$ 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.