Government Spending

History Lesson 1 - Argentina 

What would it mean for the federal government to live within its means? We all should live within our means, and I believe this includes the federal government. I also believe that if our government's deficit spending does not stop, the debt payment each year will eventually dwarf the rest of the federal budget.

Our attack plan to eliminate deficit spending must be two pronged: Reduce expenditures and increase government income by growing the economy (without increasing the tax burden on citizens). For more on increasing incomes, please visit our Income Taxes page.

The federal government, before the Obama budget explosion, spent between $3.2 and $3.5 trillion dollars per year. In fiscal year 2008, more than $451 billion dollars went toward interest on past deficit spending - that is more than 8% of the total budget, or around $1,450 per year for each person in the United States on interest costs alone.

To reign in this spending, we must elect representatives that will lead based on principles, not politics. Decisions will have to be made regarding which government programs are unnecessary and how to streamline our government. The key here is to put people in place who are committed to wisely manage the money our government receives from its citizens, not bring home the bacon for certain constituencies.

To reduce spending, I would look at each department and activity of the federal government and ask the following question: “Is this a function of the federal government, as described and envisioned by the Constitution?” If it is, we work to make it as efficient as possible. If not, we work to eliminate it in an orderly but expedient manner.