With all this budget crisis talk, I thought I would dig up some figures and put them in perspective. Keep in mind, the federal government hasn't had a balanced budget since the 1990s. And, even then, it was only the annual budget that was balanced. Politicians like to leave out the fact that we still owed government debt holders trillions of dollars, due to annual deficits for the past century. So, this was not done by just the Democrats or only the Republicans. It was done by everybody, and we essentially borrowed from our future. Now, the major debt holders include countries, like China. Awesome.
On to the figures. Now, realize that even if by some miracle our elected leaders could come together and balance one annual budget, our nation still would not have begun to chip away at this massive obligation. Nonetheless, stopping the bleeding would be the first step.
$13,681,244,991,894 Total Debt, 2010
308,745,538 Population, 2010 Census
If my math is correct, that is approximately $44,312 per US citizen. This seems plausible, since I hear the deficit is now about equal to GDP. Who is ready to send their check for the Federal Government $44,312 Bailout? We have two kids, so I guess my portion would be $177,248. Ouch. What exactly did we get in the past for this future obligation? I hope it was swell!
http://blogs.office.com/b/microsoft-excel/archive/2011/03/17/america-s-debt-get-the-facts.aspx
http://2010.census.gov/2010census/data/
Monday, April 18, 2011
Saturday, April 16, 2011
CA Lawmaker Car Program AXED
Once upon a time, California lawmakers were allowed to "lease" brand new cars (of their choice) from the State government, which purchased them on their behalf. Actually, the practice dates back several decades. California would pay for these vehicles, and the maintenance, and the gasoline, and even collision repair! Why don't I get that perk at my job?
Now that the state is on the brink of bankruptcy, it appears this will go the way of the dinosaur. But, lawmakers are quick to point out this act is more political than fiscal, "punitive" they even claim. Wow, tell that to the accountants. The state is going to give the lawmakers a $300 per month allowance towards their transportation costs, and they act like we should feel sorry for them. This is on top of about $100k in salary, by the way.
It's funny how these same lawmakers slash jobs and tell the public that in hard times, everyone must make sacrifices. I guess everyone but them. I think they should go cry to all the teachers getting laid off and furloughed public workers.
http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2011/04/15/state-lawmakers-lose-their-taxpayer-funded-cars/80507/
http://blogs.insideline.com/straightline/2011/04/california-lawmakers-lose-their-free-cars.html
Now that the state is on the brink of bankruptcy, it appears this will go the way of the dinosaur. But, lawmakers are quick to point out this act is more political than fiscal, "punitive" they even claim. Wow, tell that to the accountants. The state is going to give the lawmakers a $300 per month allowance towards their transportation costs, and they act like we should feel sorry for them. This is on top of about $100k in salary, by the way.
It's funny how these same lawmakers slash jobs and tell the public that in hard times, everyone must make sacrifices. I guess everyone but them. I think they should go cry to all the teachers getting laid off and furloughed public workers.
http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2011/04/15/state-lawmakers-lose-their-taxpayer-funded-cars/80507/
http://blogs.insideline.com/straightline/2011/04/california-lawmakers-lose-their-free-cars.html
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)