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Friday, February 08, 2008
FY09 Budget Process -- There You Go Again
President Bush will try one last time to distract from his fiscal legacy of the enormous and enduring additional $3.5 trillion in national debt incurred on his watch by provoking another veto-spitball fight with Congress over something like $10-20 billion in discretionary spending in FY09. This morning, Bush said:
Last week, I proposed a budget that terminates or substantially reduces 151 wasteful or bloated programs. Those programs total more than $18 billion. And if Congress sends me appropriations bills that exceed the reasonable limits I have set, I will veto the bills.
It already seems like last week, doesn't it? Or last year, for that matter.
Just one little problem. What if Congress exceeds the unreasonable limits you have set? For example, which of these program cuts is reasonable?
- Prevent Alcohol Abuse
- Teacher Quality Enhancement
- Increase Family Literacy
- Mentor Children
- Reading is Fundamental
- Community Connect (Broadband) Grants
- Resource Conservation and Development Program
- Technology Innovation Program
- Career and Technical Education State Grants
- Special Olympics Education Programs
- CDC/Preventive Health Services Block Grant
Of course, the "cuts" here equal 100 percent cuts, aka, program elimination. For a look at the whole list, see here and see if Congress can be excused for finding any of these cuts unreasonable.
Posted by Dana Chasin
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