Where Does One US Tax Dollar Go?

What’s “health” and why are 14% of all federal dollars going to it?

Got it. I didn’t realize the fed govt was paying as much as it was paying on Medicare to that as well.

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reduce spending.

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Trump and Biden are two of the biggest spenders ever. Neither is going to ever do this. They don’t believe in it and they can’t even if they wanted to because the house of cards collapses. Quite the conundrum to be in.

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Either we increase taxes or reduce spending.

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No.

Reduce taxes and spending.

The economy will boom.

Medicaid should be transitioned to the states for funding. Let them work on how to manage since these are state expenses.

Defense needs to be capped at current level at a minimum. Let the Pentagon figure out how to make that work but the waste and lack of controls in defense is ridiculous.

Reducing spending means cutting jobs. A tough political proposition. Someone like Trump that only has one term and a bone to pick with many federal agencies would be perfect to take this on, particularly in the face of inflation where it would ultimately benefit he economy. But he just won’t be able to drive Congress into doing this, he isn’t focused enough.

I will say this unrelated to the president, social security and Medicare are absolutely broken systems that hold our entire tax system hostage. I’ve looked at lots of returns lately this is 100% clear to me. For example, I just saw one where a man is on SS, makes $40k on W2. His benefit is reduced because he is working, his $38k benefit is reduced by $7,500, and he pays $2,500 in social security tax (and also pays as much Medicare tax as the benefit) on his W2 income. So it basically costs him $10k to receive his benefit if he doesn’t want to be stuck at $38k total income.

Meanwhile, a couple making well north of $1M is paying $20k in SS tax. What I am trying to demonstrate is with these numbers, there is simply no way to maintain this system without someone getting screwed. There are only so many notches on that belt, and we have already let a few out. The first 15.3% of income first goes to paying this tax, before ever considering what bracket you are in. It is holding our entire tax system hostage and nobody is bold enough to call this Ponzi scheme exactly what it is and end it.

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What’s “health” and why are 14% of all federal dollars going to it?

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Medicaid, Medicare, and ACA subsidies. Mostly the first 2

There are like four programs we can cut to make spending changes that will help things. Medicare, medicaid, the military, and Social Security. Any discussion that doesn't focus on those four is masturbatory.

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Reduce taxes and spending.

The economy will boom.

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Do the math and tell me what kind of economic growth we need to overcome the deficit and debt issues.

Wait? Why does 22% go to Social Security?

Don't we already pay an additional tax for SS?

I'm assuming this is based on income tax.