Democrat
1. What programs did you choose to cut and why?
I chose to cut international affairs, general science, space, and technology, energy, natural resources and environment, agriculture, transportation, community and regional development, education, training, employment, social services, health, income security, veterans’ benefits and services, administration of justice, and general government.
2. What groups (students, elderly, poor, veterans, etc.) will be impacted by these cuts?
Students will be impacted by the education cut and maybe by the general science, space, and technology cut as well, veterans will be impacted by the veterans’ benefits and services cut, elderly may be impacted by health cuts, government agencies and programs will be impacted, farmers will be impacted by agriculture cuts, and younger demographic will be impacted from training cuts.
3. If you had the chance to raise taxes to restore the programs you cut, would you take that action? Why or why not?
If I had the chance to raise taxes in order to restore the programs I cut, I would, but not to the extent where the tax money being used for the program is unnecessary. I would do this because I feel certain programs that I have cut deserve to be funded, such as education, veterans’ benefits and services, natural resources and environment, and employment. These programs seem the most beneficial to the people and which is why I would raise taxes to restore these programs.
4. What is one spending category that you absolutely feel should not be touched? What is your justification?
Personally, I feel education should never be touched although that is virtually impossible. To me, education seems like the most beneficial program for everyone. Education can reduce crime rate, increase employment, and create a prosperous community. With the increase of funding of education, people will be able to learn to make better decisions and overall live better lives. I feel if everyone received and retained a proper education, crime rates would drop drastically and poverty rates would decrease as well.
5. Overall, do you feel it is important to limit the federal deficit? Why or why not?
I do feel it is essential to limit the federal deficit. That is not to say, however, one should not take risks if needed. I think that if the federal deficit is limited, not only will we have to pay back countries and have that burden, but also the people of our country will feel more secure. By limiting the deficit, we will not always have to feel like we owe something back to someone, although the federal deficit is more complex than it sounds. We have to keep in mind other countries are in debt to us as well. In general, however, it is always important to ensure the limitation of the federal deficit.