(Part III)
“No government not of, for, and by the people can long survive that abandons its Constitutional obligations to serve all the people, dismantles its core institutions of democracy, and fails to defend its people from domestic and foreign terrorists.” John Johnson II.. 02/06/25
By John Johnson II
The fable “The Goose That Laid The Golden Eggs” again, only slightly raised taxpayers’ concerns about the dreaded fact that the Federal Budget is a looming crisis. Simply put, for the third time, the Goose is dead! America’s Federal Budget isn’t just struggling for revenue; it’s on life support. It’s barely being kept alive by a transfusion of perpetual budget increases. This is not a situation we can afford to ignore. Though it is painful, the time to act is now.
Sad but true, the U.S. has not ended the fiscal year with a balanced budget since 2001. In other words, the budget is considered balanced when spending and revenue are equal. This balance is not just a financial concept; it’s a moral imperative that we, as responsible citizens, must uphold.
Unfortunately, past Presidents and Congresses have failed to convince Americans that attempting to bankroll the world is unsustainable. The plain truth is that their children and grandchildren face drowning in an ocean of debt.
Let’s face reality: America’s government can no longer maintain its moral compass without a fairer and updated taxation system. This change is not just necessary; it’s a beacon of hope for a more equitable future. It also cannot continue to allow fraudsters, wasteful spending, inefficient accounting practices, and outdated technology to inhibit tax revenue flowing into the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Budget.
Maintaining an image of humility and grace at home and abroad costs hundreds of billions. Remember, the Goose is dead! The federal government borrows money to pay bills and pay down debt. Is this any way to run the world’s largest debtor nation?
Eliminating wasteful spending and balancing the budget is impossible without a well-conceived plan to reduce spending. Using a scalpel rather than an ax to trim the budget is far more palatable. It’s not just about cutting costs; it’s about doing so in a way that preserves the integrity of our social fabric. Additionally, would it not make a mockery of the MAGA slogan to increase taxes on underpaid workers while extending tax cuts to billionaires?
One segment of the population or programs, such as low-income residents, Diversity Equity Inclusion (DEI), and the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA), shouldn’t be unfairly criticized or expected to endure a disproportion of budget cuts.
The (VEOA) was created to protect veterans from employment discrimination. Consequently, (DEI) was established ‘to promote fair treatment and full participation of all people within an organization, to create a more equitable environment, especially for marginalized communities.’
Also, it’s inconceivable that Congress has refused to raise the federal minimum wage, set in 2009 at $7.25. This low wage contributes to the budget crisis as the Federal government subsidizes the working poor with food stamps, rent subsidies, and Medicaid.
Instead of funding social programs, constituting corporate subsidies, the government could raise the Federal minimum wage to at least $15.00 per hour or establish a living wage. This would reduce the need for such subsidies and alleviate a portion of the budget crisis.
The central questions remain: “Are Americans willing to bear difficult, heartbreaking budget-cutting measures that may disproportionally affect the poor, accept increased burdensome income taxes, tolerate tax breaks to billionaires, and live with a perpetual debt crisis? If the answer is “No,” it’s impossible for America’s government to maintain and sustain a mission as the world’s greatest benefactor.
YOU BE THE JUDGE!