Here's a meme I'd like to see in the final days of the campaign. "President Bush, Show me the Money".
Even before the prescription drug plan and completely discounting military spending and the war, Bush had increased federal spending more than any administration since the New Deal. And he'd done it across every single bracket and category of the federal budget. With all this money being spent, we should see agencies and budgets flush with cash delivering services to the people. But we're not:
By budget category:
- Federal health spending is up 43%, but fewer people are covered.
- Spending on "Administration of Justice" is up by 39%, has crime decreased to match? No, in fact gang violence is on the rise again... and has been linked to lack of funding for community programs.
- "Central Government" spending (i.e. the salaries and supplies etc. for the Congress and the White House) is up 42% in four years, what has this gotten us?
- Education spending is up 42%, but schools everywhere report budget crises, afterschool programs are broke, and C.F. above for the funding shortfall of No Child Left Behind.
- "Income security" is up 20% from $269bil to $325bil ... but unemployment benefits weren't extended for the recession jobless and welfare enrollment is down. So where did the money go?
The point is not whether you agree with any of these funding programs in particular. The point is, the money is being spent and there's nothing to show for it. President Bush, you've spent a lot of our money lately, a 40% increase across the budget, not including the war. What has this bought us?
Where the hell is all our money going, anyway?
Look at the numbers for yourself:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/fy2004/
In the comments, add links to other stories about important services closing or in danger because of lack of federal funds. Let's get this meme out there.