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For decades, the federal budget has supported a vision of the United States as a dominant military power. But a majority of people in the United States has a different vision of the country, and Congress needs to hear that majority's voice. Changing the vision reflected in the federal budget will not be easy and will not happen quickly. But it can happen.
What Should the United States Buy?
The Fiscal Year 2009 federal budget will likely top $3 trillion. Here are some of the choices that Congress will make about how to spend that money.
For $7 billion, the United States could...
Extend the State Children's Health Insurance Program to 4 million eligible uninsured children for a year,
Or
Fund the "space arms race," the ballistic missile "defense" agency.
For $4 billion, the United States could...
Support diplomatic programs, a "diplomatic surge" in Iraq, and a Civilian Response Corps,
Or
Build more F-22 fighter jets.
What other budget tradeoffs could the United States make?
43 Percent of Your 2007 Tax Dollars Pay for War
While...
1 percent goes to diplomacy and foreign aid
3 percent goes to education and jobs
3 percent goes to science, energy, and the environment, and
12 percent goes to responses to poverty.
Key Resources on the Federal Budget
How does the government determine how it spends its money? Find out with FCNL's Playbill: The Federal Budget Process in Three Acts. Also available as a flyer ( PDF)
"Let's Not Talk about the Federal Budget" (Washington Newsletter, March 2008) PDF
Glossary of budget terms
More resources
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