Let's build the budget

Our economy sucks; we all agree on that. Now let's see what else we agree upon.

Let's just say we had to the power to prioritize the budget, and whomever is elected HAS to do what we say. What items can we agree upon must be a priority?

NATIONAL SECURITY - borders, travel, ports
MILITARY - support during and after service
EDUCATION - kindergarten through high school; college tuition support; special eduation;
ENERGY - we can tackle two problems here: fix our energy crisis AND help the economy by creating jobs
HEALTHCARE - insurance options, more corner clinics, NO National Healthcare;
SPECIAL CONCERNS - mentally ill; temporary unemployment benefits;
INFRASTRUCTURE - roads & bridges

What are we willing to give up, even temporarily?





This is hard; I don't want to give up anything, and I want everything, but we have to realize we're in a time of sacrifice. I think that's the problem. Too many people alive and voting today have no memory of truly living through a time of sacrifice. What are your ideas?

Off the cuff answer...I'll give it more thought later:

Simple answer.....look outside yourself. Don’t tackle this very complex situation from a viewpoint of your own circumstance, but rather that of the common good. And this is NOT socialism....it’s basic human and civil rights. We truly are only as strong as the weakest among us.

More involved response: End the war in Iraq and bring our military home; reduce dependence on foreign oil by pursuing alternate sources in a real way without giving tax credits and subsidies to companies at Exxon; education – a highest priority; infrastructure - our own bridges and highways and communications systems are where we should be concentrating rather than that of Iraq; national health care – the Obama plan works; McCain’s is pandering to doctors and pharmaceuticals. And one item you didn’t mention....the arts. We cannot turn our backs on the musical, theatrical, dance, visual and graphic arts that motivate and inspire for these give us hope in even the darkest times....any civilization that put this on a back burner over other admittedly critical needs has simply not survived.

CinC wrote:

We truly are only as strong as the weakest among us.

I have to take my brats to school, but I had to respond to that. I simply do not believe that. We have always been a society based on the best of us, not the worst. Our government should provide the framework to help all work for success, not cater to those who won't.

Deep down philosophical difference.

ADD: I am not equating the weakest with the worst; but there are many among the worst who are weak in character. That's what I meant by that.

And if we are to support the weakest among us, wouldn't that be the unborn? Shouldn't governement protect and support them?

Deep down philosophical difference for sure.

The most fortunate are no more the “best” than the less lucky are the “worst.” There are so many among the strongest and most powerful who are weakest in character and they CHOOSE to be that way. It is an inbred in them as the oft-made statement that people receiving government assistance will foster children who are "lazy, unmotivated, etc." I would never equate equal opportunity to “catering” to those who won’t work. Rather, that framework you allude to should cement its foundation in lifting the most seriously oppressed and building non-discrimination, providing opportunities for those who either are born outside the majority or find themselves unable to advance, for whatever reason, so they CAN become more productive and secure.

As for the weakest among us....the unborn are arguably not yet “among us.” I am pro-choice; not pro-abortion and I believe the poor woman in a ghetto has the same right to choose a safe medical procedure as her more fortunate sister who will find a way to make the same choice regardless of its legality.