How Money Is Used, Raised, And Wasted In Washington Essays (2792 words

How money is used, raised, and wasted in Washington As many Federal departments and agencies lurch into an era of running without funds, the leaders of both parties of Congress are spending less and less time searching for a compromise to balance the budget, and more and more time deciding how to use it to their advantage on the campaign trail. Meanwhile money is easily borrowed to pay for government overhead. In an attempt to change this, on June 29, Congress voted in favor of HConRes67 that called for a 7 year plan to balance the Federal Budget by the year 2002 (Hager 1899). This would be done by incorporating $894 billion in spending cuts by 2002, with a projected 7 year tax cut of $245 billion. If this plan were implemented, in the year 2002, the U.S. Government would have the first balanced budget since 1969. There is doubt by citizens that a balanced budget will become reality. A recent Gallop Poll from January, 1996 showed the budget as the #1 concern among taxpayers, but 4/5 of those interviewed said they doubt the GOP will do the job (Holding 14). Meanwhile, an ABC poll from November reported that over 70% of those polled disapprove of the current performance by Congress, and most blamed politicians for failure to take action (Cloud 3709). These accusations of failure to follow through come with historical proof that Congress and Clinton have failed to compromise and resolve the issue. After all, current budget plans are dependent on somewhat unrealistic predictions of avoiding such catastrophes as recession, national disasters, etc., and include minor loopholes. History has shown that every budget agreement that has failed was too lax. One might remember the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings bill that attempted to balance the budget, but left too many exemptions, and was finally abandoned in 199 0 (Weinberger 33). S o after a pain-staking trial for GOP Republicans to create, promote, and pass their budget, as promised on campaign trail 94, Clinton rejected the very bill he demanded. This essentially brought the federal budget back to square one. Clinton thought such a demand on Republicans to produce a budget would produce inner-party quarrels and cause the GOP to implode. Instead, they produced a fiscal budget that passed both houses of Congress, only to be stalemated by a stubborn Democratic President Clinton. Meanwhile, Clinton bounced back with a CBO scored plan with lighter, less risky cuts to politically sensitive areas like entitlements. Clinton's plan also saved dollars for education and did not include a tax increase, but most cuts would not take effect until he is out of office, in the year 2001. Although Clinton is sometimes criticized for producing a stalemate in budget talks, the White House points out that the debt has gone down since Clinton took office, with unemployment also fal ling. Republicans are quick to state that Clinton originally increased taxes in 1993 and cut defense programs, but his overall plan was for an increasing budget without deficit reduction. Startling Facts about the budget: As of 1996, the national debt was at an all time high of $5 trillion dollars, with interest running at a whopping $250 billion per year (Rau M-1). This equals out to an individual responsibility of more than $50,000 per taxpayer. Nearly 90% of that debt has accumulated since 1970, and between 1980 and 1995, the debt grew by 500%. Currently, the debt grows by more than $10,000 per second (Rau M-l), and at current rates, a baby born in 1992 will pay 71% of his or her income in net taxes. At current rates, our government is about to reach its breaking point. If that's not enough to scare a taxpayer, by 2002, 60% of government spending will be for entitlements, and by 2012, these programs are projected to take up all government revenue (Dentzer 32). Not only economic development, but also family income is hurt by debt. With the cost of living going up, it becomes harder to find a job. According to the Concord Coalition, real wages peaked in 1973 and have gone down ever since. If the econ omy grew as fast as it did in 1950, without a debt, the median family income would be $50,000, compared to the

Characters of fear Essays

Characters of fear Essays Characters of fear Essay Characters of fear Essay In Alexander Mackendricks 1957 classic, Sweet Smell of Success, the character of J. J. Hunsecker is extremely powerful, respected and lonely. This is also true of the character Jerry Langford in Scorseses 1983 film, The King of Comedy. Both characters share positions of supremacy and therefore can be easily contrasted with reference to their similarities and differences. J. J. is the most powerful newspaper columnist in New York, thus yielding authority with his command over the press. Jerry is a famous talk show host and comedian (i. e. The King of Comedy) and therefore his power lies ithin the control over the entertainment business. How is this sense of power similar between characters? Both characters have the ability to make or break someone in their respective fields. For example in Sweet Smell of Success, J. J. has the ability to help press agent, Sidney Falco, by his control over The New York Globe and what gets published. J. J. then uses this leverage to his advantage by employing Sidney for his own devices. Similarly, in The King of Comedy, Jerry has the authority to make Rupert Pupkin a successful comedian by allowing him to perform on his show. Jerry denies this of Rupert until the stakes are high and its a matter of life or death. At this time Jerry uses his power to save his own life. Although these men are both in similar hierarchal positions, they are viewed differently by the public and those around them. Both men are respected, however this is shown differently. With J. J. the respect of others stems solely from fear. People are afraid of a king who is manipulative, corrupt and known to play dirty. Thus, he is respected because he demands it. For example when J. J. says; Sidney, this syrup your giving out with you pour over waffles, not J. J. Hunsecker, this shows Sidney that J. J. s not to be messed with and that he will not except any nonsense from those around him. J. J. has also fashioned this only speak when spoken to kind of environment, which demands reverence in its own right. On other end of the spectrum, Jerry is respected out of admiration by the public and those around him. He is a comedian and a friendly personality therefore people love him. This is shown in the film when he is walking down the street and fans approach him to shake his hand. He is still esteemed as the king of New York, however this is on a more ersonal level than J. J. because people do not fear him. Both characters share the glories of wealth, power, fame but also loneliness. J. J. is surrounded by people, however they are solely acquaintances rather than friends. From the scenes at his apartment we see that J. J. is truly alone. The only person he seems to care for is his younger sister. It seems as though his desire for power and wealth has destroyed all friendships or any shot at love. This is true of Jerry as well. When we see his mansion in the Hamptons, he is the only one there besides the hired help. The table is set for ne, hinting to the audience that he has no wife or girlfriend. Therefore both of these characters show Just how lonely it truly is at the top. The characters of J. J. and Jerry have been compared and contrasted with reference to their power, respect and loneliness. These men share the power to manipulate those around them for their own needs. They are both respected but this stems from different places for these characters; one is from fear and the other is from admiration. Finally, although both men have made it to the top of their industry it seems as though they have lost all companionships along the way.