Sunday, April 17, 2011
Do We Understand the Budget Debate?
The Sunday, April 17th'z "Weekend in Review" Section of the New York Times includes an article titled "The Budget Debate, Revealed." After reading and interpreting the article, summarize it and write your opinion in the blog. Be ready to discuss your interpretation and thoughts in class for extra credit.
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My name is Aura C. Santaella
ReplyDeleteI'm from the SYG2000 class MWF 9:00AM
The main topic of this article is about the debate between Republicans and Democrats in regards to the nature of the United States' Budget and how the U.S. is allocating its funds. The main issues revolve around Social Security and Medicare and the fact that the baby boom generation is coming to retirement age and these programs, including Medicaid are becoming too expensive for government to undertake.
Because these are issues that affect the people directly, this debate is about more than just numbers, it is about the political parties values system and their ideas for solving this major problem.
One one side we have the republicans who want to, for the most part, privatize medicare, and cut social security. And on the other side we have the Democrats who want to keep these government implemented plans while reforming them so that they fit the current necessities of the people and the current life expectancy of Americans. Reforming these programs, for the Democrat's idea would include raising taxes so that the government would have enough funding to provide for public programs that every American can benefit from.
My opinion is that these programs should be kept in place, and that they definitely need to be reformed to fit the changed situation amongst the American people. Back in the 1930's when social security was implemented life expectancy was not as long as it is today, so funding was not planned to last 20 years plus. I agree with President Obama's statement that part of what defines America is 'providing basic security for the elderly and the poor, and how "patriotism" is defined by our shared responsibility of the vulnerable and less fortunate'. I don't think it is realistic to think that everyone in America can afford to save up for their retirement entirely based on what they earned before retirement, and much less expect everyone to be able to take care of their medical bills without secure government aid. Everyone deserves an equal chance at a stable retirement and worry-free life as an elder.
In "The Budget Debate,Revealed" by Richard W. Stevenson, he explains to use about the struggles U.S. is facing with the budget. The Democrats and Republicans are once again at it again debating the budget. The Republicans want to privatize Medicare and scale back on Social Welfare. However, the Democrats want to increase taxes for the welfare. Obama understands the importance of Medicare and Social Welfare and knows the impact these type of services affect Americans. This is why he defends these type of programs and agrees that they shouldn't be cut.
ReplyDeleteThis debate isn't just about number but about basic values to Americans.
As an American I can agree with President Obama, that these types of services shouldn't be cut down. The government should cut down on other programs. I believe that the Democrats and Republicans can come to an agreement if they compromise.
alberto.roque001@mymdc.net
ReplyDeleteAlberto Roque TR Speech 8:25-9:40AM
The article mostly talks about the current argument that Democrats and Republicans have towards the US Budget.
While Republicans are trying to privatize Medicare and cut taxes on the upper class, Democrats want to continue the benefits of Social Security, Medicare, and Welfare.
The problem is that the government can't come to an agreement because of their opposed views on the subject. Republicans think that these benefits that we've had for many years has become way too expensive while Democrats and President Obama believe that we should continue to have these benefits because that's what makes our country a better country. He says in his speech, "We are a better country because of these commitments."
I think that the government should come into an agreement and go on with President Obama's plan because if such benefits like these were taken away from us, then America would not be the same America that people look forward into coming to.
My name is Sean McClain from your TR class at 9:50-11:05.
ReplyDeleteIn Richard W. Stevenson’s “The Budget Debate, Revealed”, he writes about the current frenzy in Washington D.C, government (over) spending and the deep and growing trillion dollar deficit the United States is currently in. Stevenson says, “What is under way now is the most fundamental reassessment of the size and role of government of the balance between personal responsibility and private markets on the one hand and public responsibility and social welfare on the other.” Since the early Progressive Movement of the 1890’s-1920, both the size and the role of government have dramatically increased through expensive government programs, like Medicare and Social Security. Are the good in theory? Yes, but we just can’t afford billion dollar programs like these. The American tax payer is just too tapped out with the rising cost of living to pay for these programs and the new ones that congress proposes; and in the long run it will be the next generation that will have to re-pay this debt in new taxes.
Gabriela Garcia SYG2000 MWF 9:00am-9:50am
ReplyDeleteThis article, "The Budget Debate, Revealed", is about the debate between the two political positions towards the national budget. The positions are whether or not to reform the nation's budget by privatizing welfare programs, slashing upper-income tax rates, repealing last year's health care law, and etc. or taking the position of keeping these type of programs in place without examination. According to the article, the United States is facing
"trillion-dollar deficits, debt-to-G.D.P. ratios and mandatory spending." Both parties face clashes, ending with no resolution to the problem.
My opinion is that the U.S. need some type of reform so that this economic crisis can relief itself. Obama through his campaign has become famous for his saying, "change", and that is what we need. Keeping certain programs that are causing expensive spending is not going to help the economy. Things change through the years and so should the budget. I strongly disagree with Obama's statement, “We are a better country because of these commitments,”. No, we will be an even more better country if we change what will eventually leads us to more debt and economic crisis.
Darryl Arcales SYG 2000 MWF 9:00 TO 9:50 am
ReplyDeleteThe article, "The Budget Debate, Revealed", pertains to a debate in which the two major political parties, Democrats and Republicans, over the state of the upcoming fiscal budget year. These two parties are at odds on how to reform the budget, either by privatizing welfare, slash upper class tax rates and repealing reforms that have proven to be ineffective.
While I agree that certain programs such as Medicare and Social Security should stay in place, I think in order to make sure it stays that way is if they reform those programs to tailor to the current American living situation: people are living longer and expecting to retire at a certain age. Certain programs should be taken away because funding said programs will only put us further into the abyss of this economic crisis.
Hello, I am Elena Scemama from your TR 9:59-11:05 class.
ReplyDeleteThis article by Richard W. Stevenson puts forward the controversial issue of whether or not the manner by which government deals with the American budget is an adequate one.Since the New Deal which succesfully implemented financial and social recovery programs to remedy Americans after the Great depression, helping the less fortunate has always been perceived as a "necessary" for the Democrats. Many Americans recognize that there must be a " balance between personal responsibility (private markets) and public responsibility which entails the social welfare of others". Medicare and Social Security seem to be the two most contentious issues with many Republicans wondering why our government is prioritizing and investing in such social programs when our national debt is currently at 14 trillion dollars. Republicans' sense of "Patriotism" is not as strong as their desire to maintain an individualistic/capitalistic economic system. However, abolishing programs like Social Security and Medicare would not resolve the national debt problem. Due to the government's regulation of Medicare, a percentage of money is cut from every American's own salary and is set aside as a retirement fund. By cutting down this governmental procedure, many individuals would be left without retirement funds , no shelter and no money for the basic necessities . This would at first relieve the national debt but only for a short time because the government will be obligated to provide for all these retirees left with nothing wondering in the streets. It is true that it should be up to every American individual to make decide for themselves but many individuals are not wise-enough to anticipate their future and would rather use their money on present needs.Therefore, it is government's responsability to establish regulations in order for the American people to stay prosperous even it involves molding our mentalities to socialist/ progressive ones.
I agree with the author's point of view in the sense that, the problems being discussed are basic values. Republicans have a way of solving things and democrats have another, but how can our economic situation be disolved if we can't see eye to eye and come up with the right solution for the country and not for each independant side? I also believe that taking away essential benefits for the poor such as food stamps, medicare, medicaid and such is not the right solution for the country, that's only going to create panic and fear in our society because there are a lot of hardworking people who depend on this basic aid from the government to survive. The right solution is for de Democrats and the Republicans to stop arguing and talking about basic values and find a solution that benefits the country and take action.
ReplyDeleteHi this is Vanessa Celestin from your TR 11:15-12:30 SPC1017 class.
ReplyDeleteThe article basically was about the conflict going on in the governement between the democrats and republicans. The republicans want to end what many people depend on such as food stamps, social security and medicare. They feel that because of the baby boom generation, the government will not be able to support the future ederly. Where as the democrats feel that the responsibilty, the care of the people lies in the hands of the government. For years this is what the government has been doing, taking care of their citizens.
I too agree with our President when he says that " we would not be a great country without those commitments". America is known for its patriotism and its freedom. Other countries are not fortunate enough to support there citizens and what not. But America lives on supporting one another. A reason why taxes came along. To support the less fortunate, and the elderly. How can it be taken away from the many people who are currently working hard daily just to have something to stand on, to live off of, to enjoy retirement with when their time comes along. I feel that if its taken away from americans, many americans will not pay taxes, or even get jobs. If their money ont be their at the end, why continue paying for another persons bill when it may not be done for you? The minority is really the ones that need these services and when they are cut, people will find a way to survive. Cutting back on other things like the democrats want to do is better than cutting it all the way off like the republicans plan to do because more issues will arise.
Hello, I am Anya, Montgomery from your TR 9:50-11:05 class.
ReplyDeleteThe article “The Budget Debate, revealed” by Richard W. Stevenson focuses on the ongoing dispute between the republicans and democrats, regarding government spending and it’s growing fourteen trillion dollar debt. But the true underlying issue revolves around both parties increasing uncertainty of government, and its role within society. In the second paragraph G. William Hoagland presents the audience with a statement which seems quite palpable to the reader by stating that “This (the topic of governments role) is going to be a very fundamental clash of ideologies (between the democrats and republicans)” but as you read further into the passage Stevenson reveals something far more deplorable. As the current economic status worsens, and more individuals become dependent on government help, both the democrats and the republicans slowly but surely recognize their faults and sincerely work on lowering government debt, and maybe even coming to a consensus within the near future. This merging of ideas can most prominently be seen in the president’s speech, which was given at George Washington University on April 13, 2011. Although Obama clearly shows a democratic stance and a tremendously liberal ideology, he harnesses both the left wing and the right. This may be seen as something very minute or even insignificant, but what many people fail to see is the slow but sure progression we as Americans are making towards a similar party. Later on in the text it is revealed that the two parties are in fact unsure of what should be done to help finance the country next, stating that the question being ask quietly is “so what do you do”? Although it is clear that the article focuses on the issue of government spending and where that money should be funded, whether on the democratic side which would include enforcing social programs to help the lower class. Or whether it should be put in the hands of republicans, which would include limiting many social programs and maybe even trying something new. Both parties admit to their faults, republicans saying that their antitax stance may be a bit rigid, and democrats admitting that it is indeed true that certain programs and policies just aren't working. “The Budget Debate, Revealed” is very noteworthy article because, it truly pulls back the curtains and reveals the true state of government political parties and their current issues. Although both parties have entirely different ideologies, within the past few decades their has been slow, but sure conformity, which can be earnestly observed through President Barack Obamas bipartisan views and beliefs. SO the real question is whether America will continue to diminish through the current economic state while our two party systems continue to fruitlessly bicker and argue, or can we con to a census, and even form a one party system?
I am Guillermo Columbie from the TR 9:50-11:05 class. The article on the blog is talking about a current debate in our government between the two parties. The debate is about the current budget. Democrats want to continue spending on social programs which will increase the size of government. The Republicans disagree with the Democrats' plan and they want to place a sort of "policy blueprint" that their Representative Paul Ryan of Wisconsin created. The "policy blueprint" is about cutting $4 trillion in a span of ten years. What Republicans mostly want to achieve with this is constrict government and shrink it. In the article in the end the author talks about how it might seem that the two parties are at a stalemate and that a group of both party members are joining together to come up with an idea that both sides will vote for.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to this debate I agree more with the Republicans because if no solutions to this giant debt that this nation has are implemented in government we will just be digging a bigger hole because of the Democrats.
Hello, I am Yuliet Arencibia from TR 12:40-1:55p.m
ReplyDeleteThis article talks about the debate between Republican and Democrats parties and their different points of view of the United States’ budget in these recently years. The main issues was discuss by those two parties was the Social Security and Medicare benefits. Both parties are against each other, Democrats want to continue helping people with the Social Security, Medicare and Welfare .Obama agrees with these programs for the American society because he knows which is beneficial for everyone who has them; on the other hand Republicans want to cut these programs. Basically this debate was more business and money than the intention to help the community and to get a solution of this deficit. I think people need of Medicare, social security benefits, and food stamp, so I believe that Democrats and Republicans must be agree each other for getting a better solution in order to solve this deficits and at the same time continue providing these programs to the United State population.
Christopher Cruz
ReplyDeleteSYG 2000 MWF 9:00 AM
While reading this article, I could do nothing, but only laugh with great embarassment and conviction. Just by reading the first few lines, I knew it would consist of the everlasting civil war between donkeys and elephants, but what was its outcome? Nothing; just as its always been. We Americans tend to depend too much on these lofty politicians, who all believe they can strut their stuff time coming. In my opinion, I believe neither Democrats or Republicans will ever solve our countries defecit. Why? Because all topics of conversation are less about "numbers" but more about establishing cherry-picking lanes for when Obama exits stage left. This has now become a conversation of social order and drastic change. Republicans now believe that the United Staes is harboring too many incompetent citizens, and that every citizen must thrive from themselves, rather then leeching on govermen aide.I do believe in that, but how do you expect for citizens to maintain their own lifestyles, when the country is modeling something else.
Granted these are tough times in the United States, but in order to get i back on track, both parties must unite. This is not a competition anymore; it has never been. If the United States continues to think of their citizens as prizes for voting booths, then what will we accomplish. It wont matter that my grandmother has medicaid, because no one will. No one should depend on this country, or those shiny smiles that preach doubt. Think America.
Youve been warned...
My name is Gleidys Anton
ReplyDeleteI'm from the SPC 1017 class Tues/Thrus 8:00
The article is talking about financial problems with social security and Medicare. Both of them are becoming way too expensive for the government. Not everyone can't afford to make money to save for their retirement and Medicaid bills. Therefore, they should make it an affordable price because that way it make easier for elderly to save money. I think that Democrats want to vote to increase taxes for Republicans since they are wealthy and have their own businesses.