Where did your tax dollars go?

965 billion:
• Military Personnel $129 billion
• Operation & Maintenance. $241 billion
• Procurement $143 billion
• Research & Development. $79 billion
• Construction $15 billion
• Family Housing $3 billion
• DoD misc. $4 billion
• Retired Pay $70 billion
• DoE nuclear weapons $17 billion
• NASA (50%) $9 billion
• International Security $9 billion
• Homeland Security. (military) $35 billion
• State Department. (partial) $6 billion
• other military (non-DoD) $5 billion
• “Global War on Terror” $200 billion [including the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan]

Past Military, $484 billion:
• Veterans’ Benefits $94 billion
• Interest on national debt (80%) created by military spending, $390 billion

Human Resources$789 billion:
• Health/Human Services
• Social. Security. Administration
• Education Dept.
• Food/Nutrition programs
• Housing & Urban Development.
• Labor Department. • other human resources.

General Government$304 billion:
• Interest on debt (20%)
• Treasury
• Government personnel
• Justice Department.
• State Department.
• Homeland Security (15%)
• International Affairs
• NASA (50%)
• Judicial
• Legislative
• other general government.

Physical Resources$117 billion:
• Agriculture
• Interior
• Transportation
• Homeland Security (15%)
• HUD
• Commerce
• Energy (non-military)
• Environmental Protection
• National Science Foundation
• Army Corps Engineers
• Federal Communications Commission
• other physical resources

Statistics from: http://www.warresisters.org/pages/piechart.htm
“Where Your Income Tax Money Really Goes”

Left ofCenter

Why do we pay taxes?

Everyone pays taxes in one form or another- mostly income and sales taxes. But where do the taxes we pay go?The federal government uses your tax dollars to support:

· social security
· health care
· national defense
· social services for low-income citizens such as food stamps and housing.
· safe highways
· prisons
· water
· garbage service
· police and fire protection
· contributes to public schools

As American citizens, we all benefit from these necessary services. One must also admit, these services are essential to infrastructure and American standard of living. Our tax system is based on our "ability to pay." The more money we earn, the more taxes we pay. And the opposite is also true. If we earn a small income, we pay fewer taxes.

Left of Center

Taxes - Why ask Why?

Be sure to follow my Four Part Blog Series:

1. Why do we pay taxes?
2. Where do your tax dollars go?
3. Talking Points from President Obama’s address on tax Relief given April 1, 2009
4. The Recovery Plan – Where is your money going?

Left of Center

President Obama visits Europe and Middle East. No more Ugly American.

During a well received visit to Europe and the Middle East, President Obama presented an Olive Branch approach to diplomacy, dispelling the Ugly American air of arrogance, or dominance, too often expressed by some Americans traveling abroad, and too frequently expected throughout Europe and the Middle East. Yet many on the right have criticized President Obama’s humility, and mischaracterized his demure as a sign weakness. President Obama made it very clear, he came to “listen” rather than “dictate” foreign relations in Europe and the Middle East. President Obama was most criticized by the ‘Right’ for allegedly bowing and/or shaking the hand of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, proclaiming, “A United States president should bow to no one”. Also, First Lady Michelle Obama, not to be left out, was criticized as well for apparently touching Queen Elizabeth, which is an apparent no-no according to English folklore. It is however, acceptable to curtsy, or bow to the queen. Now let me get this straight, critics believe its O.K. to show customary respect, however pomp and circumstance, in Europe, but not in the Middle East? Come on, is this all the critics of the Obama administration got!? It has become increasing evident to many, the “Party of No” is poised to criticize, nitpick, and continue to “Just Say NO”, no matter how trivial. I contend, this strategy will eventually backfire, only to serve to strengthen forces within Independent and Moderate parties, while Centric Republican’s continue to fragment and grow exhausted from attempts to purely discredit President Obama by any means necessary. At some point, in the interest of what is good for democracy and the country, bi-partisanship politics must be embraced.

Left of Center

The Slow Process of Economic Recovery has Begun.

Once the snowball is ¾ down the hill, you can’t then blame the last ¼ of the hill for the size of the snowball. Let us not forget, the economic decline and title wave of job loss is a direct result of America taking its eye off the ball during the last eight years. A 1.2 Trillion dollar deficit, a war under false pretenses, subprime mortgages and predatory lending, unregulated investment companies and corporate greed. The current Presidential administration was dealt a very bad hand, but has made great strides towards recovery. It took eight years to get into this mess, and it will take some time to get out. Albeit small steps, the recovery process has begun. If we could only get some bi-partisan support, and stop the political posturing for the 2012 elections, we might be able to come together as a country and expedite our recovery. I understand the core principles that forever divide us by party lines, but our current economic crisis, and the solutions for our upturn is bigger than party politics. Pretty soon the American people will grow weary of “Just say No”, and began to demand “Yes We Can”. There are many statistics offered to define the problem, but too often a reticent response for alternative plans and strategies for recuperation. The last ¼ of the hill the snowball will get bigger before it comes to a rest and thaw slowly diminishes its mass, but a thaw is coming. The Recovery Plan is an “Investment in America”, not a onetime give away. There is an expected Return on Investment.

Left of Center

American's being rehired because of the Obama’s Stimulus Package.

As part of the Economic Stimulus package, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 modifies and extends federal tax credits for eligible building components that improve energy efficiency.

Just a few companies rehiring as a direct result of the Obama Stimulus Plan
· Andersen® windows and patio doors rehires 180 employees…
· Simonton Windows Rehires More Than 100 Employees…
· Caterpillar's to rehire some laid-off workers…

For information about tax credits for homebuilders for new construction in 2009, please refer to the following IRS website: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=154658,00.html.

In addition, Budget-challenged police departments, some of which have had to layoff officers as the economy went deeper into recession over the past year, have a new financial rebirth through a federal stimulus program that will help departments hire and retain officers or rehire those who have been laid off. The government is accepting applications for its Hiring Recovery Program, part of the $787 billion stimulus package signed into law last month by President Obama. The program makes available $1 billion for police departments across the country. The Obama administration projects it will create or save 5,500 law enforcement jobs.

Left of Center