We all agree that the US will soon be in deep trouble if we don’t substantially reduce federal debt and deficit spending. But there’s no agreement on how to do it. It seems that everyone wants to cut spending that benefits someone else but not spending that benefits them.
- Would you cut Social Security disability? Medicare? Medicaid? VA? Special Education? Vocational Rehabilitation? Medical research?
- If not, what would you cut?
The new National Commission on Fiscal responsibility and Reform is meeting to see if they can come to consensus on how. The members are supposed to come up with recommendations before the end of the year. Will they do it? It will be tough because it requires 14 of the 18 members to agree on recommendations.
At its May 26th meeting, Chairmen Erskine Bowles and Alan Simpson called for public recommendations. We’re planning on coming up with a list, and we’d like your input.
We in the disability community don’t want cuts in Social Security disability benefits, Medicare, Medicaid, VA health and disability benefits, vocational rehabilitation, special education, medical research and other programs that benefit people with disabilities.
How would you cut the federal deficit? Please submit your suggestions as comments below.
Please Note: The commission will hold a public hearing in the afternoon on June 30th in Washington, D.C., where members of the public will have an opportunity to share ideas and opinions. If you or your organization would like to be a part of this public forum, please visit the commission’s Web site at www.fiscalcommission.gov for details
I would hope that groups who promote legislation consider the issue of funding and deficit when they plan their strategies. I for one would like to read the funding strategies along with a groups position on new or proposed legislation. It helps with forming my own decision.
I’m sure that you considered these things when advocating for health care and increased staffing for government agencies. Might you share your funding strategies with us?
James Ryan
We support funding of programs that benefit people with disabilities including Veterans Affairs, Social Security disability, Medicare, Medicaid, special education, vocational rehabilitation and medical research. We’re looking for other recommendations.
Almost any area we cut spending, is someone’s sacred cow. I think we give far to much in subsides to the farm and coal industry. Because we subsidies sugar and corn, is why it is almost cheaper the buy soda, than water. But if we take away the farm subsidy, will people pay more in food? The subsidizing of coal gives us cheap electric power, but does not pay for the damage to the land, water and air. But will people pay more for better energy sources and higher electric bills? The American people are spoiled, they think they want to cut government spending, but do not want to sacrifice anything.
I believe that way too many benefits or entitlements are being today provided or created for tabs, or what we know better as able body individuals and families.
I understand the difficult times economically many families are having, however we must as a country have a time limit on these benefits. Motivation, being self-reliant and even independence is something we all understand greatly because of having a severe disability.
But most TABS today, becoming unemployed or on social welfare do not appreciate or understand our fight, it is not logical or practical to have life long welfare benefits for TABS, or there families. Unless of course they are physically or mentally unable to be independent, or find competitive employment.
This is one are where our government is lost, stop spending Social Security and Medicare funds on these new programs, leave these alone for those who earned them or seriously needs them.
Thank you and God Bless America.
Thanks Peggy.I think you missed my point. When organizations like yours decide to support new legislation do you also develop ideas or thoughts on how the new benefits will ultimately be funded? If so, it would be of extreme interest to readers to read that information in articles that are posted on the subject. I believe that for most people weighing the benefits against the cost- “Is this worth the price” is part of the personal decision making process.
In almost everything that I read organizations that are promoting certain legislation say nothing or have no ideas on how the funding will be arranged.