OK, YOU are the Prez - - what do YOU cut the budget deficit?

Just wanted to say that althought most who have responded here would be considered to be on the opposite side of the political spectrum as me there are many good ideas here. A book could probably be writtten on how to balance the budget and keep the country together at this point. One thing for sure is the issues are not easy. I would add that, unfortunately I do not think any society, especially today could survive without some form of taxing, as the result would be anarchy. I'll also add, thought most of you would likely disagree that a cap be put on CEO's pay based on a percentage of the company's net profit. This could free up more cash, as so much of it sits in bank accounts of the filthy rich. Anyway, could go on forever.

If i was the president i would probably take the taxes from the rich. If they are making that much money and have a more than average lifestyle, there is no reason why they can't give some of that money to others and still have that lifestyle. Alot of people make so much money they end up spending it on things they dont even need when they could be helping people who are in desperate need of help. In a time like this with our economy how it is i dont really see any other way to make up the budget besides taking more out of the federal reserve. The bottom line is that we will always be in debt because the money owed to the banks will always be more then the money going out or held by the people.

First I would reduce taxes and require everyone to pay a minimum tax of $100, including people who are receiving welfare. To quote President Obama "everyone needs to have skin in the game". Next I would require a 10% cut in every budget. If they want to cut an essential program then they have to live with it. I would require every bill that comes to my desk to be written in plane English so that the average person could read and understand it. Everything in the bill must relate directly to the bill, no special building projects (new post office building in Senator X's state costing 10 million) put into a bill to increase Social Security benefits. There are many Government agencies that could be eliminated. For example Why do we have United State Department of Agriculture offices in large cities who's primary duties include advising people on the types of plants and trees to grow in their area. This can be done by the local nurseries and garden shops. I would cut all federal college aid programs in half and require anyone receiving federal aid to be passing all courses and have a GPA of at least 2.0. Aid would be based on need and your major. If you are going into a major that has very little demand you would get less aid vs a high demand. Nurses would get more aid than Physical Education Teachers, Math and Science would get more aid than Ethnic studies and fine arts. Congress would have to follow all the laws they pass and would be reimbursed based on the IRS Code. They need a laptop computer then they buy one and take a Capital depreciation deduction just like a business. These are a few of my ideas and I am sure I could come up with more.

First of all, I would tell all department heads to justify the Constitutionality of their department. If they can't do it to my satisfaction, their department will be phased out completely. Next, I would impose an immediate freeze on all budget increases that will last until the next budget cycle After the end of the recession. I would cut funding to non-essential programs and departments. I wish I could cut funding to other countries, but almost all of that is based on treaties and agreements. These are the responsibility of Congress, not the President. I would also challenge all recipients of Executive Branch budget funds to justify the money they get. I would also require all recipients to account for every penny. If they can't, their funding will be cut.

Well.. first of all, veto and stop unnecessary spending on all projects, so no more mowing lawns between here and Canada. No spending on ANYTHING not voted on and approved by all voters lol. Basically I believe that people who work for government should make minimum wage or work for free. After they have PROVEN they are good stewards of taxpayer money - meaning we have a balanced workable budget and a surplus, THEN they might deserve more. No money for research projects without a reason - ie tree frogs, environmental junk, fly mating cycle, whatever 'cool' thing it is this week. Get the troops out of Iraq and Iran and Afghanistan and Darfur and wherever else we are that we don't belong. Raise taxes on people who make more than 350K a year and force all government people to pay more taxes - since their paychecks are coming out of OUR taxes. They might as well 'give back' since I know they won't be forced to live on minimum wage. Cut their benefits and pensions. These people need to spend their own paychecks for their own vehicles. They need to spend their own paychecks for their vacations. NOT TAXPAYER MONEY. Taxpayers should vote and approve for ANY spending, ie purchasing more police cars, renovating public buildings, etc. If we say no, then the answer is NO. If they don't like that, they can raise funds themselves, NOT use taxpayer funds. Essential services in all states/cities such as 911, police, fire, and emergency services need to stay. Education funding should stay. ALL administrative costs need to be cut no matter which arena it's in. If you're going to lay off people, lay off an office worker, NOT a teacher. Lay off a custodian, NOT a teacher. If you're going to cut funding, don't cut it from only one area - like getting rid of music or sports. Spread the budget cut around to just take a little off each area, not completely remove something. it peeves me off that the schools are cutting out what makes kids well rounded and capable individuals. STOP giving ANY benefits such as welfare, social security, disability, section 8, food stamps, cash aid, etc to ANYBODY who is not a legal citizen. The message is this - if you barge in here uninvited and without taking the proper steps to proving you want to be a citizen here and give back, then you don't GET ANYTHING. All the taxpayer money being spent on these people is why there is no taxpayer money left to take care of actual citizens who need it! Excuse me, WE are the taxpayers who paid that money into the system in the first place! And it's not even benefitting us. For shame. Definitely cut aid to other nations. Now that we're in trouble, I don't see THEM bailing US out. I don't even think they could. Taxes definitely need to be lowered. People are not going to infuse the economy with any money because we don't have any. We're seeing our taxes wasted for nothing and all the government does is demand MORE? There's something backwards about this. A naughty child who wastes their allowance on something and demands more certainly isn't going to get more if they have wise parents! It's time we wised up and said 'be responsible and be accountable with OUR money or you'll work for free'. There has to be an even return - for any taxpayer money spent, the average taxpayer should be able to SEE a benefit - or the money shouldn't be spent at all. As long as that rule is followed, I think that a balance would eventually be met. The government is just spending money they don't even have, that they never had - on garbage that we don't even want, three quarters of which we don't even know about or what it has to do with. Bottom line, if it is not directly benefitting US, then it should not be happening. EVER. These government people are running this country into the ground with their own agendas, with their lies, and slick talk. They don't care about us, what we want, what will make the country better. They are ruled by power and the love of money. Just disgusting. Why do you think I hate politics and politicians?

Get rid of a couple Czars and oversighters cut taxes especially capital gains. Drill for our own oil and tell Opec where to go. Sign executive order limiting term limits for house and senate so they don't have time to get locked up in elaborate special interests that only serve them and hurt our wallets. Ween ourselves back on the gold standard, I know many hate to hear this but by cutting coperate taxes we bring manufacturing back to this country, as stands now we have no manufacturing to rely on, they're all over in China polluting instead. I would think that aid to nations would work better by private charities from me putting money and jobs back into the consumer's wallet.