Balancing the Federal Budget

I am having a blast in my American Government class. Really, I am. Every week we have read two essays/arguments on a given topic. This week is the balancing the federal budget. One essay is about cutting spending, including social security etc. The other is about raising taxes to get more revenue. We, the students, then write a 600 word essay narrating the two arguments. Then all the students post (online) their essays. THEN we argue.

During this week's debate on balancing the USA budget, I raised the following questions/arguments.

• In personal finance the general rule is "don't spend what you don't have." Even if this means sacrifice. I asked, "why doesn't the USA follow this rule?" I know the federal budget is much more complicated than a single family's...but still. I went on to say that maybe it's because the USA wants to be first/the best...but look at us now--we spend more on health care than any other nation. I think the government doesn't want to sacrifice.
• Corporate tax subsidizes. Pleeeese, give ME a break.
• Flat tax. I read that in 2010, the American people paid a combine $140 MILLION in tax prep. Soo! Those living in poverty either did the taxes themselves--probably not "doing it right," so they can't get a maximum refund or paid $$ for someone to do so they can get a max. refund so they can pay the tax prep. person (ps I love these types of cycles, don't you?)

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