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Ax failed agencies to cut the deficit
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Each year since 1969, the federal government has spent more than it has taken in from taxes, causing the United States Treasury Department to borrow to keep up with Congressional spending. The federal fiscal year starts Oct. 1 and during the first four months of this year, the treasury has had to borrow $169 billion just to pay interest on the borrowed money. 
According to the Constitution, government exists for just two purposes: (1) to provide its citizens with the freedom to live their lives as they so choose, and (2) to protect us from those, both foreign and domestic, who would try to take away that freedom. Once government steps outside of those two purposes, it is taking away that freedom.
The definition of freedom is the absence of coercion or constraint in choice or action, yet the government keeps spending on programs beyond its constitutional function; thereby infringing on our freedom to spend our money as we see fit.
President Barack Obama suggested that the government tax the rich to make up the deficit. The total worth of all American billionaires is $1.3 trillion. We could take all of their worth and it wouldn’t put a dent in our national debt. It wouldn’t even pay this year’s deficit. We need to control the government and its unbridled spending along with the phony political cuts proposed by Congress.
Let’s look at how we can seriously reduce the size of the government and reduce deficit spending. Start with the most hated agency, the IRS. By initiating a consumable tax, which is paid when we make a purchase, we could eliminate the IRS and save $12 billion a year.
The biggest agency disappointment is the Department of Education, which spends $51 billion a year. This agency is leaving our children behind. Of the 34 Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries, we rank 14th in reading, 17th in science and 25th in math. China was first in math.
The DOT has multiple departments under its control, but do we need all of them? By eliminating nonessential programs, we could save $79 billion.
The Department of Energy spends $26 billion to free us from OPEC oil. How are they doing? Are we at $5 a gallon yet?
We give away $20 billion a year in foreign aid, not counting the $91 billion in military aid that we give to Israel, Pakistan and other countries. This amounts to $370 for every man, woman and child.
The Department of Labor’s budget of $14 billion supports Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis’ vision of “good jobs for everyone.” Has anyone informed Solis that 48 million Americans are unemployed, under-employed or have given up trying to find work? This is another agency that we are rewarding for failure.
HUD claims that its $49 billion budget will strengthen the nation’s housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers.  Where was HUD when the housing market collapsed? HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan claims HUD played a central role in the administration’s efforts to help homeowners avoid foreclosure. Did I miss something?
Whenever the nation is in financial trouble, the government cuts the military and retirement benefits. Let’s just cut out the failed agencies and save $351 billion a year.

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