It seems that Obama wants to be knows as some kind of budget cutter by proposing to slash a whopping $17 billion from the $3.6 trillion budget.
Compared with the total $3.6 trillion spending plan for 2010, the proposed trims amount to one-half of 1%. Half the cuts would come from defense, especially Pentagon weapons programs already spelled out by Defense Secretary Robert Gates, such as trimming back the fleet of advanced F-22 fighter planes. The other half would come from programs that have strong support among progressive activists who cheered Mr. Obama's election. Programs targeted for elimination or consolidation include education and housing programs that Democratic aides said will have fierce advocates among traditionally Democratic constituencies.
It should have been $170 billion worth of cuts instead of only $17 billion. As it is now this amounts to just a pittance that allows him to pay lip service to cutting his own budget. Maybe he can cut out some of those placeholders and down payments from that budget so he can make some real headway.
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