A common definition of a budget is; an estimate, often itemized, of expected income and expense for a given period, in the future, usually a financial year, based on such an estimate, with a plan of operations based on such an estimate.  At last we have a businessman President that has amassed a budget and sent such to congress for approval or rejection.  Our past President was never able, in his eight years in the White House, to fashion a budget.

Mr. Trump has included both reductions and increases for various departments and interests.  An example of the increase, small though it may be, is the Military Budget increase of fifty-four billion dollars.  This is a must and should be more of an increase if we want the most sophisticated, powerful and respected military in the future.  The superbious democrats and radical liberals will fight any increase in this area opting for more entitlements for their voting base.

Reducing funding for the EPA will help our country immensely by giving fewer regulations for business, both large and small, with which to contend.  Most businesses feel they are being strangled by the rules the EPA has arbitrarily decided to implement and enforce.  Anyone that can receive tax payer dollars in the name of art by simply placing a cross in a jar of urine, needs their funding cut.

Meals on wheels, school lunches and after school programs are to receive cuts as well as the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.  Meals on wheels is not being eliminated.  Less than a three percent cut is proposed.  School lunches and after school programs will receive even more funding if the states assume this management.  The amount of dollars supporting the bureaucratic machine is larger than the amount that ends up where it is designated to go.   Big bird will survive right there on HBO where he has been residing.  Public Broadcasting will continue with the dollars of sponsorship from corporate sponsors they receive and the never ending fund raising with overpriced CD’s they hype for sale.

The President of The United States has a perspicacious ability to feel the pulse of his supporters.  He is attempting to do what he promised without any help from the left.  Let the states control the education system in their local area and stop the raid on monies garnered for schools.  More money is gobbled up by the bellicose career politicians that could be directly funneled to the states for their use as needed locally.  Who knows the needs of your community or neighborhood:  Washington or you and your neighbors?

State and local government agencies will have more money than ever before.  As with the Veterans Administration we need to alter regulations and let department heads fire those that abuse the system and flagrantly waste money. Of all the money allocated to the VA, less than thirty percent works its way down to provide benefits for the deserving veterans.

Every person, family or business I am familiar with work and live by a budget of some kind.  We as individuals and business persons cannot project and then succeed on a budget of deficits.  Our nation has reached the point where it can no longer survive by not operating within a budget.  Eventually the debt can begin to go down and stop the choking of all tax payers.

The entitlement mentality has to go away.  How anyone can, with a clear conscience, feel they are entitled to and demand others money is in no way one of the building block of this great republic.    We, as tax payers, must demand accountability for our money and the labor that earned it.  Results must be visible for all to see.  It has been proven that the career bureaucrats have no sense of fiscal responsibility.

We have elections every two years.  We can start the process at the ballot box.  Last November you saw what loyal patriots could accomplish.  Keep the battle progressing. 

The thoughts and ideas expressed above are exclusively those of Jack Straley.  We may agree, and that’s fine, or we may disagree, that’s okay too.  My sole purpose is to encourage others to think, study, and become involved. Exercise your freedom and above all, when presented the opportunity, please vote.