Domestic Spending Increased A Record 16%

[ProSense]

Federal Domestic Spending Increased A Record 16%

Sep 01, 2010

The Census Bureau reported Thursday that federal "domestic spending increased a record 16 percent, to $3.2 trillion, in 2009 … largely because of a boost in aid to the unemployed and the huge economic stimulus package enacted to rescue the sinking economy," The Washington Post reports.

"Overall, the largest chunk of federal spending -- about 46 percent of the $3.2 trillion -- went to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, entitlement programs that are projected to swell as the population ages. ... Federal grants to states, local governments, nonprofit groups and other organizations accounted for nearly one-quarter -- $744 billion -- of federal outlays. The majority of that amount was funneled through the Department of Health and Human Services. HHS along with the departments of Education and Transportation accounted for nearly 80 percent of federal grant spending in 2009" (Fletcher and Morello, 9/1).

This is in contrast to this: The true cost of the Iraq war: $3 trillion and beyond

When people throw out the cost of the war, which is obscene, to criticize the Obama administration on domestic spending, they are comparing apples to oranges.

The $3 trillion projection is the cost of the war from its beginning.

The defense budget is $700 billion in a nearly $4 trillion federal budget. About $400 billion of the defense budget is compensation and benefits, including those for Veterans.

The stimulus and other recovery specific aid reached well over $1.5 trillion last year alone.

As for Republicans, they can't complain about deficits after spending eight years driving it up with unpaid for wars. Pointing out the cost of war is really a counter to deficit hysteria, regardless of party.

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

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[rfranklin]

2. They will ignore the deficits they created and harp on Obama's spending...

They have done it already and they have a receptive audience--those who are panicked by a dark skinned President and those who are whacky "libertarians" and the uninformed masses who know that spending beyond one's means is a bad thing. Reality has nothing whatsovever to do with their shpiel.

[ProSense]

3. Yes, they will

which is why it's important to point out their hypocrisy on war spending.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

4. For the Republicans

spending tons of $$$$$$ for war and shiny new military toys is wonderful. Spending tons of $$$$$$$ to help improve people's lives is bad, evil, sinful, etc. :banghead:

[ProSense]

5. Really surprised at how few comments

this has attracted.