• Now for Something Completely Different

    By J.D. Neeson, President, Marine Parts Express

    Below is a fascinating table that was printed in the Kiplinger Letter. It seems to show that much of the debate about the budget these days is misstated at best and disingenuous at worse.  It appears both sides of the aisle are focusing on issues that make better sound bites than debating on what really matters.I particularly found the comparison of the “Net interest on Debt” and “International aid” interesting, but there are all sorts of counter-intuitive revelations in the data.  Except for a few exceptions (and these are big exceptions but go in both directions – look at the defense percentages for example) it is amazing how consistent the percentages are over almost 45 years.

    Government Fiscal ’12 Request Fiscal ’12 Fiscal ’09 Fiscal ’68
    Programs (in billions) Share Share Share
    Social Security $767 20.6% 19.4% 13.4%
    Defense 738 19.8 18.8 46
    Medicare 492 13.2 12.2 2.3
    Medicaid 269 7.2 7.1 1.1
    Net Interest on Debt 242 6.5 5.3 6.2
    Veterans (Benefits & Medical 125 3.3 2.7 3.9
    Civilian, Military retirement 123 3.3 3.5 2.3
    Transportation 105 2.8 2.4 3.4
    Unemployment payments 96 2.6 3.5 1.7
    Food Stamps 80 2.2 1.6 0
    Education 71 1.9 1.5 2.3
    Health Research & Services 65 1.7 1.6 1.7
    International Aid 63 1.7 1.5 2.8
    Housing Subsidies 61 1.6 1.5 0
    Law Enforcement 59 1.6 1.5 0.6
    Homeland Security 47 1.3 1.5 0.6
    Low-Income Tax Credit 47 1.3 1.2 0
    Supplement Security Income 44 1.2 0.8 0
    Science and Space 32 0.9 0.6 2.8
    Nutrition Programs 26 0.7 0.6 0
    Environmental and Resources 24 0.6 0.7 0.6
    Family Support (welfare) 21 0.6 0.5 1.7
    Agricultural (subsidies, etc.) 19 0.5 0.5 2.8
    Disaster relief 11 0.3 0.5 0
    Other (energy, commer. etc) 105 2.8 8.8 3.9
    Total (after Rounding) $3,732 100% 100% 100%
    From Kiplinger Letter Vol. 88, No. 7

    Out of curiosity, I rearranged this table into broad categories and I was again surprised what the numbers show.

    Percent of Percent of Government Fiscal ’12 Request Fiscal ’12 Fiscal ’09 Fiscal ’68
    Fiscal ’12 Fiscal ’68 Programs (in billions) Share Share Share
    31.1 16.8 Retirement Related
    Social Security $767 20.6 19.4 13.4
    Medicaid 269 7.2 7.1 1.1
    Civilian, Military retirement 123 3.3 3.5 2.3
    29.3 55.6 Government Related
    Defense 738 19.8 18.8 46
    Net Interest on Debt 242 6.5 5.3 6.2
    International Aid 63 1.7 1.5 2.8
    Homeland Security 47 1.3 1.5 0.6
    12.6 15.3 Infrastructure Related
    Education 71 1.9 1.5 2.3
    Health Research & Services 65 1.7 1.6 1.7
    Law Enforcement 59 1.6 1.5 0.6
    Science and Space 32 0.9 0.6 2.8
    Environmental and Resources 24 0.6 0.7 0.6
    Disaster relief 11 0.3 0.5 0
    Other (energy, commer. etc) 105 2.8 8.8 3.9
    Transportation 105 2.8 2.4 3.4
    27.2 12.4 Societal Related
    Medicare 492 13.2 12.2 2.3
    Veterans (Benefits & Medical 125 3.3 2.7 3.9
    Unemployment payments 96 2.6 3.5 1.7
    Food Stamps 80 2.2 1.6 0
    Housing Subsidies 61 1.6 1.5 0
    Low-Income Tax Credit 47 1.3 1.2 0
    Supplement Security Income 44 1.2 0.8 0
    Nutrition Programs 26 0.7 0.6 0
    Family Support (welfare) 21 0.6 0.5 1.7
    Agricultural (subsidies, etc.) 19 0.5 0.5 2.8
    Total (after Rounding) $3,732 100% 100% 100%

    Just like the government should be watching our money, we at Marine Parts Express carefully control our budgets so we can offer you the best value for your marine purchases.

    J.D.

    Comments? Questions? Suggestions for topics for our blog or newsletter? Send them to
    info@marinepartsexpress.com.

    Marine Parts Express is a division of Water Resources, Inc., a privately held Maine Corporation.

    For all your marine engine parts needs, call us toll free at 877.621.2628, or outside the U.S. at 207.882.6165.

    March 15, 2011 / JD Neeson / 2

    Categories: Economy, JD Neeson

    Tags: , , , ,

    2 thoughts on “Now for Something Completely Different”

    • Scott O'Brien says:
      March 15, 2011 at 10:13 pm

      As I suspected the elite are trying to make it look as if spending has increased so dramatically that it has to be addressed immediately. The only increase I saw as dramatic is food stamps which didn’t exist in 1968 but is definately needed today. Good info 🙂 What are these big money donors to campaigns looking for in return? I can’t afford to donate to a governor $43000 but I do know if I could would want to know whats in it for me. While I’m replying to your blog a businessman in Florida spent a million on a recall vote for the Mayor of Palm Beach (I think) Dade county. I wonder whats in it for him? He took a stand against the Mayors budget. Nobody spends a million (especially a businessman) unless its good business lol

      Reply
    • JD NEESON says:
      March 18, 2011 at 2:42 pm

      Thank you for your comments. I was quite struck by these numbers.

      In Maine were I live, I one time donated $5 and then $100 to a man running for State Senate. He was a pretty good Senator (although he eventually met his demise after a couple of terms, for being a bit too outspoken about a local hospital payment board of directors issue). What was amazing was how my $105 donation (out of a campain that spent about $20,000 (it is Maine after all) gave me incredible access. He always returned my calls, helped with some permits, and asked for my opinion on issues. I can’t imagine what $43,000 would have got me! I really don’t think it is always a corruption issue as much as it is a way to guarantee you are listened to.

      Reply

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