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LEARN ABOUT CIVICS: TALK TO THE JUSTICE

Contact us if you have a message or question for Justice O'Connor that is not included in our current topic for this page.

2011 National Budget

President Obama recently sent his 2011 budget request to Congress.  Now it is up to Congress to decide what the nation will spend in 2011.  The national budget is extremely important because it sets our priorities for the coming year.  For example, it determines how much money we spend to help pay teachers, police, and soldiers, as well as to protect the environment, cut taxes, and provide services for the poor.  Often, the federal government spends more money than it collects and has to borrow funds.  If you could make the budget, what would you spend more money on and how would you try to save money?

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May 11, 2010
Justice O'Connor
While it is clear that you all feel that the government must set priorities as to how it spends its money, your comments show a range of opinions about what these priorities should be. Many of you mentioned that we should raise or cut spending in particular areas. Hamza thinks we should spend more on domestic issues like health care and infrastructure, while Gabby thinks more should be done to make peace with other countries, and Stephen thinks more should be spent on our troops. Dakota and Nadia thinks we should focus on our debt by spending money only on important things. Our budget priorities are very important to consider as we move to put the nation’s long-term budget outlook on the right track. Budget deficits, which represent the borrowed money we are spending, must be reduced or eliminated if we hope to reduce our national debt to other countries and have a decent economic condition in this country. President Obama has appointed a bipartisan commission that will attempt to solve the nation’s budget problems. As lawmakers work to address this issue, we as citizens of the United States must remain informed and engaged in the fiscal debate that will shape the future of this country.
May 05, 2010
Hamza , 6th, Vermont
Dear Justice, I think money should go to things we need like health care and supplies for store, schools and army, also hospitals. I also think that taxes should be reduced so that civilians can live with no problems. I think the health care law is a bad idea. The reason I think it is because no matter how poor you are you still have to pay. Can you get rid a law? How long does it take to get rid of a law if you can?
May 05, 2010
Isaac, 6th, VT
I believe that we should spend more money on helping the sick and researching horrible diseases, and improving infrastructure and less on overseas stuff. For example, the government could spend less on expensive hotels and bailing out every third world nation.
May 05, 2010
Killian, 6th, Vermont
Well, I would spend the money on diseases like cancer or aids or something, But, I would also like to cut back on the use of money we spend just for it, I mean, come on, we spend it on selfish things we don’t need.
May 05, 2010
Dakota, 6th , Vermont
I would give 1 half of the tax money to the countries we owe debt to and use the other half for emergences like earthquakes and disasters. If you thought about it we should also have more modern technology in more schools like net books and smart boards. U.S.A in my opinion is greedy and we should try and end our money issues first
May 04, 2010
Andrew, 6th, Vermont
I would spend the budget on cancer, Aids, and S.T.Ds. Some people can afford to see a doctor, but some people can’t! That money would go to the treatment of those diseases. I can’t stand for people to die and have the government do nothing to help!! The way I would save money is stop the government from taken public money to spend on things for their entertainment!!
April 16, 2010
Nadia J., 5, New York
I would spend it on helping the economy and paying debts. I would try to save money by spending less money on unimportant things and only spend big money on necessary things.
April 13, 2010
Cooper, 7th, WI
I personally think that we should be doing more to help Native Americans. After all we did take there land from them.
April 13, 2010
Stephen C., 9th, Utah
I would target our budget toward our troops. They do so much for us and we need to be thankful for the sacrifices they make for the country. They protect our liberties and we need to take that seriously. I would also want to cut taxes. Cutting taxes will help the private sector and boost the economy. We need to make sure the government doesnt have these huge spending plans that will put our country further into debt.
April 13, 2010
dennisse , 6th , ohio
i think they should cut down on tax. really its too expensive for peaple who cant afford it. but everybody has their own oppinion.
April 09, 2010
Gabby, 8, CT
I would spend more money trying to make peace with other countries with organizations like the Peace Corps and give more money to relief funds to try and gain more allies instead of spending money on wars, which only gain enemies and lose lives.
April 08, 2010
Gus W., 7, WI
I would cut taxes to lower the debt and get the economy moving. I would also defund the Healthcare Bill that just went into law. Those are to things that would get the economy moving and the USA out of debt.
April 08, 2010
Gus W., 7th , WI
I would lower taxes so the private sector could start running again. I would also defund the new healthcare bill that just became law. Those are the things that would get the economy moving and the USA out of debt.
March 17, 2010
anthony b., 7, new york
i would spend my money on charity. i would save money by buying stuff i need and only need.
February 17, 2010
Katarina F. , 6th, WI
This doesn't really have to do with the question, but I am doing a report on you for school... challenges you had achieving your goals and how you changed the world. p.s. We should spend more money, well not on things that are unimportant, but we should save up or only use the minimum needed in case of a natural disaster. I realize that that may sound like I think thatb will be easy but it probably isn't and thats why we aren't doing that. :)
February 17, 2010
Steve, 13, Illinois
I'd take several drastic steps. First I would bring the troops home, which would be the right thing to do, but would also save money. Next, I would crack down on defense contrats, which are extremely bloated. I would not allow the Social Security trust fund to be raided. I would end agricultural subsidies to the big corporations. I would allocate more money towards healthcare, but I would return control of education back to the state and local governments, where it constitutionally belongs. Finally, do not allow for bailouts or stimuli that fall outside of the budgeted spending. I think Congress is going about it all wrong. What we need to do is have a balanced budget amendment so we don't have the problems of deficits. A reasonable supermajority could overturn the ban in wartime. It's either raising taxes or cutting spending or both, but there can not be a budget deficit.
February 13, 2010
Danielle, 8th, CO
i think wwe should be investing more in solutions for climate change and alternative energy sources besides oil
February 02, 2010
Jt Price, 9th , Texas
Well i would spend the money on more important things like police, teachers, soldiers, ect. and i would cut back on less important things. It would help the economy get better and not crumble the way it did in the great depression.