Earlier at BBC News, I read on how President Bush is planning to reduce the US budget deficit:
US President George W Bush has said his forthcoming budget plans will seek to curb domestic spending.
“Cutting the deficit during a time of war requires us to restrain spending in other areas,” Mr Bush said in his weekly radio address.
He said his plans for the next fiscal year would show that his aim of erasing the deficit by 2012 could be achieved without giving up tax cuts.
I beginning to notice the in trend right now. Reduce fossil fuel consumption, reduce carbon emission, reduce budget deficit, etc, etc, after he steps down as the President.
I realize that there are issues that demand attention that spans several generations. Nevertheless, I cannot help but wonder if that is the case or it is simply Bush passing the buck.
Regardless, I think President Bush is trying to cut the wrong corners:
Mr Bush said the budget for the year starting in October 2007 would underline the need to tighten spending on domestic programmes – including on education, energy and health.
The Washington Post newspaper said domestic spending would increase by 1% – less than inflation.
Meanwhile military spending in Iraq and Afghanistan would increase.
Certain areas, especially education, are too critical to see spending tightening. At time when globalization is at nearly full steam, I do not think anybody could afford to cut spending on education. Not Malaysia. Not Egypt. Not the Netherlands. Not the United States.
If I were Bush, I would slow down on the military spending instead. The first step in reducing military spending is to avoid too many military conflicts.
Some might call this a gun and butter model. Maybe it is, to some extent.
