Behind every tax dollar we send to Washington is one question: What are we paying for?
Any president’s budget proposal is little more than a reflection of priorities. It speaks to what kind of country they envision. Donald Trump’s makes clear what he thinks we should fund… more bombs, less education, less health care, war crimes.
We need a strong military. But we also need healthy, well-educated citizens. We need a strong, dynamic economy. We want to continue to lead in research, innovation and job creation. We have to be self-sufficient in energy. And we must invest in our future, not undermine it.
His budget requests $1.5 trillion for defense while cutting another $73 billion from domestic programs including education, housing, food assistance and the NIH. This is in addition to the $170 billion for ICE and detention centers, and paying $1 billion in taxpayer money to abandon wind projects.
These aren’t just mind-boggling numbers. They are a statement of values. Not mine, not most Americans, probably not even the majority in Congress.
It makes me so angry that for the first time I wonder if I can withhold my taxes, or at least choose what my dollars go toward. Here’s a short list:
Fund schools so they’re exceptional, not just adequate. Make college accessible without lifelong debt. Health care for everyone, not just because it’s right but also because it’s more cost efficient. Fund research — every major breakthrough from vaccines to the internet came from public investment.
I also want my tax dollars to go toward clean energy, food security, affordable housing, voter access and humanitarian aid — things that reflect the values of a great nation. And to national security because there are real threats that require it.
What Trump wants to cut at a time of such need for so many in order to wage war is not just unconscionable, it’s amoral and indefensible.
Ted Barber
Northampton