Hi,

Since our government’s taxation system was founded upon the principles to collects taxes in order to finance public safety, welfare and services, it is imperative for us, as the primary taxpayers to become more aware of where our tax dollars go. There is a debate among our congressman about who is going to afford the rebuilding and inspection of our transportation systems. It a sad day when we can tally that more American were killed during this year due to our Homeland’s infrastructure failings than in defense of our homeland security or overseas wars.  In fiscal year 2006, over $2.7 trillion tax dollars was spent. This amount represents about one-fifth of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) or slightly less than the historical average for the last 30 years. With the nation’s infrastructure continually making headlines due to loss of life as a result of some sort of failure or demise, tax policy decisions have become extremely crucial.

Dividing the national tax budget into fifths, three-fifths (61%) of federal expenditures went to three areas. These three areas are; Social Security, Defense/Security and the three government health insurance programs, Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP (State Children’s Health Insurance Program). Figure 1 below represents the overall percentages of where our tax dollars are currently being spent by our government officials.

To clarify additional percentages on the chart, the Safety Net Programs (9%) represents programs that provide aid (other than health insurance or Social Security benefits) to individuals and families facing hardship. Examples are unemployment and low-income housing support programs. Interest on debt (9%) is just that; interest on the nation’s federal debt. Everything else, which only comprises 21% of the tax dollars spent, is represented by Figure 2 below.

As you can see by the chart above, only 2% of our nation’s tax dollars are spent on Transportation & Infrastructure! It is quite alarming to look at the way our government officials are currently spending our tax dollars.

In light of the seemingly continual demise of our country’s infrastructure, it appears our government officials have forgotten what our tax system was founded for; to provide ways for citizen’s to earn money to make a living and support themselves and their families by building and maintaining useful and safe roads, utilities, water systems and transportation systems. It is imperative that our government officials are reminded of this before more lives are lost.

Since life has no reset button…tune into this blog and to our website daily. Safe living, Yovette Mumford

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