My best non-slant look at recent polling numbers

[Scorpjazz]

Cutting Spending pulls it all together.

Does seem simple doesnt it? Its not like we have too many freebie programs out there or anything. Then all the experts we pay to make sure those freebie programs run "correctly". Then the people paid to over see the over seeing of said freebie programs..such a waste of money. Lets blame the rich guys though, that usually changes the subject when faced with logic and facts.

 

[One Brow]

Does seem simple doesnt it? Its not like we have too many freebie programs out there or anything.

Which are the ones you're really willing to cut? You cut food stamps/WIC, and people go hungry (just as they did before these programs). You cut Section 8, and people go homeless. You cut medical care, and communicable diseases start to spread.

Since you're so fond of facts of logic, where are these cuts to be found, and what are the social ramifications of them? How much have you really thought them through?

 

[Dr. Jones]

Which are the ones you're really willing to cut? You cut food stamps/WIC, and people go hungry (just as they did before these programs). You cut Section 8, and people go homeless. You cut medical care, and communicable diseases start to spread.

Since you're so fond of facts of logic, where are these cuts to be found, and what are the social ramifications of them? How much have you really thought them through?

I'd like to see budget reform. The 'spend it or lose it' creates a mountain of unnecessary expense/waste (I've outlined some of these a few times before).

There are also too many government funded R&D projects that are just downright silly/stupid, in this person's opinion.

These may not solve our crisis, but we have to eat the elephant a bite at a time. It seems we've fallen into a trap of believing only drastic, sweeping changes will rescue us .. when chipping away at it would eventually prove out.

 

[One Brow]

I'd like to see budget reform. The 'spend it or lose it' creates a mountain of unnecessary expense/waste (I've outlined some of these a few times before).

If there is a good way to implement that, I'd certainly support it.

There are also too many government funded R&D projects that are just downright silly/stupid, in this person's opinion.

I'm sure you'd also acknowledge that the political/media representaiton of these studies is generally far from accurate.

 

[Dr. Jones]

I'm sure you'd also acknowledge that the political/media representaiton of these studies is generally far from accurate.

Certainly. As I'm sure you would also agree there is truth in it as well. Mischaracterized/dramatized or not, it's still an area for inspection and correction.

 

[One Brow]

Certainly. As I'm sure you would also agree there is truth in it as well. Mischaracterized/dramatized or not, it's still an area for inspection and correction.

In the years when the money is flowing well, some 50% of projects get funded, at most. Lately, it's close to 25%. The determinaitons of which project to fund from federal monies are done by scientists. Do you think they waste money on projects that don't have a legitimate scientific purpose?

Now, I'm sure there are a few privately funded projects that are silly, but that's not what we're talking about cutting.

 

[Dr. Jones]

In the years when the money is flowing well, some 50% of projects get funded, at most. Lately, it's close to 25%. The determinaitons of which project to fund from federal monies are done by scientists. Do you think they waste money on projects that don't have a legitimate scientific purpose?

Not trying to be cute, but yes, I am certain there is some cutting needed. Also depends on who is defining 'legitimate' scientific purpose. I am pro-R&D, but we cannot afford to not make cuts in spending .. has to hurt somewhere.

 

[One Brow]

I am pro-R&D, but we cannot afford to not make cuts in spending .. has to hurt somewhere.

That's a perfectly reasonable opinion. I expect R&D would be cut, I just hate seeing it justified by some false notion that we regularly conduct silly scientific studies.