THE FEDERAL DEFICIT EXPLAINED

 

We’re hearing a lot about the federal budget and the deficit, about spending and taxes. I wondered what our government would’ve looked like in 2011 if we had balanced the budget, only spending what we took in. Hello, my name is Carolyn Federoff. I’m a federal employee and a member of the American Federation of Government Employees. And this presentation shows you what our government would’ve looked like.

 

 

 

This chart is from the Congressional Budget Office. It’s full of information, but I want you to focus on the bottom left. In 2011, we spent $3.6 trillion, and took in $2.3 trillion. What would it take to cut $1.3 trillion, and only spend what we brought in?

 

 

A Unique View of the Federal Deficit

Now that House Speaker John Boehner has come out with another rallying cry concerning the federal deficit,  we thought you might want to see a unique description of the deficit and the federal budget from Carolyn Federoff, a lawyer, economist, and AFGE member.

You can watch the video below or at AFGE’s YouTube channel-  www.youtube.com/afgeonline.

AFGE MEMBERS TO GOP: ‘EXPLAIN IT TO ME’

Extending payroll tax relief for the rest of 2012  will stimulate the economy by putting an extra $1,000 in the pockets of the average American family. But Republicans in Washington just don’t get it. They want to pay for this payroll tax relief by punishing middle-class Americans who work for the federal government. 

Federal employees are part of the 99 percent. Explain to me, GOP, how slashing their pay and benefits help put Americans back to work.

AFGE has launched a nationwide ad campaign, asking GOP lawmakers to explain their support for wage and benefit cuts at a time when we should be creating new jobs and putting more money into the pockets of the middle class.

Below is a copy of the 30-second television ad.

And here’s a copy of the print ad (click for full-size version).

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