This video explains how old members of Congress are, how long they have served, and whether older members tend to have more concentrated power than other members. We conclude that while term limits make sense, they will not be sufficient to stop the uncontrolled spending by our government. For that,
Who in Washington is actually responsible for pulling all of this together and fixing it? This video answers that question, with the transcript that follows. The surprising answer is: There really isn’t one person or committee in charge of the entire federal budget. And that helps explain why fixing our
It used to be that our government paid for costs as they arose and maintained a pay-as-you-go fiscal discipline. Not any more. One reason is that politicians have figured out that it is much easier to promise things today and borrow for them so that no one feels the cost
Imagine you were evaluating Congress the same way you would evaluate the executive leadership team of a company. What would their annual performance review look like? See the video for our take, and a transcript that follows. Let’s use five common leadership categories: Financial Management Strategy Oversight & Program Management
The debate over deficits and debt in the United States is not short on ideas, but it is short on movement. Many citizens and elected officials are digging in their heals on positions where voters feel strongly and politicians face consequences for compromise. Each position has logic behind it, which
On paper, the federal budgeting process is relatively straightforward. Each year, Congress is supposed to set an overall budget framework and then pass a series of spending bills before the fiscal year begins on October 1. If that happened consistently, the process would be predictable and easier for the public
There is no shortage of speeches about the national debt. Every election cycle, politicians warn that America is spending too much, borrowing too much, and leaving problems for future generations. Then something predictable happens. The moment a party gains power, deficit concerns often become secondary to tax cuts, new spending,
What Earmarks and “Pork” Really Are Earmarks are specific spending items inserted into legislation to fund particular projects—often in a member of Congress’s district. A road expansion, a university research grant, or a flood control system are typical examples. In recent years, they’ve been rebranded as “community project funding,” but
In a well-run nonprofit organization, a board of directors is a made up of trustees, expected to act as stewards. The board’s job is to protect the mission of the organization, preserve financial health, and make decisions that ensure the organization remains strong over time. The focus is not on
The Limits of the Role The President cannot unilaterally fix the deficit. Congress controls taxing and spending, and any lasting change requires legislation. That constraint means that even a highly motivated President is working through negotiation, not command. At the same time, the office is not powerless. Presidents shape the
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