Budget Puzzle: You Fix the Budget

[Moot]

Today, you’re in charge of the nation’s finances. Some of your options have more short-term savings and some have more long-term savings. When you have closed the budget gaps for both 2015 and 2030, you are done. Make your own plan, then share it online.

Budget Puzzle: You Fix the Budget - Interactive Feature - NYTimes.com




I balanced the budget both long and short term. That was easy.

Cut foreign aid in half.
Eliminate farm subsidies.
Cut aid to states by 5%

Reduced nuclear arsenal and space spending
Reduce military to pre-Iraq War size and further reduce troops in Asia and Europe
Canceled or delayed some weapons programs
Reduced noncombat military compensation and overhead
Reduce the number of troops in Iraq and Afghanistan to 30,000 by 2013

Cap Medicare growth starting in 2013

Raised the Social Security retirement age to 68
Reduce Social Security benefits for those with high incomes
Tighten eligibility for disability

President Obama's proposal (on investment tax)

Allow expiration for income above $250,000 a year
Payroll tax: Subject some incomes above $106,000 to tax
Eliminate loopholes, reduce rates (Bowles-Simpson plan)

Carbon tax
Bank Tax