$2.57 trillion. It doesn't do a ton to actually reduce the deficit, but there are definitely cuts proposed. The budget in areas other than defense, homeland security and the mandatory programs like Social Security is set to actually fall .5%.
I think this could really pose a problem for Democrats. Of late they've been playing the role of deficit hawks. Every dollar spent is described as President Bush putting a "burden on our children". It's going to be awfully hard for them to continue to take that tack while at the same time fighting his efforts to scale back spending. They're going to need to make a decision on which of three options they're going to take. Will they fight to save these programs, continue to fight the deficit fight or will they make fools of themselves and try and do both, making them look like hypocrites.
Oh wait…
[The proposed budget's] cuts in veterans programs, health care and education reflect the wrong priorities, and its huge deficits are fiscally irresponsible.
Looks like they’re taking the hypocritical fools route.
To quote the Simpsons:
"I'm the last registered Democrat! TAX AND SPEND! TAX AND SPEND!!!"
