Basic vocabulary regarding public policy

Debt and Deficit Public debt

Debt and deficit Public debt: – When a government (local, state, federal) borrows money today with the promise to pay it back tomorrow How does a state or nation borrow money? – Can get loans from banks and other governments – Can sell promissory notes in small increments called bonds – When the bonds come due, the government pays the bondholders back, with interest.

Why does the USA borrow money? Because it spends more than it takes in in taxes. Every year, the balance between spending and taxes results in either a deficit or a surplus.

How much money does the government bring in?

Spending, 2011 budget.

What are: Social security? – income for Americans over the age of 65, based on the amount they made during their working life Medicare? – pays for health care for Americans over the age of 65 Medicaid? – pays for health care for poor Americans who fall below a certain income level, partially paid by state governments

Spending, 2011 budget.

What is discretionary non-defense spending?

What is the budget deficit for 2011? Receipts:2.303 trillion Expenditures:3.603 trillion Deficit1.300 trillion

Debt and Deficit Public debt The national debt The NATIONAL DEBT is the total amount of money that the US federal government in Washington OWES to bondholders. This is the total amount of all debts PREVIOUSLY accumulated

The National Debt

Demography: who are we? Population 2010: 308,745,538 Percent change from 2000: 9.7%

Race

Demography: who are we? Income distribution: Median household income: $51,914 Poverty rate: 15% Lowest 20% of the population (about 61 million people): – Household Incomes of $20,000 or less. Next lowest 20%: Incomes from $20,000 to $38,043 Middle 20%: Incomes from $38,044 to $61,735 Next highest 20% Incomes from $61,736-$100,065 Highest 20%: Incomes above $100,065

Public Opinion What do most Americans think about: Taxes and spending War and defense Abortion The environment

"In order to lower the nation's budget deficit, do you think taxes should be increased on households earning one million dollars a year or more, or should the government address the budget deficit without increasing taxes on those households?“ CBS News/New York Times Poll. Feb. 8-13, N=1,197 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.

"Do you feel you pay more than your fair share in federal income taxes, less than your fair share, or is the amount you pay about right?“CBS News/New York Times Poll. Jan , N=1,185 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.

"In order to balance the federal budget, which should be the main focus of lawmakers: increasing taxes or cutting government services?“ AP-GfK Poll conducted by GfK Roper Public Affairs & Corporate Communications. Dec. 8-12, N=1,000 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 4. Options rotated. 11/10: Co-sponsored by CNBC.

Please tell me how important you think it is for Congress to reach agreement on each of the following BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR. First, how important is it that Congress agrees on [see below]? Is it very important, somewhat important, not too important, or not at all important for Congress to do this before the end of this year?" United Technologies/National Journal Congressional Connection Poll conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International. Nov. 3-6, N=1,005 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.7.

"Which of these comes closest to your view? Abortion should be generally available to those who want it. OR, Abortion should be available, but under stricter limits than it is now. OR, Abortion should not be permitted.“CBS News/New York Times Poll. Jan , N=1,154 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.

"Which comes closer to your point of view? As a general rule, do you think the United States should be ready and willing to use military force around the world, or the United States should be very reluctant to use military force?" Version A (N=513, MoE ± 4.5) CNN/ORC Poll. Nov , Adults nationwide.

"In general, do you think it should or should not be the role of the United States to promote the establishment of democratic governments in other countries?“AP-GfK Poll conducted by GfK Roper Public Affairs & Corporate Communications. March 24-28, N=1,001 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 4.2.

"Turning to the issue of foreign aid, do you think the United States is now spending too little on foreign aid, about the right amount, or too much on foreign aid?“ Washington Post/Kaiser Family Foundation/Harvard University poll conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates. June 13-23, N=1,402 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.

"What do you think the United States should do to get Iran to shut down its nuclear program: take military action against Iran now, use economic and diplomatic efforts but not take military action right now, or take no action against Iran at this time?“CNN/ORC Poll. Feb , N=1,026 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.

"From what you've read and heard, is there solid evidence that the average temperature on earth has been getting warmer over the past few decades, or not?" If yes: "Do you believe that the earth is getting warmer mostly because of human activity such as burning fossil fuels, OR, mostly because of natural patterns in the earth's environment?" Options rotated. Pew Research Center. Nov. 9-14, N=2,001 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.

"Which of the following statements comes closest to your views on the origin and development of human beings? (1) Human beings have developed over millions of years from less advanced forms of life, but God guided this process. (2) Human beings have developed over millions of years from less advanced forms of life, but God had no part in this process. (3) God created human beings pretty much in their present form at one time within the last 10,000 years or so." Options rotated 1-3, Gallup Poll. Dec , N=1,019 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 4.

"Right now, which ONE of the following do you think should be the more important priority for U.S. energy policy: keeping energy prices low or protecting the environment?" Options rotated Pew Research/National Journal Congressional Connection Poll, sponsored by the Society for Human Resource Management. June 10-13, N=1,010 adults nationwide. MoE ± 4.