A department-by-department guide to cutting the government's budget.

Department of Defense

The Department of Defense oversees a vast array of people and assets at home and abroad, but we could improve security and reduce costs with a more restrained military strategy.

The department will spend about $668 billion in fiscal 2012, or $5,800 for every U.S. household.

Department of Agriculture

The Department of Agriculture administers large farm subsidy programs and runs the food stamp and school lunch programs.

The department will spend about $151 billion in 2012, or about $1,200 for every U.S. household. It employs 93,000 workers and operates more than 240 subsidy programs.

Department of Housing and Urban Development

The Department of Housing and Urban Development funds public housing, provides rental vouchers, and subsidizes homeownership.

The department will spend $57 billion in 2012, or about $480 for every U.S. household. It employs 9,400 workers and operates 122 subsidy programs.

From the Downsizing Blog

Corporate Tax Avoidance: Where’s the Harm?

Politicians are having fun slapping around big corporations for supposedly not paying enough taxes. In this country, Apple is the current target, while in Europe it’s Google, Amazon, and Starbucks, according to the Washington Post today.

More Firings Needed at the IRS—TSA Precedents

I’ve watched the congressional hearings on the IRS scandal, and like others, have been appalled at the glib performance of former IRS Commissioner, Douglas Shulman. Shulman isn’t taking an ounce of blame for the mess even though he headed the agency from 2008 to 2012. Dana Milbank reviews his slippery and rather arrogant performance in the Washington Post today.

The Realities of Government Infrastructure

Politicians and liberal economists get misty-eyed when thinking about grand infrastructure projects. But recent stories in the Washington Post about D.C.-area projects illustrate the realities of government capital investments.
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Downsize the Department of Agriculture