Does Government Have a Revenue or Spending Problem?

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People say the government has a debt problem. Debt is caused by deficits, which is the difference between what the government collects in tax revenue and the amount of government spending. Every time the government runs a deficit, the government debt increases. So what's to blame: too much spending, or too little tax revenue? Economics professor Antony Davies examines the data and concludes that the root cause of the debt is too much government spending.

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• Category

  Education

[aupken]

Our problems is that we spend ineffectively and think throwing money at things will solve it as we don't want to change the systems. That's the American way after all. Spend more than nearly every other country on public education, worst education. Spend more than every other country on defense, cause almost every country to hate us. Spend more on the poor, don't actually help them get jobs and start their lives. The american way, fuck yeah

[OkonkwoPlaysBass]

It's not how much money we spend it is how we spend it that is the problem. The private sector shows that with much less money than the US gov, they can kick the government's ass when it comes to efficiency (e.g. private schools versus public schools)

[SomeRandomZeke]

No, not all parents are responsible. But many who are don't want to have funds going into a broken school system. I don't support abolishing school, but right now just giving money to parents might very well have better results on average, which means the changes necessary don't have a lot to do with money.

In other words, it could be used MUCH more wisely.

[millertas]

Disagree in giving money to the parents. Not all parents are responsible & those who are would like to see the funds going into buildings, teachers, curriculum, just like it is now (even if it could be used more wisely).

[SomeRandomZeke]

I do agree education is, at least in the long run, the most important asset. Ofc, government could also support this by just giving people with children more funds. However, I don't think there's a problem of insufficient funds in education, so the government doesn't have to invest more than it already is in that sense. If you're interested, try googling "ted education" and watching the playlist as a starting point. RSA animate also has some good content about this.

[millertas]

I think we are in agreement. I believe that people are and always will be the most important asset of any nation. Everyone has a purpose and skill that only education (formal and informal) can maximise. Its good for the individual, its good for the country, its good for the economy. Definately a win/win situation. Only Government can fully ensure that noboby is left behind.

[SomeRandomZeke]

I think the government can provide (mostly) equal opportunities without spending more money then it is now.

Try googling these keywords: Ken Robinson, Uncollege, John Holt, ted education

[millertas]

Can the private schools refuse a student? Can public schools refuse a student? I went through the government system in Australia & about 2 months before the final exams one of of local private schools kicked out a number of its "lower" students, they sat the exam under the government system.

[millertas]

Never said to "throw" money at the problem but if the USA is going to adhere to its "doctrine" that all men are created equal it has to make sure there are equal opportunities for all.

[SomeRandomZeke]

This is a bit off topic, but if by investing in education you mean throwing more money at the problem, I doubt that'll work. The USA spends more money on education than other countries already.

[MegaAstrodude]

I'm inclined to agree with your assessment.

[millertas]

Won't argue with you there. According to washingtonpostdotcom the USA spends more on military (2011) than China, Russia, UK, France, Japan, India, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Brazil, Italy, South Korea, Australia & Canada combined. The expensive space race came out of an idealogical war with the (former) USSR. Having visited the USA recently I would be concerned at the amount of beggars on the street. Investing in people (education) helps stop this & also it needs to be universal.