The United States Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projected that in 2016, the budget deficit would increase to $544 billion after six years of gradual decrease. The same report stated that American taxpayers were expected to pay a total of $3.38 billion dollars in 2016. Both the deficit and the amount of money coming from taxpayers were projected to increase in the coming years. Given these startling facts, it is fair to wonder where the federal government allocates the billions of dollars in revenue it receives every year. Significant policy areas like the military and the healthcare sector have garnered scrutiny due to spending concerns. However, sectors like those are akin to political “third rails” that most politicians are unwilling to touch.
Examples of Unnecessary Government Spending
There are other ways to scale back government spending though. An examination of funding incidents in the past few years illustrate that there are several ways to cut unnecessary government spending. For example, in 2015, two students at the University of Wisconsin were awarded $1.3 million by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to determine how a koozie – a foam sleeve for beverage cans or bottles – kept a can of beer cool on a hot day. While funding for scientific research as well as funding for science education at all education levels is critical, it is difficult not to look at this particular example and be perplexed. There must have been other more fruitful research proposals that the NSF could have funded instead.
However, this incident is just the tip of the iceberg. The National Institute of Health (NIH) spent $387, 000 on a study in 2014 which aimed to determine the effects of Swedish massages on rabbits. The final goal, presumably, was to establish the impact of Swedish massages on people. In another case, the federal government invested more than $800, 000 in a video game called “Kiddio: Food Fight” that encourages kids to eat healthier. Moreover, in yet another case, the National Endowment for the Humanities spent $47, 000 on college classes about humor and laughing.
Some other examples of wasteful spending enter the realm of the truly bizarre. For example, The Museum of Neon Signs in Las Vegas received almost $2,000,000 to fund their displays. An $856,000 grant was given to study mountain lions running on treadmills. These are only two of thousands of grants provided to dubious causes or studies each year.
How to Curb Unnecessary Government Spending
It is possible to justify all of these initially unexpected expenditures; Swedish massages may be a valued alternative form of medicine for some people, youth obesity is on the rise, and diversity in education is valuable. However, in an age where politicians and taxpayers alike are decrying rising expenses, more consideration in how funds are spent is necessary. Romina Boccia at The Heritage Foundation says that “Special interest pressures and a lack of congressional oversight and interest in eliminating poorly functioning government programs are partly responsible for wasteful spending.” In other words, it may be less about which sectors to cut money from, than how federal agencies and federally-funded organizations allocate their funds. More efficient and careful allocation of limited funds may stretch each dollar to its maximum impact. Boccia goes on to say that “A Government Waste Commission could help to break through the status quo to consolidate duplicative programs and eliminate inappropriate spending and waste to prioritize federal dollars better.” Creating a special agency taxed with cutting unnecessary spending, or, more effectively using the funds available, may just be the answer to rising taxes and deficits.
Bibliography
Boccia, Romina. How Congress Can Improve Government Programs and Save Taxpayer Dollars. The Heritage Foundation. June 10, 2010. Accessed June 24, 2016. http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2014/06/how-congress-can-improve-government-programs-and-save-taxpayer-dollars.
“The Budget and Economic Outlook: 2016 to 2026.” Congressional Budget Office. January 25, 2016. Accessed June 24, 2016. http://www.cbo.gov/publication/51129.
Pianian, Eric. 7 Unbelievable Ways the Government Wasted Your Money in 2015. The Fiscal Times. December 22, 2015. Accessed June 24, 2016. http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/2015/12/22/7-Unbelievable-Ways-Government-Wasted-Your-Money-2015.
Woody, Spencer. Top 7 Wackiest Examples of Wasteful Government Spending from Wastebook 2014. The Daily Signal. October 22, 2014. Accessed June 24, 2016. http://dailysignal.com/2014/10/22/top-6-examples-wasteful-government-spending-wastebook-2014/.
