The most common way folks consider balancing the American budget is to cut social programs. These programs are seen as something slackers take advantage of and hard-working tax payers don’t want their dollars being wasted on these bums. Where do social programs fail? Have you looked into the fraud rates?

According to the internet, “In 2021, the Department of Labor (DOL) estimated that there was about $8.5 billion in fraud in regular U(nemployment) I(nsurance) payments. The DOL’s Office of the Inspector General also flagged $45 billion in UI applications as potential fraud.” This is due to Identity theft and “claim hijacking”, other fake accounts and some employers may create false accounts to avoid tax liability. Some may continue to collect benefits they are no longer eligible. There are also scam websites. But the vast majority of this is not people sitting on the couch eating potato chips, the fraud comes from scammers and criminals abusing the system.

There is also huge fraud with the same kind of criminal activity in Medicare. Maybe the government needs to be bigger by employing fraud investigators to recover this lost money and prevent further loss. It would be money well spent.

https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2019/02/top-frauds-2018

We are so focused on cutting social programs we ignore the big elephant in the room. People are scared to mention it. You’ll be accused of being unAmerican. Of doubting your government putting your patriotism in question, but have you looked at the military budget lately?

Consider this – “Last year, the DOD failed its fifth audit and was unable to account for over half of its assets, which are in excess of $3.1 trillion, or roughly 78 percent of the entire federal government.“

The DOD or Department of Defense is unable to account for $1.5+ trillion. That amount would fund all of these social programs – cash assistance, health insurance, food assistance, housing subsidies, energy and utilities subsidies, and education and childcare assistance – or, Medicare, – or Social Security.

Why can’t the DOD pass a budget audit? Who is in charge of holding the DOD accountable? We. Are.

Talk to your Congresspeople about fixing this loophole. We all want a strong, fierce military that protects us at home and in cyberspace. But the DOD must justify where this money is going. And only we can make sure that happens.

https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/markey-joins-sanders-grassley-in-bipartisan-push-to-audit-the-pentagon-and-end-wasteful-spending