WASHINGTON (CNN) – President Barack Obama said Thursday he is proposing eliminating or reducing more than 100 government programs from the federal budget.
"We can no longer afford to spend as if deficits don't matter and waste is not our problem," Obama said in a speech at the White House.
He cited a defense program, a literacy program and a Department of Education office in Paris as examples.
He said the cuts are no criticism of the staff of the targeted programs.
"There are many, many people doing valuable work for our government across the country and around the world. And it's important that we support these folks," he said. "This is not a criticism of them."
From CNN Politics
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#1. Stock market has shown significant improvements
#2. Job loss has declined first time in 6 months
#3. Housing market collapse is showing small improvement
#4. Stress tests on banks show improvements
Key word, improvements, not declines
I'll believe it when I see it. Once he attempts to cut any programs the crying will begin. Pelosi won't have any part of cutting anything. There needs to be serious cuts in order to offset all the spending he has been doing. You can't spend Trillions and only cut millions.
Good job Mr. President. Watch as the Republicans complain about your cuts. For people who pretend to be fiscal conservatives, it sure seems weird that they would be against this (no matter how big or small). Oh Mr. President, don't listen to the Republicans. They only consist of 21% of the American population (yikes) but are REALLY loud on the blogs (some of them duplicate names to make it look as if multiple people are blogging on the GOP's behalf). Keep on cutting and spending when necessary Mr. Pesident. The majority of Americans support you!
Listen to all you GOP blowharts....when bush was running the show nobody cried wolf when he was throwing money overboard.
You guys are just mad that the gop got their a## wipped.
Now that you have found pocket change wasteful spending in the budget, can we find some serious money in the budget that we just CANNOT afford..................?
Another good job. This NEEDS to be done. Little by little we can cut wasteful spending. Also, Mr. President, please place a hold on the salaries given to congress. No more raises.
8 years of Bush administration left us this financial mess. Obama has to clear up the mess and jump start the economy with whatever we can. i don't think the government is interested in becoming a major shareholders of the banks and the auto companies. the GOP is just a bunch of sour losers in the election. Obama is one of the best president we ever had in history so far. admit it. regardless what he does, you don't like him. that is because you don't like to see a color man to be white house and to be in power. I am not a black. I am not a white. I am an Asian. I am very proud of America to be willing to be a color blind in choosing a good quality candidate to be the in this top job.
I just hope that they're programs we actually DON'T need. Too much spending is one thing, but energy, education, and the sciences desperatley need a hefty cash booster shot.
I believe in you, but please don't let me down Mr. President.
The GOP is the party of all spin all the time. Obama can't do anything right in your eyes. You don't like him and that is the frame from which you spin everything he does. It is dishonest and disingenuous to say the least. Why would Americans want your party in charge if that is the best you can do.
It is important to remember that every journey starts with a tiny first step. I am surprised the Pubs aren't congratulating him for cutting some spending. That is what you want, less government, isn't it? But your guy didn't do it so you can't give him credit for something you are for. That is hypocrisy!
Thank you! All the economists who actually PREDICTED the crash (as opposed to the ones who were caught with their pants down) all say the same thing – the real problem is that we have a staggering national debt that we cannot pay off. We don't just need to reduce the deficit, we need to actually pay off the debt.
Thank you for the bedtime story Mr President.
Can we hear another?
I really liked the fairy tale you told during the election about 'change'.
The one about 'hope' was pretty good, too.
Once again the media is asleep at the switch.
Sure...he's cutting 17 billion. That's less than .05% of his overall budget.
The 3.5 TRILLION dollar budget that he's proposed is 1 trillion MORE than the government expects to earn this year. What does that mean? It means Obama added 1 trillion to the defect that he promised to cut in half.
That and something needs to be done to fix the $300,000.00 screw up on the fly over. Make it policy to use photo shop from now on.
As fiscally conservative (socially liberal), I appreciate these efforts from President Obama's to reduce costs by pursuing more efficient practices.
Obama should do what is in the interest of the county. I personal
beleive he is not trying to make lobbiest and friends rich or himself.
We have tried the conservative way, starting with a surplus no war and a major in the house and senate and look where we ended up. Obama must understand that even if he could walk on water, some of
Americans some would say, " look at him he can't swim".
Where is the Republican applause ????
I can't hear you ...
The GOP is funny......... IF Obama spends he is condemned!
IF Obama cuts spending he is criticized! Spends he is criticized!
IF he DOES what BOTH REAGAN & BUSH I did, which was to NOT have a White House ceremony for the National Day of Prayer, he is .........demonized, called hideous names.
STILL....... Obama's popularity remains high!
God bless you, President Obama!
HATE IS NOT A CHRISTIAN VIRTUE.
Some of the comments just show that Obama can't please some people any of the time.
A good start, but we need to see more drastic cuts in military spending.
Cut $17 billion? Um, he is adding like $9 trillion to the budget deficit over the next 10 tens.
How can you claim he is 'cutting' the budget when the overall cost of the budget is going up???
We all are going to pay for this in the long run, folks. The rich can only get taxed so much before they run away and hide it all, and then taxes will go up on the rest of us.
Look at us in California. Tax Revenues from the rich have dropped so much because of the recession that the DEMOCRATS have raised the state sales tax, the car registration tax, and have implemented a tax on your income tax! The buck has been passed to the poor and the middle class.
All because of overspending on social programs and unions.
i know this; the republicans are lying in wait, everything that comes out the prez mouth is scrutinized and held in their memory file. they pounce on everything and anything this man does from the time he wakes up in the am until the time he shuts his eyes. like i said . you have "NOT" been vetted until the republicans vet you, because them folks and the people over at fox news live to tear the president and his policies down. they can't shake the plantation mentality its in their genetic markers. you are going to have to take these playground bullies on in their own backyard. pay ohio a visit. i know when bush wanted to tout his programs or demand money for his war. he went straight to the "southern red states". so take a page from the bush 2 playbook its called reverse psychology. its called flipping the script. turning the game on them like they do you.............
Am I missing something here? The party of greed is complaining because the ecomony is on a REBOUND? Who'd have thunk?
Isn't funny how the GOPers memories are so bad? When Bush took office in January of 2001:
He inherited .........
a robust economy
a budget SURPLUS
a nation a peace
and..... Clinton had been PAYING DOWN the National debt of $5 trillion!
In eight years..... Bush DOUBLED the National debt.... and created the DISASTER that President Obama ....... inherited!
Wow... True leadership at work. I am going to follow his lead and I am going to cut 1/2% of my family budget. I am not sure if I can cut out one can of pop a week. But I will try hard.
TWO THUMBS UP!
President Obama is running our government with work efficiency......
It is nice having someone that is qualified running this country...