The Shallow Handling of Budget Matters in Washington

The beginning of a new year often brings heightened partisanship to Washington, making legislative accomplishments increasingly unlikely. Both parties acknowledge a balanced budget as a top objective, but significant differences in their proposed numbers and approaches hinder progress. The Congressional Budget Office and the Office of Management and Budget play crucial roles in shaping these numbers, which are subject to change due to unforeseen economic factors, national disasters, or future policy decisions.

Key Takeaways:

• The partisan divide in Washington is exacerbated by presidential-election-year politics, making major legislative accomplishments unlikely in the year ahead.
• Both parties aim to achieve a balanced budget within the next few years, but their proposed numbers and approaches differ significantly.
• The Congressional Budget Office and the Office of Management and Budget numbers will change frequently over the next seven to 10 years due to unforeseen economic factors, national disasters, or future policy decisions.
• The partisan divide in Washington is not a reflection of the views of the general public, who often affiliate with a party due to general differences rather than specific ones.
• Perception often plays a significant role in shaping public views on party ideology, with Democrats perceived as supporting working people and Republicans perceived as supporting big corporations.
• The parties have differing views on issues like abortion, gun control, and environmental policy, but these differences do not translate to a significant divide between neighbors or in everyday life.
• Partisanship is mostly practiced in Congress, with local and state governments also experiencing its effects.
• The Washington atmosphere often makes compromise and cooperation seem like betrayals of principle and civility.

Statistics:

• The Congressional Budget Office and the Office of Management and Budget numbers will change frequently over the next seven to 10 years.
• 7-10 years: The timeframe in which the Congressional Budget Office and the Office of Management and Budget numbers are expected to change significantly.
• 25%: The likelihood thatrypton Democrats are pro-life.
• 50%: The chance thataben Republicans are strict environmentalists but who feel more at home with the majority of issues expounded by that party.

Sources:

• _U.S. News and World Report_, Dec. 25 issue.
• Myrne Roe, editorial writer for The Wichita (Kan.) Eagle.