Date assigned
Friday, Dec. 14
Assignment
First, open up the image "Death and Taxes" (located here). Make sure you zoom in to the center first, to read what the image is all about. This graphic represents discretionary spending only - no mandatory spending (like Social Security or Medicare) is represented. This is only the spending that Congress can change every year.
Spend some time just looking at the graphic. Make sure to read the key in the top left entitled "How to read the data." Compare the sizes of different parts of the budget. Then answer the following questions in at least two pages, typed and double spaced:
1) Which 5 parts of the discretionary budget are smaller than you thought they'd be? Why did you think they'd be bigger?
2) Which 5 parts of the discretionary budget are bigger than you thought they'd be? Why did you think they'd be smaller?
3) Consider the defense portion of the discretionary budget (basically the entire left side of the image). Which aspects of military spending were you unaware of? Which aspects of military spending cost more than you thought they would? Which aspects of military spending do you think should be expanded or cut?
4) Many programs in the discretionary budget have seen large percentage changes in the amount of money allocated to them between 2002 and 2012. Which of these percentage changes surprised you the most?
5) If you were put in charge of rewriting the budget for 2013, what are the biggest changes you would make? Why would you make those changes?
When you finish, email it to me at jreinhol@pps.net or mr.reinholt@gmail.com
Due date
Friday, Dec. 14
Friday, Dec. 14
Assignment
First, open up the image "Death and Taxes" (located here). Make sure you zoom in to the center first, to read what the image is all about. This graphic represents discretionary spending only - no mandatory spending (like Social Security or Medicare) is represented. This is only the spending that Congress can change every year.
Spend some time just looking at the graphic. Make sure to read the key in the top left entitled "How to read the data." Compare the sizes of different parts of the budget. Then answer the following questions in at least two pages, typed and double spaced:
1) Which 5 parts of the discretionary budget are smaller than you thought they'd be? Why did you think they'd be bigger?
2) Which 5 parts of the discretionary budget are bigger than you thought they'd be? Why did you think they'd be smaller?
3) Consider the defense portion of the discretionary budget (basically the entire left side of the image). Which aspects of military spending were you unaware of? Which aspects of military spending cost more than you thought they would? Which aspects of military spending do you think should be expanded or cut?
4) Many programs in the discretionary budget have seen large percentage changes in the amount of money allocated to them between 2002 and 2012. Which of these percentage changes surprised you the most?
5) If you were put in charge of rewriting the budget for 2013, what are the biggest changes you would make? Why would you make those changes?
When you finish, email it to me at jreinhol@pps.net or mr.reinholt@gmail.com
Due date
Friday, Dec. 14
