24 April 2009

For This, He Got Days of Glowing Press Coverage

With chests puffed out, the predictable chums in the news business touted the tough fiscal discipline of the Chosen One:

President Obama plans to convene his Cabinet for the first time today, and he will order its members to identify a combined $100 million in budget cuts over the next 90 days, according to a senior administration official.

Although the budget cuts would amount to a minuscule portion of federal spending, they are intended to signal the president's determination to cut spending and reform
government, the official said.

So, like, is $100 million a lot of money, right?

The thrifty measures Obama ordered for federal agencies are the equivalent of asking a family that spends $60,000 in a year to save $6. (The savings of) $100 million amounts to:

Less than one-quarter of the budget increase that Congress awarded to itself.

4 percent of the military aid the United States sends to Israel.

7 percent of the federal subsidy for the money-losing Amtrak passenger rail system.

Don't look at me; I voted for the old guy.

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