Yeah, but at some point you have to realize you can't afford a car any more and you should sell it. You can get another one when you are on top of the debt.
People (and nations) need to live within their means.
> Yeah, but at some point you have to realize you can't afford a car any more and you should sell it. You can get another one when you are on top of the debt.
The Pentagon spends in two weeks what USAID (or NASA) spent in a year. The proverbial oil change is not what is causing the financial issue in the analogical car example: in fact, a bit of preventative spending (oil change: USAID social programs) may be cheaper because it reduces the chances of a large expense (engine rebuild: major war/conflict/attack).
> Staff at the State Department’s Office of Countering Violent Extremism and Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations, which led U.S. anti-violent extremism efforts, were laid off, the units shuttered, on July 11, 2025.
> This dismantling of the country’s terrorism and extremism prevention programs began in February 2025. That’s when staff of USAID’s Bureau of Conflict Prevention and Stabilization were put on leave.
Sure, if you were asking _me_ where I would save money, defense would be ahead of aid. My point that the US debt is staggering, and it might take more than just skipping an oil change, you might need to do something drastic like selling the car.
Cutting back on oil changes (USAID) or your gym membership (NIH) will do nothing if your "spending problem" is actually you not taking up enough shifts at work (taxes, cutting of).
The US debt is going up, and that's because there are sizeable annual deficits: perhaps there should be less cutting of taxes (for the rich, by the GOP)—and maybe even raise them—and see if that helps.
People (and nations) need to live within their means.