Part 2/6:
Criticism of Budget Cut Proposals
Steve Rattner, a former Treasury official and economic analyst, sharply criticized the idea of cutting $2 trillion from the federal budget as unrealistic and disingenuous. He pointed out that the bulk of federal spending is allocated to mandatory programs, specifically Social Security and Medicare, which alone account for approximately 50% of government expenditures. When defense and veterans benefits are included, this figure rises to about 70%, further compounded by 10% for interest on the national debt.
Rattner's analysis illuminates the stark reality that before policymakers target so-called waste in federal employee spending, the vast majority of the budget has already been committed to crucial services.