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Stop the Bleeding: Fraud, Tariffs, and
the $1.8 Trillion Deficit

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Posted By: Mercedes44, 1/19/2026 5:32:12 PM

The U.S. federal government finished Fiscal Year 2025 with about $7 trillion in outlays and just over $5 trillion in revenues, leaving a deficit of roughly $1.8 trillion -- a gap that adds to the exploding national debt and threatens economic stability. Under current trajectories, deficits are projected to remain near this scale for the foreseeable future, absent dramatic policy changes. What if, as some argue, the solution is staring us in the face: eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse across government programs and pair that with stronger tariff revenues? Could that alone balance the budget without cutting core programs or raising taxes? Is this wishful thinking or a real possibility?

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Reply 1 - Posted by: Strike3 1/19/2026 6:03:35 PM (No. 2057339)
It would and it could but yes, it is wishful thinking. We need to cut the numbers in the House in half and make it harder for dimwits, subversives and criminals to run for office. Asking those ignorant slugs to give themselves less power and benefits is a dream. Term limits! Also the number of judges. Cut government freebies to the bone and require some work if one is not handicapped.
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Reply 2 - Posted by: DCGIRL 1/20/2026 7:15:21 AM (No. 2057570)
Just part of that BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL. Tell Trump this must stop!
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