• ZzyzxRoad
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    1 year ago

    https://www.nationalpriorities.org/budget-basics/federal-budget-101/spending/

    By far, the biggest category of discretionary spending is spending on the Pentagon and military. In most years, this accounts for more than half of the discretionary budget. In 2020, because some discretionary spending passed through supplemental appropriations went to pandemic programs, the share of the discretionary budget that went to the military was smaller – even though the amount that went to the military was just as high as in previous years.

    Most “welfare” falls under discretionary. Medicare, medicaid, and social security (also “welfare”) fall under mandatory spending. Social security and medicare make up the largest categories. This organization explains how “welfare” spending increased in recent years due to pandemic spending on things like stimulus checks and increased unemployment.

    The bottom line thoughis that people pay into it for years so that it’s available when it’s their turn to need it. If they never do, then great. It can help someone else, god forbid.

    • PsychedSy@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      I didn’t realize that if you promised to spend money it didn’t count. I’ll be sure to keep my rent out of my financial planning.