Common Sense

One way the federal government subsidizes private industry is by assuming future liabilities. For example, Uncle Sam provides disaster insurance for oil companies, putting taxpayers on the hook for the costs of cleaning up oil spills. More

Open, transparent government is a cornerstone of our democracy. Open government means public disclosure policies that enable citizens to access information about government agencies and Congress easily, which in turn will make public officials less secretive and hold them more accountable. More

In the fight to control government spending and reduce our national deficits and debt, Congress’ first priority should be stopping wasteful spending. Every year, the federal government wastes billions of tax dollars on obsolete or unnecessary goods and services. More

The federal government subsidizes economic activities in different ways, including direct spending and tax cuts. Every year these subsidies cost taxpayers billions of dollars, yet the government often fails to monitor them for their effectiveness or necessity. More

Corporate welfare can be defined as federal subsidies to profitable, well-established industries that do not need them. These subsidies can take different forms, including direct payments, preferential tax treatment, or government-backed insurance policies. More

The federal government must ensure that taxpayers receive a fair return for any use of publicly-owned assets. For example, taxpayers own vast amounts of land rich in natural resources, such as coal, oil, and even exposure to solar radiation. The government should not give these public resources away. More

The federal budget is rife with taxpayer giveaways to special interests. Telling the story of wasteful federal spending involves exposing the influence that powerful industries cultivate in Washington through campaign contributions and lobbying. More

Federal spending decisions should be based on project merit, rather than on who wields the most political muscle or influence. But federal dollars are going to “sweetheart projects” of influential lawmakers, instead of repairing or replacing the bridges or weapons systems most in need of attention. More

The federal government usually runs an annual budget deficit, which is measured by the difference between the amount of money it spends and it receives in a given year. Each year’s deficit is added to the total amount the government owes to creditors, known as the national debt. More