This simulation needs to be done in totality as it is an integrated experience that covers discretionary spending and general revenues. Users are given continuous feedback about the impacts of their choices on the deficit and thus are required to consider spending and revenues in a unified framework.
Introduction
Users are introduced to the Federal budget overall, are provided some background on the Federal budget deficit and debt, and evaluate arguments about what the priorities should be in regard to the Federal budget.
Discretionary Spending
Users are presented the discretionary budget (the part of the budget that Congress sets every years) broken into 34 line items (e.g. transportation, education, defense etc.), and have an opportunity to raise and lower each one as they see fit. As they go along, they receive immediate feedback about the impact of their changes on the budget deficit.
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General Revenues
Next, users assess arguments about what priorities should be for Federal taxes. They are then presented the current tax rates for existing taxes and given the opportunity to modify them up or down. These include income taxes (setting the levels for each income bracket) corporate taxes, capital gains and more. Users are also presented newly proposed taxes such as a tax on financial transactions or on carbon dioxide. Once again, as they go through the simulation, they are able to immediately see the effect of their choices on the deficit.
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Adopting New Taxes | Results | |
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Final Budget
In the end the respondent is able to review all their changes, including the impact of their decisions on the deficit, and finalize their recommended budget. Click here to see the overall changes made by a national sample.
Final Federal Budget | Results | |
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ABOUT THE SURVEY
Americans on the FY 2020 Federal Budget
A National Survey of Registered Voters
August 2019