Imagine a country lacking in essential, foundational arts. Imagine a country that cannot properly address transportation or housing and urban development. Imagine a country in which the most important department is the Department of Defense or the Department of Homeland Security.
This is a potential reality in the United States. President Donald Trump has proposed $54 billion in cuts to major departments and programs as well as the elimination of certain independent agencies, including the African Development Foundation, the Global Climate Change Initiative, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the National Endowment for Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
It is clear that Trump’s defense budget boost will create an overwhelming imbalance in funding. One of the biggest hits at a whopping 31 percent decrease in budget, targets the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA aims at protecting human health and the environment which is undoubtedly important. Focusing on policies concerning natural resources, human health, economic growth, energy, transportation, agriculture, industry and international trade, the EPA helps to create crucial environmental rules and regulations necessary for a functioning government and society. With a decrease in 31 percent, the EPA’s budget loss will cause rippling effects.
Earth is already unstable with the rise of greenhouse gas emissions and a warming global temperature. If funding is lost, the risk of a more unstable earth is on the rise. The United States is one of the leading countries in protecting the global environment. Without the current initiative, who is to say that the current efforts of the EPA will dissipate?
Not only that, a decrease in funds will also create a decrease in the extent of developing and enforcing key regulations. Why would an increase in military spending warrant a budget cut in an equally important facet in which not only the United States but the world, is protected under the EPA? Along with virtually every industry besides the Department of Defense, Homeland Security and Veteran’s Affairs, departments like the Department of Transportation as well as the Department of Education will be seeing major cuts under Trump’s plan.
The loss in budget will cause not only a major loss in jobs but will eliminate vital educational programs and funding for services like Amtrak. Some of Trump’s intended cuts will show an impact immediately while others will rear their heads with time. For now, only time will tell how negative the budget loss of major departments and programs will be.
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