America First?

Trump’s proposed budget bolsters the Military while leaving behind domestic programs

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In order to fund a $54 billion dollar increase for the discretionary defense budget, President Donald Trump proposes a slash in numerous different agencies. Some, like the Department of Education, would be forced to redirect their funding to focus on charter schools, while other, like the National Endowment for the Arts, would be completely slashed. The “America First” budget is a redirection from domestic programs to bolstering military and defense programs, including the U.S-Mexico border wall.

The budget would cut the Department of Education’s programs in teacher training, after-school and summer classes and activities. Especially concerning to KHS students is the proposal to cut work-study programs and need-based financial aid for low income students, known as the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, or SEOG. Both of these programs are central to many student’s ability to afford college. Most funding will be redirected to charter-schools and to Title I funding. Criticized on both sides of the aisle, it was intended to help poor school districts. However, the outdated formula makes it possible for wealthier districts to be allotted more money than those in real need.

The budget also cuts out the National Endowment for the Arts. This would cut off funding for theaters, orchestras, galleries and after-school programs that rely on this funding. For many students across the country, the NEA is their only access to arts programs, which has been correlated to higher test scores, better grades, and better chance of graduation. More so, many citizens, including those at KHS, enjoy the benefits of the NEA through programs like PBS and NPR.

The “America First” budget claims to cut only the ‘non-essential’ programs. With the money taken from these programs, it will redirect $54 billion the defense budget. Part of this will go to a down payment on the U.S-Mexico border wall, showing that Trump’s campaign promise of having Mexico fund the construction may be proven false. The wall’s funding is going to be coming from American taxpayers.

It should be noted that this is a proposed budget. Such programs have alway been under fire when budget cuts are necessary. However, Trump’s “America First” budget does not put forward American culture, society, or learning first. Instead, it intends to cut them out in order to put forth a gaudy, militaristic emphasis on American values.