With a growing chorus of support for the establishment of an independent budget commission, I thought it wise to weigh in. But before we get to the budget commission itself, let's first discuss the underlying policy issue: deficits.
The deficit is a funny political issue. On the one hand, it often riles up politicians, who use it as evidence that the government (and the party in power) is dysfunctional and isn't responsible with taxpayers' money. On the other hand, few of these same politicians actually propose doing anything specific to solve the problem. They usually just fall back on the old cliché of "cutting waste," whatever that means. The problem is apparently important enough to complain about in a very serious voice on the Sunday talk shows, but not important enough to offer specific solutions.
Winter has arrived and whether you plan on making the most of the snowy season at a popular ski resort, escaping to a warmer destination, or attending a winter festival, you'll definitely want to get the most from your travel budget. And with the holiday travel price hikes behind us now is a great time to find some deals when you book your winter getaway.
Think you need to live in Hollywood and have a huge budget to make films? Not so. Meet Ryan Connolly, the host, writer, director and producer of Film Riot, a weekly online show that peeks behind the scenes of independent filmmaking. Part zany, part gory, it's a show that leaves no stone unturned when it comes to piecing together a film--from penning the dialogue to creating the special effects.
Year after year, the popular spring break destinations are predictable--Mexico, Florida, California, Vegas, the Caribbean, and for those who can afford it, Europe. But why not try a new spot and combine your spring break travel with a little volunteering? It can be a great resume builder in this grim job market, and can help cut down the costs of travel at a time when budgets for many are tighter than usual.
We all know about the dangers and benefits of using social media in our personal lives and the importance of personal branding. But these outlets are equally as useful in the business world. Sites such as Facebook and Twitter are increasingly being used as marketing and publicity tools for companies. And when budgets are tight, using these sites can be a cost-effective solution to branding and marketing needs, especially for a young organization.
Tomorrow, I'll join fellow YPNation contributors Ethan Pollack and Marc Goldwein on a panel discussion about America's fiscal future. (Be sure to tune in here.) As Ethan previewed, we'll be investigating what young professionals need to know about the current state of fiscal affairs and what they can do to build a better economic future. For my part, I'll be discussing the federal budget picture and what the government should-or should not-do to get it's fiscal house in order.
I had planned my next post to be about the work the Economic Policy Institute has been doing in the last few weeks, including an event on state and local budget relief and the release of a five-point plan for creating jobs and ensuring a robust recovery. But the recent post by YPNation contributor Ewan Watt on the flat tax is like a siren call to me, so respond I must.
Last week, the Supreme Court ruled (pdf) that corporations should be allowed to spend freely in political elections. The decision will have a profound impact on how candidates are elected, starting with the Congressional campaigns in the fall. And the reactions have been heated.
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