In May, I drew a connection between library funding and national healthcare reform. A brief comparison between some of the money sloshing around at the federal level alongside this year’s state budget shortfalls suggests we’re feeling more pain than necessary.
- Through March, the U.S. government spent, lent or committed $12.8 trillion to Wall Street, a sum near equivalent to the value of everything produced in the country last year. This largesse continues to flow with no accompanying reforms (NY Times, Washington Post).
- By its own estimates, the IRS fails to collect about $345 billion in taxes each year.1
- At the end of July, at least 48 states reported FY2010 budget shortfalls totaling $163 billion (less than the amount committed to AIG alone).
Library advocates would do well to expand their efforts to include reform pressure on the federal government. Times are tough indeed—but given what average Americans invest in our shared well-being, we deserve much more than we’re getting.
1I recommend the IRS begin its compliance effort with people who get big bonuses with taxpayer money …
2This post inspired by recent comments from Arianna Huffington.
