budgets and government?

Question

Was thinking, with 2007 how many of you think the same as me? I think ALL state, federal, local govts should start publishing, every single budget penny, like all our taxes taken in, how it's appropriated, where it's sent to or spent, and be accountable for every penny of my/our money, it should be public knowledge and the budgets should be posted in libraries, newspapers, etc. I think we all should have the right to see exactly where our money goes.

Answer 1

Yeah, but you'd have a hard time following every check.
By the way a budget is where you lay out where you are going to spend the money.
What you want is the accounts to show where it was actually spent.
There is a government department that monitors spending. The GAO
http://www.gao.gov/

For the Government to monitor every check would be impossible, too expensive.

The Pentagon comes into much criticism CNN - Audit: Pentagon paid $76 for 57-cent screw - March 18, 1998
http://www.cnn.com/US/9803/18/pentagon.76.screw/index.html

But that is probably politically biased.

Wherever governments spend your money someone can take advantage paying the money-Kickbacks-, and/or cheat the Government with low quality or overpriced goods.

You're right we should be able to see where every check goes.
But should Government employees have to disclose their checks when other people don't?

By the way the GAO has a site to report fraud.

Answer 2

You can go to your court house and get a copy of the budget for your local area. All government budgets are considered public information. This is there are a huge among of line items and you will need a long time to understand what they are saying. Such as I think the federal budget has to be published in a 1000 page book.

Answer 3

This information is already public knowledge and accessible by Joe Citizen. You can get this information from past years at your local library. You can get your current state and local budgets and allocations at your local representitives office. Reports are published at the end of the fiscal years to determine budget surplus's and shortfalls. Usually these reports come out 3 or 4 months after the fiscal year ends.

Answer 4

You most likely can get it. Problem is you are most likely going to get a headache trying to read it. It's proposely written so the average shmoe like meself gets crosseyed when we try.
Careful what you wish!

Answer 5

What !
We'd have politicians hanging off every lamp post !
You write the bill , I'll get the rope .