THE FEDERAL BUDGET

Are they less harmful than many claim? Should controlling the deficit be the central focus of U.S. economic policy? How effective is the budget process? Is PAYGO effective? Are earmarks bad policy? How should federal revenue be raised? More taxes on the wealthy? Middle-class tax hikes? Value-added or sin taxes? And how should federal spending be adjusted? Discussion questions accompany brief pro and con articles by scholars, journalists, and pundits.