Close to one-third of the income-tax dollar is spent on national security. This money is divided into military spending, homeland security, and preventive measures such as diplomacy, peacekeeping and development aid. Less than a penny goes to preventive measures that help mitigate conflict and alleviate many of the conditions that produce breeding grounds for terrorists.

Distribution of Security Dollars:
Preventive Measures- 3%
Homeland Security- 5%
Military- 91%

Are we truly safe at home?

Only half of a penny is spent on energy conservation. Safe, reliable and affordable energy alternatives will insure our country against future instability and conflict by reducing our dependence upon fossil fuels.

Housing assistance accounts for about 2 cents of every tax dollar and made $36.6 billion in federal outlays last year. By contrast, homeowners with mortgages claimed $70 billion in reduced taxes. two-thirds of that amount went to those with incomes more than $100,000 a year.

Interest payments on the national debt consume 18.6 cents of every income-tax dollar. While interest rates have remained low, stemming the impact of growing debt, large deficits this year and to come may demand a larger portion of income-tax dollars in the future.

Veterans' benefits account for about 3.4 cents of the incom-tax dollar and include helth, education, retirement and other benefits for veterans. Veterans organizations have put forth an alternative budget which indicates that $4.3 billion more is needed in funding. Other changes are required to adress rapidly-rising health care costs, special needs of disabled veterans, and other promised benefits for veterans.

How about the veterans from the "War on Terror"?