Sept. 4, 2014
Our Voter’s Guides give you the low-down on our federal government’s role in vital systems we all care about, including education, health care, and the military, as well as how we can pay for it all through taxes and the role of deficits and the national debt, and key questions to ask candidates.
Americans will be electing members of the House of Representatives, and some Senators. And there is plenty at stake. The new crop of legislators will be responsible for decisions that affect all of us, for building and maintaining public systems we all rely on every day, and for making investments that carry America firmly into the 21st century.
Not sure where to start? Wondering how our government invests in your priorities? Start here, then dig deeper with our topic guides below.
Find out more about federal spending and the budget process.
What’s the difference between deficits and the debt? Just how big are they, and what should we do about it? Here’s what to ask the candidates.
Find out more about Debt and Deficit.
Did you know education is just two percent of the federal budget? From Head Start to student aid for higher education, if you didn’t learn all you needed to know in kindergarten, you can get the rest here.
Find out more about Education.
What’s CHIP? The Children’s Health Insurance Program, of course. Find information and candidate questions on CHIP, and Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) here.
Find out more about Health Care.
One of the biggest ticket, and most controversial, government items. Here’s what you need to know – and what to ask candidates – about military and security spending.
Find out more about Military & Security.
These social insurance programs are a time-honored way for workers to pay into systems that give help when it’s needed. Here’s how.
Find out more about Social Insurance, Earned Benefits and Entitlements.
How do we pay for it all? And who really pays? From the big picture down to tax breaks for corporations, we’ve got you covered.
Find out more about Taxes & Revenue.
You may not see it in your every day life, but data transparency supports democracy by giving citizens a clear look at what our government does with our money. Once you’ve taken a look at how your tax dollars are spent, read up on what the government can do to improve openness and transparency about the federal budget.
Find out more about Transparency & Data.
