Federal Budget: Balance that Sucker!

Questions of the Day:

1. What are the main problems in our federal budget?
2. What are some of the hardest choices we have to make?  What choices are easy?

 
Framing:  Okay, now we’re digging deeper.  Today we’re going to look at some of the main areas of the federal budget that make solving our debt problem difficult, and then you’re going to attempt to make the hard choices necessary to solve the issue.  Take careful notes today, especially during the simulation—these could very well be things that end up in your legislation!
 
Starter 35:  Everything You Need  to Know About the Fiscal Cliff  (NOTE:  This video is from a few years ago.  Some of the specific stuff may be a bit outdated, but the 5 elements are still the same, the basic percentages are very similar, and many of the perspectives are still relevant today). 
 
As we watch, jot down responses to the following questions for discussion:

1. What are the 5 elements that go into our budget, according to this clip?
2. For each of the above, why do you think we cannot agree on a way to go forward? (What are the two points-of-views stressed for each element in the video?)
3. Which side do you think your Senator is on?  Why? 

 
10 Trillion Questions Jigsaw
Expert groups:  First, get in a group with the other student(s) assigned your two film questions.  Make sure that you are all clear.  If you need to do any additional research or rewatch the film section, now is your chance!  Make sure you’re ready to teach it.
 
Get in a group with other students.  You should have questions1-10 represented in your group.

1. First, review the first few questions.  Make sure everyone is solid and clear on those.
2. Now, go through 1-10.  Everyone should have notes on these and be pretty solid on these concepts by the end of this time.
3. Write down any additional questions your group has at the end of the process.  Put them on the board!

Challenge: Balance the Budget
A pen and paper.  Note-taking is strongly encouraged, and you may need to backtrack.  Things to potentially take notes on…You have two simulations for this… http://crfb.org/stabilizethedebt/ AND http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/11/13/weekinreview/deficits-graphic.html?_r=0.  Do the crfb one first, then, if you have time, check out the NYT.

1. What’s the “best” way to do this?
2. How would your senator do it differently?
3. What are the hardest choices you had to make during this process?  Why were they so hard?
4. What seemed like a “no-brainer” to you?  Why?
5. Based on this simulation, what types of things would you potentially include in legislation to balance to budget?  What seems most fruitful to you?
6. An instructional handout from me (w/ FAQ page on reverse side – Also on DP)

This may only take 10-15 minutes, but let's take some time and play around with some different options.  Let’s aim for 30 minutes of simulation time, followed by a quick debrief of what we've learned.
 
HOMEWORK
Finish Budget Simulation.  Take detailed notes, and be ready to write about it for your starter tomorrow!