No more 'rainbow' crosswalks in the USA?

[kalvado]

Usual response is that while some top brass are political appointes, lower level bureaucracy stays and keeps things going. But looks like those lower level professionals are no longer there, most likely boomers going into sunset.

A few reasons why there are a lot fewer people there.  I'm most familiar with the NY division since I know people there, but they lost a very large chunk of people in the last six months.  Not many retirements, either.  They lost a couple (which percentage-wise is a lot, since division offices aren't very big) in the DOGE layoffs, and between those, the current administration making working conditions a lot worse (r/FedNews can summarize that a lot better than I can, but suffice to say this isn't a case of "they won't let us telecommute any more so I quit"), and threats of future, more wide-scale layoffs, a very large chunk of staff took the last deferred resignation offer.  Two of the displaced feds now work for NYSDOT.

You are talking about short term trends, which are largely driven by desperate need for budget cuts. There are also a long term trends, you actually gave a very interesting insight at some point when talking about very nysdot conservative design approaches.... That was a few years ago...

This b.s. stinks very, very strongly.

ETA:  Egads...Trade deficit...tied to layoffs at FHWA?  The absurdities abound.

I am just tired of crap like this...

Ok, simplified version for DOT engineers: in 2024, highway trust fund balance was $26.7B in red. That is $85 a year per capita.
Of course, you would say "step up taxes to close the gap", and of course I would be with you if it was an isolated issue.  but it's one of many soars.  And I am not sure too many people can pay a few more thousand in taxes a year as required to start closing gaps. Even if they can afford another $100 in gas taxes.
With that, why do you need people in offices if there are no underlying budgets?

You have demonstrated little understanding of reality on this matter.  All I know is that FHWA is now crippled and projects are now being delayed because of the arbitrary layoffs inflicted by DOGE.  In other words, there are too few people to handle the funding that is available. 

I find the idea of the trust fund to be "in the red" to be a ridiculous reason to justify FHWA layoffs.  Ratchet back apportionments to states if that is somehow some portion of the federal deficit.  Firing FHWA employees doesn't help with that regard.

Of course, I note that your silly trade deficit argument's disappeared...

We really need to do something about misinformation in this country and how it affects voting and other actions.  That said, I don't have much hope in finding a solution to that, or the current increasing deficit in critical thinking...

Things will just get worse.

Trade deficit and budget deficit are certainly part of underlying economic situation. I am with you that implementation of cuts is crude at best, but the need for cuts is absolutely there
And there is certainly huge deficit in public critical thinking, moreso among government employees. But that is a different story.
 

[kalvado]

Usual response is that while some top brass are political appointes, lower level bureaucracy stays and keeps things going. But looks like those lower level professionals are no longer there, most likely boomers going into sunset.

A few reasons why there are a lot fewer people there.  I'm most familiar with the NY division since I know people there, but they lost a very large chunk of people in the last six months.  Not many retirements, either.  They lost a couple (which percentage-wise is a lot, since division offices aren't very big) in the DOGE layoffs, and between those, the current administration making working conditions a lot worse (r/FedNews can summarize that a lot better than I can, but suffice to say this isn't a case of "they won't let us telecommute any more so I quit"), and threats of future, more wide-scale layoffs, a very large chunk of staff took the last deferred resignation offer.  Two of the displaced feds now work for NYSDOT.

You are talking about short term trends, which are largely driven by desperate need for budget cuts. There are also a long term trends, you actually gave a very interesting insight at some point when talking about very nysdot conservative design approaches.... That was a few years ago...

This b.s. stinks very, very strongly.

ETA:  Egads...Trade deficit...tied to layoffs at FHWA?  The absurdities abound.

I am just tired of crap like this...

Ok, simplified version for DOT engineers: in 2024, highway trust fund balance was $26.7B in red. That is $85 a year per capita.
Of course, you would say "step up taxes to close the gap", and of course I would be with you if it was an isolated issue.  but it's one of many soars.  And I am not sure too many people can pay a few more thousand in taxes a year as required to start closing gaps. Even if they can afford another $100 in gas taxes.
With that, why do you need people in offices if there are no underlying budgets?

A few thousand more in taxes will not break billionaires. Hell, a few hundred thousand more in taxes will not break billionaires.

It really is that simple.

It's estimated that US has about 800 billionaires. Last administration was overspending by about $10B per day. So taxing billionaires by $1B each would close the gap for less than a quarter. Now how much more tax are you willing  to pay?

[cu2010]

Usual response is that while some top brass are political appointes, lower level bureaucracy stays and keeps things going. But looks like those lower level professionals are no longer there, most likely boomers going into sunset.

A few reasons why there are a lot fewer people there.  I'm most familiar with the NY division since I know people there, but they lost a very large chunk of people in the last six months.  Not many retirements, either.  They lost a couple (which percentage-wise is a lot, since division offices aren't very big) in the DOGE layoffs, and between those, the current administration making working conditions a lot worse (r/FedNews can summarize that a lot better than I can, but suffice to say this isn't a case of "they won't let us telecommute any more so I quit"), and threats of future, more wide-scale layoffs, a very large chunk of staff took the last deferred resignation offer.  Two of the displaced feds now work for NYSDOT.

You are talking about short term trends, which are largely driven by desperate need for budget cuts. There are also a long term trends, you actually gave a very interesting insight at some point when talking about very nysdot conservative design approaches.... That was a few years ago...

This b.s. stinks very, very strongly.

ETA:  Egads...Trade deficit...tied to layoffs at FHWA?  The absurdities abound.

I am just tired of crap like this...

Ok, simplified version for DOT engineers: in 2024, highway trust fund balance was $26.7B in red. That is $85 a year per capita.
Of course, you would say "step up taxes to close the gap", and of course I would be with you if it was an isolated issue.  but it's one of many soars.  And I am not sure too many people can pay a few more thousand in taxes a year as required to start closing gaps. Even if they can afford another $100 in gas taxes.
With that, why do you need people in offices if there are no underlying budgets?

A few thousand more in taxes will not break billionaires. Hell, a few hundred thousand more in taxes will not break billionaires.

It really is that simple.

It's estimated that US has about 800 billionaires. Last administration was overspending by about $10B per day. So taxing billionaires by $1B each would close the gap for less than a quarter. Now how much more tax are you willing  to pay?

If paying a little bit more in taxes means I have safe roads to drive on, food on my table, healthcare for me and my family, and the peace of mind of not having to worry about losing my job because of the current administration conning the American public by hacking and slashing funding to critical safety nets while forking over billions to deport people who have committed no crimes without due process, yeah, I'm okay with that.

Remember that Fox News paid a $787M settlement for spreading lies on the air.

/this thread has spiraled out of control and should probably be shut down

[Max Rockatansky]

What exactly has been said that is "lock" worthy in this thread?  Does several people going on a tangent about trade deficits constitute merit a lock?

I think my summary of this thread was on the nose.  The only difference from Page 3 is that we are now growing Goat Quote Pyramids.

How cool are we as a collective hobby when we start a rousing discussion over non-standard crosswalks only to segway wildly into trade deficits? 

[Rothman]

Usual response is that while some top brass are political appointes, lower level bureaucracy stays and keeps things going. But looks like those lower level professionals are no longer there, most likely boomers going into sunset.

A few reasons why there are a lot fewer people there.  I'm most familiar with the NY division since I know people there, but they lost a very large chunk of people in the last six months.  Not many retirements, either.  They lost a couple (which percentage-wise is a lot, since division offices aren't very big) in the DOGE layoffs, and between those, the current administration making working conditions a lot worse (r/FedNews can summarize that a lot better than I can, but suffice to say this isn't a case of "they won't let us telecommute any more so I quit"), and threats of future, more wide-scale layoffs, a very large chunk of staff took the last deferred resignation offer.  Two of the displaced feds now work for NYSDOT.

You are talking about short term trends, which are largely driven by desperate need for budget cuts. There are also a long term trends, you actually gave a very interesting insight at some point when talking about very nysdot conservative design approaches.... That was a few years ago...

This b.s. stinks very, very strongly.

ETA:  Egads...Trade deficit...tied to layoffs at FHWA?  The absurdities abound.

I am just tired of crap like this...

Ok, simplified version for DOT engineers: in 2024, highway trust fund balance was $26.7B in red. That is $85 a year per capita.
Of course, you would say "step up taxes to close the gap", and of course I would be with you if it was an isolated issue.  but it's one of many soars.  And I am not sure too many people can pay a few more thousand in taxes a year as required to start closing gaps. Even if they can afford another $100 in gas taxes.
With that, why do you need people in offices if there are no underlying budgets?

You have demonstrated little understanding of reality on this matter.  All I know is that FHWA is now crippled and projects are now being delayed because of the arbitrary layoffs inflicted by DOGE.  In other words, there are too few people to handle the funding that is available. 

I find the idea of the trust fund to be "in the red" to be a ridiculous reason to justify FHWA layoffs.  Ratchet back apportionments to states if that is somehow some portion of the federal deficit.  Firing FHWA employees doesn't help with that regard.

Of course, I note that your silly trade deficit argument's disappeared...

We really need to do something about misinformation in this country and how it affects voting and other actions.  That said, I don't have much hope in finding a solution to that, or the current increasing deficit in critical thinking...

Things will just get worse.

Trade deficit and budget deficit are certainly part of underlying economic situation. I am with you that implementation of cuts is crude at best, but the need for cuts is absolutely there
And there is certainly huge deficit in public critical thinking, moreso among government employees. But that is a different story.
 

Again, your post demonstrates a misunderstanding of how funding and payments are arranged and a lack of a sound logic chain given actual information.  But, as always, stubborness defeats reason and actuality...which is why I say things will get worse.

[Rothman]

What exactly has been said that is "lock" worthy in this thread?  Does several people going on a tangent about trade deficits constitute merit a lock?

I think my summary of this thread was on the nose.  The only difference from Page 3 is that we are now growing Goat Quote Pyramids.

How cool are we as a collective hobby when we start a rousing discussion over non-standard crosswalks only to segway wildly into trade deficits? 

Perhaps futility should be a considered factor in locking threads...

[kalvado]

Usual response is that while some top brass are political appointes, lower level bureaucracy stays and keeps things going. But looks like those lower level professionals are no longer there, most likely boomers going into sunset.

A few reasons why there are a lot fewer people there.  I'm most familiar with the NY division since I know people there, but they lost a very large chunk of people in the last six months.  Not many retirements, either.  They lost a couple (which percentage-wise is a lot, since division offices aren't very big) in the DOGE layoffs, and between those, the current administration making working conditions a lot worse (r/FedNews can summarize that a lot better than I can, but suffice to say this isn't a case of "they won't let us telecommute any more so I quit"), and threats of future, more wide-scale layoffs, a very large chunk of staff took the last deferred resignation offer.  Two of the displaced feds now work for NYSDOT.

You are talking about short term trends, which are largely driven by desperate need for budget cuts. There are also a long term trends, you actually gave a very interesting insight at some point when talking about very nysdot conservative design approaches.... That was a few years ago...

This b.s. stinks very, very strongly.

ETA:  Egads...Trade deficit...tied to layoffs at FHWA?  The absurdities abound.

I am just tired of crap like this...

Ok, simplified version for DOT engineers: in 2024, highway trust fund balance was $26.7B in red. That is $85 a year per capita.
Of course, you would say "step up taxes to close the gap", and of course I would be with you if it was an isolated issue.  but it's one of many soars.  And I am not sure too many people can pay a few more thousand in taxes a year as required to start closing gaps. Even if they can afford another $100 in gas taxes.
With that, why do you need people in offices if there are no underlying budgets?

You have demonstrated little understanding of reality on this matter.  All I know is that FHWA is now crippled and projects are now being delayed because of the arbitrary layoffs inflicted by DOGE.  In other words, there are too few people to handle the funding that is available. 

I find the idea of the trust fund to be "in the red" to be a ridiculous reason to justify FHWA layoffs.  Ratchet back apportionments to states if that is somehow some portion of the federal deficit.  Firing FHWA employees doesn't help with that regard.

Of course, I note that your silly trade deficit argument's disappeared...

We really need to do something about misinformation in this country and how it affects voting and other actions.  That said, I don't have much hope in finding a solution to that, or the current increasing deficit in critical thinking...

Things will just get worse.

Trade deficit and budget deficit are certainly part of underlying economic situation. I am with you that implementation of cuts is crude at best, but the need for cuts is absolutely there
And there is certainly huge deficit in public critical thinking, moreso among government employees. But that is a different story.
 

Again, your post demonstrates a misunderstanding of how funding and payments are arranged and a lack of a sound logic chain given actual information.  But, as always, stubborness defeats reason and actuality...which is why I say things will get worse.

Looks like you are missing the forest behind the trees. You may look on detailed payment structure and all that, but remember to look at the totals. And if totals don't add up - it's not a problem with how payments work, it's a problem on a grand scale.

[kalvado]

What exactly has been said that is "lock" worthy in this thread?  Does several people going on a tangent about trade deficits constitute merit a lock?

I think my summary of this thread was on the nose.  The only difference from Page 3 is that we are now growing Goat Quote Pyramids.

How cool are we as a collective hobby when we start a rousing discussion over non-standard crosswalks only to segway wildly into trade deficits? 

It was through the personnel policies, both political appointes and agency rank and file. Apparently a technical decision is enough to trigger people into discussion on personalilites and policies.
There was something vaguely similar in a Clearview story, on a much smaller scale though.

[Rothman]

Usual response is that while some top brass are political appointes, lower level bureaucracy stays and keeps things going. But looks like those lower level professionals are no longer there, most likely boomers going into sunset.

A few reasons why there are a lot fewer people there.  I'm most familiar with the NY division since I know people there, but they lost a very large chunk of people in the last six months.  Not many retirements, either.  They lost a couple (which percentage-wise is a lot, since division offices aren't very big) in the DOGE layoffs, and between those, the current administration making working conditions a lot worse (r/FedNews can summarize that a lot better than I can, but suffice to say this isn't a case of "they won't let us telecommute any more so I quit"), and threats of future, more wide-scale layoffs, a very large chunk of staff took the last deferred resignation offer.  Two of the displaced feds now work for NYSDOT.

You are talking about short term trends, which are largely driven by desperate need for budget cuts. There are also a long term trends, you actually gave a very interesting insight at some point when talking about very nysdot conservative design approaches.... That was a few years ago...

This b.s. stinks very, very strongly.

ETA:  Egads...Trade deficit...tied to layoffs at FHWA?  The absurdities abound.

I am just tired of crap like this...

Ok, simplified version for DOT engineers: in 2024, highway trust fund balance was $26.7B in red. That is $85 a year per capita.
Of course, you would say "step up taxes to close the gap", and of course I would be with you if it was an isolated issue.  but it's one of many soars.  And I am not sure too many people can pay a few more thousand in taxes a year as required to start closing gaps. Even if they can afford another $100 in gas taxes.
With that, why do you need people in offices if there are no underlying budgets?

You have demonstrated little understanding of reality on this matter.  All I know is that FHWA is now crippled and projects are now being delayed because of the arbitrary layoffs inflicted by DOGE.  In other words, there are too few people to handle the funding that is available. 

I find the idea of the trust fund to be "in the red" to be a ridiculous reason to justify FHWA layoffs.  Ratchet back apportionments to states if that is somehow some portion of the federal deficit.  Firing FHWA employees doesn't help with that regard.

Of course, I note that your silly trade deficit argument's disappeared...

We really need to do something about misinformation in this country and how it affects voting and other actions.  That said, I don't have much hope in finding a solution to that, or the current increasing deficit in critical thinking...

Things will just get worse.

Trade deficit and budget deficit are certainly part of underlying economic situation. I am with you that implementation of cuts is crude at best, but the need for cuts is absolutely there
And there is certainly huge deficit in public critical thinking, moreso among government employees. But that is a different story.
 

Again, your post demonstrates a misunderstanding of how funding and payments are arranged and a lack of a sound logic chain given actual information.  But, as always, stubborness defeats reason and actuality...which is why I say things will get worse.

Looks like you are missing the forest behind the trees. You may look on detailed payment structure and all that, but remember to look at the totals. And if totals don't add up - it's not a problem with how payments work, it's a problem on a grand scale.

For Pete's sake, understanding the trees informs where and how cuts should be made.  Otherwise, you're just a toddler with a meat cleaver, which DOGE definitely was, given the subsequent negative effects of its actions.

[kalvado]

For Pete's sake, understanding the trees informs where and how cuts should be made.  Otherwise, you're just a toddler with a meat cleaver, which DOGE definitely was,
 given the subsequent negative effects of its actions.

Oh, believe it or not, I am with you here. What is better - inaction or idiotic action?
...
Imagine a hospital room with a very sick patient. A door slams open and a new doctor walks in.
-Ok, what we got here... Let me look at your file... khm.... let me palpate your belly. khhhm... You have a late stage cancer! How are they treating you? ASPIRIN??? You need urgent surgery!! GOOD THING I HAVE MY BIG KNIFE WITH ME!!! ANESTHESIA??? NO TIME FOR THAT CRAP!

[mgk920]

As the OP for this thread, it is time to lock it down.  is well past the point where it has run its course.

Mike

[Max Rockatansky]

Usual response is that while some top brass are political appointes, lower level bureaucracy stays and keeps things going. But looks like those lower level professionals are no longer there, most likely boomers going into sunset.

A few reasons why there are a lot fewer people there.  I'm most familiar with the NY division since I know people there, but they lost a very large chunk of people in the last six months.  Not many retirements, either.  They lost a couple (which percentage-wise is a lot, since division offices aren't very big) in the DOGE layoffs, and between those, the current administration making working conditions a lot worse (r/FedNews can summarize that a lot better than I can, but suffice to say this isn't a case of "they won't let us telecommute any more so I quit"), and threats of future, more wide-scale layoffs, a very large chunk of staff took the last deferred resignation offer.  Two of the displaced feds now work for NYSDOT.

You are talking about short term trends, which are largely driven by desperate need for budget cuts. There are also a long term trends, you actually gave a very interesting insight at some point when talking about very nysdot conservative design approaches.... That was a few years ago...

This b.s. stinks very, very strongly.

ETA:  Egads...Trade deficit...tied to layoffs at FHWA?  The absurdities abound.

I am just tired of crap like this...

Ok, simplified version for DOT engineers: in 2024, highway trust fund balance was $26.7B in red. That is $85 a year per capita.
Of course, you would say "step up taxes to close the gap", and of course I would be with you if it was an isolated issue.  but it's one of many soars.  And I am not sure too many people can pay a few more thousand in taxes a year as required to start closing gaps. Even if they can afford another $100 in gas taxes.
With that, why do you need people in offices if there are no underlying budgets?

You have demonstrated little understanding of reality on this matter.  All I know is that FHWA is now crippled and projects are now being delayed because of the arbitrary layoffs inflicted by DOGE.  In other words, there are too few people to handle the funding that is available. 

I find the idea of the trust fund to be "in the red" to be a ridiculous reason to justify FHWA layoffs.  Ratchet back apportionments to states if that is somehow some portion of the federal deficit.  Firing FHWA employees doesn't help with that regard.

Of course, I note that your silly trade deficit argument's disappeared...

We really need to do something about misinformation in this country and how it affects voting and other actions.  That said, I don't have much hope in finding a solution to that, or the current increasing deficit in critical thinking...

Things will just get worse.

Trade deficit and budget deficit are certainly part of underlying economic situation. I am with you that implementation of cuts is crude at best, but the need for cuts is absolutely there
And there is certainly huge deficit in public critical thinking, moreso among government employees. But that is a different story.
 

Again, your post demonstrates a misunderstanding of how funding and payments are arranged and a lack of a sound logic chain given actual information.  But, as always, stubborness defeats reason and actuality...which is why I say things will get worse.

Looks like you are missing the forest behind the trees. You may look on detailed payment structure and all that, but remember to look at the totals. And if totals don't add up - it's not a problem with how payments work, it's a problem on a grand scale.

For Pete's sake, understanding the trees informs where and how cuts should be made.  Otherwise, you're just a toddler with a meat cleaver, which DOGE definitely was, given the subsequent negative effects of its actions.

Come on people, consider what you are doing to Pete's welfare. 

As the OP for this thread, it is time to lock it down.  is well past the point where it has run its course.

Mike

It is in the hands (hooves?) or Goat Jesus now.

[Rothman]

Pete seems to always be in trouble for all the things done for his sake.

[SEWIGuy]

Trade deficit and budget deficit are certainly part of underlying economic situation. I am with you that implementation of cuts is crude at best, but the need for cuts is absolutely there
And there is certainly huge deficit in public critical thinking, moreso among government employees. But that is a different story.

A budget deficit CAN be a problem. Government spending more and going into debt is completely manageable if interest payments are reasonsble.

A trade deficit is rarely a problem. There are some circumstances where one country having a monopoly on a critical product can be problematic, but normally they are absolutely fine - and in fact the word "deficit" itself is wholly inaccurate.

[Mr. Matté]

I'll believe it as soon as they advocate just as much for removing blue lines between double yellow lines.

[NE2]

I'll believe it as soon as they advocate just as much for removing blue lines between double yellow lines.

Is that for Ukraine or pigs?

[vdeane]

Imagine a hospital room with a very sick patient. A door slams open and a new doctor walks in.
-Ok, what we got here... Let me look at your file... khm.... let me palpate your belly. khhhm... You have a late stage cancer! How are they treating you? ASPIRIN??? You need urgent surgery!! GOOD THING I HAVE MY BIG KNIFE WITH ME!!! ANESTHESIA??? NO TIME FOR THAT CRAP!

That analogy reminds me of the JibJab "Ahnuld for Governor" video, specifically the part where he vows to "eliminate all costs from the healthcare system".

For Pete's sake,

Which Pete?  Buttigieg?

[SectorZ]

I'll believe it as soon as they advocate just as much for removing blue lines between double yellow lines.

Is that for Ukraine or pigs?

Fuck you NE2. Seriously. I have people I care about that are cops and I hope you never have to deal with the horrors they deal with daily trying to protect us. The only pig here is you Florida man.

[NE2]

I'll believe it as soon as they advocate just as much for removing blue lines between double yellow lines.

Is that for Ukraine or pigs?

Fuck you NE2. Seriously. I have people I care about that are cops and I hope you never have to deal with the horrors they deal with daily trying to protect us. The only pig here is you Florida man.

🫀🫀🫀

[kalvado]

Trade deficit and budget deficit are certainly part of underlying economic situation. I am with you that implementation of cuts is crude at best, but the need for cuts is absolutely there
And there is certainly huge deficit in public critical thinking, moreso among government employees. But that is a different story.

A budget deficit CAN be a problem. Government spending more and going into debt is completely manageable if interest payments are reasonsble.

Debt service was something like $2500 or $3000 per capita last year, depending on where you look. More than defense budget.  Is that reasonable?
It is going to be higher this year though.

[kalvado]

Imagine a hospital room with a very sick patient. A door slams open and a new doctor walks in.
-Ok, what we got here... Let me look at your file... khm.... let me palpate your belly. khhhm... You have a late stage cancer! How are they treating you? ASPIRIN??? You need urgent surgery!! GOOD THING I HAVE MY BIG KNIFE WITH ME!!! ANESTHESIA??? NO TIME FOR THAT CRAP!

That analogy reminds me of the JibJab "Ahnuld for Governor" video, specifically the part where he vows to "eliminate all costs from the healthcare system".

For Pete's sake,

Which Pete?  Buttigieg?

Too bad they removed the "like" button from the forum!

[kphoger]

Pete seems to always be in trouble for all the things done for his sake.

I strongly suspect that many of the things people claim ought to be done for Pete's sake have little to do with Pete's actual well-being.

I'll believe it as soon as they advocate just as much for removing blue lines between double yellow lines.

As I've already reiterated, blue lines on the pavement—assuming they are within the chromaticity coordinates approved for traffic control devices—are already a violation of the MUTCD.

I'll believe it as soon as they advocate just as much for removing blue lines between double yellow lines.

Is that for Ukraine or pigs?

When they were told to in 2017, nothing happened.  After all, as ABC News said, it was "unclear what happens if they don't".

[SectorZ]

I'll believe it as soon as they advocate just as much for removing blue lines between double yellow lines.

Is that for Ukraine or pigs?

Fuck you NE2. Seriously. I have people I care about that are cops and I hope you never have to deal with the horrors they deal with daily trying to protect us. The only pig here is you Florida man.

🫀🫀🫀

You must live a real crap life. I hope you are a better human IRL than you are here. So sad that your crap gets enabled here only because leaders here agree with your extremist nonsense. Can only imagine how this forum gets viewed from the outside with stuff like this...

[SEWIGuy]

Trade deficit and budget deficit are certainly part of underlying economic situation. I am with you that implementation of cuts is crude at best, but the need for cuts is absolutely there
And there is certainly huge deficit in public critical thinking, moreso among government employees. But that is a different story.

A budget deficit CAN be a problem. Government spending more and going into debt is completely manageable if interest payments are reasonsble.

Debt service was something like $2500 or $3000 per capita last year, depending on where you look. More than defense budget.  Is that reasonable?
It is going to be higher this year though.

That is likely not reasonable. The problem is that no one in charge truly cares about the deficit.

[kalvado]

Trade deficit and budget deficit are certainly part of underlying economic situation. I am with you that implementation of cuts is crude at best, but the need for cuts is absolutely there
And there is certainly huge deficit in public critical thinking, moreso among government employees. But that is a different story.

A budget deficit CAN be a problem. Government spending more and going into debt is completely manageable if interest payments are reasonsble.

Debt service was something like $2500 or $3000 per capita last year, depending on where you look. More than defense budget.  Is that reasonable?
It is going to be higher this year though.

That is likely not reasonable. The problem is that no one in charge truly cares about the deficit.

I suspect at this point they actually have to care. And a lot of ongoing things are explained by that. Not that "care" and "capable of managing the issue" are synonymous though.