dixonge
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
I should have left that comment out - it wasn't my main point.
However, from the IRS 1040 instructions (2018 is the latest I have):
SocSec / Medicare = 41%
Social programs = 22%
Defense = 20%
Interest on the debt = 8%
Comm development = 7%
Law enforcement/general govt = 2%
What are your "other 2"?
I think the main difference is how SS and Medicare are handled. There is a trust fund involved, with the intention of holding funds in escrow on an individual basis. In practice, it lost that structure a long time ago. Still, most of Medicare seems to be financially healthy, with the exception of Part B
https://www.taxpolicycenter.org/briefing-book/what-medicare-trust-fund-and-how-it-financed
SS looking pretty strong too:
https://www.taxpolicycenter.org/briefing-book/what-are-social-security-trust-funds-and-how-are-they-financed
There is a direct in/out nature to these funds. Money is deducted for each *specifically* - unlike the rest of the Government budget coming from general taxes.