In 1962, 68 percent of the federal budget was discretionary spending. It was appropriated annually and came under some level control of Congress. About 32 percent of the budget consists of entitlements - or mandatory spending - and interest on the debt. This year that’s almost reversed. We now have 35 percent of the budget called discretionary - that’s appropriated by Congress - and 65 percent of the budget which is entitlement spending and interest on the debt that just occurs automatically. In 10 years, if we continue on this path, only 25 percent of the federal budget will be discretionary spending. Fully 75 percent will be mandatory entitlement and interest.

Video courtesy of Chippewa Valley Community Television.