country's current economic problems
...at some point in their lives. However, the fact that the U.S. does not correctly budget the costs of mass production of weapons, and the fact that Social Security pays out more in benefits than it collects in revenues, results in over spending and eliminates money from other programs that need funding. Because of over spending, programs like HUD (Housing and Urban Development), and TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) do not get the funds that are required to maintain the vast need of these programs. HUD creates opportunities for moderate income families to use government guaranteed mortgage backed securities. HUD works to create, rehabilitate, and maintain the nation's affordable housing. Most importantly, HUD helps distressed neighborhoods, the homeless, and provides housing assistance for low income persons. TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) provides assistance and work opportunities to needy families by granting states the federal funds and wide flexibility to develop and implement their own welfare programs. The funds that are provided for TANF are distributed throughout the U.S. and it is through these funds that Foodstamps, WIC (Women, Infants and Children), AFDC (Aid to Families with Dependent Children), and Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training (JOBS) are made possible. The U.S. government's overspending of funds leaves TANF and HUD with out enough monies to facilitate the needs of those who are in need. Overspending causes the U.S. to use monies from programs like TANF and HUD to make up for their overspending and leaves these programs with less money than what is needed. The actions that the U.S. government takes to deal with overspending negatively effects the economy through inadequate supplies of food and shelter availability for those that are in need. The oil industry is an integral part of the global economy, and price fluctuations within the industry can harm everyone. OPEC, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, is a group of 11 oil producing and exporting countries from around the world. The organization meets twice a year to discuss and coordinate ideas and policies that attempt to stabilize oil prices and promote profits for the member countries. These nations own about 75% of the world’s oil reserves and account for about 40% of total production. Because they control such a large segment of the market, member countries have a lot of influence in how much oil other countries have and, therefore, how much non-member countries pay for oil. In response to oil prices reaching their lowest mark in 12 years, the organization decided, at a March 1999 meeting, to lower the world’s supply of crude oil by approximately 7% (which is about 2 billion barrels a day). These cuts dramatically reduced the supply of oil available to countries around the world, and the result was a steady increase in oil prices over the course of years. Whether you are an individual or a corporation, higher gas prices can sting if you own a car, truck, airplane, ship or any other vehicle. According to the Energy Information Administration, the average price for a gallon of gasoline, as of March 13, 2003 was $1.57, as compared with the spring 1999 price of $1.00. When oil producing countries limit or stop the export of oil, countries that do not produce oil, such as the United States, receive less than enough to meet their needs, making prices go up. Other factors, such as war, bad weather, strikes, and taxes can also affect prices if oil production or delivery is jeopardized. The oil industry is a big part of our economy, and price increases can affect everyone in a negative way. Oil prices can impact transport prices, costs of goods and services, and the availability of many needed products like food, water, heating, and housing. One of the most obvious effects is on gasoline. Higher oil prices will be passed on to the people, such as you and I, by higher gas prices. High taxes implemented by the United States government negatively affects the rate of economic progress. When the United States government under predicts the actual cos...