Rand Paul Budget Plan: Cut $500 Billion This Year

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) is getting serious. His budget proposal would cut $500 billion this year, without touching Medicare or Social Security.

For one, it nearly eliminates the Department of Education. It also guts federal HUD housing funds, upends the Department of Commerce, and chokes off funding for the Department of Energy. The Department of Health and Human Services loses $26.5 billion. Legions of big-government fiefdoms are chucked. Federal arts programs disappear. The Smithsonian is privatized.

That's a good starting point for a conversation.