explaining the process by which the federal government prepares a budget and makes spending decisions ?

Policymakers use the federal budget process to establish spending priorities and to determine who will pay for those activities. Those decisions affect the lives of all Americans, as well as the nation’s economy. The size and scope of those decisions make the budget process one of the most important and complex exercises in public policymaking.

In the Constitutional Convention, the two sides about the nature of government emerged.  The Federalists were guided by the understanding that while freedom is important, it should not come at the cost of law and order.  They were frightened by the emergence of another Shays' Rebellion, where the government was fairly useless against the uprising of a bunch of angry farmers.  The Federalists believed in the strength of the central government to be able to properly function in the wake of both good and difficult times.  The Anti- Federalists were concerned with the presence of rights and personal liberties.  These individuals were scared of another situation such as King George, where individual freedoms are sacrificed by the central authority.  At the same time, they felt that a government that takes away individual freedoms is not worth having.

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