A gentleman with a grasp of the problem.

[Jim Craik]

Domtoni,


You brought up the F-35 back up engine, and tried to blame in on the White House.

This is a Republican "Pork Belly" project. The President,the Pentigon and Secratery Gates all do not want this GE engine.

Please explain how the self righteous, self proclamed, physical consevatives who want to cut Social Security and Medacade are wasting our MONEY on a GE boondogle?

*********

Domtoni,

The F-35 engine is not sourced from the Harrier, they have nothing in common but fuel.

 

[Nick]

China says debt financing unlikely 'to save' US, EU - FRANCE 24

Domtoni,

Ah ha, I see, so that is were you think Obama is going wrong, contrary to popular belief he is obviously not left wing enough and should follow communist China’s advice.

 

[Jim Craik]

Nick,

You make a very good point.

Do you remember back in the 1980's when Japan was telling us that we should run our economy like them. They had a huge real estate bubble, remember, they were buying Pebble Beach Golf Club and Rockefelle Center...........Everyone was worried about Japan being the world economic leader....buying up America. How's that going?

They still have not recovered!

Now Domtoni thinks we should listen to China?

Another in a long line of great ideas.......

 

[Al Wohlstrom]

Nick,

You make a very good point.

Do you remember back in the 1980's when Japan was telling us that we should run our economy like them. They had a huge real estate bubble, remember, they were buying Pebble Beach Golf Club and Rockefelle Center...........Everyone was worried about Japan being the world economic leader....buying up America. How's that going?

They still have not recovered!

Now Domtoni thinks we should listen to China?

Another in a long line of great ideas.......

No, Someone should have listened to those that wanted to cut spending and lower the debt ceiling. No more AAA credit rating, AA+, first time in history, well that is Change I guess! Democrat House for four years, Senate for four and a half years, President for two and a half years. Blame Bush, go ahead!

 

[Nick]

No, Someone should have listened to those that wanted to cut spending and lower the debt ceiling. No more AAA credit rating, AA+, first time in history, well that is Change I guess! Democrat House for four years, Senate for four and a half years, President for two and a half years. Blame Bush, go ahead!

Al,

US, UK, Portugal, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Greece all in financial crisis, I believe the main culprits that caused this world crisis, are greedy bankers.

 

[Al Wohlstrom]

Al,

US, UK, Portugal, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Greece all in financial crisis, I believe the common denominator that helped to cause this world crisis, is greedy bankers.

I think it's politicians without a grasp of economics. You don't spend what you don't have.

 

[Nick]

I think it's politicians without a grasp of economics. You don't spend what you don't have.

If so these countries are and have been governed by parties of all political persuasions, apart from the communists

 

[Cliff Beer]

I have four kids, and they're always squabbling over something - it could be a toothpick, it doesn't make any difference what it is or how insignificant it is. In a one hour period each one will have come to me with a "so and so pushed me" or "so and so isn't sharing" etc. Obviously, they're not playing well together, and consequently there's a lot of wasted energy and unnecessary conflict.

As I reflect upon the activities taking place within our US Congress over the last month or so I cannot but help look at it and think "they're like so many squabbling children." Why is it that my tax dollars are managed by such inadequate people? And, worse yet, why are they paid salaries for such poor behavior?

I'm immediately suspicious of anyone who says they want to be a politician as a career choice.

 

[Nick]

I have four kids, and they're always squabbling over something - it could be a toothpick, it doesn't make any difference what it is or how insignificant it is. In a one hour period each one will have come to me with a "so and so pushed me" or "so and so isn't sharing" etc. Obviously, they're not playing well together, and consequently there's a lot of wasted energy and unnecessary conflict.

Cliff,

Sound like most siblings, but I suspect that like most parents, all the squabbling can be tolerated for the wondrous times when they play together nicely.

 

[Al Wohlstrom]

Al,

US, UK, Portugal, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Greece all in financial crisis, I believe the main culprits that caused this world crisis, are greedy bankers.

What do all of these countries have in common? Huge entitlement spending, huge unfunded liabilities for retirement. In the US, Social Security (Lyndon Johnson put social Security into the General Fund in 1967) and Medicare have been a huge piggy bank for the Government, at some point the bill becomes due. The US gives billions of money we don't have in aid to just about every country in the world. We give aid to those that hold our debt, China included. Of 192 countries in the world, we give aid to 150. It's time we started to look out for ourselves, we can't afford to do otherwise. Greedy Bankers are in another story.

 

[Doug S.]

No, Someone should have listened to those that wanted to cut spending and lower the debt ceiling. No more AAA credit rating, AA+, first time in history, well that is Change I guess! Democrat House for four years, Senate for four and a half years, President for two and a half years. Blame Bush, go ahead!

I think it's politicians without a grasp of economics. You don't spend what you don't have.

Well, Al, you're right....sort of.

Can't blame it on the Demopublicans, though....this one is on the backs of the Republicrats. The TEA party INSISTED on no new sources of revenue, only spending cuts, and the Republicrats were stupid enough to listen to that radical fringe element. The debt ceiling was raised with only spending cuts, no new income.

Obviously, the S&P downgrade of the credit rating is a BIG, HONKIN', GIRL SCOUT DONKEY message to the leadership of our country that cuts in spending IS NOT enough, taxes have to be not only raised, but some sort of fairness between the contributions of the middle class and the wealthy (with their tax lawyers "manufacturing" income reductions) MUST be achieved.

It amazes me that the radical-right wing doesn't see this...it's as plain as the nose on the face of the Republicrat TEA partiers. It can't be ignored any more, unless for some reason the Republicrats want to see the country's credit rating lowered further....not that I don't believe that they would be that cunning, believing that the majority of the country's population would blame the Demopublicans, but I think that they underestimate the public's intelligence, there.

In the end, it's time to bend over, guys 'n' gals. If we don't pony up with more taxes, we'll pony up with more interest on our credit card accounts and our mortgages and our car loans and, well, all those items we buy from retailers and manufacturers who rely on loans to pay the day to day expenses, such as payrolls.

When will the TEA partiers get the idea?

Sadly, probably never....they are like 2-year olds, throwing a temper tantrum, and there's no reaching that kind of mindset. Anyone who's had children knows that and can see the parallel.

Get it together politicians....Obama, don't crater again to the pressures of those throwing temper tantrums. We'd be in the same shape if we hadn't passed an increase in the debt ceiling....but, if the Senate and the White House had stood their ground, we might have had a chance to regain the AAA rating. I'm not so sure, now....unless the leadership gets the message.

Not holding my breath on that one, though.....:furious:

Jeers to the pol's, from Doug!!

 

[Doug S.]

The US gives billions of money we don't have in aid to just about every country in the world. We give aid to those that hold our debt, China included. Of 192 countries in the world, we give aid to 150. It's time we started to look out for ourselves, we can't afford to do otherwise.

Agreed, 100%, Al!!

We borrow huge sums of $$, only to give it away, and all the while our own economy is tanking and our country's credit rating is being downgraded?

Where's the intelligence in that?

I'm just plain amazed at the stupidity that D.C. has embraced!

No cheers from "just plain amazed Doug"!

 

[Nick]

We give aid to those that hold our debt, China included. Of 192 countries in the world, we give aid to 150. It's time we started to look out for ourselves, we can't afford to do otherwise. Greedy Bankers are in another story.

Al,

At the risk of drifting off thread again, that is an argument that is often used in the UK as an excuse for example of why we should stop giving aid to Africa etc, but have a look at the amount of money the banks have taken out of Africa in interest payments for loans, compared to the amount a lot of which is from less well off generous individuals Live aid etc.

A lot of the countries we give aid to we have plundered in the past and continue to exploit now, I wonder who makes the most money from Nigerian oil for example.

Maybe it's time I shut up as I am beginning to sound like a stuck record, but it's funny how our countries are bankrupt but always seem to find money to fight wars in Afghanistan, Iraqi, Libya.

The cost of ongoing US wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya is up to at least $1.2 trillion.

"Give, but give until it hurts."
— Mother Teresa

 

[Al Wohlstrom]

Well, Al, you're right....sort of.

Can't blame it on the Demopublicans, though....this one is on the backs of the Republicrats. The TEA party INSISTED on no new sources of revenue, only spending cuts, and the Republicrats were stupid enough to listen to that radical fringe element. The debt ceiling was raised with only spending cuts, no new income.

Obviously, the S&P downgrade of the credit rating is a BIG, HONKIN', GIRL SCOUT DONKEY message to the leadership of our country that cuts in spending IS NOT enough, taxes have to be not only raised, but some sort of fairness between the contributions of the middle class and the wealthy (with their tax lawyers "manufacturing" income reductions) MUST be achieved.

It amazes me that the radical-right wing doesn't see this...it's as plain as the nose on the face of the Republicrat TEA partiers. It can't be ignored any more, unless for some reason the Republicrats want to see the country's credit rating lowered further....not that I don't believe that they would be that cunning, believing that the majority of the country's population would blame the Demopublicans, but I think that they underestimate the public's intelligence, there.

In the end, it's time to bend over, guys 'n' gals. If we don't pony up with more taxes, we'll pony up with more interest on our credit card accounts and our mortgages and our car loans and, well, all those items we buy from retailers and manufacturers who rely on loans to pay the day to day expenses, such as payrolls.

When will the TEA partiers get the idea?

Sadly, probably never....they are like 2-year olds, throwing a temper tantrum, and there's no reaching that kind of mindset. Anyone who's had children knows that and can see the parallel.

Get it together politicians....Obama, don't crater again to the pressures of those throwing temper tantrums. We'd be in the same shape if we hadn't passed an increase in the debt ceiling....but, if the Senate and the White House had stood their ground, we might have had a chance to regain the AAA rating. I'm not so sure, now....unless the leadership gets the message.

Not holding my breath on that one, though.....:furious:

Jeers to the pol's, from Doug!!

S&P cut the long-term U.S. credit rating by one notch to AA-plus. The credit agency said it was making the move because the deficit reduction plan passed by Congress Tuesday did not go far enough to stabilize the country's debt situation.
We lost our credit rating because we didn't cut enough spending, because of too high a debt ceiling. I didn't mention political parties previously. The Republicans and your dreaded Tea Party wanted to cut spending and debt ceiling, it was the Democrats that insisted on higher spending and debt ceiling, it was only a few days ago, don't you remember? On Tuesday we had the largest one day raise in history of the debt ceiling of $239 billion. The country is in "deep shit", it's not time for political bickering, it's time to do something.

 

[Jeff Young]

Al, that's not correct.

President Obama's plan was a $4 trillion deduction the credit rating agencies wanted, including cuts to defense (a Tea Zombie no no, they passed an increase in that this year), and some cuts to Medicare/Social security, coupled with modest tax increases in the 3% range. Boehner was apparently on board until the Tea Zombies attacked his office mumbling "brains!"

The Democrats in the House weren't happy but probably would have passed this.

The Tea Zombies in the House threatened to revolt and Boehner caved.

Net? We had a deal on the table to make the cuts required by Standard and Poor's. It involved some compromise from the Democrats (cuts to Medicare and Social Security) and some from the Republicans (modest cuts to defense nad modest tax increases).

Tea Zombies killed it. You need to understand that fact.

 

[Jeff Young]

Entitlement that YOU benefitted from. Sorry Al, hard to listen to preaching about welfare programs from a guy who lived off them.

What do all of these countries have in common? Huge entitlement spending, huge unfunded liabilities for retirement. In the US, Social Security (Lyndon Johnson put social Security into the General Fund in 1967) and Medicare have been a huge piggy bank for the Government, at some point the bill becomes due. The US gives billions of money we don't have in aid to just about every country in the world. We give aid to those that hold our debt, China included. Of 192 countries in the world, we give aid to 150. It's time we started to look out for ourselves, we can't afford to do otherwise. Greedy Bankers are in another story.

 

[Jim Craik]

A modest cut in spending, coupled with a modest tax increase, would have done the trick. Further more that's what the American people wanted! COMPROMISE!

But noooooo, the Republicans allow themselves to be lead around by tea party morons, they have no idea the trouble they have caused, nor do they care!

 

[Jim Craik]

What people forget is that taxes and government spending is good for the economy.

Just as I go to the mall, spend money, buy products, it gives folks jobs, they pay tax and they buy stuff.

When we pay taxes, the government does not keep the money, the Congressmen do not keep the money, they spend it!

Even when they are stupid about it they still spend the MONEY!. A "bridge to nowhere" still gives people jobs, gives people money, they then buy stuff and then pay taxes.

When the government paves roads or builds an aircraft carrier, that is jobs, income, spending and taxes.

As far as the economy is concerned, paying taxes is just like going to the mall and spending an equal amount!

Now when the economy can least afford to loose jobs and spending, these morons cut government spending, cut government jobs, police are not buying stuff, road pavers are not buying stuff, teachers are not buying stuff or paying taxes.

Tax money is not wasted, it goes directly back into the economy, often at more than 100%.

With an economy like this, what we need is higher taxes and higher government spending.

Unfortunaltly the tea party can't understand a simple concept like this!

So now we cut spending, cut jobs and kill the economy.

The great depression was made worse by cuts in spending

The great depression was ended by huge government deficit spending programs in support of WW2.

 

[Jim Craik]

Remember

Government is just the name we give to things we decide to do together!

 

[Al Wohlstrom]

Entitlement that YOU benefitted from. Sorry Al, hard to listen to preaching about welfare programs from a guy who lived off them.

What entitlement did I benefit from? As a employee I paid for unemployment benefits jointly with my employer and as an employer for 48 years. Kindly don't preach to me about that BS.