The Dream is Over

[campbellcj]

I suggest that everyone read the following article, "The Debt that No One Wants to Talk About", from David Walker at the GAO:

http://www.gao.gov/cghome/nytoped.pdf

And this one "Truth and Transparency: The Federal Government's Financial Condition and Fiscal Outlook"

http://www.gao.gov/cghome/npc917.pdf

[campbellcj]

Note that the above scary chart does NOT even include the newly enacted Medicare-D prescription drug benefit, which adds $TRILLIONS more to our long term "mandatory" budget obligations.

I am all for heathcare and affordable drugs for our seniors...but the question is...WHO'S GONNA PAY FOR IT?!?!?!?

You and me, and our kids, that's who!

[hesaputz]

Hail,Tabdul!

[tabs]

I never let a little thing like the facts stop me before....

[Aurel]

Tabs, I liked your analysis a lot. Made sense to me. To push it a little further, I would say that the present situation is so dangerous economically that war was the best solution envisioned by this administration to keep things afloat. In particular, you mention that one of the stabilizing factors to the dollar is the fact that it is being used in all oil transactions. I beleive that the main reason of the war with Iraq was to keep this in effect: By controlling the world oil reserves, the USA would ensure the stability of the dollar. The problem is that the war is extremly costly, and seems now to have worsened the problem instead of solving it.

Aurel

[dd74]

Originally posted by tabs
...what else have I missed???

You're joining the circus?

[911ctS]

Originally posted by tabs
Solutions

1. Raise Taxes to meet current levels of governmental expenditures
2. Change the Tax laws to promote saving instead of spending..the dividend tax break was a step in the right direction.
3. Move tax revenue from entitlement and military spending into infrastructure and education.
A. The current eductional system needs to have a major overhaul..it is broken.
B. The American People have to REALIZE the party can't go on forever..everybody can't live like millionaires. An attitude change needs to take place...Instead of relying on the educational system to take care of the educational needs of their children...parents must take responsibility to make sure that their children are educated... so that they can be competative in the world market.

In other words Americans need to revisit it's savings ethic and realize we face global competition that is going to effect Americans standazrd of living...gone are the halycon days of the 50's and 60's for the American worker.

I have to agree with tabs on this one. Most of the above are realities that we must consider integrating into our business tactics sooner or later. Sooner being the easier IMO because the longer we wait the more the US seems to p!ss into the wind. As long as the wealthy individuals are the ones in power, they will always look out for their own best interests. And unfortionately these best interests are not best for our future, for our earth, or for the avg. working person.

damn... I sound like an F'in libral (which im not).
Well... Im by no means "money rich" and I dont have any business or trust fund headed my way so Im pretty much on my own (better put: screwed by our system). My attitude is that i can make it on my own. I dont nor will i ever need welfare, because its for the weak and unprepared. However, there would be work for everyone if we'd tighten up our boarders and eliminate this huge "benefit" for the rich. anyway my point is that i feel stuck between PP's. I think the rich should have to pay alot more than the "less fourtionate" but no money should ever be handed out for free. I have no intentions of ever "abusing the system" because thats just wrong. But then most elected officials and greedy wealthy citizens we have now days seem to be doing the exact same abusive tactics by using their power to benefit big business and create themselves even more $$$. If thats all these officials care about then I cant wait to see the... well nevermind. Lets just say I am prepared to be self sufficient if it comes to it.

But then again, what if I was rich? owned a HUGE corporation, liven in a variety of 10 houses, and drove whatever I wanted. Hell, maybe then I wouldn't give F#$k about anyone or anything else either. Maybe I would be so wrapped up in my twisted reality that I wouldn't know any better. We are all just worthless and stupid humans. Ive said it before... we will kill ourselves.

[naparsei]

Originally posted by tabs
Beside that I watched an interview with Paul Volcker...ex Chairman of the Federal Reserve...and the guy whose principles Allan Greenspan our current Chairman follows.

Volcker and "Easy Al" Greenspan aren't on the same planet, monetarily speaking. Instead of attributing Volcker's influence on Greenspan, you might try Ayn Rand...