How grave is the situation

[maat55]

Originally Posted by Frugal

I would say some of the blame lies there, but both Republicans and Democrats helped to get us in the mess we are in economically with the massive budget deficit.

Both parties are responsible for this mess, along with dumbed down american citizens.

[DRILLINDK]

You're right, both parties are to blame. However, there's a big flaw in our governmental system in that we can only plan not only fiscally, but ideologically at the most four years out. About every four years a new administration rolls in a tries to undermine everything that was establish in the previous administrations term. We're spinning our wheels, as neither party is 100% right. Neither party has America's best interest in mind.

I should be shot for saying this, but the Chinese are doing things right. Ya, ya...we could talk all day about the humanitarian crisis blah blah blah. They let nothing stand in the way of growth and their country. They plan two, four, and ten years ahead, but also twenty-five plus. They built a giant dam that displaced 1,000,000+ people and didn't blink an eye. They are building infrastructure and policies all over the country like this. They get things accomplished and do not let bureaucracy stand in the way.

[DRILLINDK]

Originally Posted by Snodog

You mean the same talking heads who have been telling us hyperinflation is just around the corner for the last 3 years? Inflation is up slightly because the price of oil went up from mideast unrest. Would you sooner live in a high debt country or a low debt country? World debt comparison: The global debt clock | The Economist

What do you call $4.50 gas and $3.5 milk?

[maat55]

Originally Posted by DRILLINDK

You're right, both parties are to blame. However, there's a big flaw in our governmental system in that we can only plan not only fiscally, but ideologically at the most four years out. About every four years a new administration rolls in a tries to undermine everything that was establish in the previous administrations term. We're spinning our wheels, as neither party is 100% right. Neither party has America's best interest in mind.

I should be shot for saying this, but the Chinese are doing things right. Ya, ya...we could talk all day about the humanitarian crisis blah blah blah. They let nothing stand in the way of growth and their country. They plan two, four, and ten years ahead, but also twenty-five plus. They built a giant dam that displaced 1,000,000+ people and didn't blink an eye. They are building infrastructure and policies all over the country like this. They get things accomplished and do not let bureaucracy stand in the way.

A constitutional government would get major infrastructure done as well. Our real problem is the unconstitutional policies. Our massive unfunded liabilities in SS/medicare should not be an issue. Even our defense department is not in line with the founding principles. Social programs(federal level) like welfare, unemployment and medicaid are promoting government dependency and lack of personal responsibility, personal savings and charity.

China is basically implementing early american capitalsim. This is providing just enough incentive for workers to produce more. IMO, we should not be trading or borrowing with China.

[photo]

Originally Posted by dczech09

I am in favor of eliminating entitlements all together.

What cruelty! How will Octomom afford her artificial nails? How will low-income families feed their dozen children? If people actually start working, then our economy will start to have real growth and put overseas workers out of their dollar-an-hour jobs. No, no, no, this will never work.

[snafu]

Maat, China became alarmed in 2008 - 2010 when Americans decreased consumption of goods produced in PRC. They turned their marketing efforts 1st to the Middle East countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Quatar. Trade experts were dispatched to list/report how products could be modified inexpensively to capture the buying power of the 15% top income holders. Within four months, we saw the shift of product with Arabic characters on the labels.

In the 2nd quarter we saw the attention of marketing experts taking their 1st hesitant steps to the African continent. Contingents of trade missions led by up coming politicians were departing monthly anywhere there was an established middle class. In 2011 we became more aware of trade missions, delegations and politicians to S. America. We are left with the impression goals changed from selling manufactured products to buying not only natural resources but the properties, mines, operations and rights.

Meanwhile some politicians are making impossible promises in Iowa

[Snodog]

Originally Posted by snafu

Meanwhile some politicians are making impossible promises in Iowa

But it sounds so good to our itching ears.

[photo]

Originally Posted by Snodog

But it sounds so good to our itching ears.

How long are we going to remain so gullible? Obama's entire campaign on based on hope and change, and he's been such a rotten President that even people who voted for him are highly disappointed.

We have to quit listening to what people say and pay more attention to what they do.

And, we have to quit lying around thinking that the government is going to cure our problems. We have a lot more power over our own lives than most people think.

I'm in my 40s. Maybe I'll see Social Security benefits when I retire, and maybe I won't. I'm not counting on it, though, and neither should anyone else.

[maat55]

Originally Posted by photo

I'm in my 40s. Maybe I'll see Social Security benefits when I retire, and maybe I won't. I'm not counting on it, though, and neither should anyone else.

Words of wisdom.