This debt ceiling mess is serious and ridiculous

[basil]

This is no way to run a country. I can't believe the Republicans are holding the government hostage by protecting the low taxes on us millionaires.

Me and other millionaires have gotten a sweet deal the last 20 years. Why not go back to where things were 20 years ago? Have the Bush tax cuts really helped the country that much?
http://www.mountainbuzz.com/forums/f21/patriotic-millionaires-for-tax-increases-35682.html?highlight=taxes+million
This concept of low taxes on millionaires creating jobs is bullshit.

We've cut everything to the bone already. I can't believe we have elementary school classes of 30+ kids per teacher.

[El Flaco]

Agreed. This idea that cutting education funding will do anything besides create low wage earners that will rely on last-resort health care (hospitals) is about as maddening as I can imagine. Average cost to taxpayers for each high school dropout is $250,000 over their lifetime. If reducing entitlements is paramount, than investing in a highly educated workforce is more important than anything we could possibly do.

Just read this little gem. I knew that Bush had weak overall job creation numbers, but I didn't know how heavily skewed it was towards government jobs. Private sector job creation under Bush from the 2001 tax cuts until his last day in office: -670,000. So much for keeping taxes low for the job creators.

Jimmy Carter, the GOP's favorite whipping boy, presided over 8 million private sector jobs created during his four year term. With all those 'job-killing' taxes.

[dgosn]

Both parties are so stuck on pork projects, and the (R)s are acting like little kids and throwing a tantrum.

I think there is an easy solution, that is fairly equal:

If we need to cut the budget by x% why not cut EVERY program by x%?

Sure I'd like to to cut education and make up for it with cutting the military budget more, but if every program was cut a set percentage then it'd be fair.... I am marginally employed, and to make ends meet I have had to cut every expenditure of mine, why cant the gov to the same?

The reality is that our country is largely run by career politicians who come from $$ to begin with. When we allow banks and defense contractors write policy it is never going to be fair. The few banksters that enjoy their lobbyists and cronies in our government could really care less that you and I can barely afford to eat and have a place to sleep.

Props to Basil for being rich and responsible, I have no problem with wealthy people as long as they are socially responsible and see the big picture. Of course Basil's train of thought would be quite unpopular among most rich people....

[eklars]

I'm in the tax bracket Obama seems to despise. Whether the rich pay this tax rate or that makes little difference to the jobs, the nation, of tax collections. In short, it just doesn't matter very much. With so many real problems, this one is a distraction and waste of time.

What does matter is keeping the government spending to GDP ratio the lowest in the industrialized world. That's always been one of our nations core competencies. The easiest way to do this: end foreign wars, cut military spending by 50% or more. Its a great start and must be done.

Those left of center that say the cuts need not fall on the poor and needy, you are right. There are plenty of other things to cut, but cuts are necessary.

[dgosn]

Originally Posted by eklars

What does matter is keeping the government spending to GDP ratio the lowest in the industrialized world. That's always been one of our nations core competencies. The easiest way to do this: end foreign wars, cut military spending by 50% or more. Its a great start and must be done.

100% agreed. To accomplish this we need to, as citizens, not allow Raytheon and Lockheed lobbyist sit in high level defense department positions.

The U.S. spends enough annually on the 'war on drugs' to pay for every single high school graduate to go to the college of their choice with substantial $$ leftover. Of course the war on drugs is just a way to keep our military in Central America where we can keep tabs on those that don't enjoy our imperialistic tendencies.

The budget is really smoke and mirrors, there is really no way to see what expenditures really are, we can make guesses based on GAO reports, but like the Federal Reserve nothing is really transparent.

[Riparian]

Don't make me agree with you!
Seriously. Stop it, g'dammit!

Originally Posted by dgosn

100% agreed. To accomplish this we need to, as citizens, not allow Raytheon and Lockheed lobbyist sit in high level defense department positions.

The U.S. spends enough annually on the 'war on drugs' to pay for every single high school graduate to go to the college of their choice with substantial $$ leftover. Of course the war on drugs is just a way to keep our military in Central America where we can keep tabs on those that don't enjoy our imperialistic tendencies.

The budget is really smoke and mirrors, there is really no way to see what expenditures really are, we can make guesses based on GAO reports, but like the Federal Reserve nothing is really transparent.

[Andy H.]

From what I've seen, the Democrat's may be the "tax and spend" party, but amazingly the Republicans have done a great job as a "borrow and spend" party but still manage to convince the American people that they're the more fiscally responsible. At least the Ds acknowledge that you have to pay for what you're buying.

[Outlaw]

Couldn't agree more with you Basil... thanks for bringing it up.

[wamskayaker]

I am in a hundred percent agreement. Basil you raise great common sense points. I have called my congressman, but not sure what else to do.

[coloriverdude]

I am becoming more and more convinced that a 10% flat tax on everyone is the way to go. Eliminate all tax loop holes, abolish the IRS, and the biggie.....do away with "professional" politicians by imposing term limits. That way they are doing the peoples business, instead of posturing for re-election.