Is there still hope for the US?

[IGBT]

By that time China would be economically, technologically, and militarily superior to the US and the average US worker would be living a third-world lifestyle.

no doubt. with the educational system turning into a cell phone hip hop fashion show can you blame earners and achievers for fleeing the US? That's why we will hit bottom. Then focus and clarity will return and liberalism will be realized for what it is. A mental disorder. Then the healing will begin.

 

[dmcowen674]

Is there still hope for the US?

So only recently have I really sat down to read about some of the issues and history going on about the economy, and I'm very concerned.

The last time we had this much debt and carried such a high debt to GDP ratio was WWII, but that was because we were in a full blown, costly war, and we were able to recover and pay down our debt quickly because taxes were high, we were the leading superpower, we were the world's manufacturing base with no competition, and had vast amounts of oil and other resources. Basically, we had a prosperous economy to back us up.

Foward to today:

1. Again, humongous debt, only this time...
2. Taxes at an all time low.
3. Domestic manufacturing is dying and China outcompetes us in this regard.
4. We have SS costs coming up from baby boomers.
5. We import nearly everything and export nearly nothing ie. Our cash is being transferred overseas.
6. We continue to spend more than we take in.
7. The people are unwilling or unable to bear cuts to their social programs.
8. We have leadership that continually tries to increase spending while keeping taxes (revenue) low. And the things they spend on won't necessarily bring in new revenue.
9. Our debt seems like it's starting to get to the point of going out of control... are we already there?
10. Our debt is owned by foreign countries.

Everything seems aligned in our disfavor. Is there any turning back? What's our competitive edge nowadays? All I can think of is Silicon Valley.

This is the Republican plan that supposedly everyone is happy with.

Just keep voting Republican for full fruition of their master plan for their new version for the U.S. of Lords and Serfs a la Corporation CEO's instead of Kings and Queens.

You not happy with it?

 

[dmcowen674]

Maybe it's time to split us up. Ie, we'll take the west coast you and guys can have the rest.

Actually liquidation of States is on the table.

 

[piasabird]

So how much extra taxes are YOU willing to pay? Get out your checkbook!

I could see something like a 1%-2% Federal Sales Tax. That way people that can spend money will be paying tax. Too many people are just not paying any Federal tax.

Then we need to quit paying people to have children. This will help to strengthen faimilies. Reward people for being married. Dont reward people for being single parents. That is nothing to be proud of. Families with 2 wage earners, a mother and a father, are stronger.

 

[Ausm]

I am a dumbass, just ask my wife.

You should value your wife's opinion...

 

[Ausm]

Actually liquidation of States is on the table.

Maybe Texas will go first?:hmm:

 

[Macamus Prime]

This country is about to go on a growth binge the likes of which this old earth has never seen. It starts with the vote on 6 NOV 2012 and the inauguration of anyone but Bobo, the Post Turtle, on 20 JAN 2013.

I have complete faith in this country.

What if the next President is a Muslim?

 

[Ausm]

What if the next President is a Muslim?

HAHAHAAHA I would love to see that

 

[BoberFett]

Me too. Why haven't the Democrats run a Muslim yet? Must be bigots.

 

[Ausm]

Me too. Why haven't the Democrats run a Muslim yet? Must be bigots.

Next time around maybe?

http://ellison.house.gov/

I wouldn't mind seeing this guy run but he would have 2 strikes against him in the GOP playbook...Black and a Muslim

 

[randomrogue]

Unless you are in a specialized field, he's probably more qualified than your boss. In fact, he's likely sharper than anyone on your company's board of directors.

Obama was sorta elected on hope, but really he was elected because the policies of this nation weren't working for the average working person. That, and Sarah Palin. Yet, Obama has continued most of the Bush policies. He has done many things to attempt to right the economic ship, probably moreso than McCain would have. (For the record, I like McCain, and supported him heavily in the 2000 primary. I had an open mind about Palin at first, but lets face it, she shouldn't be anywhere near the White House.)

So how's that hopey changey thing working out for us? Not very good, but better than that shitty sandwichey thing we would've gotten without Obama in office.

At my work upper management specifically prepared for Obama since they didn't see his message of hope helping businesses. At right around the time of the election businesses in my industry had to either start laying off people in droves or risk going under. We layed off about 50% of our employees and those that stayed took 20% pay cuts.

I remember questioning it but it turned out they were right. Banks like BofA basically turned to small businesses and told them they were not going to loan money to them anymore and things started to get really scary. You can't run a small business with no line of credit and our customers and competitors found themselves with no inventory or afraid to build one with prices taking a nose dive. Our customers and competitors who didn't take drastic action all went out of business. We survived. We're still waiting for the economy to recover though. Banks still suck and we haven't hired anyone new since then. People just have to work harder. We got our 20% back though.

So the question is whether it would have been better for us if Mccain won. I don't know. However the perception of those that ran businesses at the time was that it would have been and they took action . Looking back on it now though all I see is that Obama has done exactly what I would have expected Bush to do. I'm not an expert but if there was a President at the time who stood up and refused to bailout the banks we probably wouldn't be in this situation still today. The lack of lines of credit and confidence in the market for so long basically hamstrung us and we're not looking to recover from it anytime soon.

 

[soulcougher73]

Go ahead and do some travelling and learn about local politics, economy, and general living and get back to us about how bad the US is.

So because other places may be worse means we shouldnt strive to be better? Typical ostrich

 

[BoberFett]

Next time around maybe?

http://ellison.house.gov/

I wouldn't mind seeing this guy run but he would have 2 strikes against him in the GOP playbook...Black and a Muslim

I was generally happy with his voting record, and the Republicans running were complete fucktards, so I voted for Ellison when I lived in his district. The Democrats would never let him get anywhere near the presidency though.