In the previous comment thread our friend Dave Miller raised an important topic.
“I don't know what we can do to right our financial ship and get us on a stronger financial path…I'd love to see any suggestions from folks who say they are serious about our budget and deficit.”
I don't have all the answers, not even close, only a bit of common sense.
To say the least, fiscal policy is complicated, but we can begin by looking at some history.
One party is noted for cutting taxes and increasing spending. The same party enjoys the false impression, or outright delusion, by the public that THEY are best at managing the economy. It is yet another useful big lie for the authoritarian and greedy Right.
This is the PROVEN recipe for making it worse. Trump’s promise for vastly increased tariffs has been near universally condemned by economists. But most of the deceived and benighted public is blind to this reality.
The last surplus for the federal government was in 2001. The hated Bill Clinton left that surplus, albeit by compromising and working with Republicans.
Now authoritarian Republicans have completely rejected compromise. Just look at the border funding bill killed by Trump and his servants in Congress.
More
history:
Under Trump in 2020 it was $3.13 Trillion.
Under Biden in 2023 it was $1.70 Trillion.
So,
the simple answer on where to start is suggested by Occom's razor.
Keep
the damn Republicans out of power.
Cutting taxes and regulations for corporations and the rich help only corporations and the rich. The people and the environment suffer from cuts in reduced services and regulations.
Republicans' often stated goal of privatizing Social Security will not work out for the public, but for Wall Street.
No wonder the Party of Trump and Mammon needs to lie, distort and scheme to dupe the public. They know if they scare enough white voters, they can hold power and keep cutting taxes for the rich and deregulating corporate malfeasance.
So, their lack of conscience allowed them to make
their Faustian bargain with the devil. White nationalism has become their de facto
ideology.
Posts
25 comments:
Thanks Dave! Here's part of my comment that got you thinking...
I don't know what we can do to right our financial ship and get us on a stronger financial path. The feds are spending about 6.25 trillion bucks every year. We take in about 4.25 trillion in taxes and fees. That leaves us 2 trillion short every year.
Here are the rough percentages of spending...
40% - Social Security, Unemployment, etc.
23% - Medicare
11% - Military
6% - Education to support state budgets
5% - Interest on the debt
15% - Everything else, including foreign aid, emergency aid, like FEMA, Veterens benefits, etc
So I'm gonna play the dad at the kitchen table looking over the family budget. Politicians love to bring that analogy to our "table" when talking budget. The Federal government ought to be able to pay the bills and balance the budget.
Most thinking Americans will agree with that sentiment. So what do we do?
In a family, sometimes you cut spending. Sometimes you increase income. Sometimes you do both.
The larger philosophical question is this... which one of those three options is best for the US right now?
Here's another stat for folks to add into their thinking...
In 1965, Federal Outlays per person cost us $4333.00.
In 2024, those outlays now cost us $19,594.00.
That looks bad, like a huge increase. Unless you factor in inflation. If we take the 1965 amount of $4333.00 and factor inflation into the equation, that new number in 2024 would be $43,302.00.
In effect, we have reduced per capita spending by over 55% in inflation adjusted dollars. Whether through efficiency, or by cutting waste, effectively our government is doing better at controlling spending.
Maybe it is time we increase revenue? If that family at the table feels they have cut their expenses to the bone and still can't make ends meet, what do they do?
Someone goes out and gets another job, to bring more $$$ into the budget.
Just some additional thoughts for the discussion.
Thanks, Dave.
Other factors to consider:
Republican tax cuts for the rich and corporations have always increased the debt and deficit, transferring the burden to the middle class.
Mandatory spending is largely covered, or should be covered, by payroll taxes. The rich get off too easily on this. How about making them pay a similar percentage as the rest of us?
If we look at discretionary spending determined by the House, the military accounts for 54%.
What most people refuse as an option is raising taxes to generate more income. We cannot continue to increase spending and cut taxes. It is a falsehood that raising taxes will slow growth; that was proven in the Eisenhower and Truman administrations. The Republicans want to cut Social Security, but at the same time give huge tax cuts. The people have to decide. If 50% of the people want Trump, that is not a good sign.
Sam,
Most Americans don't favor more tax cuts for corporations and the rich. In fact they favor the opposite. Restore the previous rates to their fair share.
Sadly too many people vote from emotions rather than reasoned examination of issues and character. They simply want someone who talks tough, no matter how criminal, senseless, dishonest and cruel he is.
Opinionated and Right,
Liz Cheney is not the topic of discussion. I won’t post your distractions.
I’m also not allowing your lies about Pelosi and the National Guard on J6 here.
So here are the FACTS:
Trump alone was supreme commander of the DC National Guard.
Trump alone was guilty of dereliction of duty.
Trump alone is to blame for sending an angry mob to the Capitol to “Fight like hell if you want your country back”.
Trump alone REFUSED to call off his thugs for HOURS while he watched them storm the Capitol, terrorize Congress, and beat cops bloody.
Why? He wanted them to succeed in disrupting and denying certification so HE could STEAL the election.
Folks, just look at graph of the deficit since 1980 by administration. You'll be hard pressed to see the deficit shrinking during any of the GOP Admins since then.
The Google David Stockman and budget deficits and you will find an interview with him admitting the the Reagan Admin knew this idea, pushed by the GOP for generations now, that you could cut the deficit by lowering taxes was a ruse.
They knew they were lying to America.
The simple conclusion ppl should draw, from the evidence, is this... Dems lower the deficit and the last president to have a balanced budget was Bill Clinton when he AND the GOP Congress worked together to cut spending AND increase taxes.
In fact, we had a budget surplus when GW Bush took office in 2001 and through his tax cuts, that was soon squandered and more deficit spending ensued.
And Dave... unless your trolls bring the receipts, let's not take them seriously. Because they aren't.
Dave,
No wonder the Trump Suckers need to deflect and distract. Facts are not welcome in their cult.
It's to the unfortunate detriment of our country that the Right gets away with their other Big Lie, on being better with the economy, debt, and deficit.
They obviously don't give a damn. Like with the latest border bill, they are used to duping Americans into blaming Democrats.
This nonsense should be actively debunked by corpo-media as often as they should call out Trump's racist lies and ONGOING insurrection. Every time they mention Trump they should include "convicted felon", and "under indictment for other crimes".
But, corpo-media wants a horse race and maximum profit. That is how they truly become the enemy of democracy and the people.
Trump's conviction and additional crimes should also be in far more ads by Democrats. Maybe that's their plan for October, showing him watching TV as the Capitol is attacked.
This is what just voting for the Democratic Party candidate gets you, Eric Adams AN UNVETTED CORRUPT MAYOR THAT NOBODY IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD CHOOSE FIRST. and the very same thing will happen if Kamala Harris and that asinine Tim Walz should by any strange reason be elected.
This is exactly what your FRIENDS the NAZI'S did, and do. If they don't like the result of you comment, they DON'T post it. It don't matter that the comment is the TRUE FACT! Just like what is done at that Idiotic Progressive Blog that YOU hang Out in.
Rambunctious,
You're projecting your neo-Nazi hate and dishonesty again.
Funny how you're upset with my FACTS in response to "Opinionated" dumping his lies and hate.
This is the second time you and "Opinionated" have left comments within minutes of each other.
Are you a couple?
Ah, Opinionated and Right, the "other half" of Rambunctious, quickly forgets the corrupt and criminally indicted former NYC Republican mayor Rudy Giuliani. Of course the voters had no information on both being criminals before they were elected.
Yes, Eric Adams was on the take, and should have learned from Clarence Thomas how to successfully take bribes and luxury travel from "friends". First you get on the Supreme Court.
If you have evidence of crimes committed by Kamala and Tim, it would be your duty report them. Are you aware that YOU are supporting a convicted felon and indicted CRIMINAL for president?
As always, I welcome verifiable evidence and information.
So, why can't you share your thoughts on my post on the deficit? I take it you agree Democrats do a better job managing it than the "cut taxes and spend more" Republicans.
But I do credit you for correctly spelling the name of the Democratic Party.
Opinionated... Can you read? I think the thrust of this post was the deficit.
I guess it is easier to just crap all over someone's post by posting unrelated claptrap rather than read that post, think critically and respond with some real ideas...
Dave,
Trumpists FEEL they don't have to read anything. So they don't. Besides they BELIEVE they already have ALL the answers anyway. Just ask one, IF he has the basic courtesy or knowledge to answer questions, which, as we know, they rarely do.
Answering questions and requests for verifiable information terrifies them. Facts repel them. They just can't handle reality.
They need an authoritarian leader to think for them and to tell them what to believe. The unholy word of Donald Trump IS their GOSPEL.
Curiosity and fact-based reasoning are not welcomed in the Trump cult.
This leaves them nothing constructive or informational to add, but to spew only distractions, deflections, false accusations, lies, and hate.
So that's just what they do.
Bless their cold dark hearts.
Dave, maybe we're overthinking it... maybe it's as simple as this...
Most of those folks on the right just can't read and lack the writing and social skills necessary to actually enter into real dialogue.
Yes, Dave. That does explain a lot. Then there are the factors of their authoritarian personality, willful ignorance, racism, and gullibility.
The vice presidential debate between Sen. JD Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is living up to the hype as Vance is wiping the floor with Walz, leaving him stammering and staring as though he can't remember anything from his script except "But Trump!"
The best part of the night so far, in my opinion, was when the CBS News moderators tried to "fact check" Vance on the issue of the Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, even though the rules of the debate were that the moderators weren't going to fact check each other but the candidates could.
In other words, the moderators falsely fact-checked Vance but not Walz, who was the one actually not telling the truth.
Go figure. I mean, total shocker, right?
In any event, good on Vance for not letting the mods roll all over him and in the process creating another infuriating Romney/Crowley debate moment. Not happening on Vance's watch!
Once again, Vance is rising VERY HIGH to the occasion:
It was Absolutely Brilliant the whole debate right ther2 was Absolutely Brilliant Well, that plus seeing Walz admitting to being a “Knucklehead” for lying.
J.D. Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz may have entered the arena on their own steam but it wasn't long before walz was on crutches. One crutch was named Norah O’Donnell and the other crutch, Margaret Brennan.
The fact that the media isn’t even talking about it much less taking the usual victory lap, is proof even they realize Walz got his butt kicked.
After Vance used the word "illegal immigrants" to describe the Haitian migrants, the moderators tried to make a big deal out of the fact that they were technically here "legally." But Vance was having none of it and proceeded to explain the "technical" reason why. They tried to force him to move on to the next question but he continued on. In fact, he smoked them so bad that they ended up cutting off his Microphone .
"The rules were that you guys weren’t going to fact check, and since you’re fact-checking me, I think it’s important to say what’s actually going on…."
And may I answer that WISE ASS Dave Miller ..... YES! I CAN READ , And may I add: just as good as You Mexicans !
Opinionated,
We've seen zero evidence that you read what I wrote on the deficit. I'll take that as an admission that my facts are correct you agree Democrats have a history of managing the deficit better than Republicans. Thank you.
Walz admitted he misspoke about where he was long ago. He was humble and reasonable to say he can be a knucklehead. Your neo-Nazi leaders are incapable of such decency and honesty. Instead they DOUBLE down on their lies. We can clearly see you are allergic to facts and blind to the lies of Trump and Vance.
Vance LIED when he denied supporting a national abortion ban.
Vance LIED about the Haitian immigrants, in saying they were eating dogs AND saying they were "illegal". Technically legal means legal.
Vance REFUSED to honestly answer if Trump lost in 2020. This alone should disqualify him from public office.
"On January 6, Mike Pence had the integrity to do his constitutional duty. That’s why he’s not on this stage tonight...Did he lose the 2020 election?” Walz asked Vance, attempting to force the Ohio senator to acknowledge a reality that Trump himself won’t.
“Tim, I’m focused on the future,” was how Vance began his response.
“That is a damning non-answer,” Walz shot back.
The FACTS:
Trump lost, lied, and criminally tried to steal the election.
By ALL counts, recounts, certifications, Trump’s DOJ, Trump’s Homeland Security, audits and 60 courts:
Biden 51.3%
81,283,501 Popular votes
306 Electoral Votes
Trump 46.8%
74,223,975 Popular votes
232 Electoral Votes
I could go on, but I know you likely won't read this far.
The Miami Herald reported:
Walz's net favorability increased by 23 points from a pre-debate poll, bringing it to +37%, while Vance's increased by 19%, bringing it up to -3%.
https://www.fox5ny.com/news/who-won-the-vp-debate-last-night-results-polls-vance-walz
Among independents, 58% sided with Walz while 42% said Vance performed better. The POLITICO snap poll also found that younger people, particularly those ages 25-34, those with college degrees, and Black and Latino respondents, gave Walz the strongest ratings. Vance performed the best among people over the age of 55, White voters and those without a college degree, according to the poll.
Dave Miller
Opinionated... Can you read? I think the thrust of this post was the deficit.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I guess it is easier to just crap all over someone's post by posting unrelated claptrap rather than read that post, think critically and respond with some real ideas.
I Have Two words for you Mr. Mexican Love, and American Hater, and they AIN'T Good Morning.
Like It? Personally Darling, I don't give a Shit!
Opinionated,
"Like it"? Like what?
Thanks for showing us again your weak reading comprehension, inability to form cogent thoughts, and your refusal to engage in rational, good faith discussion. And last but not lease, your bigotry, that is the essence of MAGA.
Davey Boy, your reply was the Funniest , and the Dumbest reply to a post that I have ever read,
LOMA,
Thanks.
I'm glad you're entertained.
I find the dumbest replies offer no quotes, thought, evidence, or facts. Just FEELINGS.
A handy guide to the MAGA mentality:
12 Signs of an Unintelligent Person
-Closed Mindedness
-Not Listening
-Difficulty understating abstract concepts
-lack of curiosity
-poor problem solving
-difficulty adapting to change
-impulsivity
-overconfidence
-poor emotional regulation
-lack of self-awareness
-inability to learn from mistakes
-difficulty understanding different perspectives
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGU-y-H_aFE
Based on this reply, I guess your answer is no..
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