Posted on 02/20/2010 6:08:54 PM PST by hennie pennie
In addition, if enough states can be convinced to pass laws requiring proof of eligibility to be on their ballot, then there is a chance that Obama won't even run.
I’m an idiot for stating the obvious; that Obama is hiding something? Wow, your intellect is amazing.
I think we are already over the edge. Financially, the numbers look like we are already bankrupt. We can hang in there and pretend that we aren’t, but the jig is up.
I think we are headed for new America. The gov’t will print money to pay debts. We will each get a monthly Basic Income Grant check (BIG check) for necessities. We will work for extra money above that.
In a way, that will probably be a good thing. Manufacturing jobs will come back home because our money will be worth squat overseas. The country will be run for the good of the whole country, not just the wealthiest few percent like it has been since Reagan (who I liked). It will take 2 0r 3 percenters a few years to get back on top. In the meantime, we will flower.
Yeah, Brooksley was dissed real bad. The money boys needed her out of the way. They had all these wonderful derivatives to spring on the world. My unease had been growing for a while, and when Bush signed that Bankruptcy Reform Bill (March 15,2001) I switched to the Democrat party. How they could ever choose credit card companies over middle class America was beyond me. Cluelessly out of touch.
Philosophically, I have been trying to figure out where the GOP went sour and I think maybe it is the influence of the libertarians and the Ayn Randists. The GOP has become snake-handling like fundamentalists on economics which leads to gov’t nihilism. They can’t fix anything, because to them to fix something is a violation of their core belief.
It is so bad that I actually have food fights with people here as to whether we need to regulate Wall Street. You would be surprised how many people can overlook this trillions of bucks screwing and still blame it on the gov’t. Yeah, like the gov’t deregulated and the gov’t didn’t do its job, but thats like blaming the police because a crook breaks into a house.
The Dems aren’t much better. Still haven’t put Glass-Steagll back in place, Haven’t reversed the bankruptcy “reform”, and appear to be doing a great job of imitating the GOP. Of course, with Summers and Rubin, what do you expect.
parsy, who really isn’t a Marxist
We’re over the edge if you include unfunded future liabilities. Things will need to change. Frankly, someone who has 250k+ flowing in annually from interest/dividends on investments does not need SS to live. I’d throw their share back into the pot and make them make due with what they have. Those obtaining public pensions who also double dipped to get SS, I’d also throw off the bus if their pension was in excess of 100k. I’d probably phase it in, to permit middle level and lower workers to retain some benefit, but not put them at the front of the line.
Agreed we’re heading for a new America. Unless the mid-terms represent a sea-change comprised of congressmembers with a spine. Otherwise, be prepared for the Walmartization of health care and a ‘feed the animals’ stipend. They’ll look to balance the books by killing off those who are too dependent on the system.
We’ll have the pleasure of enjoying a two-tier society. Where the haves are both the very wealthy AND the politically connected.
Had forgotten about the bankruptcy act. Don’t know many of the details, but there were problems with system abusers who would declare bankruptcy over and over again. Here in MD one of the culturally enriched politicians had declared it THREE TIMES. She’d charge up fancy duds, trips, etc. then say ‘whoopsie’. Hope they finally threw her arse in the brig AND revoked her pension claims.
If we do survive as a constitutional republic, we will need to get rid of Kennedy’s EO permitting unionization of gov’t workers. Then, a serious revision of pensions and retirement benefits are in order. Govvies won’t like it, but the bottom line is that private sector workers who get little or nothing in retirement should not have to pay more for govvies to retire after 20-30 years on near full pay w/ bennies. The number of double dippers in the Fed is appalling.
I don’t think it was the libertarians/objectivists that were the problem. After all their position is the gov’t should provide little or nothing beyond the basics in the constitution. I think the Republicans were infiltrated to a degree. Additionally, very sadly, most polli’s would rather get elected again, rather than choose a painful road. Worse, the public, after years of boob-tube brainwashing and lefty mantras cast their way, began to believe that a pile of goodies was their ‘right’ as a citizen. How many poli’s have the backbone [or balls] to stand up and say, ‘BOLLOCKS!’ Not many...
It sounds to me that you got so disgusted and worn down, you threw in the towel in the hopes of preserving something for the middle class. Lie down with dogs = fleas. If you have some comfort, but little freedom, is it worth it?
sharon, who will continue to fight ‘till the last dog dies, dammit. It’s the principle of the thing and we should do so in respect for the efforts of those who came before us and to preserve the best option in the world for those who follow.
Parsy,
Did you know the dems in May/June 2007 lifted the short selling regulations AND enforced mark to market? Deliberate take down, IMO. Things went very wobbly shortly thereafter.
sharon, who says there is something rotten in Denmark...or DC as in the aforementioned.
It’s more like I got disgusted with the GOP. At some point, they ought to give a hoot about the middle class, particularly since most of the country fits into that strata. I haven’t given up. I keep zinging the GOP and hoping a few here and there listen. They are blowing a great chance to do something right. Obama is in bed now with Wall Street, most Americans are fed up with Wall Street, so the GOP has them outflanked if it can get off this “no regulation” nonsense.
To do any good on reducing deficit, they would have to cut socsec way down to like the $30,000 or so income level, and maybe lower. That would cause massive social upheaval. Most old folks are completely unrealistic about what “poverty” is.
They get make more a week sitting home on socsec than many familes with kids bring home. But you can’t tell them they’re lucky. They don’t get it. And then try to cut medicare on top of that? No way IMHO. They’ll print money first.
And the gov’t workers do make a bunch, but I wonder if they are overpaid, or the rest of us are underpaid? Probably some of both.
And did you hear the latest? Orly Taitz has asked the United Nations for help.
parsy, who can’t believe it
If the Dunhams were Communists (which is doubtful) who's to say they weren't FBI informants? A lot of CPUSA members in those days were.
Most people believe that Tim Geitner's dad -- who knew Ann Dunham and also lived overseas was also doing work for them.
The CIA often recruits in high schools and pays for the rest of one's education.
The UN? I was neutral on Orly and thought she was trying to crowbar her way into the legal system in a creative manner. Which can be done on occasion. But the UN? Those bloated, corrupt power brokers? Yikes!
You know, one problem I think is that most poli’s don’t have ‘real world’ experience. Being a lawyer who went into the system might mean you are smart enough, but not wise. Wise- like people who must meet payroll get wise. [Or broke and out of biz.]
You are spot on regarding the GOP. They either do this right, or the TP will grow and become a viable third party...and likely the majority party. Donks and Elephants will be put out to pasture or sent to the glue factory.
Interestingly, many of the politicians I find the least harmful are those with private sector backgrounds. An exception is Paul Ryan [I think], yet he appears to have a decent economic background.
I agree on the oldsters being out of touch. You know, the boomers are told they’re greedy pigs, but many of the silent generation really have had it pretty good. Inflation pulled up their home price and pensions/SS are at a pretty decent rate.
RE govvie salaries, a huge spike was realized in the past three years. I really think they were trying to bump things up to fully fund their existing pensions. After all, pension deductions on 70k vs 50k is huge, even if the percentage is the same. Guvvies who are as young as 50 or so can still be in the ‘old’ pension plan.
If land were not taxed, I’d get a place and go off grid. Hermit style. At least for a back up.
sharon, who is feeling depressed.
Oh, don’t get depressed. The gov’t can’t let us starve. They’ll have to print money, but we’ll make it. I feel sorry for the kids. Too much insecurity coming up for them.
parsy, who can survive with his guitars and a few books.
Yep. The saddest part is the impact on the young-uns. I think multi-generational housing will come back in vogue. Not just with new-comers to the Nation.
Which isn’t a bad thing, if done right...
sharon, who is getting back into the groove.
Glad you’re feeling better. Yep, kids and grandkids moving back home all over. I feel sorry for the ones who do not have that option. Those extra FEMA trailers need to be rolled out. And squatters. Those empty house might as well do some good.
parsy
Well, the FEMA trailers are an environmental nightmare according to some leftists, who are no doubt salivating for a huge settlement, of which .0005% will go to the ‘victims’.
I have read that architects have been designing modular homes using shipping containers. Don’t know the cost for retrofitting with insulation and windows, but it’s an interesting thought. Somewhere on FR there is a mocking use of the same featuring container ‘condos’.
sharon, who believes there are generally solutions to problems, even if the solutions haven’t been thought of, yet.
I saw on TV where they were welding several units together and making houses out of them but they were still in the $100,000 range. Trailers or mobile homes are a cheaper alternative. They can be made sturdy.
I lived in mine for about 3 years while I was finishing college. Two bedrooms and a fireplace. Two bathroom. I loved it. Easy to clean. Nice sounds during a rain storm. Scary sounds during high winds. Still have it as Backup Plan B. Could go back into it and live there rest of my life, or tornado, whichever comes first.
parsy, who is proud of the real plywood subfloors. (Not particle board—a big deal if you have ever had a movable living unit—sounds higher class than trailer)
Wow. Pricier than one would think.
Now what’s the diff between plywood vs. particlewood subfloors? And what is the diff in those materials in trailer [er, mobile living unit, lol] vs. standard home construction?
sharon, who always has more questions about everything.
Well, when particle board sub flooring gets any water on it, which is common in bathrooms and kitchens, it degenerates into a mush over time. Cheaply built mobile living units have a lot of these problems. You go to the refrigerator, and your left foot goes thru to the ground.
Plywood subflooring holds up like a real floor.
parsy, who says floors are nice
Ah, ha! Thanks for the explanation.
sharon, who would not like to step into a hole in the floor.
Is that blown up and placed on the ceiling above your bed?
Well for you know who that would be grumpy Depends.
Good grief! It took you 11 days to come up with that?
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