Posted on 03/08/2011 11:39:25 AM PST by garycsr55
We must face reality.
Politicians are just not able to balance the Federal Budget.
It' just not in their natures. The vast majority of them live in a fantasy world as far as money management is concerned. Even freshman congressmen, who are the most likely among them to have dealt at some point with real life, soon learn that personal finance problems become a thing of the past. They have little to be concerned about when dealing with the costs of health care for themselves. Their personal retirement security concerns fade in importance as well.
They no longer need be overly concerned about these things, because, WE, THE PEOPLE, will be taking care of all their needs from the time they take their oaths of office, going forward.
As a consequence, they have absolutely no qualms about spending taxpayer's money on whatever pet project will help them hold onto office. It's probably one of the biggest flaws in a representative form of government. Politicians a hard-wired to do the best they can to secure the votes of their individual constituencies, and they will do ANYTHING it takes to accomplish that. It's only human nature.
That doesn't mean they're not aware of the big picture, but personal gain is a powerful driving force for almost anybody. And for the most part, these are not evil people. The majority of political animals enter into public service with nothing but the best of intentions. I dare say that even most progressives/socialists/liberals/communists actually think their intentions are pure.
Oh, hell yes, there are some who never intend to do anything for anybody but themselves, but this could be said in any other sector of society as well. Human nature is a hard thing to overcome.
The only way we're ever going to get government spending under control is by REQUIRING a balanced budget. And the only way to get that is by the constituencies of politicians forcing the issue by withholding their votes from any politician who refuses to vote for a balanced budget amendment to the constitution. This will REQUIRE a grassroots effort. There's just no other way to do it.
Americans, as a whole, MUST learn to live within their means. CUT UP YOUR CREDIT CARDS FOLKS!!! Why are we paying people to let us use our money?? Why pay out all that huge interest every month? If you can't live within your means, CUT AWAY THE FAT!!! Take care of your immediate needs first, and then, once you can make the needed sacrifices to get personal spending under control, begin to add the things you can afford.
Most people, especially the ones who can consider themselves reasonably successful, do exactly that. But we can't expect our representatives in government to learn to do this unless we lead by example.
I lay no claims to sainthood. I've struggled with personal debt as much as anybody else. My credit rating sucks air. But, I have cut up my credit cards. I don't even use checks anymore. I use a debit card so I can't spend what I don't have. I put every extra penny into eliminating old debts, and I will NEVER, under any circumstances declare bankruptcy. I personally believe it's dishonest. You may feel otherwise and that's your right. I won't condemn it, I just won't do it.
We can't let our government go bankrupt, either. It would be catastrophic to our standing throughout the world, and would probably mean the total collapse of our way of life. Those of you who have been there need only look at how hard life was for you after bankruptcy to know exactly what it means.
Anyway, I've strayed a bit there.
The point is, we MUST force our Representatives, Senators and the President, whether it be this administration or the next, Liberal or Conservative, to BALANCE THE BUDGET!!! It has to happen or we are doomed!
We have to limit spending. CUT EVERYTHING! Cut domestic spending. Slash entitlements. Stop all duplicate programs. REDUCE THE SALARIES OF LEGISLATORS!! Use means testing for Social Security. I know people are going to scream about it NOT BEING FAIR because they paid in all their lives, but come on, people, if you can get by without it due to being personally successful in life, BE CHARITABLE to those who slogged through just to get by, and CAN'T manage without it.
Please don't whine about fairness. Life isn't now, and never has or will be fair. They say charity begins at home. If you examine your own finances, and you know in your heart that you don't really NEED Social Security, then let it go. Let the money be there to help those in true need.
1) Refuse to raise the debt ceiling. This forces cuts, even within entitlements.
2) Create a balanced budget, not a penny in deficit spending, send it to Obama for his signature. No signature, and the government shuts down. And it stays shutdown until he signs it. End of story. Put the ball in his court for the shutdown -- be serious about balancing the budget.
But the GOP will do neither of these things.
FORCE LOWER TAXES and CUT GOVERNMENT ACCORDINGLY. That is the way to financial health and prosperity.
The problem is not a balanced budget amendment.. ITS!!!
GUTTING the federal government like a fish, cutting off its head and fileting it removing all skin and bones..
OH!!!!!... and reduce taxes to match it..
Next, will you be telling us to share the wealth?
IBTZ.
Most people say they want a balanced budget, but when you tell them that it would require cutting their welfare entitlements (SS, Medicare, Medicaid)they start making up excuses why their welfare mustn’t be touched.
If we want a balanced budget, we are going to have to give up our welfare subsidies and stop whining about how we “paid in”.
Newbie says life isn’t fair and we really don’t need our social security benefits - lets give them back to the gubmint - PING
The states need to step in and force the Federal government into a balanced budget or leave the union. There is no other way. Entitlements, as planned by the Left, have grown to the point where budget cuts cannot work. If they could work, Congress would be doing it. Only a currency collapse will force the states to act and, as a result of the collapse, the American middle class will be wiped out. There is no turning back without Congress slashing entitlements. And, dear readers, is not going to happen.
Means testing for SS is nothing more than wealth redistribution; and it’s not charity if government forces you to do it - it’s theft.
Well, the math does not work out. The money isn't there. It was a ponzi scheme. It's Madoff money. I'm sorry that people got ripped off, but the fact that the government cheated you and "it's not fair" is really the whole idea.
We need to rebuild with an expectation that government is limited, government does not help the poor, and that government ought not to be running social programs.
If we can make 2+2=5, then maybe this Social Security will work out after all, but I'm thinking people are screwed.
Yep, we are going to have to cut SS, Medicaid, Medicare etc for nearly all citizens. Surely for all non-citizens. A country cannot just go on adding to its debt year after year. The bill will come due, and when the creditors demand, our govt will capitulate. For those that think we would use our military to hold onto our countries assets, think again. Even the brave men in the military won’t fight battles without pay.
SS and Medicare are not entitlements. They are bankrupted Ponzi schemes the people have paid for in cash for 45 years.
Public Sector Pensions and Benefits are Entitlements too.
Lets face it the amount the union members pay into their pensions and what they get exceeds what the paid in. taxpayers have paid for the unions to suck off the teat of the taxpayer way too Long.
There are federal employees whom owe back taxes and yet they are employed and are not forced to pay their taxes until they get nominated to a WH office - Timothy Geitner, Tom Daschle. supposed there are 80 + million owed by just federal employees in terms of back taxes.
What about the immigrants whom come here to the US and pay no taxes for 7 years.
What about the illegal immigrants whom get medical care and other benies without ever paying taxes into the system.
what about the single mothers whom continue to have a baby after baby just so the can get Food stamps, rental assistance, wic and you name it they get.
what about the idiot politicians whom voted that they take a pay cut of 5%. Why not a pay cut of 50%, cuts to their lifetime benefits and pensions. Come now whom has an entitlement - the politicians in DC, State County and Local Governments.
There are people whom are on Social security Disability whom should never received it, nor ar e no longer eligible to receive it. It is ironic someone whom has a diagnosis of some the simplest mental illness disorders are eligible to get Social security Disability. when they get the lump sum payment they go out a purchase a host of crap.
I do know of some people whom utilize social security disability strive to get their medical issues in order. make themselves employable and strive to utilize a program voluntary in nature Ticket to Work. guess what the econmoy is so bad that many of them who have joined the workforce have been the first to lose their jobs. There are others whom wish to do so but are unable to do so because the economy is in the toilet.
So praytell whom is the ones being the ones whom desire entitlements are the politicians, public sector employees and a bunch of wussies in DC and state capitols, as well as the county and local level whom have no spine and lack the cahones to take a firm stand to cut and face the real problems at the local, county, state and federal levels.
I think what we need is an outright tax revolt. If and when a critical mass of taxpayers decide to “Just Say No” to paying taxes at all, this would definitely shake things up. Not even politicians will work for free.
Hey, a lot of taxpayers are getting close to broke anyway while our elected reps dither and feather their own nests, so at some point, Mr & Ms John Q Taxpayer will have have damn little left to lose.
Thanks, everyone for your input.
Now, just so everyone knows, I am myself a recipient of some of those entitlement funds. I’m a disabled Vietnam veteran and I do receive a pension.
Cutting entitlements, especially to the extent that’s needed, would definitely hurt my financial situation, probably catastrophically.
However, I stand by what I said. If I take a hit, then so be it. I’ve been homeless before and survived it. I’m ready to make sacrifices if that’s what it takes to help save my children’s and grandchildren’s future.
It is a fact, that politicians on both sides of the aisle keep lying about the so-called ‘Social Security Trust Fund’. This is a complete fiction, used to make people think their retirement funds are ‘protected’. The truth is, all monies EVER collected as FICA and Medicare, have gone directly into the General Fund.
Don’t trust ANY politician. Especially progressives (socialists). They all have their own self interests at heart.
Yes, I agree with you. A tax revolt would at least get their attention.
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