Shutdown

[BraveUlysses]

What do you think they would do? In the last 13 years, the idiots in Congress have more than doubled the national debt.

I'm not in love with the amount of debt but it's not going away. Also, in that time period, how much has the GDP increased? The amount of debt we incur in a fiscal year should be compared to the GDP and federal income of that year.

Yes the debt is immense in sheer number of dollars, but it should be put in perspective.

^

they dont have to barrow anything to make the debt obligations they have more than enough tax revenue to cover that coming in every day

Oh yeah, what impact do you think there will be if we don't have money to pay for our military or social security? You need to move beyond these simplistic views of everything.

[nando]

Says faux news?

[mrsleeve]

^

they dont have to barrow anything to make the debt obligations they have more than enough tax revenue to cover that coming in every day

[nando]

The 14th amendment prohibits defaulting on US debt! So the prez and congress really have no choice in the matter. Payment is mandatory and cannot be rescinded by the messiah or congress. And social security payments are mandated by federal law. So both will be paid no matter what.
Debt interest and principal payments are roughly 10% of revenues to the govt, so default is not a possibility anyways. The argument is about allowing democrats to increase future spending.

Yeah, ok. I guess the treasury can just break any number of laws to bypass congress and borrow more than they are legally allowed. BTW, there are three laws they would have to choose to break if congress doesnt do their job.

All you've done is highlight how silly the debt ceiling is, when the constitution is the highest law of the land.

Also, it has nothing to do with future spending, but everything to do with paying for spending congress already agreed too (which, btw, includes your koch brother funded buddies).

[tjts1]

The 14th amendment prohibits defaulting on US debt! So the prez and congress really have no choice in the matter. Payment is mandatory and cannot be rescinded by the messiah or congress. And social security payments are mandated by federal law. So both will be paid no matter what.
Debt interest and principal payments are roughly 10% of revenues to the govt, so default is not a possibility anyways. The argument is about allowing democrats to increase future spending.

[z31maniac]

I didn't say that.

Do you really think we will ever get to a revenue-neutral government?

What do you think they would do? In the last 13 years, the idiots in Congress have more than doubled the national debt.

I think its sad that the Republicans have already given up all hope for the 2016 Presidential election. Last time they pulled this shit they lost control of House too. Why are Republicans so eager to shoot themselves in the foot? I don't get it.

I honestly have no idea why they are so beholden to the religious right.

I bet 2016 will be our first woman president.

[gwb72tii]

The 14th amendment prohibits defaulting on US debt! So the prez and congress really have no choice in the matter. Payment is mandatory and cannot be rescinded by the messiah or congress. And social security payments are mandated by federal law. So both will be paid no matter what.
Debt interest and principal payments are roughly 10% of revenues to the govt, so default is not a possibility anyways. The argument is about allowing democrats to increase future spending.

[ficklerx]

There needs to be some serious cuts made.

I have no confidence in Washington successfully working together to accomplish significant improvements regarding spending. They are all too busy looking out for their first priority.....being re-elected.

Cutting spending would negatively affect one party and THAT can't happen. Raising revenue through taxation would negatively affect the other party and THAT can't happen.

Both is needed but I don't see it as a possibility. And, I do not advocate spending more of my income to maintain the status quo.

[mrsleeve]

so, defaulting would somehow solve that?

well you have to remember that if the ceiling is not bumped up, that does not equate to a default. There will still be tax income coming in that will be more than enough to cover the interest payments on our "national notes" and cover a lot of the other bills that are part of the govt.

It means they will not be able to continue to spend as much money as they have been and some things will have to be cut out period. This also means that congress and the executive will have to CHOSE TO DEFAULT and not pay on the debts .

I am not advocating for this though. I really think though a further bump should be tied to a surplus budget with the balance to be paid on the debts. There needs to be some serious cuts made, but all any of them seem to do is talk about spending more and more and more *cough* 0 care *cough*

[nando]

I hadn't realized how much those guys get paid per year. something like $175k for congress. WTF?

[mrmckie]

Next time you see a member of the military, ask them when their next pay check is coming. Maybe that'll help you notice.

You mistook my comment....i meant it as those fuckers aren't/weren't doing shyt on a daily basis anyway other than trying to line their own pockets, even if there wasn't a government shut down. Both parties.

And of course it's messed up that those employed by the gov't won't get paid and those that aren't doing their job still get a 6 figure salary. We can bitch and complain all we want. To me they don't care about anyone other than themselves really. The gov't will still do whatever they want unless the right palms are greesed then you can get what you want..:loco:

[nando]

so, defaulting would somehow solve that?

[gwb72tii]

"The fact that we are here today to debate raising America’s debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a Sign that the US Government cannot pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our Government’s reckless fiscal policies. ...Increasing America’s debt weakens us domestically and internationally. Leadership means that 'the buck stops here'. Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and Grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better."
SENATOR BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA, MARCH 2006

[tjts1]

I think its sad that the Republicans have already given up all hope for the 2016 Presidential election. Last time they pulled this shit they lost control of House too. Why are Republicans so eager to shoot themselves in the foot? I don't get it.

[nando]

Seriously? Just let the US continue to increase the debt level ad infinitum?

like they have been for almost 100 years?

anyway, yeah, nobody ever said that.

but it's not really about the deficit, to me. to me, it's about using the US and even world economy as a weapon to further their own narrow agenda. it doesn't matter to me what the end goal is, because the ends do not justify the means.