United States debt & economic realities

tapu · 07-23-2011, 01:01 AM

Yeah, we're fucked.

AtLast · 09-15-2011, 02:26 PM

Although it is very difficult for me to deal with, I do think that changes to MediCare is needed along with tax reform in order for the US to find economic stability. Now, I also think that legislation dealing with our safety-net programs ought to have sunset clauses in them- meaning that any changes are for a specific period of time and up for renegotiation. Our economy is and always will be fluid and I have no problem with some cuts here as long as there is a mechanism for reinstatement with economic changes for the better.

I think the US can and should take some big steps to stabilize the economy, but I also think that this can be done without changing the basis of our social democratic philosophies that call on us all to be responsible to all of our people. I had no problems with contributing to generations older than myself for their retirement. I also expect to have this same support now that I am in my 60's, yet, I know that I will have some decreases in benefits when I reach 65. Of course I don't like this, but, I also believe that our commitments to education are extremely important and the fact is that our younger people starting out are doing so in a very poor climate.

This isn't easy as I have been smacked around pretty hard with this recession at a time in my life in which disability health isssues have been difficult. Industries affecting what I put away for retirement outside of SS that contribute to my income are not going to come back any time soon- some not at all. There are many people that invested in retirement lans outside of what their work offered that will never see the kinds of earnings they thought they would. Many public retirement plans are in decline for hundreds of thousands of public retirees at this very moment- and these folks will not be able to return to work to make up for this.

If it were not for physical issues, I would not have retired as early. But I do think that younger people are not going to have the level of upward social mobility that my generation did. I hope I am wrong, but the really wealthy are the ones that keep rising in economic strength and the middle and working class continues to decline.

Also, we here in the US really need to look at world economies and understand that they indeed impact our economic health- or decline. We are so arrogant when it comes to this.

I honestly think that we haven't seen the worst yet- that middle-class populations that are retired are going to see returns decline over the next few years as we double-dip and unemployment soars. Many public retirement plan administrators invested things like teacher funds in segments that will be falling soon that they thought were safe.

I would be very happy to be very wrong about this.

Sachita · 09-15-2011, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AtLastHome

I honestly think that we haven't seen the worst yet- that middle-class populations that are retired are going to see returns decline over the next few years as we double-dip and unemployment soars. Many public retirement plan administrators invested things like teacher funds in segments that will be falling soon that they thought were safe.

I would be very happy to be very wrong about this.

I think so too. Its disturbing although not surprising. I think more now then ever people have to become self sustaining and as independent as possible from government programs and assistance.

what really blows my mind are the grant programs and government agencies with huge salaries designed to stimulate agricultural. It really is such a fucking racket because they barely do their jobs. Meanwhile our tax dollars just funneling away.

the cost of living and things we've grown to depend on like fuel will become so expensive people can't afford them. Not to mention the shambles they made of our food systems.

Apocalipstic · 09-15-2011, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tapu

Yeah, we're fucked.

Indeed.

I can't help but think that if we stopped the wars we are in, raised taxes on everyone but the poor and added to who pays taxes like...document undocumented workers, make corporations pay their fair share if they do business in the US, make churches who have a political agenda pay etc...and fixed infrastructure a la FDR, things would be wayy better.

*Anya* · 09-26-2011, 09:18 AM

15.4 million are living in the suburbs.

44.2 million using food stamps

Unemployment above 9 million

And the Band Played On...

Senate and Congress still can't get their shit together.

Numbers from CNN this AM, Monday 9/26/11

SoNotHer · 09-26-2011, 10:39 AM

I'm glad to see this thread and the thoughts here. As an avocation, I study soil and soil systems as well as natural systems. America has always been rich in these, but we have to come to realize and cherish that. I was just reading about China's ecosystem health. A price has been paid for that country's rapid economic growth.

Does anyone else believe that a country's economic health is only as good as the ideas the country pursues and that any economic system is a child of the parental system of planetary health?

Glenn · 09-26-2011, 12:22 PM

China, India, and the other third world countries where good folks are exploited for cheap slave labor have already begun experiencing their own industrial revolution just like our American workers did, and will enjoy a higher standard of living in the future imo. For example now, many of China's companies have no reporting standards. Imo it was the corporate elite who exploited workers and created this mess. This problem could lead to universal positive reforms in the form of global legislation that will prohibit these CEO's from amassing obscene amounts of wealth. I'm thinking an international debit card, IMU, will need to be used as an international monery unit instead of paper currency? As for natural environmental resources, i agree So Not Her, no other place on Earth is as diverse as America.

07-23-2011, 01:01 AM	#1
tapu Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Understated butch. Preferred Pronoun?: I Relationship Status: Party of One Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Maine Posts: 1,654 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,324 Thanked 3,115 Times in 1,103 Posts Rep Power: 21474852	Yeah, we're fucked. __________________ Really? That's not funny to you?

09-26-2011, 09:18 AM	#5
Anya Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Lesbian non-stone femme Preferred Pronoun?: She, her Relationship Status: Committed to being good to myself Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: West Coast Posts: 8,258 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 39,306 Thanked 40,447 Times in 7,284 Posts Rep Power: 21474858	46.2 million Americans Now Living in Poverty 15.4 million are living in the suburbs. 44.2 million using food stamps Unemployment above 9 million And the Band Played On... Senate and Congress still can't get their shit together. Numbers from CNN this AM, Monday 9/26/11 __________________ ~Anya~ Democracy Dies in Darkness ~Washington Post "...I'm deeply concerned by recently adopted policies which punish children for their parents’ actions ... The thought that any State would seek to deter parents by inflicting such abuse on children is unconscionable." UN Human Rights commissioner

09-26-2011, 10:39 AM	#6
SoNotHer Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Professional Sandbagger and Jenga Zumba Instructor Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: In the master control room of my world domination dreams Posts: 2,811 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 6,587 Thanked 4,735 Times in 1,409 Posts Rep Power: 21474851	I'm glad to see this thread and the thoughts here. As an avocation, I study soil and soil systems as well as natural systems. America has always been rich in these, but we have to come to realize and cherish that. I was just reading about China's ecosystem health. A price has been paid for that country's rapid economic growth. Does anyone else believe that a country's economic health is only as good as the ideas the country pursues and that any economic system is a child of the parental system of planetary health? __________________ "In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer." ~ Albert Camus

09-15-2011, 02:26 PM	#2
AtLast Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Woman Preferred Pronoun?: HER - SHE Relationship Status: Relating Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: CA & AZ I'm a Snowbird Posts: 5,408 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 11,826 Thanked 10,827 Times in 3,199 Posts Rep Power: 21474857	Although it is very difficult for me to deal with, I do think that changes to MediCare is needed along with tax reform in order for the US to find economic stability. Now, I also think that legislation dealing with our safety-net programs ought to have sunset clauses in them- meaning that any changes are for a specific period of time and up for renegotiation. Our economy is and always will be fluid and I have no problem with some cuts here as long as there is a mechanism for reinstatement with economic changes for the better. I think the US can and should take some big steps to stabilize the economy, but I also think that this can be done without changing the basis of our social democratic philosophies that call on us all to be responsible to all of our people. I had no problems with contributing to generations older than myself for their retirement. I also expect to have this same support now that I am in my 60's, yet, I know that I will have some decreases in benefits when I reach 65. Of course I don't like this, but, I also believe that our commitments to education are extremely important and the fact is that our younger people starting out are doing so in a very poor climate. This isn't easy as I have been smacked around pretty hard with this recession at a time in my life in which disability health isssues have been difficult. Industries affecting what I put away for retirement outside of SS that contribute to my income are not going to come back any time soon- some not at all. There are many people that invested in retirement lans outside of what their work offered that will never see the kinds of earnings they thought they would. Many public retirement plans are in decline for hundreds of thousands of public retirees at this very moment- and these folks will not be able to return to work to make up for this. If it were not for physical issues, I would not have retired as early. But I do think that younger people are not going to have the level of upward social mobility that my generation did. I hope I am wrong, but the really wealthy are the ones that keep rising in economic strength and the middle and working class continues to decline. Also, we here in the US really need to look at world economies and understand that they indeed impact our economic health- or decline. We are so arrogant when it comes to this. I honestly think that we haven't seen the worst yet- that middle-class populations that are retired are going to see returns decline over the next few years as we double-dip and unemployment soars. Many public retirement plan administrators invested things like teacher funds in segments that will be falling soon that they thought were safe. I would be very happy to be very wrong about this.

09-26-2011, 12:22 PM	#7
Glenn Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Ol butch bones. Preferred Pronoun?: Old thing Relationship Status: Too old to play. Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: :rolleyes: Posts: 1,547 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 3,602 Thanked 3,729 Times in 1,095 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	China, India, and the other third world countries where good folks are exploited for cheap slave labor have already begun experiencing their own industrial revolution just like our American workers did, and will enjoy a higher standard of living in the future imo. For example now, many of China's companies have no reporting standards. Imo it was the corporate elite who exploited workers and created this mess. This problem could lead to universal positive reforms in the form of global legislation that will prohibit these CEO's from amassing obscene amounts of wealth. I'm thinking an international debit card, IMU, will need to be used as an international monery unit instead of paper currency? As for natural environmental resources, i agree So Not Her, no other place on Earth is as diverse as America.