How would you fix the economy and budget issues?
 

I was asked in another thread about "what would I do about taxes?" in another thread so I wanted to pose what would you do to fix the economy. How would you create jobs in America? What would you do with taxes on businesses (both small and corporate)? How would you fix out budget to where we had a surplus in our budget?

(a nice picture graph and detail of the budget)
[url=http://www.wallstats.com/deathandtaxes/]WallStats - Death and Taxes & Taxes[/url]

Re: How would you fix the economy and budget issues?
 

Raise taxes on the rich and on businesses and give everyone else a fiscal stimulus so they can turn the economy around and buy stuff from profit seeking corporations. Extended un-employment benefits beyond 99 weeks . Provide healthcare to all and lower costs. Extend Medicare and ss benefits. Enforce Cap and Trade on all businesses. Lower eligibility requirements so that more people can receive refundable tax credits (ie earned income credit, making work pay credit, home buyer credit, American opportunity credit) and other social aid. Do something about this “monetary policy” I keep hearing about.

Re: How would you fix the economy and budget issues?
 

It's funny how everyone seems to blame Bush or blame Obama, but when posed the question, it's not so easy. I don't pretend to know. I know that we are going to have to let this real estate problem play out over time. I know that we are going to have to solve or at least improve our reliance on foreign oil. I know that we are going to have to lower our high unemployment rate.

So, I really didn't give an answer.

Re: How would you fix the economy and budget issues?
 

- If not completely privatize social security, at least authorize the fund to broaden its investments to include a portion of equities and corporate bonds.

- Increase the retirement age significantly, to 72 - 75 or so. Apply this to both social security and Medicare.

- Instead of funding unemployment for up to 99 weeks, give people the option of either staying on unemployment either for 6 months and end it, or 1 year with subsidies for retraining or education (but you have to make the grade or you're out). So you either head back to school and sharpen up, or you sink/swim after 6 months.

- Scale back on air defense spending. Our strategic advantage via air superiority can still be maintained even if we go a little less star wars.

- Institute laws aimed at restricting the growth in cost of higher education. There's no reason colleges need to build giant mock stock trading floors in these state of the art business schools and then turn around and charge $48,000 a year. In the end, kids these days are having to pay for unnecessary bells and whistles. Make college education more affordable by restricting their ability to spend and build.

Re: How would you fix the economy and budget issues?
 

Here you go, piece of cake.

[URL]http://www.thewarpath.net/debating-with-the-enemy/39836-heres-your-chance-to-fix-budget.html#post758491[/URL]

Re: How would you fix the economy and budget issues?
 

increase the retirement age? your joking, right?

Re: How would you fix the economy and budget issues?
 

[quote=Slingin Sammy 33;807153]Here you go, piece of cake.

[URL]http://www.thewarpath.net/debating-with-the-enemy/39836-heres-your-chance-to-fix-budget.html#post758491[/URL][/quote]


How about the economy? Jobs? Inflation? Taxes?


I'll comment on what I would do tomorrow when I have more time. I'll comment on the other suggestions about the budget too.

Re: How would you fix the economy and budget issues?
 

[quote=NC_Skins;807178]How about the economy? Jobs? Inflation? Taxes?


I'll comment on what I would do tomorrow when I have more time. I'll comment on the other suggestions about the budget too.[/quote]You get the defecit and National Debt under control and you immediately will increase consumer confidence and increase $$$ flowing in the economy....which creates jobs.

As to taxes, I support the FairTax system. Under FairTax their are no corporate taxes, so overseas corps will look to locate in the U.S. Also, U.S. corps can make decisions based on what's best for business, not what tax ramifications a decision would have. This will also prevent some job losses overseas.

End most drilling restrictions that have been put in place under the Obama Admin. This will also give the economy another boost in 9-18 months and help consumer and corporate confidence in the short term (it wouldn't hurt Obama's re-election chances either as lower gas prices and a recovering economy would help him in 2012).

Re: How would you fix the economy and budget issues?
 

[quote=dmek25;807167]increase the retirement age? your joking, right?[/quote]

Why would I be?

When Medicare and Social Security were put into place, the retirement age was set at 65, but people only lived to their early 70s on average.

Now that most are living into their late 70s (and many into their 80s), we're asking the system to support people for many more years than it was originally designed to.

Re: How would you fix the economy and budget issues?
 

[quote=dmek25;807167]increase the retirement age? your joking, right?[/quote]If the system is going to stay solvent, it's either that or massive tax increase on everyone.

Re: How would you fix the economy and budget issues?
 

messing with the retirement age would be political suicide for anyone

Re: How would you fix the economy and budget issues?
 

[quote=Slingin Sammy 33;807198]If the system is going to stay solvent, it's either that or massive tax increase on everyone.[/quote]

I am sure we can work with a modest increase. Same tax level as Clinton/Reagan years will do just fine.

Re: How would you fix the economy and budget issues?
 

[quote=saden1;807216]I am sure we can work with a modest increase. Same tax level as Clinton/Reagan years will do just fine.[/quote]Not a fan of an increase, but I agree after the economy gets on more steady footing, it has to be on the table to get our finances straightened out.

Re: How would you fix the economy and budget issues?
 

[quote=Slingin Sammy 33;807153]Here you go, piece of cake.

[URL]http://www.thewarpath.net/debating-with-the-enemy/39836-heres-your-chance-to-fix-budget.html#post758491[/URL][/quote]

I find your budget cuts interesting to say the least. You want to basically destroy Social Security and Health Care and raise it to a level (70) that most people will probably never see.

Why reduce federal employee pay? You do realize that most federal employees are middle class right? That will do wonders for the economy.

Let me get this straight, you don't want to reduce spending on making more ships or weapon programs, but you want to screw the veterans over on their health care plans?...lol REALLY??? Do you own stock in Lockheed Martin? It would appear so.

I assume you didn't mark anything in the "taxes" section because of your "Fair Tax" stance.

You are a true republican to the hilt.


[quote=Slingin Sammy 33;807198]If the system is going to stay solvent, it's either that or massive tax increase on everyone.[/quote]

...or you know....cut military spending?


[quote=Schneed10;807197]Why would I be?

When Medicare and Social Security were put into place, the retirement age was set at 65, but people only lived to their early 70s on average.[/quote]

People have been paying into SS their whole working life, and now you want to reduce that to a mere couple of years? Wow. Advice, never run for office and use that as your platform. Even the Repubs would laugh you out.

Re: How would you fix the economy and budget issues?
 

[quote=NC_Skins;807264]I find your budget cuts interesting to say the least. You want to basically destroy Social Security and Health Care and raise it to a level (70) that most people will probably never see.

Why reduce federal employee pay? You do realize that most federal employees are middle class right? That will do wonders for the economy.

Let me get this straight, you don't want to reduce spending on making more ships or weapon programs, but you want to screw the veterans over on their health care plans?...lol REALLY??? Do you own stock in Lockheed Martin? It would appear so.

I assume you didn't mark anything in the "taxes" section because of your "Fair Tax" stance.

You are a true republican to the hilt.




...or you know....cut military spending?




People have been paying into SS their whole working life, and now you want to reduce that to a mere couple of years? Wow. Advice, never run for office and use that as your platform. Even the Repubs would laugh you out.[/quote]

You do know that Obam has talked about raising the retirement age?

Re: How would you fix the economy and budget issues?
 

I would state by making cuts on just about everything. One of the first things I would do is open drilling up so we can start pumping oil. Then I'd pull our troops out of 95% of the places we have them now or tell those nations they have to pay the bill. I would have a bonus plain for people who find ways to reduce spending which would be a one time bonus based off the % of savings. That would get the people on the inside using the funds to cut their spending. I'd 'Means Test' SS and medicare and that would be a start. I'd give incentives to companies who make products here and tax the ones sending all of their jobs over seas (that would be done with caution). I'd force a tough love policy and not allow people to sit around living off the goverment. Thats my plan while I'm on hold so when I read it again it will probably make no sense.

Re: How would you fix the economy and budget issues?
 

[quote=firstdown;807266]You do know that Obam has talked about raising the retirement age?[/quote]

Obama has been doing a lot of stupid shit since his election so I'm not surprised.

Re: How would you fix the economy and budget issues?
 

[quote=NC_Skins;807264]I find your budget cuts interesting to say the least. You want to basically destroy Social Security and Health Care and raise it to a level (70) that most people will probably never see. [/quote]Current life expectancy overall in the U.S. is: 77.9.

The gov't shouldn't be in the business of providing people a retirement fund. People should invest their own money, their own way for retirement. We're already too far down that road for many folks, so obviously current and near retirees need to be protected at status quo. However adjustments to SS need to be made for those further out. BTW those adjustments will hurt folks like me who have paid into SS for many years yet face an age increase, benefit reduction, or means testing. Younger folks who haven't paid in as long are less invested, hence affected less.

I'm sure you understand the SS fund has been raided for years by the fed and is essentially a big, fat IOU. If a private corporation had managed its retirement fund the way SS has been managed they would be prosecuted and jailed.

[quote]Why reduce federal employee pay? You do realize that most federal employees are middle class right? That will do wonders for the economy.[/quote]From the survey:
During the Great Recession, most private-sector employees have seen their wages frozen, and some have even watched wages decline,” the chairmen of the deficit panel wrote. “In contrast, federal workers have seen their wages increase.” This option would be [B]a one-time 5 percent cut in federal civilian workers’ pay; the chairmen called for a three-year freeze on pay, which would have a similar effect.[/B]

The part about private sector pay being frozen or reduced through forced unpaid leave is true, why shouldn't the federal workers feel some pain as well.

[quote]Let me get this straight, you don't want to reduce spending on making more ships or weapon programs, but you want to screw the veterans over on their health care plans?...lol REALLY??? Do you own stock in Lockheed Martin? It would appear so.[/quote]As usual with you far lefties, you demagogue endlessly

Again, from the survey:
Would change health-care plan for veterans who had not been wounded in battle. [B]Premiums, which have not risen in a decade, would rise[/B]. More veterans would receive health insurance from employer. This option would also take some benefits, like housing allowances, into account when tying military raises to civilian pay raises. Currently, increases in those benefits come on top of pay raises.

No one is "screwing" veterans, just having them pay slightly more for their health care premiums.....just like everyone else. This also states; non- wounded veterans.

As far as weapons systems, we are already cutting redundant or unneeded weapons systems and the DoD is seeing funding cuts across most agencies/departments. I live in VB and we just saw a massive reduction in JFCOM. So the whole "cut military spending" argument is baseless unless you can bring specific programs or systems that you believe should be cut.

You do realize the majority of military spending is on personnel (soldier/sailors/airmen pay) and operations & maintenance. Should we cut O&M and not maintain our facilities and equipment???? How about cut soldiers pay????

I'm sure you also realize these weapons systems and gov't contractors that are so evil and terrible provide thousands of well-paid tech jobs across the country.

[quote]I assume you didn't mark anything in the "taxes" section because of your "Fair Tax" stance.[/quote]I only marked a small tax increase because the only way to stop a runaway train is to cut off its fuel supply. If we continue to increase taxes to the fed, the politicans and lobbyists have a larger trough to feed from and they will continue their nonsense.

Re: How would you fix the economy and budget issues?
 

What we need to do is cut out the soldiers. We need far fewer foot soldiers, far fewer weapons, but more mobile/elite squads and really focus on economic/cyber warfare. Over are the days of an imposing military presence being the biggest factor between countries. We need to take a page from some other countries and improve our cyber and economic prowess.

That said, not sure where a lot of the soldiers would end up. Many are HS educated and don't fit in the elite units/cyber realms. I'm not saying get rid of the common soldier completely, but cut down on that presence.

Re: How would you fix the economy and budget issues?
 

[quote=Daseal;807285]What we need to do is cut out the soldiers. We need far fewer foot soldiers, far fewer weapons, but more mobile/elite squads and really focus on economic/cyber warfare. Over are the days of an imposing military presence being the biggest factor between countries. [B]We need to take a page from some other countries and improve our cyber and economic prowess.[/B]

That said, not sure where a lot of the soldiers would end up. Many are HS educated and don't fit in the elite units/cyber realms. I'm not saying get rid of the common soldier completely, but cut down on that presence.[/quote]


I think we have them beat on that as well. I have no problem if we pull back most if not all of our troops all over the world and let them defend our boarders as we slowly reduce our forces.

Re: How would you fix the economy and budget issues?
 

[quote=Slingin Sammy 33;807282]Current life expectancy overall in the U.S. is: 77.9.

[B]The gov't shouldn't be in the business of providing people a retirement fund. People should invest their own money, their own way for retirement.[/B] We're already too far down that road for many folks, so obviously current and near retirees need to be protected at status quo. However adjustments to SS need to be made for those further out. BTW those adjustments will hurt folks like me who have paid into SS for many years yet face an age increase, benefit reduction, or means testing. Younger folks who haven't paid in as long are less invested, hence affected less.

I'm sure you understand the SS fund has been raided for years by the fed and is essentially a big, fat IOU. If a private corporation had managed its retirement fund the way SS has been managed they would be prosecuted and jailed.

From the survey:
During the Great Recession, most private-sector employees have seen their wages frozen, and some have even watched wages decline,” the chairmen of the deficit panel wrote. “In contrast, federal workers have seen their wages increase.” This option would be [B]a one-time 5 percent cut in federal civilian workers’ pay; the chairmen called for a three-year freeze on pay, which would have a similar effect.[/B]

The part about private sector pay being frozen or reduced through forced unpaid leave is true, why shouldn't the federal workers feel some pain as well.

As usual with you far lefties, you demagogue endlessly

Again, from the survey:
Would change health-care plan for veterans who had not been wounded in battle. [B]Premiums, which have not risen in a decade, would rise[/B]. More veterans would receive health insurance from employer. This option would also take some benefits, like housing allowances, into account when tying military raises to civilian pay raises. Currently, increases in those benefits come on top of pay raises.

No one is "screwing" veterans, just having them pay slightly more for their health care premiums.....just like everyone else. This also states; non- wounded veterans.

As far as weapons systems, we are already cutting redundant or unneeded weapons systems and the DoD is seeing funding cuts across most agencies/departments. I live in VB and we just saw a massive reduction in JFCOM. So the whole "cut military spending" argument is baseless unless you can bring specific programs or systems that you believe should be cut.

You do realize the majority of military spending is on personnel (soldier/sailors/airmen pay) and operations & maintenance. Should we cut O&M and not maintain our facilities and equipment???? How about cut soldiers pay????

I'm sure you also realize these weapons systems and gov't contractors that are so evil and terrible provide thousands of well-paid tech jobs across the country.

I only marked a small tax increase because the only way to stop a runaway train is to cut off its fuel supply. If we continue to increase taxes to the fed, the politicans and lobbyists have a larger trough to feed from and they will continue their nonsense.[/quote]


Well at this point the gov't is in the business and they have a bunch of my money. I really don't have a problem with the gov't having some type of retirment system in place but not the current SS system. They need to take a page from Galveston


Just read the difference.
[LIST][*]Workers making $17,000 a year are expected to receive about 50 percent more per month on our alternative plan than on Social Security - $1,036 instead of $683. [See the Figure.][*]Workers making $26,000 a year will make almost double Social Security's return - $1,500 instead of $853.[*]Workers making $51,000 a year will get $3,103 instead of $1,368.[*]Workers making $75,000 or more will nearly triple Social Security - $4,540 instead of $1,645.[*]Galveston County's survivorship benefits pay four times a worker's annual salary - a minimum of $75,000 to a maximum $215,000 - versus Social Security, which forces widows to wait until age 60 to qualify for benefits, or provides 75 percent of a worker's salary for school-age children.[/LIST]In Galveston, if the worker dies before retirement, the survivors receive not only the full survivorship but get generous accidental death benefits, too. Galveston County's disability benefit also pays more: 60 percent of an individual's salary, better than Social Security's.
Two government studies of the Galveston Plan - by the Government Accountability Office and the Social Security Administration - claim that low-wage workers do better under Social Security. However, these studies assumed a low 4 percent return, which is the minimum rate of return on annuities guaranteed by the insurance companies. The actual returns have been substantially higher


Its hard to read those number and not know there is a beter alternative to SS but some just want to keep a broken system that is draining the US. Here is a link to the article and its a good read.

[URL="http://www.ncpa.org/pub/ba514"]Galveston County: A Model for Social Security Reform | Publications | National Center for Policy Analysis | NCPA[/URL]

Re: How would you fix the economy and budget issues?
 

[quote=firstdown;807311]Well at this point the gov't is in the business and they have a bunch of my money. I really don't have a problem with the gov't having some type of retirment system in place but not the current SS system. They need to take a page from Galveston[/quote]The feds got me in a big way too. I had seen the Galveston program before and you're 100% right, it's a crying shame how bad the feds f-ed SS up.

Re: How would you fix the economy and budget issues?
 

[quote=firstdown;807309]I think we have them beat on that as well. I have no problem if we pull back most if not all of our troops all over the world and let them defend our boarders as we slowly reduce our forces.[/quote]

I guarantee you, FD. We don't. We have a decent cyber operation, but we aren't pushing it as hard as maybe we should. As far as economic we certainly need more pressure there.

Re: How would you fix the economy and budget issues?
 

[quote=firstdown;807266]You do know that Obam has talked about raising the retirement age?[/quote]
any proof?

Re: How would you fix the economy and budget issues?
 

[quote=dmek25;807334]any proof?[/quote]Here you go.

[url=http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpps/news/obama-considers-raising-social-security-age-dpgonc-20110414-ch_12765718]Obama Considers Raising Social Security Age to 70[/url]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OEYffj1nto]YouTube - ‪Obama Open To Raising Social Security Retirement Age‬‏[/ame]

Re: How would you fix the economy and budget issues?
 

[quote=Schneed10;807132]- If not completely privatize social security, at least authorize the fund to broaden its investments to include a portion of equities and corporate bonds.[/quote]

Yes and No. You couldn't put it into anything of high risk that could end up collapsing like many people's 401ks did these past few years.

[quote=Schneed10;807132]- Institute laws aimed at restricting the growth in cost of higher education. There's no reason colleges need to build giant mock stock trading floors in these state of the art business schools and then turn around and charge $48,000 a year. In the end, kids these days are having to pay for unnecessary bells and whistles. Make college education more affordable by restricting their ability to spend and build.[/quote]

Not sure where you get this from. I think you've seen a couple of instances and have decided all universities are doing this. I work for a division I university and I can assure you that there isn't anything like this that you are speaking of. (or any other unnecessary bells and whistles)

Re: How would you fix the economy and budget issues?
 

[quote=Slingin Sammy 33;807282]The gov't shouldn't be in the business of providing people a retirement fund.[U][B] People should invest their own money, their own way for retirement.[/B][/U] We're already too far down that road for many folks, so obviously current and near retirees need to be protected at status quo. However adjustments to SS need to be made for those further out. BTW those adjustments will hurt folks like me who have paid into SS for many years yet face an age increase, benefit reduction, or means testing. Younger folks who haven't paid in as long are less invested, hence affected less.[/quote]

That's easier said than done. When the average family income hasn't gone up much over the past 20 years, but inflation has, how do you expect people to put money into retirement when they are trying to tread water or completely submerged? It's easy for guys like yourself to sit back and think that everything is ok, because it is in your little world. It's not. Try being dirt poor. Try being from a broken home. Try getting a opportunity where there are no opportunities. It's not as easy as we make it out to be. Hey guys, it worked for me so it must work for everybody else. I agree with you that something must be done with SS. Whether the government invests in bonds or some other low risk investment, it needs to happen.




[quote=Slingin Sammy 33;807282]I'm sure you understand the SS fund has been raided for years by the fed and is essentially a big, fat IOU. If a private corporation had managed its retirement fund the way SS has been managed they would be prosecuted and jailed.[/quote]

I know and I agree.


[quote=Slingin Sammy 33;807282]During the Great Recession, most private-sector employees have seen their wages frozen, and some have even watched wages decline,” the chairmen of the deficit panel wrote. “In contrast, federal workers have seen their wages increase.” This option would be [B]a one-time 5 percent cut in federal civilian workers’ pay; the chairmen called for a three-year freeze on pay, which would have a similar effect.[/B]

The part about private sector pay being frozen or reduced through forced unpaid leave is true, why shouldn't the federal workers feel some pain as well. [/quote]

Different time, different era. You can't cut people's pay when inflation is constantly rising. I work for the state (I know you said federal), and I can assure you that we haven't seen a raise in 3-4 years due to budget issues. However, during that time, inflation has continued to rise. Now you want to cut pay? I think you are a tad misguided about government employees. I have no issue with freezing pay but a big "No" to pay reduction. Hey, if you want to reduce some federal pay, lets start with Congress. I'm all for that.


[quote=Slingin Sammy 33;807282]Again, from the survey:
Would change health-care plan for veterans who had not been wounded in battle. [B]Premiums, which have not risen in a decade, would rise[/B]. More veterans would receive health insurance from employer. This option would also take some benefits, like housing allowances, into account when tying military raises to civilian pay raises. Currently, increases in those benefits come on top of pay raises. [/quote]

Doesn't change a thing. I could care less if their premiums haven't increased in 100 years, it should stay that way. Call it a benefit for having to deal with the crap they do. I'm 100% against messing with any veterans health care plans. (combat or non)

[quote=Slingin Sammy 33;807282]No one is "screwing" veterans, just having them pay slightly more for their health care premiums.....just like everyone else. This also states; non- wounded veterans.[/quote]

My guess is the veterans would disagree with you, and so do I. Who cares if it's wounded or non-wounded. They still served our country and to disrespect them this way is horrible. Thanks guys for serving our country!! I'll continuing waving my little American flag around while handing you a bill for increase premiums! GO AMERICA!!!

[quote=Slingin Sammy 33;807282]So the whole "cut military spending" argument is baseless unless you can bring specific programs or systems that you believe should be cut.

You do realize the majority of military spending is on personnel (soldier/sailors/airmen pay) and operations & maintenance. Should we cut O&M and not maintain our facilities and equipment???? How about cut soldiers pay????[/quote]

I have no problem with the number of troops we have, I just think we don't need to keep beefing our military up with more and more war machines. China is about to get their first air craft carrier, and yet they are one of the biggest military forces in the world. You don't need all the over priced equipment to maintain superiority. A bit of this military spending is coming from sponsoring wars (Iraq, Yemen, Libya, Afghan, Pakistan) we have no business being involved in. The more missiles we keep firing the higher the costs keep rising.

[quote=Slingin Sammy 33;807282]I'm sure you also realize these weapons systems and gov't contractors that are so evil and terrible provide thousands of well-paid tech jobs across the country.[/quote]

Most of that money is going to line people's pockets at the top. Sure the tech jobs are well paid for Lockheed Martin, but it all goes back to continuing to finance wars we have no business in. Guys like LM are making bank. They love it when we go to war (so do oil companies) because they profit big time.

Re: How would you fix the economy and budget issues?
 

[quote=NC_Skins;807421]That's easier said than done. When the average family income hasn't gone up much over the past 20 years, but inflation has, [B]how do you expect people to put money into retirement when they are trying to tread water or completely submerged?[/B] It's easy for guys like yourself to sit back and think that everything is ok, because it is in your little world. It's not. Try being dirt poor. Try being from a broken home. Try getting a opportunity where there are no opportunities. It's not as easy as we make it out to be. Hey guys, it worked for me so it must work for everybody else. I agree with you that something must be done with SS. Whether the government invests in bonds or some other low risk investment, it needs to happen.[/quote]You know everyone that works is paying 6.2% of their income into SS, plus the employer match of 6.2%. As you mention, if SS is either privatized or "lock-boxed" any low risk investment is better than what we have now.

You have no clue about where I've come from or what I've been through, so it is unwise to make such assumptions.


[quote]Different time, different era. You can't cut people's pay when inflation is constantly rising. I work for the state (I know you said federal), and I can assure you that we haven't seen a raise in 3-4 years due to budget issues. However, during that time, inflation has continued to rise. Now you want to cut pay? I think you are a tad misguided about government employees. I have no issue with freezing pay but a big "No" to pay reduction. Hey, if you want to reduce some federal pay, lets start with Congress. I'm all for that.[/quote]I have no issue with a freeze vs. a cut. I also have no issue with cutting congressional pay & retirement benefits.

I'm in the private sector (day job) and I haven't had a raise in over 4 years. I also owned a small restaurant that I needed to sell due to the poor economic situation. I very clearly understand things aren't easy, but we have to get gov't spending under control at all levels and employee costs are a major factor in gov't spending.

[quote]Doesn't change a thing. I could care less if their premiums haven't increased in 100 years, it should stay that way. Call it a benefit for having to deal with the crap they do. I'm 100% against messing with any veterans health care plans. (combat or non)

My guess is the veterans would disagree with you, and so do I. Who cares if it's wounded or non-wounded. They still served our country and to disrespect them this way is horrible. Thanks guys for serving our country!! I'll continuing waving my little American flag around while handing you a bill for increase premiums! GO AMERICA!!![/quote]If my understanding is correct, the premiums that are in question are a supplemental to the basic care that is provided to retired veterans. If a retired veteran uses a military or VA hospital there is no charge. Veterans who do not retire have no benefits (unless disabled).

Also keep in mind serving in the military is a voluntary decision. To stay until retirement is a plan and economic/career decision our veterans make for their futures by weighing the cost/benefit. They understand premiums can increase. Also a large percentage of veterans are "double-dipping" with second careers, so they don't fit the image of a homeless disabled vet in a wheelchair.

[quote]I have no problem with the number of troops we have, I just think we don't need to keep beefing our military up with more and more war machines. China is about to get their first air craft carrier, and yet they are one of the biggest military forces in the world. You don't need all the over priced equipment to maintain superiority. A bit of this military spending is coming from sponsoring wars (Iraq, Yemen, Libya, Afghan, Pakistan) we have no business being involved in. The more missiles we keep firing the higher the costs keep rising.[/quote]We have to maintain our technological superiority, reduce risk to human life, become more efficient and lethal, and more cost effective. Achieving these objectives requires R & D dollars. Should we be continuing weapons systems that don't fit into our new missions in an evolving world....of course not. But we have to develop new tech that reduces the human risk/expenditures. And I agree we don't need to [I]overtly[/I] continue in wars we don't need to be in.

Re: How would you fix the economy and budget issues?
 

I try to stay out of arguments in which I'm economically or emotionally vested. There are two lines used often, that honestly get under my skin and are used to rationalize a personal view. First is " it was your choice to join the military ". It can be used to shrug off any number of arguments, pay, benefits another deployment ect. Well Sammy you made a decision based upon your beliefs, career options not to follow the same path many proud Americans did. We pay our taxes, we pay into SS even state taxes when stationed over seas. The grass is not always greener, there are many young soldiers in our ranks, who are parents, that still qualify for government aid. Oh yeah the second line that irks me is " if I'm old enough to go to, war I should be old enough to drink"..... Anyone want to live in a fighting position with a teenage drunk?

Re: How would you fix the economy and budget issues?
 

[quote=BuckSkin;807462]I try to stay out of arguments in which I'm economically or emotionally vested. There are two lines used often, that honestly get under my skin and are used to rationalize a personal view. First is " it was your choice to join the military ". It can be used to shrug off any number of arguments, pay, benefits another deployment ect. Well Sammy you made a decision based upon your beliefs, career options [B]not to follow the same path many proud Americans did.[/B] We pay our taxes, we pay into SS even state taxes when stationed over seas. The grass is not always greener, there are many young soldiers in our ranks, who are parents, that still qualify for government aid. [/quote]I did serve and got out after my first enlistment. I admire and appreciate those who have served. I also understand the pay rates for our military.

Not sure what your point is, but mine was simply what I wrote regarding the increase to a supplemental medical premiums, nothing more, nothing less.

Re: How would you fix the economy and budget issues?
 

I'm not an economist even though I majored in the subject for a while. But I'd start with slashing the defense budget. Just doesn't sit well with me when we squabble over education and social programs yet we always find room for defense.

Re: How would you fix the economy and budget issues?
 

After looking at it again Sammy, not sure where I was headed either. So in the infamous words of Angry: Thank you ladies and gentlemen, but I digress.....ooh, is that rhubarb pie?

Re: How would you fix the economy and budget issues?
 

[quote=Mattyk;807483]I'm not an economist even though I majored in the subject for a while. But I'd start with slashing the defense budget. Just doesn't sit well with me when we squabble over education and social programs yet we always find room for defense.[/quote]



...but we like bombing people bro! WE ARE GIVING THEM FREEDOM!!!

[IMG]http://estrip.org/content/users/mrdeadlier/0807/FreeLogo0815.jpg[/IMG]

Re: How would you fix the economy and budget issues?
 

[quote=NC_Skins;807488]...but we like bombing people bro! WE ARE GIVING THEM FREEDOM!!!

[IMG]http://estrip.org/content/users/mrdeadlier/0807/FreeLogo0815.jpg[/IMG][/quote]

America!

F Yeah

Re: How would you fix the economy and budget issues?
 

[quote=BuckSkin;807486]After looking at it again Sammy, not sure where I was headed either. So in the infamous words of Angry: Thank you ladies and gentlemen, but I digress.....ooh, is that rhubarb pie?[/quote]LOL, I like the cherry pie when I digress :food-smil

Re: How would you fix the economy and budget issues?
 

- The first order of business would be to let the Bush tax cuts expire. Personal tax rates in the U.S. are at their lowest level in nearly 60 years, yet the economy has been as sluggish as it's been in recent history. Based on one study I was reading, the Bush tax cuts cost $2.5 trillion from 2001-2010, add on to that interest payments for another $379 billion because the cuts were deficit financed and not paid for. A drop in the bucket maybe, but still. I'm interested to see if anyone has another number that's different for the same time period.

- The Obama administration has failed miserably at addressing the foreclosure crisis. No discernable policy to keep people in their homes, and more importantly, pressuring the cash rich banks to work with homeowners to stay out of foreclosure. I'm not sure what the exact solution is, but as long as the crisis extends we can forget about any kind of long-term economic recovery.

- We have something like 600 military bases abroad (the exact number may be as high as 700); mostly in Europe and Asia. The cost of operating these bases aren't exactly driving our deficit woes, but bringing home all of that personnel would certainly boost the economy over time and cut costs on the margins. Like others have mentioned, we need to scale back military spending significantly. I think the president has done a good job pushing the START treaty through and reducing the costs we spend on nukes. If he gets re-elected, he should continue to work with Russia to reduce our nuclear arsenal. It goes without saying, it's high time to leave Iraq and Afghanistan.

- In terms of energy. Drilling really doesn't affect gas prices in my opinion. It takes years, nearly ten years, for the produced oil to come online and even then, OPEC plays a major role in inventory and the price of oil. That said, it's a good step but probably scaring off oil speculators more than anything else.

Re: How would you fix the economy and budget issues?
 

What do you guys think about repealing ethanol subsidies? That could be another $6 bil?

A study from CATO, a conservative think tank done in 1995. I'm curious what our free market conservatives think about ethonal subsidies.

[URL="http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa-241.html"][COLOR=#800080]http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa-241.html[/COLOR][/URL]

Re: How would you fix the economy and budget issues?
 

[quote=NC_Skins;807400]Yes and No. You couldn't put it into anything of high risk that could end up collapsing like many people's 401ks did these past few years.[/quote]

Obv. You'd mix in the appropriate proportion of stocks, bonds, commercial paper and other short term investments. No unnecessary risks, but no unnecessary conservatism either.


[quote=NC_Skins;807400]Not sure where you get this from. I think you've seen a couple of instances and have decided all universities are doing this. I work for a division I university and I can assure you that there isn't anything like this that you are speaking of. (or any other unnecessary bells and whistles)[/quote]

Both universities I attended (one undergraduate the other graduate) built these amazing business school buildings in the last five years. Mock stock trading floors, a real stock ticker (same size you see on the floor of NYSE). It's a trend amongst business schools fostered by a keeping up with the Jones's mentality. Wharton was one of the first to have it, so of course the others felt the need to follow suit.

My graduate school (and employer) also just built this insanely beautiful new building for the medical school. Absolutely gorgeous. I just question the need for it.

You clearly don't think investments in plant & equipment are responsible for the growth in college costs. I ask you then, if that's not the cause, what is?

Re: How would you fix the economy and budget issues?
 

[quote=12thMan;807513]
- The Obama administration has failed miserably at addressing the foreclosure crisis. No discernable policy to keep people in their homes, and more importantly, pressuring the cash rich banks to work with homeowners to stay out of foreclosure. I'm not sure what the exact solution is, but as long as the crisis extends we can forget about any kind of long-term economic recovery. [/quote]

There is no solution. The housing market is a symptom of a weak economy, not a cause of a weak economy.

We had a bubble on home prices for a number of reasons, which all started because creditors were too aggressive in providing funding to people who couldn't afford to make the payments. More people had access to more money, flooding the market with buyers and driving the prices up. Consequently builders saw the prices going up and realized they could make money, so they built tons of homes, driving up inventory. Further, speculators saw the prices going up and placed bets in the market, further driving up home prices.

All of that was possible because people who didn't have the means to pay off the loans were given the loans. Also, most of them had jobs.

Now we have high unemployment taking plenty of people out of the market, so until the job market turns around, you won't have that demand impetus to drive up home prices. And on top of that, we've now instituted sanity into the home loan process, you actually have to be in good credit standing to get a loan at a reasonable rate (imagine that). So all those people who were given the opportunity to shop for homes in the 2000s are no longer able to. As it should be. And consequently home prices are today at the same place they were in 2003-2004. As they should be.

It's such a fallacy to think government can do anything about it at all. You can maybe set tax policy in such a way to encourage hiring and job growth. But you can't do anything to prop up home prices permanently; the first time home buyer credit kicked prices up for a year or so, but you saw what happened when it expired, prices came right back down again.

It costs a lot of money to buy a house. The government can't force people to realize the importance of saving their money and living within their means. If people want to be in the housing market, they need to have jobs and they need to be smart with their money. Judging by the nation's credit card debt and savings rates, it's easy to see that right now too many Americans fall short in those categories.

As unemployment drops, home prices will come up. It will be a very, very gradual process. Just the way it is.

Re: How would you fix the economy and budget issues?
 

[quote=NC_Skins;807264]
People have been paying into SS their whole working life, and now you want to reduce that to a mere couple of years? Wow. Advice, never run for office and use that as your platform. Even the Repubs would laugh you out.[/quote]

1) You didn't ask what I would do to get elected, you asked what I would do to fix the economy/taxes/budget. I'm not concerned whether it's popular, I'm concerned whether or not it's the right thing to do.

2) If we keep the retirement age where it is, then the 30 somethings who have paid into it for the last 10-20 years will be paying into a system that won't even be solvent when they go to retire. You have to make a choice:

- increase payroll taxes to fund the program as is, or
- raise the retirement age
- cut the size of benefits

Not sure why you think raising the retirement age is such a far fetched concept. In fact, it seems I just might be able to get elected after all:

[quote]
President Obama has recently alluded to changing Social Security benefits to balance the budget, and a national University of Iowa Hawkeye Poll released today suggests most Americans support such a move.
Nearly nine out of 10 respondents supported at least one reform, and two-thirds supported at least two reforms.
Of the five possible reforms proposed, two received majority support: [B]half supported increasing the retirement age by up to three years.[/B]
[/quote]

[url=http://news-releases.uiowa.edu/2011/april/042211hawkeye-poll.html]Hawkeye Poll: Majority of Americans supports Social Security reformUniversity News Services - The University of Iowa[/url]