We have printed money and piled up debt, but we have not reached a point where we can pay down debt or where the economy grows so fast that the national debt shrinks as a percentage of GDP.
Originally Posted by ExNYer
yup.. we are up to 123% of debt vs. GDP, absolutely stratospheric levels..
How do we get out of the next recession?
Originally Posted by ExNYer
crash and reboot.. Jefferson said we need to completely overhaul the Government every 20 years.. economies need to crash every 6-8 years, sort out the winners and losers, re-allocate funds, both private and Governmental, and start over.
What drives economic activity? Do those things; reduce tax rates across the board on investment, income, etc.
Originally Posted by WombRaider
no! we have had low rates on investment for a long time.. no economic activity was created, just a drain on tax revenue.. other than start-ups, the stock market is trading pieces of paper among people who hope to make more than they paid, no one else benefits, no economic activity is generated.. the wealthy have ridden 6 years of market gains and paid less historically in taxes.. bonds, especially private activity bonds have their own tax advantages that are not disputable. income taxes? not yet.. the current economic state must crash first, then cut taxes as part of a recovery plan.. cutting them now doesn't reduce risk or encourage the extra cash to go for business ventures.
Falling gas prices soon to come will be a benefit to most Americans.
Originally Posted by WTF
soon to come when? the price per barrel has slipped rapidly, the pump price has drifted lower.. a dichotomy unlike any other period of time.. in late 2008 pump prices mirrored barrel pricing.. granted, we may see some reduction after Labor Day, when prices typically drop anyway.. in Chicago/Detroit/Milwaukee prices are actually increasing.
We do not need anyone to loan us any money. We print the world's currency, and as long as the other stupid motherfuckers are dumber than us, we can continue to do so.
What does the world have can't do without?
Stocks go up and down all the time - buy a few good ones and otherwise invest in yourself and your love for your family, then just eat, drink, and be merry.
Originally Posted by DSK
pretty well sums it up.. a lot of our problem is the world's problem, we're in a race to see who can fuck up faster and more efficiently.. there's some evidence we're not winning.