The problem with our economy is that from Main Street to Wall Street from the ghetto to the White House; nobody has any fucking discipline when it comes to spending money. Our government tends to think the tax-payer is a never ending ATM, so they think all economic woes can be solved by "stimulating" economy at the expense of the tax payer and future generations. The Federal Reserve Board feels a loose monetary policy will encorage businesses to spend on capital improvements to spur growth. Ordinary people now EXPECT 0% financing with no payments for 6 months on every purchase made over $250. Money is NOT free, but people think it should be. On the other side of the board, businesses are hammered with governmental rules, fees and taxes. Small businesses can't hire because of the the red tape thrown in their way by government. For business, it is in their interest to maximize productivity of their current work force than to hire new employees. To fix the economy, we need to do the following: 1) Jack interest rates up to 5%. This has two beneficial impacts. First, it shocks everyone into realizing money isn't free and might be an inducement to prevent people with marginal means from buying stuff that can't afford. Second, it also encourages savings. When people save, they build value and capital. 2) End needless governmental regulation with business. There are too many rules businesses have to wade through in order to operate efficiently 3) Pass a balanced budget amendment 4) Scrap social security and medicaid while developing a program that will help the really needy. Let the folks who can support themselves do it on their own. 5) End the "Nanny State". The government that governs the least, governs the best!!!!
Originally Posted by Cpalmson
Geez, CP, tell us how you really feel.
Actually, I generally agree w/ #1. However to encourage saving, interest rates need to increase. If borrowing costs, savings should gain interest or there is no motivation to save.
#2 is spitting in the wind and I couldn't disagree more. Business w/o regulation is a license to abuse consumers.
#3 I agree with. It is what I do at home. I don't purchase anything I don't already have the money for (except my house).
#4. Good luck with that. (I assume you meant Medicare instead of Medicaid). If you are talking about retirement benefits this will be a tough sell to anyone. If you're talking about SSI and Medicaid, I think it's pretty petty of you to strike out against the disabled.
#5. Reasonable men will always disagree with the definition of the Nanny State. A Nanny is like a Governess who teaches young children. If you want to do away with it, I assume you also want to do away with compulsory education, higher education, loans and grants for education. Yeah, just throw us in the same category as third world countries.
Don't know about you, but I'm proud of my country just the way it is, and would like to see it improve under the administrations I agree with and those that I disagree with.