Easy Answer to Help With the Debt Crisis Cancel The title field is required!

1. Sandy Clark

   

   0 posts
   
   7/13/2011 9:07 AM

   Cut foreign aid to everyone by 50% today. Some countries can expect a 100% cut since they don't like us anyway. Cut nearly all cabinet positions budgets by 50% immediately. Most of the country would never know it happened. Eliminate lifetime benefits for everyone in congress and have them pay a fair share of their benefits. Every politician in the federal government must cut their staff by 50% right now. Politicians of both parties have created this mess over the years so make them suffer much of the pain. The American people didn't vote to continue with poor management and deficits, the politicians did. This would be a fair starting point rather than class warfare and finger pointing!

   
   
   
   
2. McCallum David K

   
   7/14/2011 6:07 AM

   Sandy I really wish it were that simple. The good news on MOnday was we had cut off aid to Pakistan, what 800 million...........about time! Both sides are at fault. Neither Republicans or democrats can escape blame for the situation we are in. I am still pi$$ed that Obama since he took office has gone on a spending binge like no other before him. And all it has done is add to the problem. The $700 billion stimulus (closer to 1 trillion in reality) package did nothing and if anything made matters worse. But that being said both sides are in this together and I will say equally at fault so as to not ruffle feathers on the left.
   
   We are roughly looking at $14.3 trillion in debt. A number NONE of us mortals can come close to fathoming. Just pretend we could balance the budget........spending equalled revenue. You know like you and I have to do with our own money. Now lets say the economy actually improved and the governement actually began bringing in some surplus. Remember this is all hypothetical............ and the government began paying down the national debt at $100 million per day, 365 days a year. Also lets pretend the $14.3 trillion we owe is interest free (it's not). It would take us (notice I said would not will because it will NEVER happen) 390 years to repay that money. That would be 15 to 20 generations depending on what one considers a generation (20 yrs, 30 yrs). If we add $1 trillion more debit onto this adds another 27+ yrs to the payback.....interest free.........NOT! This is what we are saddling our kids and grandkids for generations to come with. It's all about those that prefer to spend on a want list versus a need list. I want lots of things, I actually need very little. All you need to do the math is a calculator that has lots and lots of decimal places to get to the final number

   
   
   
   
3. Sandy Clark

   

   0 posts
   
   7/14/2011 9:07 AM

   It is really easy to have no conscience when you suffer from the disease of OPM or spending other peoples money! How about if somehow we just don't allow these guys to be paid until they reach a functional basis of management of our money. No retro money when they finally get their act together either!

   
   
   
   
4. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   7/14/2011 10:07 AM

   While I agree with most of what you said Dave, I thought the theory behind the stimulus was sound. I was all for trying to improve upon our crumbling infrastructure. Also saving the auto industry saved a lot of jobs I am guessing. Some projects that I heard we spent money on were crazy, not that we don't see that all the time from both sides with their pet projects. I see our new airport here in Springfield that our former congressman now senator Blunt got money for as an example of that. Although it did provide jobs during construction it hasn't help lower air fares out of here or increase traffic. At least the old terminal building (which was built I believe in the early 70's) has been leased out to the National Guard and Expedia. I think the president had to do something to try to save jobs, those getting the big tax breaks were not and are still not creating jobs. I think prioritizing spending is a bigger issue, along with increasing revenues.

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
5. McCallum David K

   
   7/14/2011 12:07 PM

   Mel the intent of my post was lost on you obviously. Once again the left has to try and defend their guy. It's irrelevant if the stimulus helped or not. But it didn't. Jobs created and saved.............all bull$*&! Until Obama came along the term jobs saved was an unknown to the American citizinery. The point was the mess we are all in together..............if he saved 500,000 jobs great. Stop spending our damn money...........did you read the post Mel.............it will take us 390 years in a PERFECT STORM which we are not in and maybe never will be. Geeeeeeeeeez!

   
   
   
   
6. Wahlin Scott B

   
   7/14/2011 3:07 PM

   See if your budget fixes really work, Budget Hero!
   
   http://marketplace.publicradio.org/features/budget_hero/

   
   
   
   
7. Clay Putnam

   

   33 posts
   
   7/15/2011 7:07 AM

   wahlins said: See if your budget fixes really work, Budget Hero!
   
   http://marketplace.publicradio.org/features/budget_hero/

   
   
   It worked here.
   
   
   State ends budget year in the black
   
   By Dan Carden dan.carden@nwi.com, (317) 637-9078 nwitimes.com | Posted: Thursday, July 14, 2011 5:30 pm | (26) Comments
   
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   INDIANAPOLIS | Indiana closed the books on its 2011 budget year with $1.2 billion in the bank.
   
   That's a significant turnaround from last year's projection the state would have only $188 million in reserve on June 30.
   
   In announcing the state's financial standing Thursday, Republican State Auditor Tim Berry gave credit for the larger-than-expected surplus to Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels.
   
   "The governor is known as a strong fiscal steward, and it is through his leadership and fiscal responsibility in managing agency spending, along with better-than-expected revenues, we find ourselves in a much better position today," Berry said.
   
   A large portion of the surplus is due to state government agencies returning $352 million in unspent funds. Agencies eliminated duplicate programs, left many jobs unfilled, froze salaries and reduced overall spending to kick back 13.5 percent of their appropriations.
   
   "The surplus was built on the backs of state employees," Berry said. "Today we have nearly the same number of state employees as we did in 1983."
   
   Additional surplus funds came from Daniels' $325 million cut to local school budgets, though schools got much of that money back for one year through a supplemental federal appropriation. Delaying or canceling state construction projects and other budget reversions saved $243 million.
   
   Growing state revenue, especially in May and June, also boosted the surplus, following revenue declines in 2009 and 2010.
   
   Indiana's $13.27 billion in 2011 revenue still is below its 2008 peak of $14 billion and about the same as the state's 2006 revenue.
   
   The governor cautioned now is not the time to go on a spending spree.
   
   "With the national economy still limping badly, and downside risks still abounding, it is reassuring to have a safety margin that other states would love to have," Daniels said.
   
   But state Sen. Karen Tallian, D-Ogden Dunes, believes Indiana can afford to spend $200 million of the $1.2 billion surplus.
   
   "We throw around numbers like they're meaningless, but $0.2 billion is $200 million and it's amazing what that would fund," Tallian said. "We could put some people to work."
   
   Read more: http://www.nwitimes.com/news/state-and- ... z1SB6BIxI8

   
   
   
   
8. McCallum David K

   
   7/15/2011 8:07 AM

   The federal government needs a balanced budget admendment like most if not all states use. Kind of helps beginning the fiscal year with revenues projected to equal spending instead of the "lets spend it all and print more money attitude " congress has now.
   
   If anyone, be it a liberal or a conservative, an R or D or I cannot grasp the seriousnous of the debit crisis we find ourselves in then I feel sorry for you. We ALL have been guilty of burying our heads in the sand for the past 20+ years and allowing them to put us in the situtaion we find ourselves as a nation now. And by "THEY" I am referring to the career politicians we are all guilty of sending back to both houses of congress year after year. It's always "my guy is good" it those other jerks that need to go. Kind of like the new airport in Missouri huh Mel.

   
   
   
   
9. Larry Allan

   

   0 posts
   
   7/15/2011 9:07 AM

   Unknown, if he were a good Governor, I would think he would be sending you all a cheque.

   
   
   
   
10. Wahlin Scott B

    
    7/15/2011 9:07 AM

    I wonder what Indiana's budget situation would look like if we had let the auto industry fail.

    
    
    
    
11. Melvin Waldron

    

    43 posts
    
    7/15/2011 9:07 AM

    Your right there Dave, they would keep sending Blunt back to congress because he would get stuff for us and he had an R behind is name. Just look at the auctioneer we (and I use that term loosely) voted in to take his place. He was running against a former republican (Scott Eckersley) who worked for Blunt's son Matt when Matt was governor. He blew the whistle on sonny boy for breaking sunshine laws with how he used his e-mail. Then they trumped up some charges on Eckersley and fired him. Eckersley ended up suing and that is how he financed his campaign against Billy Long. He was the better candidate then Long, but since Long had an R behind his name, he won soundly. We turned around and promoted Roy Blunt to Senator. But Matt decided after his one term he would not run again, rumors were he was afraid something was going to come out on him that he didn't want to come out. Now he is working as a lobbyist.
    
    I think you have to be careful about creating a balance budget amendment for the US. There are times where it might be needed to borrow to help with a disaster, pay for wars, etc. I know Missouri is a little worried because of the Joplin Tornado, spring flooding, and other disasters, not being able to help fund the rebuilding. The US government is helping a lot, and the state has a rainy day fund they can dip into, but the issue there is the short amount of time that it has to be paid back into, and the state doesn't think they could repay the fund in the time frame that is allowed.
    
    Also think about this, in the private sector, a business wants to expand, it might try to save some money and build up reserves for an expansion project, but hey that will get taxed, so they will usually go out and get a loan, now if you really look at that, they don't have a balanced budget. Unless I am misunderstanding that term.
    
    Like I said earlier it is all about priorities, maybe when congress votes to fund something, there better be a good evidence that there will be a return on investment, we fund the projects that will have the best return on investment. Although I don't know how good will is measured, but say something like health care, get people to doctors before they get sick and money is saved from emergency room visits. Just my opinion.
    
    Mel

    
    Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
    
    
12. McCallum David K

    
    7/15/2011 10:07 AM

    Prioritized spending is definitely needed. As serious as the debit cealing debate is and it needs to be addressed if by August 2 it has not been raised the country does not go belly up the next day. There is an ample revenue stream ( but priority is the key) to pay the absolute needed bills......SS......our military........the interest on the bonds (the reason of this discussion) we have sold....etc etc. We might not be able to fund that college loan for Joe Blow's kid.........foreign aid may need to be reviewed on an as needed basis instead of the blank checks we currently write.
    
    It's time we all wake up and take responsibility in who we send to congress and for how long we allow them to stay there. You want a career go be a doctor, a lawyer, MLB baseball player............a politician...NOT!

    
    
    
    
13. Steve Nelson

    

    0 posts
    
    7/15/2011 11:07 AM

    I agree that both parties are to blame for the debt. It makes me sick to hear the rhetoric coming from DC about the debt ceiling. When did my Republicans become so principled to refuse raising the debt ceiling? We did it several times under GW. To be fair and balanced, each of those times the Democrats, Obama included, opposed raising the ceiling for no reason other to advance their internal party agenda. Same thing the Republicans are doing now.
    
    But this type of brinksmanship is dangerous to our country and the economy. The debt ceiling is to pay for bills already due. It shouldn't be confused with developing an ongoing budget that will steer us toward being balanced. I say steer us because I don't care who is president, we cannot have a balanced budget when we have been at war on two very distant fronts for nearly a decade. Couple that with the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts and a balanced budget is impossible.
    
    To tackle the deficits it is going to take spending cuts and revenue increases. There is no way around it. Politicians are too busy thinking their side is right, and don't realize we are sick of all of them, regardless of party. They have a job to do, that is to govern. If they fail to raise the debt ceiling and to govern effectively because of party ideologies they should all resign. They will have done irreperable damage to the country. The only ideology we need in DC right now is pragmatism guided by common sense.