I think you might like to watch this documentary yourself... the US debt results from more than a simple shift in jobs...
I think you might like to watch this documentary yourself... the US debt results from more than a simple shift in jobs...
Originally posted by ushomefreeHe's from Canada.
In 2010, US health care reform policies were singed into law, but they do not take effect until 2014. In any case, the point that I was trying to make, is that, the US economy is based on debt - meaning, the US is no longer solvent.America used to be the manufacturing epicenter of the world; today, it's China - the next superpower. America is currently undergoing an economic collapse, and to make matters worse, leaders in Washington, have seen it fit, to supply an additional entitlement program: universal health care. The US can not afford it, that was my point.
Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security have already bankrupted America - 80+ trillion dollars. This is insane when you take note of the fact that, US GDP equates to 14+ trillion dollars (with trade deficits).
And just to be sure that you understand what I am talking about, what has the US government done as a result and continues to do? And what are the consequences of those actions?
What country are you from?
I've posted threads about the US economy in the past. If my memory serves me correctly, my latest thread was called "Melt Up." It contained an hour long documentary about the US economy and government spending, not to mention other topics. Give it a watch. You could also skip the thread and simply watch it on YouTube in HD.
Our weaker dollar is because of the printing of money, one thing they are also doing in hopes of weakening the dollar for more exports, to create "jobs", jobs which really aren't needed and have no value. Entitlement is expensive.
Edit: Not to mention the "bailouts" were more "socialist" and they didn't help anything. There aren't really any completely socialist or capitalist societies. Some just lean more one way than the other.
Originally posted by Tha C-MasterOur weaker dollar is because of the printing of money
Yes this is absolutely true, but don't forget about the US fiscal policies that allow massive amounts of spending, which results in additional debt. That's why the FED, authorizes the printing of money (out of thin-air) to begin with - to back US debt. America is finished; we are seeing signs of it now, especially with China. The Chinese are tired of the economic games played at the White House and FED.
If things don't drastically change - which it won't, because politicians, like our President, don't have the courage - the US downfall will only continue. The US is insolvent, and current fiscal/monetary policies set in Washington will only result into hyperinflation. The US is right on course with history/economics for this to occur - perhaps this decade. Total economic collapse.
And the side effect: societal collapse. Americans won't even be able to purchase food - many will starve. The US dollar (during hyperinflation) will have zero purchasing power. It's hyperinflated.
As long as we're throwing around anecdotes:
I went to college for 5 years, got a degree, didn't accrue massive student loans (lived at home, granted, which helped). I'm from a lower middle class family, had some financial support but not a lot of it and had to pay for most of it myself. It took me a couple years out of school to find a decent job, but I did, and I've never been more than a couple thousand dollars in debt.
So it's possible. And I'm not alone.
Now, am I the statistical anomaly, the norm, or what percentage have what kinds of debt? We're not told, the video is lopsided in that sense. The perception is that it's ALWAYS that way, which is fallacious. Which goes back to my original point, and a call for not wholehearted endorsement or abject denial, but critical analysis and provisional skepticism.
Originally posted by King Kandy
what degree did you get?
A teaching degree, English specifically. Ironically what I do is tied into my language skills, and the English degree helped, but I don't actually teach.
Without the degree, I wouldn't have the job I'm in, even though it's not the exact field I went into.
My point is that I'm not alone in this. I'm not the statistical rarity, and I've received my degree within the timeframe that the video pounds into us (2005 and later, roughly). So it's not being totally candid by not discussing what percentages don't have debt, or do get jobs in their field. They focus only on the data that supports their point. Even if they have a good point to make, they're grossly overstating it. Because I can name dozens who do have jobs and little to no debt, dozens who maybe don't have a job in their field but are "getting by," and, well, no one who's simply ass deep in debt because of the educational system.
Stupid people are stupid. And smart people can be stupid about a specific thing. In this case, debt. It doesn't mean that it happens to everyone though, or that it can't be avoided.
...
And anyone opposing my skepticism so far seems to be treating their position as an a priori truth, not opinions to be considered and discussed, which is unfortunate, because as I've said numerous times, I don't think the video and point its making is without merit. It's blind adherence, not critical analysis.
Originally posted by ushomefree
Digi... can I ask you a simple question? Yes or no?
Meaningless question obviously, needs context. You also never bothered to respond to anything I've said to you or about your points in this thread, you've just pushed your line of thinking. Reminded me of why I gave up talking to you years ago back in religion.
Oh. I thought "yes or no?" was the question. "Can I ask you a question?" would have been enough to get the point across.
I can't stop you from posting a question, so yes, you can. Whether or not I'll respond is entirely a different matter. I've already wasted time responding to you at length when specifically asked, and receiving no feedback whatsoever, so I wouldn't hold your breath.
Originally posted by ushomefreeIn 2010, US health care reform policies were singed into law, but they do not take effect until 2014. In any case, the point that I was trying to make, is that, the US economy is based on debt - meaning, the US is no longer solvent.
America used to be the manufacturing epicenter of the world; today, it's China - the next superpower. America is currently undergoing an economic collapse, and to make matters worse, leaders in Washington, have seen it fit, to supply an additional entitlement program: universal health care. The US can not afford it, that was my point.
Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security have already bankrupted America - 80+ trillion dollars. This is insane when you take note of the fact that, US GDP equates to 14+ trillion dollars (with trade deficits).
And just to be sure that you understand what I am talking about, what has the US government done as a result and continues to do? And what are the consequences of those actions?
Can you answer my questions, King Kandy?
King Kandy... the underlying problem is not "low tax rates." The problem is government spending. Government expenditures far exceed tax revenue. Do you actually read my posts? The US national debt is 14+ trillion dollars; entitlement programs like medicare, medicaid and social security amount to 80 - even 90+ trillion dollars. Plus, the US has a trade deficit.
So... back to my original questions: what has the US government done as a result and continues to do? And what are the consequences of those actions?
Originally posted by ushomefree
Digi... are you insane? Relax. My gosh.
The forums never upset me. I'm relaxed. I'm just letting you know that you haven't paid me the same regard that I have you in this thread, and that I'm both somewhat a fool for expecting otherwise and unlikely to reciprocate to your requests anymore unless I see actual engaged discourse from you. Because the proper response would be "oh, sorry about that, let me take a look and I'll try to respond when I can." Instead, you only want to talk about your topics, questions, etc. It's rarely different. So even when you specifically ask me to explain my position to you, you then ignore the response in favor of trying to push your beliefs through a series of selective videos/questions/statements/etc. It's pointless for both sides.
Originally posted by ushomefree
Do you actually read my posts?
Lulz. Irony.