Occupy Wall Street

[TLMitchell]

Final thought: the mechanism for change is built into our govt. It is ultimately up to us, the citizens, to become more involved in the process in order to hold our elected "representatives" accountable and replace them when they fail us.

Everyone agrees, vote the rascals out! Except for their rascal. Because their rascal brings home the jobs and the loot! The underlying problem has become culturally related to self-interests. Everyone wants their's, screw everyone else. Many refuse to educate themselves on how their governemnt works and the principles of the Founding Fathers. How many would take the time to read the Federalist Papers and how many would understand them if they did? It's easier to merely repeat what you hear down at the coffee shop and to point fingers at whoever the latest whipping boy is than it is to open your eyes and think.

Pogo had it right almost 60 years ago: "We have met the enemy.... and he is us!"

I would be elated if every single incumbant elected official in any capacity in the entire country were voted out of office and replaced with the citizen-representatives that were originally intended. I also wouldn't mind holding a law degree to be exclusionary to holding any office.

In the final analysis it probably is all Dubya's fault.

TL

 

[Bunky]

I think if the republicans get their wish and get control of the senate (do not really need the presidency) and pass a budget similar to the Ryan or Paul models they will be voted out two years later. The economy will contract dramatically and the voters will respond accordingly result by voting disapproval (but they got what they really asked for).

You can eliminate virtually every "social" discretionary spending (defense, social security, interest on debt, other mandated pensions, etc) and you barely get close to balancing the budget.

I think in the end the committee will end in deadlock, the spending cuts will be set to cut in, we will have the election, and it it will begin again.

 

[JSMet]

I remember watching a movie about a South American country that went through an endless series of revolutions where one corrupt government was overthrown by the "people" and became corrupt itself and was overthrown, etc., etc., etc. What the real answer for us nobody knows. We just get caught up in pointing fingers, placing blame, suggesting remedies that someone will disagree with.... I'm going outside and polishing my car.

 

[Flash Gordon]

I remember watching a movie about a South American country that went through an endless series of revolutions where one corrupt government was overthrown by the "people" and became corrupt itself and was overthrown, etc., etc., etc. What the real answer for us nobody knows. We just get caught up in pointing fingers, placing blame, suggesting remedies that someone will disagree with.... I'm going outside and polishing my car.

:iagree: with all this. Except the part about going outside to polish. I'm going nite nite :dig:

 

[kronos]

So many politicians are so polarizing. They get voted into office on whatever agenda they have and then refuse to compromise with other politicians in order to appease to the people that voted them in. Why not vote for politicians campaigning with the message of compromise? It seems all the candidates have such a hardline stance that it's no wonder they can't get anything done.

 

[Rob T]

So many politicians are so polarizing. They get voted into office on whatever agenda they have and then refuse to compromise with other politicians in order to appease to the people that voted them in. Why not vote for politicians campaigning with the message of compromise? It seems all the candidates have such a hardline stance that it's no wonder they can't get anything done.

Show me a candidate who runs on compromising with the other party, and I will show you a candidate that will not win. That has *never* been a winning strategy.

Compromise in politics means having the other side agree with your proposal.

 

[Flash Gordon]

Robin Meade cookin for me and BobbyG :drool:

 

[jfelbab]

So many politicians are so polarizing. They get voted into office on whatever agenda they have and then refuse to compromise with other politicians in order to appease to the people that voted them in. Why not vote for politicians campaigning with the message of compromise? It seems all the candidates have such a hardline stance that it's no wonder they can't get anything done.

When you've maxed our all your credit cards and taken a second mortgage on your home there is little room for compromise. You have to stop spending. When you have to borrow 40 cents of every dollar you spend just to just stay afloat, you ran out of room to compromise. You can't expect your kids to bail you out so you can go buy that new Lexus and take that Hawaii vacation.

There are only two ways out of this and neither is pretty. One, you cut spending and develop a budget and live within that budget. You only buy essentials and you cut up your credit cards.

Two, you do nothing until it all collapses. When that happens there will be no jobs, no military, no police, no fire, no teachers, no unions, no government. Your money will be worthless and there will be anarchy and killing in the streets. Chinese will most likely be our next language, so better start learning it.

This situation is like dealing with an alcoholic. Either he stops drinking or he doesn't. There is NO COMPROMISE that will work.

 

[arack]

I think if the republicans get their wish and get control of the senate (do not really need the presidency) and pass a budget similar to the Ryan or Paul models they will be voted out two years later. The economy will contract dramatically and the voters will respond accordingly result by voting disapproval (but they got what they really asked for).

You can eliminate virtually every "social" discretionary spending (defense, social security, interest on debt, other mandated pensions, etc) and you barely get close to balancing the budget.

I think in the end the committee will end in deadlock, the spending cuts will be set to cut in, we will have the election, and it it will begin again.

Actually, balancing the budget will allow us to grow our economy. We have to make cuts on all of our programs in order to survive.

We are not going to be the dominant economy of this century. China is already taking over.

The whole premise that we can tax "rich" people who make $ 250k a year to balance the budget is a farce. It is simply class warfare. I pay for the other 50% of the country who doesn't pay a dime in taxes.

I support a flat tax. Of course, this would make too much sense to actually accomplish in our country.

 

[Bunky]

Actually, balancing the budget will allow us to grow our economy. We have to make cuts on all of our programs in order to survive.

If you cut $3 trillion of the budget quickly the economy will slow down and unemployment will group at lot. The economy is down due to consumer spending.

We can make the claim it is wasteful but nonetheless it is feeding the economy..someone is getting the money and it does get back into the economy in many ways private spending does.

The problem is it is mostly borrowed so just getting the borrowing to zero does not give you or me more money. It just balances the budget and reduce the longer term issues.

A Ron Paul budget will mean a fairly painful recession or depression while we detox from the spending and the housing market will collapse more, more unemployed, pressure again on the financial institutions left holding the mortgages, etc. It would like a drug addict going cold turkey.

 

[Rei86]

So many politicians are so polarizing. They get voted into office on whatever agenda they have and then refuse to compromise with other politicians in order to appease to the people that voted them in. Why not vote for politicians campaigning with the message of compromise? It seems all the candidates have such a hardline stance that it's no wonder they can't get anything done.

Because to the public eye it'll make you look weak. And be honest when they look weak to you do you want to vote them in?

I know a lot of people that wanna "change" the world but A) they don't have the money and B) they aren't interested and feel as if its someone else problem.

I'm guilty of both, and so are many of the young people in this country.