Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12
Results 31 to 43 of 43

Thread: Bernanke to Congress: We're much closer to destruction than you think

  1. #31
    Quote Originally Posted by Zippyjuan View Post
    How about Paul Krugman as a source?
    http://www.thestar.com/opinion/edito...european-peace


    As far as the economy is concerned, the government is the same as any other company. It can hire or fire workers. When budgets get cut, that means that people lose their jobs and unless there are already jobs in the economy for them to go to (and there aren't) then those people get added to the numbers of unemployed. Unemployed aren't getting paid (unless it is unemployment insurance which would be a government expense) and that means no income or social security taxes being paid by them (Government revenues). Their consumption goes down too since they don't have money to spend so sales taxes (usually state and local revenue sources) go down. And since these people aren't buying as much, the places they used to shop at see their business decline and they need less help as well so others lose jobs or hours of work as well.


    http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/...79H1TE20111018


    Spain would be an excellent example too.


    http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/...VJR_story.html
    And Zippy's solution to this mess is?
    Pfizer Macht Frei!

    Openly Straight Man, Danke, Awarded Top Rated Influencer. Community Standards Enforcer.


    Quiz: Test Your "Income" Tax IQ!

    Short Income Tax Video

    The Income Tax Is An Excise, And Excise Taxes Are Privilege Taxes

    The Federalist Papers, No. 15:

    Except as to the rule of appointment, the United States have an indefinite discretion to make requisitions for men and money; but they have no authority to raise either by regulations extending to the individual citizens of America.



  2. Remove this section of ads by registering.
  3. #32
    when will QE be announced?
    truth is treason in the empire of lies



  4. Remove this section of ads by registering.
  5. #33
    And Zippy's solution to this mess is?

    There is no simple solution. It was not as bad of a situation but in 1980 Reagan and the Fed also had to make a tough decision. The US had been seeing growing inflation over decades with little sign of letup. The solution was to raise interest rates but that would mean higher unemployment and not all presidents would have wanted the risk of short term harm to the economy in exchange for longer term benefits. He bit the bullet and interest rates were sharply hiked as high as 20% and within the next couple of years (1982) the unemployment rose to over ten percent- the highest this country had seen since the Great Depression- and the country went into a recession. In 1979 unemployment was only six percent. It did not hit ten percent in the current recession.

    I guess for the United States I would favor a gradual closing of the budget gap- say $300 billion a year. But you have to shoot for a higher number to try to get to your target and you also have to include both budget cuts and taxes- even though that is unpopular. It cannot be done simply via cuts in spending. But getting anything close to that though Congress- especially in an election year (they are all basially election years now- the House and one third of the Senate get voted on every two years) will be incredibly difficult. I don't expect anything to happen. Congress hates any sort of difficult decisions and put them off as long as possible.
    Last edited by Zippyjuan; 04-13-2012 at 08:29 PM.

  6. #34
    Quote Originally Posted by Zippyjuan View Post
    I guess for the United States I would favor a gradual closing of the budget gap- say $300 billion a year.
    So 300 Billion a year in reductions is your number?
    Pfizer Macht Frei!

    Openly Straight Man, Danke, Awarded Top Rated Influencer. Community Standards Enforcer.


    Quiz: Test Your "Income" Tax IQ!

    Short Income Tax Video

    The Income Tax Is An Excise, And Excise Taxes Are Privilege Taxes

    The Federalist Papers, No. 15:

    Except as to the rule of appointment, the United States have an indefinite discretion to make requisitions for men and money; but they have no authority to raise either by regulations extending to the individual citizens of America.

  7. #35
    Guys, the date on that article is Feb 2011

    Infowars fail

  8. #36
    The gradual cutting spending and raising taxes is probably the most gentle (read: logical) thing to do approaching this weak economy. Unfortunately, we have a Congress that is beyond worthless. They will be gridlocked until Europe's collapse worsens IMO. Then they will see we must change our ways. ( At least I still have some hope that they will )

    If they continue as they are doing, the unemployment will basically stay around the same amount, but in a slightly upward motion. Money printing and propping up zombie banks goes a long way when you think about it. It's delaying the inevitable, but it is at least holding somewhat steady.

    Cutting $1T is scary. It's what we need ultimately yes, but with our unemployment and economy, it's a HUGE risk. Reagan got lucky as the debt was nothing compared to now. We are now in even more uncharted territory. Honestly, who knows what would happen if the cuts came through Congress? It's fun to think it would work but there is no example because the numbers have never been this large. The magic number for unemployment before the government is overthrown might be 30%, we don't know! And Congress sure doesn't want to find out either. Hah!
    I want more freedom and I cannot lie. No other brothers can deny. When the Fed marches in with a itty-bitty rate and the IRS takes your cake, it's no FUN!

  9. #37
    Quote Originally Posted by PaulStandsTall View Post
    The gradual cutting spending and raising taxes is probably the most gentle (read: logical) thing to do approaching this weak economy.
    You don't think raising taxes will not have a dire effect?
    Pfizer Macht Frei!

    Openly Straight Man, Danke, Awarded Top Rated Influencer. Community Standards Enforcer.


    Quiz: Test Your "Income" Tax IQ!

    Short Income Tax Video

    The Income Tax Is An Excise, And Excise Taxes Are Privilege Taxes

    The Federalist Papers, No. 15:

    Except as to the rule of appointment, the United States have an indefinite discretion to make requisitions for men and money; but they have no authority to raise either by regulations extending to the individual citizens of America.

  10. #38
    Quote Originally Posted by Danke View Post
    You don't think raising taxes will not have a dire effect?
    Not if it's done gradually. Yes I know that taxes don't spur growth, but growth is not the objective here. The object is paying our way out of the mess we are in. A slow transition back to fiscal sanity wouldn't be as high risk as cutting $1T (which is not likely anyways, even if RP is president) vis-a-vis unemployment.

    But there are no easy answers here. Obviously it can't be done by cutting spending alone. We literally have to take in more revenue to be able to service the debts. Just like a business would need to do.

    It's fun to think about, as if we are in charge. How we could fix things, and the different solutions that are feasible. But we are not in charge. Congress is, and Congress is worthless and will keep driving us deeper into debt until Europe's economic situation is disastrous IMO.
    I want more freedom and I cannot lie. No other brothers can deny. When the Fed marches in with a itty-bitty rate and the IRS takes your cake, it's no FUN!

  11. #39
    Quote Originally Posted by PaulStandsTall View Post
    Not if it's done gradually. Yes I know that taxes don't spur growth, but growth is not the objective here. The object is paying our way out of the mess we are in. A slow transition back to fiscal sanity wouldn't be as high risk as cutting $1T (which is not likely anyways, even if RP is president) vis-a-vis unemployment.

    But there are no easy answers here. Obviously it can't be done by cutting spending alone. We literally have to take in more revenue to be able to service the debts. Just like a business would need to do.

    It's fun to think about, as if we are in charge. How we could fix things, and the different solutions that are feasible. But we are not in charge. Congress is, and Congress is worthless and will keep driving us deeper into debt until Europe's economic situation is disastrous IMO.
    I say just repudiate the debt. I, nor you, are responsible for it.

    Some shore term pain, no doubt. But the creditors can't collect anyway with our military.

    Bring it. I'm for a reset.
    Pfizer Macht Frei!

    Openly Straight Man, Danke, Awarded Top Rated Influencer. Community Standards Enforcer.


    Quiz: Test Your "Income" Tax IQ!

    Short Income Tax Video

    The Income Tax Is An Excise, And Excise Taxes Are Privilege Taxes

    The Federalist Papers, No. 15:

    Except as to the rule of appointment, the United States have an indefinite discretion to make requisitions for men and money; but they have no authority to raise either by regulations extending to the individual citizens of America.

  12. #40
    Well for every action...

    If we repudiate the national debt, there are still unfunded liabilities (public debt). How will grandma get her Medicare/Social Security? Once the US refuses to repay it's debtors, and the Fed won't print the dollars, then we have: 1)No one to borrow from 2)No way to steal from our unborn grandchildren via Bernake. Obviously it would result in a huge upheaval of desperate hungry souls, and tremendous death. The idea is to avoid all of that bad stuff, and somehow keep along how we are and slowly get pay our way out if we can. All eyes on Europe. Let's hope Congress can learn something from all this.
    I want more freedom and I cannot lie. No other brothers can deny. When the Fed marches in with a itty-bitty rate and the IRS takes your cake, it's no FUN!



  13. Remove this section of ads by registering.
  14. #41
    Quote Originally Posted by PaulStandsTall View Post
    Well for every action...

    If we repudiate the national debt, there are still unfunded liabilities (public debt). How will grandma get her Medicare/Social Security? Once the US refuses to repay it's debtors, and the Fed won't print the dollars, then we have: 1)No one to borrow from 2)No way to steal from our unborn grandchildren via Bernake. Obviously it would result in a huge upheaval of desperate hungry souls, and tremendous death. The idea is to avoid all of that bad stuff, and somehow keep along how we are and slowly get pay our way out if we can. All eyes on Europe. Let's hope Congress can learn something from all this.
    In your imagination. But I believe these problems can be fixed with the now unimaginable debt and its repudiation relief to individuals and the economy without the burden of the current debt drain.
    Pfizer Macht Frei!

    Openly Straight Man, Danke, Awarded Top Rated Influencer. Community Standards Enforcer.


    Quiz: Test Your "Income" Tax IQ!

    Short Income Tax Video

    The Income Tax Is An Excise, And Excise Taxes Are Privilege Taxes

    The Federalist Papers, No. 15:

    Except as to the rule of appointment, the United States have an indefinite discretion to make requisitions for men and money; but they have no authority to raise either by regulations extending to the individual citizens of America.

  15. #42
    Quote Originally Posted by PaulStandsTall View Post
    The gradual cutting spending and raising taxes is probably the most gentle (read: logical) thing to do approaching this weak economy. Unfortunately, we have a Congress that is beyond worthless. They will be gridlocked until Europe's collapse worsens IMO. Then they will see we must change our ways. ( At least I still have some hope that they will )

    If they continue as they are doing, the unemployment will basically stay around the same amount, but in a slightly upward motion. Money printing and propping up zombie banks goes a long way when you think about it. It's delaying the inevitable, but it is at least holding somewhat steady.

    Cutting $1T is scary. It's what we need ultimately yes, but with our unemployment and economy, it's a HUGE risk. Reagan got lucky as the debt was nothing compared to now. We are now in even more uncharted territory. Honestly, who knows what would happen if the cuts came through Congress? It's fun to think it would work but there is no example because the numbers have never been this large. The magic number for unemployment before the government is overthrown might be 30%, we don't know! And Congress sure doesn't want to find out either. Hah!
    Reagan also recognized that the tax cuts he pushed through early in his term were having an adverse effect on the deficit and followed that up with more tax INCREASES which at the time were the biggest on record. Ron Paul too has said that you need to get the budget balanced and reduce the debt before you make any major changes in reducing taxes.

    So 300 Billion a year in reductions is your number?
    Yes, that would be my target. That would get you to a balanced budget in three years without a dramatic negative impact on the economy. Do I think it will happen? No.

    I think fear of its impact on the economy is why Obama never pushed to get the the suggestions of the Budget Deficit Reduction Committee passed by Congress. Now he can let the automatic reductions for next year happen and avoid any political blame for the outcome. There are going to be some huge budget battles coming up.
    Last edited by Zippyjuan; 04-15-2012 at 07:53 PM.

  16. #43
    Quote Originally Posted by Danke View Post
    You don't think raising taxes will not have a dire effect?
    It depends on how the taxes are structured. Some (basically the rich) are better able to absorb a tax increase without it dramatically changing what they do. This is the same reason that if you want to use tax cuts to stimulate spending you want to give the money to those most likely to spend it- which would be those at the lower end of the income scale. Same for businesses. Large corporations have massive money sources and many actually end up paying little to no money in taxes to the government while a smaller business may be month to month survival- higher taxes on them could put them out of business. Large companies right now are sitting on over $1 trillion in cash while small business is wondering how much longer they can hang on or where they are going to get enough money this month or quarter to pay suppliers or workers.
    Last edited by Zippyjuan; 04-15-2012 at 07:59 PM.

Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12


Similar Threads

  1. Bernanke’s Warning: We Stand on the Precipice of Economic Destruction
    By John F Kennedy III in forum U.S. Political News
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 04-12-2012, 05:56 PM
  2. 48% Say Their Views Closer to Tea Party Than Congress
    By Matt Collins in forum U.S. Political News
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 04-07-2011, 11:31 AM
  3. Replies: 12
    Last Post: 02-18-2011, 07:14 AM
  4. Four Members of Congress Complicit in Destruction of CIA Tapes.
    By RonPaulFTFW in forum U.S. Political News
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 12-19-2007, 02:10 PM

Select a tag for more discussion on that topic

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •