Bush: Bad for the Economy

[Xantar]

You know, Blackmane, if you had actually read the article, you would see that the criticism these economists have for Bush have nothing to do with recessions. You won't even see the words "recession" or "recovery" in the article. The economy isn't all about unemployment numbers and GDP, you know.

We were splurging completely out of control during the Clinton years, and we are now paying for it. However, a recovery was pretty much guaranteed to happen. The economy goes in cycles.

These economists are criticizing Bush's tax cuts because it balloons the deficit and sends the national debt skyrocketing. I don't know if you're worried about it or not, but if something isn't done to establish fiscal discipline, Social Security and other government programs could be jeopardized. It will also lead to weakening of the dollar. In other words, inflation.

[Professor S]

Originally Posted by Xantar

These economists are criticizing Bush's tax cuts because it balloons the deficit and sends the national debt skyrocketing. I don't know if you're worried about it or not, but if something isn't done to establish fiscal discipline, Social Security and other government programs could be jeopardized. It will also lead to weakening of the dollar. In other words, inflation.

There is one big problem with that theory, and that is that lowering taxes increases revenue which then makes up for the cuts through volume. The same thing happened in 1986(?) with Reagan's tax cuts. He slashed taxes yet revenue for the remained consistent. Raising taxes or even maintaining them have shown to do more damage to the economy than good.

The problem comes with SPENDING. Reagan spent like a bastard trying to make Russia go broke, which he did, but it led to a recession.

As for goverment programs being in jeopardy, thats because we refuse to allow our programs to GAIN money rather than remaining as slush funds dependent on public funds that never match expenditures. Here's a fact: The stock market over the last 50 or so years has maintained a 11% return on investments. Its not that hard to find a mutual fund that maintains that level of return... SO WHY AM I BEING FORCED TO PUT PART OF MY PAYCHECK INTO A SYSTEM THAT IS DESIGNED TO LOSE MY MONEY????? Privatize these programs instead of stubbornly supporting social programs that were never designed to be permanent in the first place.

Well crap. It looks like I'm back, but I'm going to pick my spots a little better this time around.

[Ace195]

I agree with you strangler that I don't think we should have to pay social security, however.. If it's going to keep some old lady off the street now, then I'm happy with my decision, I'll call it my chairitable deduction... I wonder if thats a tax write off.. hehe

[Neo]

Originally Posted by Ace195

I agree with you strangler that I don't think we should have to pay social security

I think old people should have planned more effectively for retirement when they had the chance. It's their own damn fault if they have no money. Okay that's a little harsh, but I do think we expend to many resources on old people. Especially fat old people.

[Seth]

You guys in the states have no idea what social security tax really is.


We Canadians have health care and social security taxes to pay. gah.


And it's going to get worse real soon with the number of baby boomers retiring on the rise.

[Blackmane]

Unfortunately for people growing older, there is really no way to maintain systems like social security where returns don't match payments going in. I read in the newspaper that if we either doubled the taxes to these programs immeidiately or cut benefits in half immiedietely and made them permanent, that that would cover the increasing gap in shortcomings.

[Professor S]

Originally Posted by Ace195

I agree with you strangler that I don't think we should have to pay social security, however.. If it's going to keep some old lady off the street now, then I'm happy with my decision, I'll call it my chairitable deduction... I wonder if thats a tax write off.. hehe

Don't misunderstand me. I'm not saying that Social Security should be dismantled. I believe the moneys collected should be locked and invested instead of sitting in a slush fund earning nothing and available to be used for whatever the government feels like spending OUR money on without asking us for permission.

I'd have no problem with Arlen Greenspan finding a nice Mutual Fund to invest my money in, so that I'll actually GET IT someday.