'Negative' Outlook for U.S. Debt

[IceHogsFan]

Do they get it? Are those in Congress going to respond to outside credit ratings that say we are going to have a huge issue domestically with spending and debt?



I am curious how others feel about the debt situation or do you just not care?

The United States' latest fiscal standoff -- an intensifying impasse over whether to raise the federal debt ceiling -- got a sudden jolt Monday when a top credit rating service expressed pessimism at D.C.'s political will to solve the debt crisis.



It remained unclear whether Standard & Poor's decision to change its outlook on U.S. fiscal health over the next two years from "stable" to "negative" would prompt the White House and Congress to agree on a debt fix. But it certainly prompted both sides to affirm they are serious about the issue.



Entire Story

 

[Tater]

I care, A LOT!

I hate to see this country going right down the crapper.

 

[supraman]

The debt has to be reduced and we need to balance the budget. If I have to balance my checkbook so should the government. Some of the deals I've heard I liked, even Obama's plan isn't terrible but the budget is the most important thing going on. Avoid cutting taxes for votes, avoid raising taxes if possible (if you have to you have to) cut the dead weight out of the government.



I do think it is a step in the right direction but let's see if real solutions come out of it.

 

[IceHogsFan]

I think others have heard me say this before but will restate for this thread.



I have no problem paying my portion. I will not take lightly discussions to raise taxes until two measures are done prior;



~ Congress seriously addresses spending. Last budget $38 Billion in reductions (questionable now from CBO they say actually savings in the millions not billions out of $3 TRILLION budget. What a joke.



~ Every individual shares in the pain of paying more. Enough of the class warfare bullshit that this POTUS keeps spewing. Every individual pays more. When half of our nation's households pay no federal income tax in times of a debt crisis something is wrong.

 

[jakobeast]

I think others have heard me say this before but will restate for this thread.



I have no problem paying my portion. I will not take lightly discussions to raise taxes until two measures are done prior;



~ Congress seriously addresses spending. Last budget $38 Billion in reductions (questionable now from CBO they say actually savings in the millions not billions out of $3 TRILLION budget. What a joke.



~ Every individual shares in the pain of paying more. Enough of the class warfare bullshit that this POTUS keeps spewing. Every individual pays more. When half of our nation's households pay no federal income tax in times of a debt crisis something is wrong.

Almost half. Last I heard it was 40%. Also, people not making much don't pay into the system. Is that part of that number? I honestly don't know.



Also, I want businesses to pay as well. when it is reported that GE (I think it was GE) paid zero taxes, and other mega corporations aren't shouldering some of the weight, then I have a problem.



Cuts MUST be made. There is no other option.



I also subscribe to what Churchill said. "A nation that tries to tax itself into prosperity is like a man trying to lift a bucket he is standing in.

 

[supraman]

Almost half. Last I heard it was 40%. Also, people not making much don't pay into the system. Is that part of that number? I honestly don't know.



Also, I want businesses to pay as well. when it is reported that GE (I think it was GE) paid zero taxes, and other mega corporations aren't shouldering some of the weight, then I have a problem.



Cuts MUST be made. There is no other option.



I also subscribe to what Churchill said. "A nation that tries to tax itself into prosperity is like a man trying to lift a bucket he is standing in.

I'd love to see Social Security, Welfare, Medicare, Medicaid phased out. They are a tax burden and terrible programs. Especially Social Security, why not let me invest that money into a 401K or savings account, wherever, let that money make me money, instead of it not making me money.

 

[Spunky Porkstacker]

I think others have heard me say this before but will restate for this thread.



I have no problem paying my portion. I will not take lightly discussions to raise taxes until two measures are done prior;



~ Congress seriously addresses spending. Last budget $38 Billion in reductions (questionable now from CBO they say actually savings in the millions not billions out of $3 TRILLION budget. What a joke.



~ Every individual shares in the pain of paying more. Enough of the class warfare bullshit that this POTUS keeps spewing. Every individual pays more. When half of our nation's households pay no federal income tax in times of a debt crisis something is wrong.

The republicans originally wanted 100 billion which was 1.5 % of the total budget, but settled for the 38 billion. Its an absolute joke that they can't even cut 1.5 % off of the budjet.



Not very encouraging that any of these people get it.

 

[Spunky Porkstacker]

Almost half. Last I heard it was 40%. Also, people not making much don't pay into the system. Is that part of that number? I honestly don't know.



Also, I want businesses to pay as well. when it is reported that GE (I think it was GE) paid zero taxes, and other mega corporations aren't shouldering some of the weight, then I have a problem.



Cuts MUST be made. There is no other option.



I also subscribe to what Churchill said. "A nation that tries to tax itself into prosperity is like a man trying to lift a bucket he is standing in.

Its up to about 48% now

 

[Tater]

Its up to about 48% now

And we borrow $4 billion a day...

 

[supraman]

And we borrow $4 billion a day...

That all? I mean that's more than I'll make in my entire life and we borrow that per day. Yeah that's okay...no problem there.

 

[IceHogsFan]

And we borrow $4 billion a day...

$58,000 every second.

 

[supraman]

$58,000 every second.

Hey wow it only takes me over 2 years to make that much, I'ma go play in traffic now

 

[MassHavoc]

Hey wow it only takes me over 2 years to make that much, I'ma go play in traffic now

Wait... what? You live off like 29k a year?

 

[supraman]

Wait... what? You live off like 29k a year?

Yeah no money in FL

 

[cids_revenge]

Everybody operates with debt cutting safety nets and NPR funding won't solve shit. Quit throwing money away on stupid pointless wars, stop outsourcing good paying jobs and get more money to more citizens. listening to people who make millions ***** that someone trying to get by on $30K/ year isn't paying their fair share is bullshit. CEO pay is up, corporate profits are up, productivity is up and wages are barely moving. If people were making money they'd be spending money and extra tax revenue would be made and can be used to pay down debt.



The debt is a fear tactic right now more than anything. Scott Walker and Rick Snyder are more than proof of that, politicians are using the debt to push their agenda, and people are buying into it.



All this talk about privatizing SS, medicare and medicaid is just another way to trick people into flowing money up. Profits will always come before people and you are adding a middleman.



I'm not syainig debt shouldn't be monitored but there is a lot of over reaction going on.

 

[IceHogsFan]

In other words the debt is okay, the corporations are greedy, everything is an over reaction, we should continue down the same path we are already heading and just keep our head in the sand because those in charge have everything under control and all of our best interests at heart.



Sheeple....

 

[supraman]

In other words the debt is okay, the corporations are greedy, everything is an over reaction, we should continue down the same path we are already heading and just keep our head in the sand because those in charge have everything under control and all of our best interests at heart.



Sheeple....

Well one way to look at it is if companies paid better less people would be on welfare so less funding would go to the program.

 

[MassHavoc]

The main problem as I've said all along is that as the world has progressed, changed, adapted, updated and learned to use technology to make everything work better and more efficient, the government still does everything today the same way they always have. It hasn't adjusted the same way its creation was an adjustment to a new political environment. They could cut half of the government officials out redraw lines, institute better technology to serve, and do a much better job. Less people to fight with and owe favors too.

 

[IceHogsFan]

The main problem as I've said all along is that as the world has progressed, changed, adapted, updated and learned to use technology to make everything work better and more efficient, the government still does everything today the same way they always have. It hasn't adjusted the same way its creation was an adjustment to a new political environment. They could cut half of the government officials out redraw lines, institute better technology to serve, and do a much better job. Less people to fight with and owe favors too.

Agree



Ironically, the last two years has seen government employees increase by 10%.



Does anyone else see the hypocrisy when individuals state that companies are making profits yet the bloated and antiquated government continues to mushroom out of control? Perfect example of times changing, technology and how the federal government does not adapt is the USPS.

 

[MassHavoc]

Agree



Ironically, the last two years has seen government employees increase by 10%.



Does anyone else see the hypocrisy when individuals state that companies are making profits yet the bloated and antiquated government continues to mushroom out of control? Perfect example of times changing, technology and how the federal government does not adapt is the USPS.

It's truely a viscous circle. They are the one's in control of adding their own jobs and even giving themselves pay increase. What motivation do they have to decrease the number of government jobs, wages and benefits. Everyone knows its like a fraternity, once you are in all you do is float around from job to job, look at Claypool getting the CTA job it's the same thing. They have to keep adding jobs because they keep trading jobs for favors. Then when people lose elections they still magically have government jobs somewhere from the votes they've sold.



IT'S TRULY RIDICULOUS THAT A GOVERNMENT CAN HAVE 10% JOB GROWTH WHILE HEMORRHAGING SO MUCH MONEY. If they were a company, wouldn't jobs be the first thing cut? Then budgets, then services...