Expect higher taxes in the coming years

[Mister D]

[Collateral Damage]

So should American waistlines which are partly to blame for medical costs.

Do you truly want to open that door? Me personally, the government does not belong in a citizen's bedroom, bathroom, or kitchen. They've already screwed up the living room with TV restrictions.

[Mister D]

Do you truly want to open that door? Me personally, the government does not belong in a citizen's bedroom, bathroom, or kitchen. They've already screwed up the living room with TV restrictions.

I would not leave it closed out of principle but I understand your concerns. I share them.


Question: if there were a disease epidemic raging across the nation would you want the state involved?

[carolina73]

No mention of Cheeto Jesus spending us into near record deficits? While the economy is supposedly good? You know, the time when traditionally we pay those down a bit?

Record? LOL. He is well below the Obama AVERAGE deficit by actual numbers and by % of GDP. Obama averaged about 1.1 trillion per year if you look at the raw data which means the change in the Federal debt since published numbers always try to hold back interest and extraordinary expenses. Do not be confused and try to use budget numbers because they are only plans not the actual numbers.
The deficit as a % of GDP is one third lower than Obama's 3rd year which was also = to his average.

This sounds like the "Great Recession" scam that was over in Obama's 5th month and paled in comparison to Carter's recession. Add double digit interest rates and double digit inflation to the "Great Recession" and you have the Carter Recession.

Knowing all that does not make me happy about the deficits. We need to dramatically cut government and social spending.

[Peter1469]

The largest part of discretionary spending, however, is for the military, at 54%. This is where contention arises.





I interpret "discretionary" as meaning easiest to slash, and you have to wonder how much is just industrial and corporate welfare under false cover of the flag.

IMHO, extreme high tech weapons -- naval laser weapons and so forth -- need to be critically evaluated in this context with a view toward eliminating them.

And social entitlements including those outside of the discretionary budget dwarf military spending.

[Peter1469]

The largest part of discretionary spending, however, is for the military, at 54%. This is where contention arises.





I interpret "discretionary" as meaning easiest to slash, and you have to wonder how much is just industrial and corporate welfare.

IMHO, extreme high tech weapons -- naval and space laser weapons and so forth -- need to be critically evaluated in this context with a view toward eliminating them.

The discretionary budget is the part you see in the news being argued over in Congress. Entitlement spending goes on regardless of that budget battle.

Disagree on the high tech weapons. We need them if we are to survive in the future.

[Peter1469]

Attachment 27375

Now compare that pie chart to social security and medicare. It dwarfs military spending.

[Collateral Damage]

I would not leave it closed out of principle but I understand your concerns. I share them.
Question: if there were a disease epidemic raging across the nation would you want the state involved?

Information only what it is, and how it should to be addressed. Involvement after that should be voluntary.

[Mister D]

Information only what it is, and how it should to be addressed. Involvement after that should be voluntary.

Involvement in what? What I asked is should the state act in such a circumstance?

At the very least, an obese population should not be complaining about rising medical costs. Agreed?

[Collateral Damage]

Involvement in what? What I asked is should the state act in such a circumstance?
At the very least, an obese population should not be complaining about rising medical costs. Agreed?

The government should provide information on subjects pertaining to the citizens.... that is their action. That is my response. Epidemic I believe was your offering, so provide information on what it is, how to prevent personal infection, and what to do if a person comes ill. Not mandate injections, not require people to do this or that, but provide information and let the individual make decisions for them and their minor dependents. They can offer immunizations or care, but participation should be voluntary.

While society bears the cost of those who won't take care of themselves, I don't care if they complain about what it costs. Some medical conditions are not self inflicted, should those people just shut up because they are part of a societal pool? We are all free to make choices, and taking away one person's freedom of choice, will eventually become 'your' freedom of choice.