[JerryLove]

Originally Posted by Bryan

This whole situation continues to amaze me. Nobody is willing to compromise it seems. I hope something happens soon.

At the risk of sounding partisan: it seems the Obama put several sacred cows on the table (like SS and Medicare) in his 4-tillion-dollar proposal.

They should just raise the debt ceiling a couple trillion dollars and worry about the deficit later. Now is not the time to be fighting over the deficit when we could potentially default on our debts.

They've done so every year or so for a century.

Originally Posted by gtrdave

So, they should do the same thing that they've always done...

Seems to me that the definition of insanity is exhibited by such behavior.

Maybe I missed something.

We've been doing it for a century. The result is that we are the most economically powerful nation in the world and have been for most of that century. Therefore it would be insane to keep doing what we have done?!?

I actually do agree that the deficit is too large and need ot be dealt with: but your logic is lost on me.

Originally Posted by Epaphras

Imagine trying to get hyped up to get on a budget and start paying off your credit card debt the minute you are approved for a new credit card. Ain't gonna happen.

Analogies are good for a while but eventually fail... like cars.

Imagine that you are cash-strapped and, to avoid allowing your existing debt to grow with your income you defauly, ruin your credit rating, and your payments on existing debt skyrocket because of interest rates.

You can't get out of debt by taking on new debt, that is the definition of stupidity. And you won't be motivated to change if you don't get hurt a little bit: being forced to live within your means is not Armageddon, that's what households and businesses have to do every day.

Hundreds of businesses go out of business every day.. many because they cannot raise capital.

If you keep picking you cherries: I'll put them under a microscope.

The federal government only needs the first $0.10 of every $1 in revenue each month to meet our existing debt obligations. The other $0.90 can be prioritized and when the money runs out, then the least-effective and least-needed programs go away, which is fine with me and fine for the 99.9% of Americans who aren't a part of the particular special interest served by that particular government program.

Social security payments may not be met as early as next month.

But perhaps you are right. Millions of layoffs, a stock-market crash, and the elderly becoming destitute might do us some good.

Withdrawing from Afghanistan (which let's face it, is a quagmire) and downsizing the military by at least 50% (both personnel- and cost-wise) will help a ton.

You are right. Let's fly our soldiers home. Let me just get some fuel for the jets... oh wait: no money!

You want to stop raising the debt? Fine! That requires changes *before* you hit the debt limit.

I support a national referendum on a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.

Imagine such an ammendment was in place say: Dec 7, 1941.

Remember: a constitutional ammendment requires not only 2/3rds of both houses to overrule: but the majorty of the states as well.

It's a horriffic idea.

Originally Posted by tigerfan88

I have a mom who is 62 and a father who is 63. Both have battled cancer and numerous other health issues. They depend on their benefits in order to pay for medications, other out of pocket health expenses, and other bare necessities.

I had cancer. Where we my benefits?

I'm not old enough to deserve to live?!?

I know many other seniors who are struggling to make ends meet with just their current benefits--imagine what would happen if current benefits were cut? It'd be just about impossible for them to survive.

I could say the same thing about people on unemployment, people on welfare, and people whose jobs depend on government spending (both actual federal employees, and those that work in the industries federal money goes to).

That would take basically *all* cuts off the table.

I have no issues with modifying benefits for future social security recipients, nor do I have issues with spending cuts in other areas. But taking from seniors, disabled people and current/former military members who receive benefits and have paid into the system all their lives? That's something I take issue with.

Funny story: Your parents did not pay for their social security... they paid for your grand-parent's social security.

So no matter where you cut it off: someone will pay in without getting anything back... this is because the originail receipients never paid in.

[Rainer.]

Originally Posted by tigerfan88

To be honest, I cannot believe the talks have gone on for this long

I can.

When there are opposing viewpoints, everyone will push until the very last possible moment to try to get their own way.

It might be uncomfortable to watch, but in the end, they'll ditch their sportscars and survive.