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This is actually from an article on Japan today but it illustrates the problem so many countries face. Interesting to see that even though our projected percent of population being elderly is lower than many other countries, our spending is as crazy as theirs.
http://s.wsj.net/media/JBLOAT0812charts5.jpg
I have been doing SO well in my summer plan to severely limit my internet time, so have successfully been able to break my "Simple Living Forum addiction".....well, until today.....just had to come in and see what all of you thought of the Republican VP choice......was pretty much as predicted, given our various proclivities. Looks like both the Republicans AND the Democrats are happy.....something very hard to achieve, hahahaha.
I found Nate Silver's analysis to be kind of spot on to my own thoughts, and since he can detail them so much better than I can, here's the link. Lots here for Republicans to cheer, and lots of potholes that might be fallen into. Pop up some popcorn, this is going to be interesting.......
http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes...an/#more-33035
let the campaign truly begin.......
I've missed all you guys, BUT, have also read almost dozens of books since I broke the internet addiction, and re-acquainted myself with "real life" for a change........
Skimmed over all that has happened here in the past month since my last trip here.....lots of good stuff in the simple living departments, same-oh, same-oh on all the political stuff.....we really ARE a predictable bunch, hahahahaha.......
we are here in southern CA, enjoying our first real heat wave of the summer, after lovely weather for weeks and weeks.......it's 97 degrees in the motorhome, but I'm trying to help out the power company, who is doing their level best to prevent any rolling blackouts since the San Onofre nuclear plant is down, plus another plant offline now just in the past few days......doing our part to conserve (although having the pool to jump into periodically makes it a LOT easier, and not having to wear clothes even more so)......
I'm off again........just had to put my (well, Nate Silver's) two cents in.........chew over his thoughts.....I'll come back and see what you think. I found stuff in there for the Republicans to cheer, but stuff for the Dems to cheer as well.....we live in interesting times.
To me, fiscal restraint means figuring out how to pay with real money for whatever you buy. It does not mean being a cheap *&@$ that never spends any money on anything -- or at least the stuff privileged people don't think they need. Or treating one's buddies and campaign contributors royally and telling the poor folks to eat cake.Quote:
Originally Posted by Iris lily
So can we assume that Ryan's synonymousness with fiscal restraint includes making sure there's money to pay for what we say we want to have, even if that means -- gasp -- increasing taxes or -- warfare! -- means-testing benefit recipients? Or will he merely wield a machete?
I'm all for the former. I agree there's money that's poorly spent*. Clearly, sustainability is critical. But the right-wing version of "sustainability" and "fiscal restraint" appears to be whacking at social-program funding and infrastructure maintenance and then declaring that it's a lost cause anyway. Odd how not much time is spent similarly evaluating weapons programs and corporate-welfare benefits.
So what kind of restraint does Ryan display?
* I don't think you should get Social Security if you make enough money, no matter how much you've paid into the system. I think we need to take a serious look at our environmental policy, because without a good one, we're toast anyway. I think we should figure out why, with 5% of the world's population, we have (and pay a lot for) 25% of the world's incarcerated. Or why we pay the highest medical costs anywhere but have some of the worst outcomes. I don't think we should pay farmers to grow crops for liquor and tobacco and then spend millions more trying to ward customers away from their use. There are plenty of places to save money. People just have to want to look.
Not demonizing, just wary. Vouchers seem to be a good way to provide the same benefit to everyone, but do it in such a way that only those better off can really take advantage of it. If sustainable is the only factor of concern, though, it would probably work.Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan
Quote:
Originally Posted by loosechickens
Join me in the very cool and lovely public library down here by the beach (where it's still very hot). Will be heading off northward soon as it's going to get even hotter here next month! Plus Gary (AKA Simply Gib) is off on another bicycle trip down the coast of Oregon and Northern Calif and keeps sending me photos of all the cool, green, misty redwood forests and beautiful coastline. Talk about gloating!! Anyways, hope you post more often LC, your insight is sorely missed.
As for Ryan...er, eye candy for the ladies (along with Mitt) but, as other's have pointed out, his ideas of "fiscal restraint" and mine aren't the same. Lots of other areas for restraint and downsizing then Medicare or Medicaid or reduction of services for the elderly, sick or poor.
I'm indifferent. A bit intrigued by that he voted for TARP, his sometimes-supportive comments on LGBT, and how that will all affect potential supporters, but otherwise unmoved. I've never thought it a great feat to put forth a swell recovery plan that gets 62% of its savings from gutting programs for the poor and elderly in order to spare the defense budget, so I don't see the economic savant everyone else does, apparently. But hey, it's still grand to live in a democracy where we get to vote for the people who most closely match our own goals and values. Onward!
I would be amenable to either of those as annoying as they are.Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveinMN
edited for grammar doh
If anything, I think standing Ryan next to Romney will show him to be even more of the empty, arrogant, entitled fluff he is as he flits from 'position' to 'position' to please whoever happens to be standing in front of him at the time. Ryan IS a man of convictions...pretty scary, mean spirited, and bleak convictions if you aren't one of the chosen few, but convictions none the less. Romney, quite obviously, has none. His choice of Ryan actually says a lot about his character, and how he would govern. As usual, he fairly easily bends to whomever pushes the hardest, in this case the far far right. It will be interesting to see how this plays with the vast majority of the electorate, right and left, who are pretty much down the middle.
Whew! Thank goodness Ryan's plan doesn't affect anyone over 55 cause, you know, grandma is perfectly willing to sell her kids, who are all in their early 50's, down the river! Yeah, that'll make them vote for ya!
Loosechickens, hi! Good to see you here.....it's been awhile. Have been to Los Algodones twice since I last saw your pixels here and I think of you every time I go. You were so right about the place! Sorry to be so extremely off topic but my excuse is I don't see you around here much these days. Glad you're doing fine, too.....RobQuote:
Originally Posted by loosechickens
It pays to read the details of Ryan's fiscal "plan": http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/08/op...08krugman.html