The current federal deficit reflects an approximately $250,000 debt for each US taxpayer. Should we take a greater interest in what the government asks us to pay for?
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The current federal deficit reflects an approximately $250,000 debt for each US taxpayer. Should we take a greater interest in what the government asks us to pay for?
Ayup.Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan
We can blame the political parties, corporate cabals, the deep state or CCP conspirators, but I think the fault for fiscal irresponsibility ultimately lies with us. We refuse to be spoken to like adults, and will savagely punish anyone in authority who tries to.Quote:
Originally Posted by jp1
We much prefer pleasant myths. Our main entitlement programs are 10-12 years away from insolvency but we attack anyone talking about reform as heartless monsters bent on destroying them. Look at the moronic chanting at the SOTU.
Deficits don’t matter. We can have a Euro style welfare state without a Euro style tax regime if only we squeeze the rich for their “fair share”. There is a massive reserve of fraud, waste and abuse we can eliminate to fix everything. We can mint a miraculous platinum coin. Let’s give industrial policy another try. It’s all pretty much nonsense, but it’s preferable to making adult decisions.
Okay---Here's ONE reason NOT to vote Rerpubbliccan: They are Not-seez! They owe their allegiance to Der Fuehrwer! Here's the proof, and the voices in my head tell me she's just the tip of the iceburg! Yup. Congerss, is fulla Not-sees! See photo below. Hope that helpsa you somer. Thankk Mee.Attachment 5185
The problem is no one has the guts to stop worthless federal spending. Remembering the $28 million “bridge to nowhere” in Ketchikan that cost $28 million? Or the Abrams tanks the military said were unnecessary but were funded for millions anyway? We never learn from those past mistakes.
then of course we have the massive fraud in PPP loans to people who were not eligible. Medicare fraud. We get flyers about walk in tubs, scooters etc that they can provide for us and Medicare (aka taxpayers) will provide even though we have no disability.
No end to the crooks, liars and con men in and out of the government.
To be fair, if you really go into the program to get funding for walkin tubs, would you actually get one? I doubt Medicare pays for that.Quote:
Originally Posted by flowerseverywhere
But no matter, I have been told here on this forum that some would rather tolerate a ‘lil bit of fraud in Medicare than deny the program benefits to those in need. As though challenging one negates the other.
Flowers, I totally agree that we need to look at the fraud and corruption in all areas of government. We certainly would find plenty of money. We should also not limit the taxes that are paid towards SS at higher income levels. The last thing we should do is cut Medicare or SS checks. There’s money to be found in other places. Unfortunately the politicians are too corrupt from both parties.
From my humble sample size of work experience, once you get involved with big bureaucracy there is there is going to be waste and abuse. That said, I've found that private enterprise with competition operates far more efficiently than government monopoly, and privatizing Medicare would be a positive step. Of curse, then people would scream that greedy big pharma was raping them. Then there's the $400,000 sidewinder missiles used to shoot down balloons when a few bullets would probably work.
The large balloon shot down of South Carolina was at 58,000 feet when they engaged. The operational ceiling of the F22 is ~50,000 feet, the effective range of the F22's cannon is ~2000 feet.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rogar
(And, wow, don't look up how much it costs to fly an F22 per hour! A single missile is in the noise, costwise, compared to flying these puppies around all the time. I am thinking a Piper Cub is more my speed, budget-wise)
Maybe that set precedence for the other three. Actually using sidewinder was the most efficient and practical show of might against simple balloon technology, but I can only start to imagine the cost to build and operate an F22. It probably makes that 28 million dollar bridge to nowhere seem minor.Quote:
Originally Posted by bae
It costs almost as much to keep a decent Air Force trained and in a state of readiness as it does to conduct combat operations.
But it’s worth it. Look at how the Russians are suffering, with hordes of barely trained mobniks operating unfamiliar and poorly maintained equipment. CNN posted some drone video yesterday. Even the most committed pacifist would be able to see how they were blundering into kill zones without even the slightest attempt at mutual support.
From time to time over the past fifty years or so, they debate whether guns are worth the weight penalty on fighter aircraft. Modern air engagements are generally concluded before the combatants are within sight of each other. Pilots seem unwilling to give them up. Maybe for the same reason they used fly out to fight wearing jodhpurs, riding boots and spurs.Quote:
Originally Posted by bae
Of course, we are starting to see debates over whether pilots are worth the weight penalty. The day may be coming where fighter pilots go the way of the hoplite, hussar or halberdier.
Way off topic
I listened to a few quips from Nikki Haley today. She proposed competency testing for all politicians over 75 (Trump is how old?) and a fresh approach outside of old school politics. I imagine that could be part of a successful platform to start out with. As little as I can tell she seems less offensive that some of her whining cohorts.
Ron DeSantis' ongoing kulturkampf in Florida doesn't predispose me to vote GOP anytime soon.
And the GOP's continuing toleration of George Santos in their ranks makes things pretty clear.
Add Marjorie Taylor Greene to the list of republicans whackos, as well as, a few others.Quote:
Originally Posted by bae
so far, I like a lot of what I hear from Ron DeSantis. HOWEVER that doesn’t mean he’ll be a good campaigner in the national arena. It doesn’t mean that he’s ready to run the national arena.Quote:
Originally Posted by bae
Thank you, thread police.Quote:
Originally Posted by frugal-one
I’m impressed by Desantis consistency in using his power to bully and threaten any person or corporation that he doesn’t like. I doubt he’ll succeed in cancelling AP classes in Florida but I applaud his efforts to **** over education as much as possible since that seems to be a core part of the Republican brand currently.
I'm impressed with the medias efforts to mischaracterize Floridas stance on this and saddened that so many otherwise knowledgeable people believe it. We no longer live in the Information Age, it's become the misinformation age.Quote:
Originally Posted by jp1
DeSantis: "Nobody elected [College Board], we can utilize their services or not. There are probably some other vendors who could do better."*Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan
That sure sounds like he's considering trying to get rid of AP classes to me. I realize that republicans have different definitions for all sorts of words than the rest of us do so I can understand your confusion.
*https://twitter.com/DeSantisWarRoom/...hmcsfysvWc47gg
There are times when a new thread on a subject should be started…. just saying’.Quote:
Originally Posted by iris lilies
That’s true. Republicans cling to outmoded traditional meanings of words like “woman” or “mother” while the lexicological pioneers of the left have opened up vast new vistas for us. Thinly disguised polemic becomes “history”. Corpses and smoking ruins result from “mostly peaceful protests”. It’s a brave new world of meaning the bitter clingers seem incapable of grasping.Quote:
Originally Posted by jp1
oh buddy, you had to go there with the “ woman” thing.Quote:
Originally Posted by LDAHL
And an attempted coup is just "a bunch of tourists". And socialist and communist are simply words to describe anything democrats do. And guns being the leading cause of death for American kids is freedom.Quote:
Originally Posted by LDAHL
If a Supreme Court Justice felt unqualified to offer a definition, how are the rest of us to proceed?Quote:
Originally Posted by iris lilies
Okay---My leftist ideologue test subjects are in mourning already over Jimmah Cahtah, one-term president who is reported to be near the end of his days. But yeah---he's 98 y.o., and has collected a pension & benefits galore, for the last 40 Years! All for 4 years of wqrk, if you can call it that. So anyway----the Dembs think he's soooo iconic, that he ought to be called Saint Jimmah. Yup. I have nothing against Jimmah & envy him. But, as a great President---he's right up there with Millard Fillmore or maybe Chester A. Arthur. Ha. Hope that helps you kids some. Thank mee.
You can be assured lbb that there will be no loss when trump dies… at least Jimmy Carter was a decent human being…. trump not so much.
The similarity to China making it a crime to hold up a blank sheet of paper is uncanny.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/educa...ideo-desantis/
As time passes, these pols seem to be even more beloved. No doubt Trump will be revered as one of the great Presidents, by his fans. Even Shrub 1 cultivated an image of a kindly old statesman. Hope that helps you some. Thankk Mee.Quote:
Originally Posted by frugal-one
la la landQuote:
Originally Posted by littlebittybobby
So, what about Yobama? Where does he fit, on your measure of decency? Compared to ol' Bill Clintton? Like HST(Demmmacrat) is supposed to have said: You don't get rich in polliticks, unless your a crook." But they're both pretty well off, right? Hope that helps you some. Thankk Mee.Quote:
Originally Posted by frugal-one
you mean, rapist Bill?Quote:
Originally Posted by littlebittybobby
He was pretty much a womanizer and I do not care what he did with Monica Lewinsky and any number of girlfriends, but he raped Juanita Broddick. I am certain of that.
Compare the number of woman who are suing (much less complained) about the biggest rapist of women and young girls. The big buddy of Epstein….trump. There is no comparison.
What about... what about...
How about we just rid ourselves of *all* these sexual predators, no matter which Party they belong to?
wrong….Quote:
Originally Posted by iris lilies
Broaddrick filed an affidavit with Paula Jones's lawyers stating there were unfounded rumors and stories circulating "that Mr. Clinton had made unwelcome sexual advances toward me in the late seventies.... These allegations are untrue".Wikipedia
If you read the entire Wikipedia article, you will see that Juanita Broddick said he raped her. She kept quiet for years, deflecting, deflecting, protecting him. Then, she spilled it.Quote:
Originally Posted by frugal-one
I believe her.
Do you also believe that justice rapey mcbeer did what he was accused of in public testimony or is it only democrats whose rapiness you are certain of?Quote:
Originally Posted by iris lilies
She filed an affidavit contrary to what you are saying.Quote:
Originally Posted by iris lilies
I think it is possible that liquored up 15 year old Brett participated in a pile on of a girl ( who cannot remember exact time or place). It was unacceptable if it happened.Quote:
Originally Posted by jp1