News, Specter: Nation on 'Brink of a Depression'

[neil0311]

Originally Posted by broadbill

First of all, Obama been in office for 50 days....maybe give him a couple of more weeks before you b*tch and moan about the job he's doing? As far as I can tell, he's done more than Bush did in 8 years!

As far as you can tell? Care to elaborate on all the great things he's done, besides tank the Dow and S&P to lows not seen in 13 years, nominate tax cheats to high office, propose billions of dollars in net new spending along with increases in government reach and control over our lives, and propose huge tax increases for all Americans, especially the ones that actually pay income taxes?

Just what is the "more than Bush did in 8 years" that he's done. I'm dying to know.

[broadbill]

Originally Posted by neil0311

As far as you can tell? Care to elaborate on all the great things he's done, besides tank the Dow and S&P to lows not seen in 13 years, nominate tax cheats to high office, propose billions of dollars in net new spending along with increases in government reach and control over our lives, and propose huge tax increases for all Americans, especially the ones that actually pay income taxes?

Just what is the "more than Bush did in 8 years" that he's done. I'm dying to know.

I don't need to elaborate on what he's done to date....you've listed them above.

I think we both agree he is doing something... whether or not its the correct thing or not is the question, correct? You've made it clear that you think he is on the wrong path, and I'll admit that I don't know if its wrong/right at this point...I do think its a bit rash to start writing him off as a failure in the history books from his first 50 days in office however.


Back to the original question: Since you think Obama is not handling the situation correctly, what would YOU do differently?

The reason I ask is that you may have noticed that our economy/country is in some deep do-do here. If you have any magic solutions that will turn this whole situation that haven't been brought to the table yet, well...this would be a GREAT time to throw them out there. mkay? Thanks.

[gwynedd1]

Originally Posted by bale002

Not only have I already done that, but I already have a small dwelling ready in a relatively obscure "third world" country with nice weather.

Actually saw this coming in the 1980s-1990s and have long prepared, based on my perception of the apathy and culturelessness of what is quickly becoming the former middle class of the golden age US and industrial Europe.

Those days are numbered, even on one hand.

Freedom does not come from a constitution among men, an overload of materialism, or from arrogant power.

Hi bale002,

I was thinking of becoming neo-Amish. You know, I look Amish , act Amish and do Amish things except I have hidden security cameras in bird house facades and strategically placed 20mm cannons.
Maybe I should just do Canary Islands...

[bale002]

Originally Posted by gwynedd1

Maybe I should just do Canary Islands...

You'll need a Spanish residence visa, but I'm sure you'll work it out. The weather is a lot better than Pennsylvania, well, except maybe June when the natural landscape of rolling hills is in full bloom, absolutely breathtaking!

[gwynedd1]

Originally Posted by bale002

You'll need a Spanish residence visa, but I'm sure you'll work it out. The weather is a lot better than Pennsylvania, well, except maybe June when the natural landscape of rolling hills is in full bloom, absolutely breathtaking!

Hi bale002,

I don't know why Canary Islands popped in my head. I meant to say Cook Islands but then Canary Islands are not bad either except of when some of it drops in the Atlantic. It would certainly be easier to deglaze my sautee with a local Listán Blanco. I would probably need some Aussie and New Zealand imports in the Cooks..

[neil0311]

Originally Posted by broadbill

Back to the original question: Since you think Obama is not handling the situation correctly, what would YOU do differently?

The reason I ask is that you may have noticed that our economy/country is in some deep do-do here. If you have any magic solutions that will turn this whole situation that haven't been brought to the table yet, well...this would be a GREAT time to throw them out there.

I don't think anything here requires "magic solutions" but rather some common sense and a willingness to check political partisanship and political gotcha attitudes at the door.

After nearly 4 months after winning the election, you would have thought that Obama and his team would have had a plan with regard to the banks. It was obvious that TARP wasn't well conceived, but why is it mid-March and all we have is Geithner alluding to solutions and dropping hints about possible fixes. We need quick and decisive action...NOW. That would calm the markets and restore some confidence.

Another thing I would have done is to follow through on my promise to fund "shovel ready" infrastructure projects as stimulus and not waste billions on social spending and pork that will be sunk and lost money in a year. The money we're spending in this "stimulus" will not have much to show for it, won't provide much stimulus, and will lump huge debt on top of huge debt.

The last thing I would have done is to provide an across the board cut on small business tax liabilities for the next year, and look at ways to reduce capital gains taxes to get investment flowing. Obama has done neither and is proposing just the opposite.