Markets Continue Freefall

[JayHawk]

MoltenRock.... from your cite two quotes and my thoughts....

We also believe that the fiscal
consolidation plan that Congress and the Administration agreed to this week
falls short of the amount that we believe is necessary to stabilize the
general government debt burden by the middle of the decade

Republicans and Democrats have only been able to agree to relatively modest savings on
discretionary spending while delegating to the Select Committee decisions on
more comprehensive measures. It appears that for now, new revenues have
dropped down on the menu of policy options. In addition, the plan envisions
only minor policy changes on Medicare and little change in other entitlements,
the containment of which we and most other independent observers regard as key
to long-term fiscal sustainability.

The cite you provided merely reinforces what I said. Your opinion is that the S&P 'obviously' calls out the Tea party but it calls out the process by which we have two parties and neither with complete power to take decisive action.

The problem is having a mixed congress that cant go forward. Which has been the problem for a long freaking time.

 

[MoltenRock III]

The problem is having a mixed congress that cant go forward. Which has been the problem for a long freaking time.

I've contemplated this for the past couple of years. I think that the US would be better served in a parliamentary type system, whereby the "winners" of an election have control of all the levers of government. If they falter, or grow complacent a vote of "no confidence" is called.

I think both parties, but especially the Republicans right now think that there will be some big wave that will sweep them into power, and into a more powerful situation, so they stall on doing any real, meaningful reforms. After all, why reform the tax code, education, or domestic energy problems, when you think you are going to be in the majority or a much, much, stronger position in a year or two? The problem with this attitude is suddenly a decade or more passes, while the problem grows worse and more challenging (aka... expensive) to fix.

 

[chance1]

^ a brilliant post

Without rancor and with reasoned partisanship

Throw out da bums I say

 

[MoltenRock III]

Throw out da bums I say

I can easily see the Senate flip to Republican control, and the House flip to Democrat's control, with the Presidency as a coin toss. Meaning.... more of the same.

Whether Obama is reelected or another party wins, at least in 2013 that President will have a few months to pass a couple of big ideas / programs. By the time those 2 or 3 plans get passed and thru Congress it will be Jan. or Feb. 2014, with the mid-terms freezing any chance of further legislation.


[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEuh5f5Qrqk[/ame]

Watch out Congress here I come
You spin me right round, baby
right round like a record, baby
Right round round round
You spin me right round, baby
Right round like a record, baby
Right round round round

 

[JayHawk]

MR I agree with the Parliamentary concept. I have often watched that process in aww and thought "why didn't we think of that shit"

I agree with your assessment. No party can solidly control everything within the structure previous congresses have built. SO the process will always be fractured until both parties move far enough away from the middle of the road that a third party emerges in the middle.

Can you imagine if the Democratic folks who wanted to be more conservative joined forces with the Republicans who want to be more liberal? Call it the Blue Rhino party or something. They would almost assuredly take all of the independent vote.

Unfortunately because the cost of the game is so much no one can 'buy in' if you will. So each party has candidates that hold their nose and vote for things that they do not believe in JUST TO GET MONEY for their next election cycle and not lose party backing. Each parties juggernaut is impossible to fight most times unless you go hard left or hard right depending on the part of the country your coveting.

So fucking broke.

 

[maxpowr9]

@Jayhawk

I think most Americans now realize, if they didn't already, is that our 2-party system is completely broken which is why there is a disparaging amount of people left in either party and a massive Independent/unenrolled group. There definitely is a calling for a more libertarian/moderate (socially liberal, fiscally conservative) party but the game is already rigged due to corporate investment. The only real resolution is breaking the game which would take another revolution and well, I'd rather not go there.

 

[JayHawk]

I would rather not either BUT as I posted in one thread about coming out..... Getting through the change is painful but strength always comes after pain.....

We need a stronger union. I don't know that it comes via revolution or insurrection.

I would like to think enough leaders from each party would band together. Form a solid block. Pass the laws as needed to remove lobbyist from the influence and then have a public funded level playing field.

McCain actually was headed in that direction but slowed his roll when his purse string leash got pulled tight on him. Probably the only thing I credit the guy for attempting.

 

[MoltenRock III]

I think there are only two ways things can change much. One, is revamping the money in politics. This is an absolute must! Until that's done, the only other option for large, wholesale, change is a crisis like 9/11. But we saw what happens if the President at the time during the crisis isn't up to snuff.

Had Gore been President, the US would have had an entirely different response to the attacks. I have no doubt the US would have revamped its energy / oil / transportation system. But I digress...

America has so much going for it, but is being dragged down by 5 items that have to be addressed. In no particular order;

1.) Education reform
2.) Business reform (Ie... corporate taxes, reforming patent process, tort reform)
3.) Healthcare cost containment and Medicare for all as optional scheme
4.) Infrastructure overhaul, creation of infrastructure bank, transportation paradigm shift (roads, bridges, high-speed rail, faster internet, airports)
5.) Green energy / domestic energy production

 

[JayQueer]

America has so much going for it, but is being dragged down by 5 items that have to be addressed. In no particular order;

1.) Education reform
2.) Business reform (Ie... corporate taxes, reforming patent process, tort reform)
3.) Healthcare cost containment and Medicare for all as optional scheme
4.) Infrastructure overhaul, creation of infrastructure bank, transportation paradigm shift (roads, bridges, high-speed rail, faster internet, airports)
5.) Green energy / domestic energy production

I agree.

1.) Education reform -- We need to give parents & guardians more control of their child's learning. Public school curriculum need to be made stronger with an Asian-style emphasis on math, science, and technology. While history should be covered, less emphasis should be paid on divisive & controversial "social issues". The teachers unions need to broken apart and tenure (for primary & secondary schools) replaced with a more competitive system that rewards harder-working teachers & teachers that produce better results, with higher salaries.

2.) Business reform -- I believe less taxes & less regulations for small & large businesses will encourages businesses to set up shop & thrive.

3.) Healthcare cost containment -- We should repeal the Obama healthcare plan and replace it with a market-driven plan that puts patients in the drivers seat, and gives them more flexibility to purchase the type of health plan that works best for them. We should also limit frivolous malpractice suits, so healthcare professionals can focus on caring for the sick, and not about getting sued.

4.) Infrastructure overhaul -- Yes, definitely.

5.) Green energy/ domestic energy production -- Definitely, but green energy should not be required, but companies that do have "green" practices should get tax credits & tax breaks. For domestic energy production, we need to re-open drilling off the Gulf coast and access our reserves in Alaska. As most of our current crude oil comes from the Middle East, energy independence is a national security issue.

 

[MoltenRock III]

I agree.

No, we don't. You have talking points. I have ideas.

For instance infrastructure overhaul will require $2.3 trillion of US, state, local, and private investments. To facilitate this infrastructure banks need to be set up, much like Europe has. These are quasi-governmental private partnerships akin to the successful TVA of the Great Depression. I would completely rethink transportation in the US as we currently know it. After all, the US put a man on the moon. While I am in full support of the new 54.5 MPG average fuel economy in 2025 up from the 35.5 MPG in 2016, I would have preferred a $1.50 rise in the gasoline taxes, scrap CAFE, and let Americans choose their own car's mileage.

As far as making business more friendly, the patent system is an absolute mess right now and needs a massive overhaul. Also, we need to gut tort abuse. The threat of lawsuits in the USA is the most toxic aspect of opening any business, be it medical, technology, or manufacturing. The USA needs to eliminate the "services" of 1 million lawyers.

I would not repeal ObamaCare, but rather expand it. There needs to be a "Medicare For All" option. Medicare as an option for everyone under age 65, would have a monthly payment. Since we've heard soooo much about how private industry is "more competitive" let's see how that goes. And, JQueer, you've never paid a month's worth of your own healthcare ever, so frankly... what the fuck do you know? In fact had it not been for ObamaCare your parents couldn't keep you on their insurance. When you turn 26 what are you going to do? In the office I helped manage in the US, it took me at least 20 to 30 hours per month managing healthcare issues, in an office of just 60 people. I now am in charge of over 350 people in 4 countries, and spend maybe 3 or 4 hours a month on it. The US system is completely broken.

As far as K-12 and teachers, no JQueer the US does not "need to give parents & guardians more control of their child's learning". If you want a truly Asian school system, little Johnny would have to compete his ass off to both get in, and stay in, his top notch school. In Asia teachers have similar respect that is shown to EMT and firefighters in the US. In fact here in Singapore, as well as in South Korea and other Asian countries teachers make more than lawyers, and engineers. As a school teacher in S. Korea or Singapore, with 15 years of experience you would make $105,000 per year. Parents do not get to pick and choose what they think is "important" as they do in the USA, which has led to a huge influx of the home skool'd crowd that are dumber than a box of rocks, and school systems deluged by morons for parents wanting their children taught "Young Earth Science".

There are just a few of the wholesale changes I mentioned. They are not talking point nonsense, but rather ideas taken from various countries and regions around the globe, adjusted for American needs, and implemented.