CBO Budget outlook - things look really bad

[30ashopper]

Congressional Budget Office - The Budget and Economic Outlook: An Update

George Bush and Bill Clinton are likely thinking the same thing.. "miss me yet?"

This is a dismal report by the CBO. (it's also likely optimistic!) Under current policy we're looking at massive deficit spending for the foreseable future. Something has to change.

 

[Geo]

Shopper, I wish things were better just as you. But I miss nothing about Bush being in office.

 

[GoodWitch58]

We all wish the economy was a little better; but, put it into perspective: we could live in Pakistan where the floods have devastated everyone and everything; or Haiti where the earthquake did the same; or the 9th ward of N.O...or in any number of countries where there is not enough food; no civil law; drought and famine...or be homeless on the streets of any big city here in the U.S.

We will get past this and I dare say most of us can still afford more than we need on a regular basis...except maybe those who have lost so much of their life in the fishing and shrimping and oystering business in La.

 

[30ashopper]

We all wish the economy was a little better; but, put it into perspective: we could live in Pakistan where the floods have devastated everyone and everything; or Haiti where the earthquake did the same; or the 9th ward of N.O...or in any number of countries where there is not enough food; no civil law; drought and famine...or be homeless on the streets of any big city here in the U.S.

We will get past this and I dare say most of us can still afford more than we need on a regular basis...except maybe those who have lost so much of their life in the fishing and shrimping and oystering business in La.

I appreciate the sentiment, but honestly GW I could care less about Pakistan with all the problem we have here at home. My concern is with the divergence between that green line and the blue, over the next ten years. The numbers that graph is based on post 2010 are optimistic, and represent unsustainable fiscal policy. Outlays declined from 1980 until 2006. Now based on what I consider rather rosy predictions we're headed in the opposite direction. Is this justified? How so?

 

[idlewind]

Bush's big spending and big government ways combined with dragging us into a war we did not need not only crippled the national government but destroyed the credibility of the Republican party. I do not miss him at all. Our current problem is that Obama doubled down on Bush's errors.

 

[AndrewG]

Yeah we're not going to die but it's sad knowing there's no end in sight. This could take decades to crawl out of well after the spending stops.

I don't how anyone can continue to support the tax and spend initiatives at this point. Where did the stimulus money go?

 

[idlewind]

Yeah we're not going to die but it's sad knowing there's no end in sight. This could take decades to crawl out of well after the spending stops.

I don't how anyone can continue to support the tax and spend initiatives at this point. Where did the stimulus money go?

Down the toilet, right behind the economy and our children's futures.

 

[scooterbug44]

I think we can all agree that we need to stop spending so much money.

But noone wants to give anything up, noone wants to pay more taxes, the economy is still in the crapper, and noone has an actual solution.

I believe that between letting the Bush Tax cuts expire and the Scooterbug plan to tax the politicians, we are halfway to a solution.

That other half has to come from somewhere - so what are you personally going to give up to balance the budget? Not what you think OTHERS should give up, but what are YOU going to do to help.

 

[30ashopper]

I think we can all agree that we need to stop spending so much money.

But noone wants to give anything up, noone wants to pay more taxes, the economy is still in the crapper, and noone has an actual solution.

I believe that between letting the Bush Tax cuts expire and the Scooterbug plan to tax the politicians, we are halfway to a solution.

That other half has to come from somewhere - so what are you personally going to give up to balance the budget? Not what you think OTHERS should give up, but what are YOU going to do to help.

Social Security
Medicare
25% reduction of the Department of Defense budget
90% of the Department of State
The Department of Education
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Department of Agriculture
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Department of Labor
Corporation for National and Community Service
All Congressional Earmarks
50% cut in all other federal department

That should just about do it. ;-)

 

[scooterbug44]

Who else wants to give up their Social Security and Medicare?

And please provide the name of the health insurance company that is willing to give you a policy after 65.

Social Security
Medicare
25% reduction of the Department of Defense budget
90% of the Department of State
The Department of Education
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Department of Agriculture
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Department of Labor
Corporation for National and Community Service
All Congressional Earmarks
50% cut in all other federal department

That should just about do it. ;-)

Good luck with that!

And where do all the people currently employed by these departments go?