US to acquire third world status if trends continue.

[HAL 9000 96]

Even with more of the usual ignorant ranting about third world economies and all... perhaps some humility could be learned in this entire downward spiral. Or not.

[mawilson 2,133]

And Gregg said that during the same ten-year period, public debt as a percentage of gross domestic product would increase from 40 percent — which Gregg called “tolerable but still too high” — up to 80 percent.

Wrong. It's already at 85% and it will increase to 170%.

No, but seriously, how does he figure the ratio is now 40%?

http://usdebtclock.org/

US National Debt: $11,925 billion

US GDP: $14,366 billion (projected for this year)

11,925 / 14,366 = 83%

You must have misfigured somehow, because Wikipedia is never wrong.

The graph shows the US debt at approximately 65-70% of its GDP in the middle of 2008.

This is probably correct, as we've spent over 2 trillion since then, bringing the debt closer to 85%.

The deficit for this year alone is 10% of the GDP.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Well, that sucks!

[mawilson 2,133]

Well, that sucks!

http://www.defeatthedebt.com/

[Heracles 417]

It looks like BY is right. I'm moving.

I am still thinking Philippines.

Yeah - look how much the Philippine government spends on infrastructure. If we're moving towards being a Third World country, it's because the policies of the Right have driven us there. Public schooling for all children? Who needs it? Look at Philippines. Food Stamps for the poor? Who needs it? Have 4 year old Filipino children sell candles in the streets for a handful of rice...their daily sustenance.

I never thought the day would come when Steven gets it and the conservatives don't. Repub philosophy and ideology regarding business and welfare is nothing new. In fact it can be seen in almost every third world country. The do nothing for the poor and expect them to lift their game up. Lower txes, all their money in military etc.

I challenge any repub to move to one of these countries and try living there for a year. The move to socially responsible countries like Canada or Australia and then come tell me which system is better. Not to mention China and their huge growth, which in 20 years will absolutely out everything the US. How did they achieve this? while under a quasi-communist government and using the power of federal resources. Have you guys seen how large some of their companies have become in just 9 years? Have you seen the hundreds of billions the Chinese 'GOVERNMENT' is investing in China to get it to the 22nd century rather than even bother with the 21st? Now think of that and compare it to our 20th century infrastructure, transportation, cities, town and mentality. Which repubs are actually proud of.

Edited October 19, 2009 by Booyah!

[mawilson 2,133]

I challenge any repub to move to one of these countries and try living there for a year. The move to socially responsible countries like Canada or Australia and then come tell me which system is better.

It's not better unless you're poor.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Canada is an awesome place to live if you're middle class and not in great health.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I challenge any repub to move to one of these countries and try living there for a year. The move to socially responsible countries like Canada or Australia and then come tell me which system is better.

It's not better unless you're poor.

Your funds go a lot farther slumming, than they do moving uptown. Ever wonder why Mexico has become a haven for millionaires?

[Heracles 417]

I challenge any repub to move to one of these countries and try living there for a year. The move to socially responsible countries like Canada or Australia and then come tell me which system is better.

It's not better unless you're poor.

Mexico is great to live in if you have money too. For the middle class and the poor who make up the majority of America, the US is rapidly becoming a third world.

[Heracles 417]

Canada is an awesome place to live if you're middle class and not in great health.

That is why I laugh when I see right wing commentators saying the rich will leave if the US increase taxes. Yeah right. They would have to go to a third world country to pay lower taxes. Whereas, they would pay out of the wazoo in most other first world countries. Hence, the first world status.

After all, why do you guys think Murdoch left Australia. Australia made it clear that they're not interested in billionaires paying little to no tax. Aka don't let the door hit you on your way out.

Edited October 19, 2009 by Booyah!

[_Simpson_ 250]

Yep. We've seen this happen in many of the states, like California and Arizona. The Republicans have managed to capitalize on the unpopularity of taxes (nobody likes the idea of having to pay taxes) while avoiding gutting government to the severity that people didn't feel the pinch until the deficits become so high, there is no choice but to gut government spending. Now the people are sobering up to the reality that - to have a functioning society, like good schools, adequate law enforcement, roads, etc....you need to spend money, which in turn actually helps the economy. Meanwhile, Republicans in states like California are trying to spin the whole debacle as government spending run amok.

Well you know me by now and know that I would object to about everything you stated here so I just want to point out a few things. You said "nobody likes the idea of having to pay taxes" your wrong its not the idea of taxes I dont like its the taxes I dont like and heres my point. It wasnt until I got a real job that I really understood what everybody was biatching about, then finding out first hand how the tax system worked riled me up even more. So to pretend that were just a bunch of drooling zombies that perk up everytime we hear somebody talking about lowering taxes is nonsense. If you really want to have a chance of changing peoples minds address it for what it is instead of acting like were clueless.

It amazes me that one could find a way to blame the Republicans for screwing up California.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Canada is an awesome place to live if you're middle class and not in great health.

That is why I laugh when I see right wing commentators saying the rich will leave if the US increase taxes. Yeah right. They would have to go to a third world country to pay lower taxes. Whereas, they would pay out of the wazoo in most other first world countries. Hence, the first world status.

Yup.

I have quite a bit of family in the Toronto area and they don't have any of the health care worries we do here in the US. Without getting into personal details, the issue of health coverage has been a huge worry for me and my family this year. I know that had we been living in Canada this transitional period would have been much easier on all of us.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Canada is an awesome place to live if you're middle class and not in great health.

That is why I laugh when I see right wing commentators saying the rich will leave if the US increase taxes. Yeah right. They would have to go to a third world country to pay lower taxes. Whereas, they would pay out of the wazoo in most other first world countries. Hence, the first world status.

Yup.

I have quite a bit of family in the Toronto area and they don't have any of the health care worries we do here in the US. Without getting into personal details, the issue of health coverage has been a huge worry for me and my family this year. I know that had we been living in Canada this transitional period would have been much easier on all of us.

Make the move if you can. I am always looking for options, although getting married and a piss poor economy has limitted mine quite a bit lately.

[Heracles 417]

Yup.

I have quite a bit of family in the Toronto area and they don't have any of the health care worries we do here in the US. Without getting into personal details, the issue of health coverage has been a huge worry for me and my family this year. I know that had we been living in Canada this transitional period would have been much easier on all of us.

All jokes aside, if I or my wife came down with any serous illness, we would be on the next plane to Aus. Knock on wood but I'll be damned if I am fighting something like cancer and having to worry about whether the insurance will play games and deny it.

I have never been to Canada and was checking it out on google streetview. The country is phenomenal and a great example of what paying taxes does in terms of quality of living. I challenged some repubs at work to find my a street in America that looks as well taken care of as some of the average Joe Canadian streets we were looking at. Quite frankly, anyone denying the huge success for the average Joe in Canada or Australia, is a delusional idiot.

Edited October 19, 2009 by Booyah!

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Yup.

I have quite a bit of family in the Toronto area and they don't have any of the health care worries we do here in the US. Without getting into personal details, the issue of health coverage has been a huge worry for me and my family this year. I know that had we been living in Canada this transitional period would have been much easier on all of us.

All jokes aside, if I or my wife came down with any serous illness, we would be on the next plane to Aus. Knock on wood but I'll be damned if I am fighting something like cancer and having to worry about whether the insurance will play games and deny it.

I have never been to Canada and was checking it out on google streetview. The country is phenomenal and a great example of what paying taxes does in terms of quality of living. I challenged some repubs at work to find my a street in America that looks as well taken care of as some of the average Joe Canadian streets we were looking at. Quite frankly, anyone denying the huge success for the average Joe in Canada or Australia, is an idiot.

I met my wife in Windsor, Canada. Until going to Windsor I had never spoken to any Canadians about Windsor. I thought Windsor was clean and safe and overall kinda nice. The people were a little stupid but that's ok. Then I spoke to Canadians and they act like Windsor is teh ghetto. Dirty, criminal, etc. Huh? I was confused at first and then it occurred to me, I was comparing Windsor to what I knew... New Jersey (and the American east coast in general). And they were comparing it to the rest of Canada.

Told me all I needed to know.

Edited October 19, 2009 by w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r