So, I'll be over on Tumblr for awhile here
I'm not quite sure if this will end up being home for my blog, but I am going to experiment for awhile. I find that most of these post end up being days or weeks after an original thought or action and therefore not too relevant. But, that might make me think a bit more before I post something, and not make quite so much a fool of myself. I'm excited to share songs, quotes, pictures, links, and the like in a more 'real time' sort of way.
This may be the home to my longer post. Hope you join me or at least check it out and I'll check back in here once in awhile!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
The Deficit Deal
*WARNING: Political opinions ahead*
I wouldn't call my self a republican or democrat. I wouldn't call myself liberal or conservative either. There isn't a political label out there specific enough that fits. I used to think there was a problem that I didn't fit into a category regarding those things, but I've been learning that is just fine because I know where I stand. I generally take everything, any politician says skeptically in a prove-it sort of way. I think it is sad that we've gotten used to our politicans selling us big ideas and dreams and then, very quicky, falling short. I find it hard to believe that one politican can make that big of a difference, when there are two massive opposing political parties duking it out for votes.
Generally, I think most people get started in politics with good intentions. You know, wanting to change the world for the better and what-not. I have even considered going the polictical route, but that is quickly ruled out because I know I'd either get myself in trouble by saying something wrong or I'd get corrupted. However, somewhere along the lines, things change for those that wish to do well by the American people. It more often becomes about getting votes to stay in office longer and pushing an agenda. Now, I know that politicians can't ever please everyone, but I would just like a little more common sense in Washington. Maybe I'm just a cynic.
This morning on the way to work I got the chance to listen to President Obama give a press conference regarding the deficit reduction negotiations (you can see a summary of that here ---> http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/07/11/137763574/coming-up-president-obamas-news-conference). After listening to the President talk, I thought he was talking common sense. Maybe I was just duped by his savvy political speech.
Here's what I think about this deficit issue. This might be an over simplification, but here goes. The Democrats are saying they won't vote on a 'raise the debt ceiling' package if cuts to entitlement programs (social security, medicare, etc) are part of the deal. Republicans are saying they won't vote on a package that includes anything that looks like tax increases (even to corporate jet owners or the wealthiest Americans). Now, I'm no economist, in fact I'm terrible with numbers and all that stuff. However, if what everyone on NPR, the Wallstreet Journal and NY Times are saying is true regarding numbers, and it'll take a combination of those two tactics to reduce the deficit, then why are we arguing?
Experts have been saying for years that entitlement programs are not sustainable (especially with the baby boomers heading towards retirement) the way they are (in fact, I've resigned that I'll never even see a social security check in my life). Also, if a way to decrease the deficit is to increase revenue, then raising taxes (or at least closing loopholes or taxing those that can afford it most) is going to have to be a part of the deal. I think it is childish that members of both parties are refusing to even consider the other's proposals when in reality, we are going to have to do BOTH if we want to see real deficit reduction.
It is so hard to imagine that top law makers aren't willing to compromise on this difficult issue. They need to shove their pride to the side and do what is best for it's citizens, not what will make President Obama look bad to voters or what will get either party more seats in the senate or house in the next election. Those are shameful principles with which to make decisions. I don't care if you are up for re-election, or if you don't trust someone from another party, or if it's your goal to make the other party look bad. This will impact all of us. So suck it up, and do what is best for our Country and compromise. Do they think a default is what is best for us if they aren't willing to compromise? Actually it blows my mind how foolish some politicians are.
I'll say it again, I'm not an expert in politics or economics and I don't have all the information that is said behind closed doors, I'm an average American that works hard for what I do have and is thankful for the freedoms that were attained through sacrifice. I don't always agree with the President, but I respect what he has said on this issue. That we need to compromise and not push it off with another stop-gap spending agreement. This just proves how selfish we are as a society, so entitled to think we can have whatever we want without hard work. It is partially those selfish, greedy practices that got us into the financial trouble we are in. Are we so arrogant that we think we don't have to make sacrifices for change?
I hope Washington can prove me wrong and show me that, in the President's words, "this down can actually do something once in awhile".
I wouldn't call my self a republican or democrat. I wouldn't call myself liberal or conservative either. There isn't a political label out there specific enough that fits. I used to think there was a problem that I didn't fit into a category regarding those things, but I've been learning that is just fine because I know where I stand. I generally take everything, any politician says skeptically in a prove-it sort of way. I think it is sad that we've gotten used to our politicans selling us big ideas and dreams and then, very quicky, falling short. I find it hard to believe that one politican can make that big of a difference, when there are two massive opposing political parties duking it out for votes.
Generally, I think most people get started in politics with good intentions. You know, wanting to change the world for the better and what-not. I have even considered going the polictical route, but that is quickly ruled out because I know I'd either get myself in trouble by saying something wrong or I'd get corrupted. However, somewhere along the lines, things change for those that wish to do well by the American people. It more often becomes about getting votes to stay in office longer and pushing an agenda. Now, I know that politicians can't ever please everyone, but I would just like a little more common sense in Washington. Maybe I'm just a cynic.
This morning on the way to work I got the chance to listen to President Obama give a press conference regarding the deficit reduction negotiations (you can see a summary of that here ---> http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/07/11/137763574/coming-up-president-obamas-news-conference). After listening to the President talk, I thought he was talking common sense. Maybe I was just duped by his savvy political speech.
Here's what I think about this deficit issue. This might be an over simplification, but here goes. The Democrats are saying they won't vote on a 'raise the debt ceiling' package if cuts to entitlement programs (social security, medicare, etc) are part of the deal. Republicans are saying they won't vote on a package that includes anything that looks like tax increases (even to corporate jet owners or the wealthiest Americans). Now, I'm no economist, in fact I'm terrible with numbers and all that stuff. However, if what everyone on NPR, the Wallstreet Journal and NY Times are saying is true regarding numbers, and it'll take a combination of those two tactics to reduce the deficit, then why are we arguing?
Experts have been saying for years that entitlement programs are not sustainable (especially with the baby boomers heading towards retirement) the way they are (in fact, I've resigned that I'll never even see a social security check in my life). Also, if a way to decrease the deficit is to increase revenue, then raising taxes (or at least closing loopholes or taxing those that can afford it most) is going to have to be a part of the deal. I think it is childish that members of both parties are refusing to even consider the other's proposals when in reality, we are going to have to do BOTH if we want to see real deficit reduction.
It is so hard to imagine that top law makers aren't willing to compromise on this difficult issue. They need to shove their pride to the side and do what is best for it's citizens, not what will make President Obama look bad to voters or what will get either party more seats in the senate or house in the next election. Those are shameful principles with which to make decisions. I don't care if you are up for re-election, or if you don't trust someone from another party, or if it's your goal to make the other party look bad. This will impact all of us. So suck it up, and do what is best for our Country and compromise. Do they think a default is what is best for us if they aren't willing to compromise? Actually it blows my mind how foolish some politicians are.
I'll say it again, I'm not an expert in politics or economics and I don't have all the information that is said behind closed doors, I'm an average American that works hard for what I do have and is thankful for the freedoms that were attained through sacrifice. I don't always agree with the President, but I respect what he has said on this issue. That we need to compromise and not push it off with another stop-gap spending agreement. This just proves how selfish we are as a society, so entitled to think we can have whatever we want without hard work. It is partially those selfish, greedy practices that got us into the financial trouble we are in. Are we so arrogant that we think we don't have to make sacrifices for change?
I hope Washington can prove me wrong and show me that, in the President's words, "this down can actually do something once in awhile".
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