Mandated balanced budgets - what say you?

[Stinky The Clown]

The feds have the ability to spend borrowed bux and do so freely. Each president, with a few exceptions, has exceeded his predecessor for generations.

On the state and municipal level, however, balanced budgets have increasingly been the laws of the lands. What bothers me is the absolutism of that sort of mindset. Yes, I can understand the fear that politicians can run amok with John Q's tax money, but I equally understand the need to maintain certain minimum levels of service, of asset maintenance, of caring for the public weal.

On balance (<--- intentional weak-assed pun) I favor fewer restrictions on mayors and governors and more on presidents.

How about you?

[ddeclue]

1. NO - deficit spending is necessary as a counter-cyclical fiscal tool to help economies in recession.

[Zynx]

2. *Ding*

[Egalitariat]

7. That's just half of the equation. If we can't "save" money during the good times -- or the other

side of the cycle -- then how does the story end?

[gravity]

10. but that doesn't stop politicans spending during good times

[endless october]

3. i'm for it.

if we want new programs, we prioritize.

we need a lot of help here in the states, from health care to infrastructure to energy independence.

we don't need two wars and a drug war.

eliminate b, fund a, and stop borrowing from China.

Repubs have borrowed and spent us into oblivion. time to undo the damage.

[Hekate]

4. I think we've been trying that in California (voter initiative).All that happens is when crunch-time

... comes, something has to be cut. Like social programs. Or public safety type things like fixing bridges.

It's a concept that sounds better in a ballot-initiative campaign than in actual practice.

Hekate

[Egalitariat]

8. California will be the first state in my memory to require a federal bailout to keep from going

under.

[bobbolink]

12. DU libertarians don't give a rip about cutting social programs, but I appreciate

you trying.

Its this shit that makes me want to just give up.

[Hello_Kitty]

5. Many states have them. They were a well intentioned idea but suck in practice.

Just ask all the teachers here in AZ getting pink slipped or the disabled getting their meager benefits cut.

[sharesunited]

6. That would mean taxing for everything which is spent. There is no political will for that.

[Stinky The Clown]

9. What offended? the asking or the asker?

[bobbolink]

11. Sure! Lets cut out all "entitlement" programs, and let people suffer and die.

Yup, sounds damned good to me.

Geeez, all the libertarian crap here is enough to gag a maggot.

[Stinky The Clown]

17. I'm not sure what you were trying to say

Do you or do you not favor mandated balanced budgets at the state and municipal levels?

[bobbolink]

18. I think it was pretty clear what I was saying, and someone else said the same thing to you.

I'm frustrated beyond belief that so-called "progressives" can't look beyond their OWN world, and understand what their "policies" do to others.

Then you/they wonder why so many of us have given up and don't give a rip anymore... MASS is just the beginning.

[Stinky The Clown]

19. Well .... if you want a pissing match with progressives, have at it. But I'm no progressive.

You still didn't answer the question, though, favoring instead your tendency to just complain and call people names.

[bobbolink]

20. Yes, its clear you are no progressive.

Sounds fairly RW.

"I got mine, fuck the poor", eh?

[Stinky The Clown]

21. How reading challenged ARE you???????????

In the OP, I state quite clearly that I favor a little more spending restrictions on the national level and more freedom on the local level.

You have no way of knowing this, but this post was inspired by my state's governor having to submit a balanced budget and having to consider cuts in state jobs and cuts in state services ....... THAT IMPACT THE POOR AND ELDERLY.

Are you intentionally obtuse? Or do you simply make shit up? Because you CLEARLY have no fucking idea what you're talking about.


Right wing.

Ya ....... DW .......

[notesdev]

13. I think we've seen the result of a lack of restraints

let's try putting some on and see if we fare better. I reckon we will.

[jtylerpittman]

14. i am for it the time has come for us to take drastic action to get our deficit under control

[Meldread]

15. I agree in principle, but I think it is bad in practice.

I am strongly opposed to some people here who believe that we can spend, spend, spend and spend some more without any consequences. I am also opposed to people who think this is a conservative issue, because it isn't - it's a common sense issue. Eventually, you hit a limit. The credit card gets maxed out. Creditors come looking for their money. Too many people think that the United States can't go bankrupt, but I would encourage anyone who thinks that to take a trip to Iceland and ask them if it is possible. If someone goes, "Oh, but Iceland is just a small little nation, it can't possibly happen to the United States!" I would place that mindset right alongside the mindset of a teenager who takes unnecessary risks because they believe themselves invulnerable. It often isn't until something bad happens that people realize the folly.

All that being said, I do not support a balanced budget law or constitutional amendment. There are times when running a deficit is healthy; for example when you're trying to make an investment. When you're trying to grow an economy. In those situations, running a deficit is fine so long as you intend to pay for it all in the end - even if the investment goes south.

What I would like to see is the way we handle taxes changed. Instead of having all sorts of hidden taxes (such as a sales tax) and income taxes, I think it might be helpful for the government to send everyone a monthly bill. And in that bill it would outline how much they owe (taxes) and how that money is being spent. Then there should be a website that you could go to get more information about how that money is being used. Therefore, if you're paying for a bridge to nowhere you can call your Senator up and go, "What the hell?! Do something - make Alaska pay me back!" It would be similar to looking over a credit card statement and seeing a charge you don't remember making on it.

Similarly, when things are cut everyone should be notified what was lost.

I am a huge supporter of government transparency. I believe this will keep politicians from spending wildly, and at the same time hold them accountable. If we knew where all our money was going, and what needed to be cut you would quickly see the bridges to nowhere get axed instead of needed social services. When Americans have to make a choice: do they want war or social security, you'll suddenly find a nation full of pacifists.

[bbgrunt]

16. no.