How Much Do Our Children Have to Have

[abluelady]

I'm listening to the Rethugs talking about the debt that will be put on our children. I have children and grandchildren. I certainly want them to have a good life. But I don't believe they need a better life than I have had. I am middle class and comfortable. What is wrong with my teaching my children that to win doesn't mean owning the most toys when you die. What is wrong with teaching the children of America that it's not only about "me." I can't believe how these Senators are talking about how their children are going to have less because we are helping more people now. Why aren't they ashamed of themselves? What am I missing here. There is an old Irish saying that goes something like "enough is a feast." What is wrong with teaching our children and future generations that?

[taught_me_patience]

1. I'm confused... are you saying the debt we're giving to our children

is ok?

[abluelady]

3. I Guess I Am

Isn't social security that I pay into helping my parent's generation? What is wrong with that?

[taught_me_patience]

4. In that case I completely disagree with you

Countries with high debt burdens have a very difficult time growing economically. Low economic growth will lower the standard of living for all people.

[abluelady]

5. I Must be a Socialist at Heart!

[taught_me_patience]

6. I'm all for spending on social programs

However, most of our debt seems to be funding a war machine. By the time our children are grown... these weapons will be antiquated and useless. There is just about NOTHING worse than paying interest on useless debt.

[abluelady]

11. I Agree With You 100%

I don't want one penny to go to war. But what is being discussed right now is the social programs. I don't understand how anyone can be okay with millions of people struggling and wanting their own children to be "rich, white men and women," which is what the Republicans are saying. As someone else stated, our economy grew for years and we still have a very poor population in the richest country in the world.

Perhaps my thread should have been more about how we choose to spend our money today and the repercussions on our children.

[hfojvt]

7. not necessarily

and the economic growth of the last twenty years has NOT raised the standard of living of the bottom 50%. That is a historical fact http://journals.democraticunderground.com/hfojvt/126

Also, that link proves that Republicans are liars and hypocrites when they rail about the debt. Because it is a debt that THEY caused with tax cuts for the rich and with wars (and also by failing to regulate the financial sector).

[hfojvt]

8. eau contraire

and the economic growth of the last twenty years has NOT raised the standard of living of the bottom 50%. That is a historical fact http://journals.democraticunderground.com/hfojvt/126

Also, that link proves that Republicans are liars and hypocrites when they rail about the debt. Because it is a debt that THEY caused with tax cuts for the rich and with wars (and also by failing to regulate the financial sector).

[stray cat]

2. You are putting 30,000 or more on your child's credit card that you took out with their name!

[hfojvt]

9. Who is?

(see above - twice)

[dana_b]

10. oh please

we're not talking about iPods, cell phones and playstations here. We're talking about not being in tens of thousands of dollars of debt when they graduate - IF they graduate- from college. We're talking about being able to get a job after that graduation (unlike today), working and saving for their future - a house, their children, retirement. All of these things are more difficult to come by than when you or I were younger. It's not the physical stuff, it's the securities in life and hope for more. I'm sorry - I want my daughter to do MUCH better than I have.

[abluelady]

12. I'm Not Sure You're Correct

The Republicans are not talking about the security you and I believe in. If they were they would want health care for every person, not just the privileged. If they believed as you and I did, there would be monitoring of big banks and lending practices. I think they are talking about ipods and cell phones and country clubs and swimming pools. I had the securities you want for your daughter. I want those same securities for mine. I don't believe she needs the playstation, etc., that we are being lead to believe we all need.