Help me out with this deficit obsession

[abelenkpe]

So the right is screaming mad about deficits saying that stimulus spending is going to enslave our children and destroy the country blah blah blah....

But if we slash government jobs, lay off thousands of people who then go on unemployment, lose health care coverage, lose their pension (thus requiring them to work until they die in an economy where few can find work as it is), lose their ability to pay their mortgage, stop paying taxes, stop buying goods that would trigger a deflationary spiral that could cost millions more their job. This seems to be what the right is pushing for all in the name of fighting the deficit. How exactly does bankrupting individuals help fight the deficit? Anyone have a clue as to how that helps?
Any info or insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[FiveGoodMen]

1. Pukes spend like there's no tomorrow on the things they want

(mostly weapons and tax cuts for the rich)

Then they have a fit when money is spent helping people, so they mention the deficit.

It's just a fucking lie.

[bluestateguy]

2. It's an Establishmentarian thing

They just like to get their panties in a wad about it.

[sandnsea]

3. Interest will be $375 billion this year

That's some serious dough. And if it keeps growing, how is the government going to borrow the money to pay the social security trust fund debt (us)?

The deficit is a serious problem. As usual, Republicans don't have any serious answers.

[doc03]

11. I agree it is a extremely serious problem, if the economy

slows any further I fear we are in for another Great Depression. If that happens what options are left to get us back out? Interest rates are already rock bottom. The only thing I see we can do is just fire up all the printing presses and just print money like Germany did prior to WWII. What if we really do have to get into another war, what then? This country is in one hell of a mess.

[gkhouston]

4. They have to pretend to be obsessed with the deficit.

It's the best card they have to block Democratic efforts for a true (i.e. job-oriented) economic recovery.

The Republicans don't give a shit if we're out of work as long as they're in power.

[pitohui]

5. it's really simple think clinton vs. bush and follow the money

GOP screams "deficit" every time there's a democrat in office, the democrat balances the budget and turns over a surplus, now the republican who follows him has more to steal

i saw it with dave treen in louisiana, who got a surplus from edwin edwards and "turned it back to the people" in other words, stole it and gave it to his cronies (so why is edwards and not treen in jail, fuck me if i know?)

WE ALL SAW IT w. clinton -- he busts his butt and cuts programs, thus cuts backers in his own party who would otherwise come out for the party, to hand over a surplus -- which of course bush then steals it and puts it in the pockets of halliburton and other cronies

see, a deficit is only bad if it's a democrat in office, we are supposed to be all responsible and save our money so a republican can steal it

GOP don't care abt deficit if it's one of theirs in office, they're screaming NOW because they are thieves (well, the guys at the top are the thieves, the guys at the bottom are just stupid, anyone making under $250K a year who votes GOP has a serious brain problem obv. - they are either pure-dee stupid or a religious hysteric or a hopeless follower unable to think for self or all of the above)

talk to tea baggers, they are truly STUPID

however, the plan (get democrats to stab their own people in the back and cut programs so republicans can have more money to steal) is not STUPID at the very top, it benefits the very elite who will be positioned to steal when the GOP gets back in power

[Myrina]

6. +100

In a nutshell. :applause:

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

7. It is indefensible gibberish, and not all Republican

Even on DU there are an amazing number of "volunteer cannon-fodder for the idle rich" deficit concern victims.

The brain-washing has been so effective that a lot of folks seem to think that going back on the gold standard is a progressive value. (Only a slight exaggeration, unfortunately.)

[TheKentuckian]

8. Can't let the prime rate get out of control or the casino will have some actual risk introduced

If the robberbarons actually have to borrow much above zero then there is a real chance that the magic money tree might die.

[Warpy]

9. The answer is simple

Bring back the progressive income tax, only do it right this time, and cut the Pentagon budget 10% per year until it's in line with what other countries spend on defense.

The right wing will allow neither of these things, nor will the Imperial, Corporatist, Wall Street Democrats.

So they'll scream about deficits so that we peasants continue to suffer under this wonderful government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

Until we fight back.

[PDJane]

10. Since almost every country in the world

is over their heads in debt, it may be time for a kind of Marshall plan, since there isn't enough cash to pay it off anywhere in the world. The right wing got us into this damn mess, with the Washington Consensus and the Shock Doctrine and the continuing reliance on bubbles and fraud.

My suggestion?

Declare an interest moratorium world wide. The bankers will scream bloody murder, but life's like that.

Ramp up the switch to renewables

Work to change the design stream so that manufacturing becomes more sustainable all around.

Change the way we farm, and give a premium to farmers, temporarily, who grow heritage seeds.

Understand that a switch to progressive taxation and a social safety net, decent education provided by the government and a post-secondary system that doesn't reward the very rich is the only way to get the country back on track.