For serious consideration: are we walking into a trap?

[Atman]

If you follow the major news stories and op/eds, you've undoubtedly heard that we're heading toward total financial meltdown...maybe this year, maybe just before the 2012 election.

Given that information, would you, as a Republican, want to assume the helm? Is it any wonder every serious Republican contender has backed out of the 2012 race?

So, are the Republicans holding firm on Medicare because they KNOW it doesn't matter? Because it really doesn't matter in the context of our current budget crisis. When the economy collapses, which it probably will, they can stand tall and say "We told you so! It's all because of Medicare! Obama and the Dems weren't serious about debt reduction!" The collapse will be used to advance their anti-society agenda.

But Medicare will have had nothing to do with it. Our economic problems are the result of unfunded Bush wars, unfunded Bush entitlements, and Bush revenue reductions. As designed. And if we (the Dems) stop them from privatizing SS and Medicare, the collapse of the economy will be OUR fault. IOW, all they have to do is NOTHING and wait to blame Dems for the collapse.

Whereas if the Dems did NOTHING and allowed the Bush revenue reductions to expire, while ending the off-the-books wars, we'd not only quickly achieve a level of financial stability at home, we'd show the world that we're serious about solving our problems.

That's why the GOP simply doesn't care whether we default or destroy Medicare...whatever the outcome (unless it's good, which is not a safe bet) can be pinned on the Democrats. None of them want be captain of the SS Shitstorm.

[RandomThoughts]

1. And I am due beer and travel money, and many experiences.

What is your point?

[Atman]

2. I'm pretty sure I made a stronger point than your response did.

:eyes:

Thanks for contributing.

[Drunken Irishman]

3. I accidentally read your name as Akbar...which would have been SOOO fitting.

[postulater]

13. That's cuz your a drunken Irishman.

Slainte!

PS Beamish>Murphys>Guinness. (just my opinion)

[truedelphi]

4. You might enjoy the repartee between Max Keiser and his

Guest, at this link



http://www.presstv.ir/Program/180960.html

I would say your assessment of the huge economy-down-the-toilet-bowl-here-we-go scenario is something others are saying as well.

[lonestarnot]

5. I wonder how long passport lines are?

Snort.

[scheming daemons]

6. Whatever happens... we're much better off with Obama in the WH than any Republican

Trap or no trap.... I'll feel a whole helluva lot better facing whatever it is we need to face if President Obama is the one at the helm when the shit hits the fan.


Do you want someone like Sarah Palin in charge when this country needs a strong leader the most?

[BlueMTexpat]

8. +1,000,000! nt

[AndyTiedye]

7. If We Had Let ALL the Bush Tax Cuts Expire, The Economy Would Have Crashed Too

We tried to extend just the cuts for under $250K, but the Repigs filibustered. No way around that.
Now the Repigs are going to crash the economy by refusing to raise the debt ceiling.

They will effectively hold the government hostage.
Giving up Medicare will be part of the cost of getting our government back after they have taken it hostage.
They will demand much more.

When it comes to that, what options will the Democrats have?

[quaker bill]

9. Total financial meltdown,

and the pundits thought Hillary Clinton was "inevitable", the DOW was going to 30,000, the NASDAQ was going to 5000, silver was going to $300....

A bit of news, the wars were "off the books" when Bush was President, they went "on the books" when Obama took over.

There actually is no impending financial collapse. The precious metals brokers come up with this to try to copy the success of the gun brokers after "Obama will take your guns" became the common wisdom.

The dollar serves as a vitrually irreplaceable reserve of value for nations all over the planet. There is no other place large enough for all this money to go without upsetting the apple cart sufficiently that all reserved value becomes at substantial risk. Capital flight is a serious risk for smaller economies where the aggregate amount invested is relatively small and the options to relocate it are numerous. It is not a significant risk here.

Capital will work to prop up this economy at some level, surely not the level we would enjoy, but as certainly, at a level where their investment will not be lost.

[vaberella]

10. What's your point? n/t

[Peacetrain]

11. In 2008 I heard and read more than one gutless wonder who thought

that it would be better if the republicans won that election so they would be held responsible for the mess they made.

It has always been and will probably always will be.. Democrats are better at economic and social and military issues.. but republicans always try to take credit for the Democratic successes... knowing all this..

Who in their right mind would have wanted to have another four years of republicans "learning their lessons" can you imagine where we would be right now?

[bemildred]

12. Who is this "we" you speak of?

I expect to be blamed no matter what, so who cares? The important thing is to try to have a viable government and economy again someday.

[Eagle Mall]

14. Are you sure you haven't been reading Infowars?

[MilesColtrane]

15. In short, no.