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Trump was crap on the deficit. But that's misleading.

2017: ~$666B

2018: ~$779B

2019: ~$984B

 

Even before the pandemic, Trump spent like a drunken sailor.

Pandemic deficits are a whole other level:

2020: $3.1T .. 

2021: $2.8T

 

Spending was higher in 2021 than 2020. But tax receipts were stronger given the recovering economy. Either way it's completely unsustainable.

Edit: clarified that spending increased in 2021 vs 2020. Original wording was clumsy (and autocorrect failed me)

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  • While I disagree with Biden trying to save these idiots from themselves, it just proves what a wonderful human being he is. IMO we should encourage Trumpbots to all give each other Covid so they die o

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28 minutes ago, Talkingbirds said:

It'll get pared down. Also significant funding for local police.

One other thing to note: a large number of dollars - around $300B if I remember but don't quote me - of the American Rescue Act went directly to state and local governments to help get their budgets out of the red after a year of pandemic. The federal government basically had to bail out states because states can't raise funds the way the Treasury can.

Spending should start to slow down significantly. You can't rip it off lest it shock the economy, but it has to be reduced - not made permanent in other forms of spending.

That said, such things don't typically happen. They'll try to set a higher spending precedent.

We absolutely are better off nationally because of many parts of Biden's American Rescue Act. I think the state government bailouts are one of the unheralded aspects, the nation would be it worse condition if it was not passed. It still contributed to problems we have now, but those problems are lesser.

But they will absolutely try to make that level of spending precedent for more. And this is where Republicans could actually try to hold the line. (Not that they would do so if Trump was in office. But whatever.) It would be wise for moderate Dems, not just Manchin, to also advocate against unwise spending so that Republicans can't pretend they give a crap about the deficit.

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4 minutes ago, JohnSnowsHair said:

Spending should start to slow down significantly. You can't rip it off lest it shock the economy, but it has to be reduced - not made permanent in other forms of spending.

 

Yup, I think we basically have to tie up loose ends and then tighten our belt. Part of the plan I would put together for cancelling student debt is that we follow it up with some austerity measures to try to strongly reign in the deficit. Of course, that would never sell on the Democratic campaign trail, so that's why I'm not a politician.

This is fine.

Totally normal.

12 hours ago, EaglesRocker97 said:

 

Yup, I think we basically have to tie up loose ends and then tighten our belt. Part of the plan I would put together for cancelling student debt is that we follow it up with some austerity measures to try to strongly reign in the deficit. Of course, that would never sell on the Democratic campaign trail, so that's why I'm not a politician.

This concept is laughable as the dems continue to try to expand the welfare state. Tax credits etc are just subsidy in disguise.

want to tighten the belt? Cut public union pensions, reduce ss benefits and reduce medicate, medicaid, food stamps etc.

but the game changed from fiscal policy to monetary policy a while back…

The little weasels who tell us to quit whining about inflation and higher gas prices are now back to trying to force us to pay off their student loans. F that.

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21 minutes ago, ToastJenkins said:

This concept is laughable as the dems continue to try to expand the welfare state.

 

It is laughable to the extent that it would never happen.

 

21 minutes ago, ToastJenkins said:

Cut public union pensions, reduce ss benefits and reduce medicate, medicaid, food stamps etc.

 

Those particular programs are basically untouchable, so this definitely is laughable. It would have to come from somewhere else.

 

21 minutes ago, ToastJenkins said:

Tax credits etc are just subsidy in disguise.

 

I totally agree.

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2 hours ago, The_Omega said:

The little weasels who tell us to quit whining about inflation and higher gas prices are now back to trying to force us to pay off their student loans. F that.

 

Did you read where I said I have no loans that would benefit from this? Probably, but it's well-known that you suck at reading comprehension and are way more concerned with just being an a-hole. You do a great job of it, too.

I'm concerned with avoiding a recession.

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The real hilarity comes from people who have more kids than they can comfortably support and then blame the government for their financial woes.

10 minutes ago, EaglesRocker97 said:

The real hilarity comes from people who have more kids than they can comfortably support and then blame the government for their financial woes.

Yup, friends of mine just had their 4th kid. It's a 1 income family, which they were still living comfortably.... Now after the 4th kid the cries of gas prices and everything else is getting louder. Gas is going to get expensive no matter what when you need a large ass SUV to go anywhere 

On 3/25/2022 at 8:35 PM, EaglesRocker97 said:

If you eat pizza with a fork, you might be a sociopath.

 

img_2_1648254731067.thumb.jpg.542ac6cb75cf15c6463789ba65f01c19.jpg

Are you a sociopath if you eat a Snickers bar with a knife and fork?

 

40 minutes ago, EaglesRocker97 said:

 

It is laughable to the extent that it would never happen.

 

 

Those particular programs are basically untouchable, so this definitely is laughable. It would have to come from somewhere else.

 

 

I totally agree.

Nothing else is big enough to matter. Even military which certainly can be cut. This is why you cant start these entitlements at all. Always ends the same way bc people.

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13 minutes ago, ToastJenkins said:

Even military which certainly can be cut.

 

I've always been a "reduce defense spending" guy, but I have gained a little more perspective on how our geography and alliances demand a pretty hefty military budget, and with the development of global affairs recently, I've come to better appreciate the need for a truly robust military. The Pentagon's budget is definitely bloated, but defense is also the federal government's most critical responsibility, so we have to be very careful about what we're cutting and when we're doing it.

Just now, EaglesRocker97 said:

 

I've always been a "reduce defense spending" guy, but I have gained a little more perspective on how our geography and alliances demand a pretty hefty military budget, and with the development of global affairs recently, I've become even more appreciate of the need for a truly robust military. The Pentagon's budget is definitely bloated, but defense is also the federal government's most critical responsibility, so we have to be very about what we're cutting and when we're doing it.

The intel capabilities alone have pretty much proven we're doing it right.

1 minute ago, EaglesRocker97 said:

 

I've always been a "reduce defense spending" guy, but I have gained a little more perspective on how our geography and alliances demand a pretty hefty military budget, and with the development of global affairs recently, I've come to better appreciate the need for a truly robust military. The Pentagon's budget is definitely bloated, but defense is also the federal government's most critical responsibility, so we have to be very about what we're cutting and when we're doing it.

I’m the opposite. If there is one above all we need to stay vigilant about it is our military might.   History tells us this in no uncertain terms. 

3 minutes ago, EaglesRocker97 said:

 

I've always been a "reduce defense spending" guy, but I have gained a little more perspective on how our geography and alliances demand a pretty hefty military budget, and with the development of global affairs recently, I've come to better appreciate the need for a truly robust military. The Pentagon's budget is definitely bloated, but defense is also the federal government's most critical responsibility, so we have to be very about what we're cutting and when we're doing it.

Which brings you back to entitlement and welfare spending…

4 minutes ago, ToastJenkins said:

Nothing else is big enough to matter. Even military which certainly can be cut. This is why you cant start these entitlements at all. Always ends the same way bc people.

We’ll have to start a "Senior mercy program” with Dr Kevorkian influence. In the next 20-30 years ALOT of people are going to find out the hard way that you can’t retire without at least $500k in a 401k.
I don’t remember the exact numbers, but read an article a while back that recommended closer to $750k+ for retirement and only about 15% of the population was on a path to get there by retirement age. Obviously it’s all dependent on individual money management and mortgage situation when someone decides to retire how much they will need. I know way too many people in the 30-50 year old range who will be absolutely no where near where they need to be with retirement savings when they get too old to continue working productively.

10 minutes ago, MidMoFo said:

We’ll have to start a "Senior mercy program” with Dr Kevorkian influence. In the next 20-30 years ALOT of people are going to find out the hard way that you can’t retire without at least $500k in a 401k.
I don’t remember the exact numbers, but read an article a while back that recommended closer to $750k+ for retirement and only about 15% of the population was on a path to get there by retirement age. Obviously it’s all dependent on individual money management and mortgage situation when someone decides to retire how much they will need. I know way too many people in the 30-50 year old range who will be absolutely no where near where they need to be with retirement savings when they get too old to continue working productively.

I don't even see how that is nearly enough unless you're talking in "today's dollars" because taking into account inflation that would be worth half of what it is now.

2 minutes ago, Paul852 said:

I don't even see how that is nearly enough unless you're talking in "today's dollars" because taking into account inflation that would be worth half of what it is now.

Agreed. I wouldn’t try it even if I was debt free at retirement age, but the majority of people I know who are relying on a 401k for retirement won’t even get there.

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Biden ain't a booster b|tch like all you antivaxx dopes.


Quadruple vaxxed, kicking ass, and taking names!



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16 minutes ago, EaglesRocker97 said:

Biden ain't a a booster b|tch like all you antivaxx dopes.


Quadruple vaxxed, kicking ass, and taking names!



image.thumb.png.32b6d8ca7a21e26815d5e5efee0ba21f.png

Another milestone for the godly Joe Biden. America's first 10G president.

On 3/29/2022 at 9:27 PM, Procus said:
On 3/25/2022 at 8:35 PM, EaglesRocker97 said:

If you eat pizza with a fork, you might be a sociopath.

 

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thank you for saving our country, President Biden!  :worthy:  

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