Framing the Dialogue

Posts Tagged ‘debt’

As The Debt Turns

For those of us that lean fiscally conservative the following headline was meant to give solace to the frighteningly steep rise in our nation’s debt;

House votes to deny Obama more borrowing authority

The borrowing refers to the need to yet again raise our debt ceiling and allow politicians the ability to spend more by borrowing more.  I, unlike the article’s author, used the term “politicians” rather than just Obama when referring to the one(s) doing the borrowing.  This story is should be primer on how the political class (both right and left and middle) play the game to ensure that they stay in power while seeming to play to their bases.

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The Ten Cannots

There was a news item a few days ago that got very little attention yet was perhaps the story of 2012 less than two weeks into the new year.  It should have been front page above the fold with a bold, red headline.  The total debt of the United States now exceeds our Gross Domestic Product, or

“The 100% mark means that your entire debt is as big as everything you’re producing in your country.”

“Economist Mark Zandi of Moody’s Analytics says reaching the 100% mark shows ‘the grave need to address our long-term fiscal problems.”

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Whine & Jeez

Some quick predictions about Obama’s “State of the Union” speech tonight…

There’ll be plenty of WHINE:

  • I inherited massive debt from you know who
  • I inherited a really poor economy
  • I inherited four trillion dollars in debt
  • I inherited two unpaid for wars
  • You should pay no attention to the massive debt that I have incurred
  • It would be a lot worse if I hadn’t done what I did (try and prove otherwise)
  • 9 out of 10 economists agree with me (I ask the ones in the White House every day – it’s really 10 of 10, but I wanted to make it real)
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Econ 1

The Great Vilsacko performs his money magic trick.

I am currently reading Return to Prosperity by Phd economist Arthur Laffer and I’ll review the book as usual after I finish it, but a recent statement by President Obama’s Agriculture Secretary had me referring to the “Econ 1” phrase Dr. Laffer uses frequently when describing politicians lack of knowledge that is taught in a basic economics class. Secretary Vilsack appeared on MSNBC’s Morning Joe to tout the benefits of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (“SNAP” or Food Stamps as we used to call it). Vilsack called SNAP the “most direct stimulus you can get into the economy during these tough times.” I guess that he also considers the fact that America has vastly increased the number of people “stimulating” the economy as 1 in 7 people are in the program. Let that sink in…NEARLY 15 PERCENT OF OUR FELLOW AMERICANS GET FOOD FROM THE GOVERNMENT!

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Update -Wimpy Washington Economics

Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends

We’re so glad you could attend

Come inside! Come inside!

Come inside, the show’s about to start

guaranteed to blow your head apart

Rest assured you’ll get your money’s worth

Guaranteed to blow your head apart

- – Emerson, Lake and Palmer (edited)

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Wimpy Washington Economics

“Top Democrats and Republicans in Congress prepared new proposals to avert a government debt default and a potential global financial crisis.”

That’s the lead paragraph from a story in today’s paper.  What should scare you is when Democrats and Republicans agree on something the public generally gets screwed.  I believe that both sides realized that they set up this “battle” and now that the public is watching they are not sure how to get out from all of the rhetoric that they have been spreading.  What both sides agree on is that they both want desperately to get re-elected and regain power.  Even a little power is better than none and they are more than willing to squander our money, our children’s money, and our grandchildrens’ money to maintain their power.  Here are few facts as I see them:

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Headline Humor – Volume VII

I know many of these stories are serious, but the headlines removed the restrain from my brain and we get headline humor. These are the actual headlines as I found on-line. When you click on the headline you will be taken to the original story which more often than not has nothing to do with my vision of the headline.

Presidential dream: long walk in the park

Barack Obama says he misses being anonymous

Obama’s debt cutting plan: Everything on the table

Mitt Romney finally enters the 2012 presidential race

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Barry’s Choice

We were blessed on Valentine’s Day with the release of the Obama Administration’s 2012 budget proposal.  The cover of the document perhaps should have been red, but give him credit Obama is coming out swinging in defense of his vision for our economic future (sound of toilet flushing in the distance).  It is an interesting tactic to produce this and immediately have his lackeys and media dogs go on the attack because the Republicans have not given their proposal for the 2012 budget.  Perhaps that is because they are working to cut from the current budget before taking on the next one.  The 2011 bloated Democrat budget is not a done deal.

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For-Proifit College

Start with a headline to catch your attention.

For-profit college debt brings burdens

Follow up with a subhead that nails it and creates the mood.

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Nicked by the Bullet

A few weeks ago I postulated about how much damage the lame duck session of Congress would inflict on the American people (Duck Duck Screwed). Like my Amazon Wish List, liberals had their own, more costly wish list that we would have to pay for. Many of these items were specifically not brought to the floor prior to the election as they were vote killers and would have likely precipitated an even more lopsided win by Republicans.

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