The Economic State of the Union
Explained in VERY Simple Terms
Every day, when I check on Facebook (don’t judge me - that’s probably the main way I can keep in touch with my aging friends and relatives), other than personal news, and some uplifting graphics (I have a generally very positive and upbeat circle), there are a couple of themes for their posts:
Support their favorite cause with either money, or weapons/intervention by the US military.
Hey, how about that sports team? I’m OK with their fervor, as I am a rabid Cleveland Indians/Guardians fan - and they are doing great this year.
The United States is broke, and needs to get debt under control
We need to spend MORE money on this very worthwhile mission of mine - more money for health care, schools, military vets, control of the border, the homeless, etc.
It’s those last two themes that concern me today.
I was reading today’s Wilder, Wealthy, and Wise, and John Wilder has some very depressing - and true - things to say about the sad state of the US coffers.
We’re broke-ass, and getting broker by the day.
Now, I personally think it’s time for some straight talk to voters. Who knows, maybe they will respond to hearing the truth from politicians for a change! Below I will list some of the sad truths American voters need to hear, and - hopefully - to understand.
We’uns is broke. We’re in the position of your unemployed brother-in-law, whose personal recreational debt exceeds his unemployment check, is signed up for every taxpayer-provided program that is out there, and still tries to hit up anyone within a 3-foot radius of him for a loan.
You’ve lent him money (under protest, but, you know women, they will nag until you hand him a couple of twenties - and, give you the stink-eye if there aren’t at least 5—10 of them). Within a few weeks, he’s back for more.
All suggestions for reducing the family outflow of money are rejected.
He “needs” his car, and it wouldn’t really pay him to sell it/give up the lease/trade in for a cheaper car. So, they continue to drive the gas-guzzler that also costs more to insure.
He and the wife/girlfriend just - somehow - don’t have the TIME to cook at home, so they buy take-out. The concept of drinking plain water from the tap, or forgoing the fries - both to save money, and keep the calories down - never seems to occur to him. Likewise, they never buy from the Value menu - it’s the $10-$15 meals that they HAVE to have.
Likewise, the concept of selling off everything they can - TVs, electronics, clothing, sports equipment, etc. - and using the money for GOOD - Get Out of Debt - is horrifying to them. “What! I’d LOSE money if I sold these things!” Better to scrounge for the next month’s rent/mortgage.
Menial jobs that are part-time are not applied for, or, if they take them, within a very short time they are fired or quit. “I’m not going to take that kind of abuse from my boss!” That you have, and do, if it keeps the lights on, is something that a person of THEIR exalted standards just cannot bring themselves to do.
Well, you get it. They don’t like where they are, but won’t do anything constructive to change that status.
What happens to the shiftless and feckless is the same as what happens to the nation.
We have people who complain about government overspending, but will NOT consider ANY reduction in the programs THEY want. It’s not THEM who need to tighten their budget and accept a reduced standard of living, it’s those awful multi-millionaires! Yeah, that’s the ticket! Tax those OTHER guys even more.
And, by all means, reduce the budget. Just not the programs THEY like, including:
Social Security - “Hell, NO! I EARNED that!” Yeah, we know. And, while your attention was diverted, the money you put in was STOLEN for the benefit of people who DIDN’T earn their way into the program. So, at this point, the money seniors receive is BORROWED. Just like it would be if you continued to be able to take money out of the bank after the vault was empty. The people who will have to pay more out of THEIR pockets for YOUR check will not, due to their reduced paychecks, be able to save money for THEIR retirement. Think about that when you take your next cruise.
The growth of government programs - usually referred to as Entitlements - is staggering.
21% for Social Security
24% for Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP (for poor kids), and ACA - also known as Obamacare
BTW, illegal aliens who have entered, and been given “temporary relief from immediate deportation” ARE eligible for all of these programs - although they are NOT QUALIFIED for them by law. The Center for Medicare Services (CMS) has interpreted the outlines of the law as permitting providing services at NO cost to them. Pretty nifty for those people marching over the border, amiright?
8% for Economic Security programs
“Economic security programs include: the refundable portions of the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, which assist low- and moderate-income working families; programs that provide cash payments to eligible individuals or households, including unemployment insurance and Supplemental Security Income for low-income people who are over age 65 or disabled; various forms of in-kind assistance for low-income people, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as food stamps), school meals, low-income housing assistance, child care assistance, and help meeting home energy bills; and other programs such as those that aid abused or neglected children.”
Same as Medicare - as CMS has “deemed” the aliens eligible, they can, without penalty, receive any and ALL benefits from ALL these programs. A simple Executive Order to stop that shit would cause that loophole to shut, pronto.
Surprisingly, defense is a relatively small part - 13% - and paying the interest on the National Debt is 10% - and growing fast. The budget deficit is around TWO TRILLION, and growing. See this Debt Clock that ticks off what we owe.
What can we do?
Stop using money on those who are not US citizens. If those who are pro-Illegal Alien want to import them, let THEM pay for it. And, do NOT use ANY money from taxpayers for ANY part of it - no subsidies, EBT, housing assistance, subsidized health care - NONE of it is the US government’s responsibility.
No paying for those present, but in a status of “Yes, they ARE illegally present here, but we aren’t going to arrest them and deport them”. That is NOT a legally present alien. That is a squatter.
No Catch and Release. No issuing them a piece of paper ordering them to appear in court for their illegal entry, then being transported elsewhere - often with NO biometrics or tracking involved.
NO allowing those without passports or VERIFIABLE ID to get on planes, buses, or trains. No issuing them driver’s licenses.
Send them back after processing. If they return, put them in lockup, until they are sent back - AFTER collecting DNA, fingerprints, and checking them against the crime databases.
8/15/2024 - 11:27 pm
When it comes to specifics about Harris’ future plan ,should she be elected, she has been remarkably short of details. The Washington Examiner has positions that Kamala has held in the recent past, that might be of interest to the voting public. If you also find the list interesting, please Share this post.
8/19/2024 - 8:19 am
I was out of commission this weekend, due to an eye problem. I’m back and just clearing up some old stuff.
But, HEY! The DNC Convention starts today! I’ve heard rumors that Michelle Obama will be one of the speakers. Wouldn’t it be exciting to see Kamala and Michelle square off for the nomination?
I might even PAY to see that!