I need opinions, please.

[sepania]

I'm sure you've given them a hundred times on these topics seperately, but I would like to hear some intelligent discussion. Please leave out the normal DDM bashing of parties and/or the president.
_____________________________________

A lot of people think just because we are involved in Iraq, we should ignore other issues. These folks may have a reason for wanting to ignore these issues, but they are huge and have far more impact on our daily lives that the terrorist threat...issues like social security, the record trade deficit, the massive budget deficits, poor education system, the healthcare crisis, and the list goes on and on.

What are the solutions to these problems? Are there any quick answers? Why did we get in this mess? Is President Bush up on these problems and does he care?

Solution?


Make Me King

[sepania]

Originally Posted by xiannaix

Solution?


Make Me King

You're the one I was hoping for an intelligent response from. All hope is lost now.

[bfp]

issues like social security

http://www.cato.org/new/01-05/01-28-05r.html

I'm in favor of this. Bush is trying to push it and is having a really hard time.

the record trade deficit, the massive budget deficits,

HOPEFULLY, Bush will do something about this, but I doubt he will. I'll believe it when I see it. He's talking about cutting the deficit in half, but we will see how congress reacts to his measures.

poor education system

For some reason, NCLB is dead in the water. We keep putting more money into education every year, but nothing is accomplished. We def need to implement a better standard that produces better results. I feel that we're being to soft on our children(letting them get away with anything), and our teachers are doing a horrible job as well.

the healthcare crisis

Haven't done too much research on the health-care crisis.

[willy_jack]

I think the only hope we have for social issues here will be elected in 2008.

I am sorry, but I think all Bush cares about are overseas.

Originally Posted by sepania

What are the solutions to these problems?

complicated and difficult on a per issue basis with little consensus.

Originally Posted by sepania

Are there any quick answers?

Nope

Originally Posted by sepania

Why did we get in this mess?

Poltical cowardice and expediency on both sides of the aisle combined with a lack of forethought

Originally Posted by sepania

Is President Bush up on these problems and does he care?

No one person is up on all these problems.

No one person will care about all those issues with equal passion.


Your questions are surely well and seriously intended but they are epic in scale.... an awful lot to chew....

might you scale down the scope to an aspect of one of those issues?

[bfp]

Originally Posted by willy_jack

I think the only hope we have for social issues here will be elected in 2008.

I am sorry, but I think all Bush cares about are overseas.

I don't know - he seems pretty dedicated to the SS issue. I wish he would press the spending issue and put pressure on Congress.

Bush has mentioned the issue of spending and deficits several times over the past month, but members of congress lashed out because their supporters' benifits will be cut, and the subsidies will subside.

Shows you what our politicians are really made of.

[sepania]

Originally Posted by xiannaix

might you scale down the scope to an aspect of one of those issues?

I figured there would be certian people who are passionate about one of those topics, and would go off on it. One passionate person for each topic would be nice.

[Hey Bubu]

Quite honestly, I see the education issue going to a per state case. The NCLB was a joke and those that really needed it got very little help. Where's the money at though?

As for the other issues, hmmm no idea. Really broad in scope like Christian said.

Originally Posted by sepania

the record trade deficit,

a weak dollar promotes the foreign purchase of American goods

Originally Posted by sepania

the massive budget deficits,

As long as the deficit is a minor percentage of GDP.... its a minor issue.... despite many people's fear of the raw number. People used to say that our grandchildren would be paying off Reagan's deficit. Took a fairly short period of time to do in reality.

Originally Posted by sepania

poor education system,

The system is broken but the more goverment gets involved the more broke it seems to get

Originally Posted by sepania

the healthcare crisis, and the list goes on and on.

health crisis.... no one may be denied treatment at a government funded facility based on ability to pay.... this in effect created a "right" to healthcare where no existed prior.... with this as with most things.... more government involvement, imo, will do nothing but ruin the system

[Spaceinsex]

no solution or quick answers...too many people are suffering...its probably too much burden for one man to carry ...bush may care indeed about these problems,...but i firmly believe...as long as his family is safe and taken care of...then..why would he care more about anything else..its human nature to put the ones you care about above all....
so it may sum up to bush having hold of two things about to fall over the edge of the cliff...

[Hey Bubu]

Originally Posted by xiannaix

a weak dollar promotes the foreign purchase of American goods

Unfortunately ours is mainly a service based economy and most products are made in china anyway. LOL I did watch this thing on the news about the Euro being higher than the dollar, which is hurting exporters in Europe since it makes their items more expensive to the american market, thus a reduction in comsumption, which we all know where that goes. How fucked eh?

The system is broken but the more goverment gets involved the more broke it seems to get

Hey at least we still have one of the better higher education spots....right?

health crisis.... no one may be denied treatment at a government funded facility based on ability to pay.... this in effect created a "right" to healthcare where no existed prior.... with this as with most things.... more government involvement, imo, will do nothing but ruin the system

The public health system is a massive joke, and NO Canada's is no better. Lived there while growing up and IT SUCKS MASSIVE ASS. I have been looking at Japan's healthcare system and it looks good on paper...

[willy_jack]

Originally Posted by Spaceinsex

no solution or quick answers...too many people are suffering...its probably too much burden for one man to carry ...bush may care indeed about these problems,...but i firmly believe...as long as his family is safe and taken care of...then..why would he care more about anything else..its human nature to put the ones you care about above all....
so it may sum up to bush having hold of two things about to fall over the edge of the cliff...

you know that is a mighty good post. i think i agree with you totally.

Originally Posted by TypeH

Unfortunately ours is mainly a service based economy and most products are made in china anyway. LOL I did watch this thing on the news about the Euro being higher than the dollar, which is hurting exporters in Europe since it makes their items more expensive to the american market, thus a reduction in comsumption, which we all know where that goes. How fucked eh?

we still manufacture many things.... what I couldn't tell you

but, weak dollar raises deficit and increases exports.... strong dollar...reverse it

I'm saying, I think, it simply is no need to be alarmed about it

Originally Posted by TypeH

Hey at least we still have one of the better higher education spots....right?

THE best.

Originally Posted by TypeH

The public health system is a massive joke, and NO Canada's is no better. Lived there while growing up and IT SUCKS MASSIVE ASS. I have been looking at Japan's healthcare system and it looks good on paper...

my free market side deplors government involvement in this market... and yes, health care is a market... if it was for altruism Dr.s would not charge for services.

[willy_jack]

[QUOTE=xiannaix]we still manufacture many things.... what I couldn't tell you



QUOTE]

that made me LOLY.