#46 President Joe Biden

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  • Ledbetterman10Ledbetterman10 Posts: 16,882
    static111 said:
    static111 said:
    static111 said:
    biden is actively trying to bring the country together. it's a monumental task after all the damage that trump did, and is possibly impossible to undo. 
    It wasn’t Trump that got us here, the damage was already done, Trump just let everyone see it for what it is.
    he encouraged the scum to come out from under the rock. of course it always existed, but he unleashed it. 
    As far as I’m concerned he just made them louder. I don’t think there was any less of that before trump or that the feelings and beliefs weren’t just as strong.  Sure he made them feel ok to be that way, but Trump wasn’t the cause of our problems anymore than Biden will be the solution.  We have a national reckoning that really no one here wants to even start processing.
    Please do not downplay the fact that Trump poured gasoline on this already existing fire instead of doing the opposite....
    Please do not downplay how fucked up our country is by laying so much blame on trump. The guy did some real damage, but it was only a matter of time before someone like him took the national stage. We were ripe for it. And if we want to try to come together without any reconciliation we will be in for it all over again, and the next guy will make trump look like a teddy bear.
    I agree. It's not like America was some harmonious utopia and then Trump can along and ruined it. Trump came along exactly because America isn't a harmonious utopia. 

    Not sure anybody could make him look like a teddy bear by comparison though. 
    it's a tad silly to say that because I hold trump responsible for the current state is equal to me saying that the US was a harmonious utopia. come on prior to his rise. 

    he DID fill a void of hate and division, I agree. but to downplay just how destructive his presidency was is to have blinders on. 
    I'm not trying to downplay it. I agreed with Static saying he did real damage. But I also think he was the result of many things wrong with the U.S. Even down to people believing in him because he's not a politician. Think of how little trust in politicians there is if a crooked casino owner snake-oil salesman could be elected.  
    2000: Camden 1, 2003: Philly, State College, Camden 1, MSG 2, Hershey, 2004: Reading, 2005: Philly, 2006: Camden 1, 2, East Rutherford 1, 2007: Lollapalooza, 2008: Camden 1, Washington D.C., MSG 1, 2, 2009: Philly 1, 2, 3, 4, 2010: Bristol, MSG 2, 2011: PJ20 1, 2, 2012: Made In America, 2013: Brooklyn 2, Philly 2, 2014: Denver, 2015: Global Citizen Festival, 2016: Philly 2, Fenway 1, 2018: Fenway 1, 2, 2021: Sea. Hear. Now. 2022: Camden, 2024Philly 2

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  • static111 said:
    static111 said:
    static111 said:
    biden is actively trying to bring the country together. it's a monumental task after all the damage that trump did, and is possibly impossible to undo. 
    It wasn’t Trump that got us here, the damage was already done, Trump just let everyone see it for what it is.
    he encouraged the scum to come out from under the rock. of course it always existed, but he unleashed it. 
    As far as I’m concerned he just made them louder. I don’t think there was any less of that before trump or that the feelings and beliefs weren’t just as strong.  Sure he made them feel ok to be that way, but Trump wasn’t the cause of our problems anymore than Biden will be the solution.  We have a national reckoning that really no one here wants to even start processing.
    Please do not downplay the fact that Trump poured gasoline on this already existing fire instead of doing the opposite....
    Please do not downplay how fucked up our country is by laying so much blame on trump. The guy did some real damage, but it was only a matter of time before someone like him took the national stage. We were ripe for it. And if we want to try to come together without any reconciliation we will be in for it all over again, and the next guy will make trump look like a teddy bear.
    I agree. It's not like America was some harmonious utopia and then Trump can along and ruined it. Trump came along exactly because America isn't a harmonious utopia. 

    Not sure anybody could make him look like a teddy bear by comparison though. 
    it's a tad silly to say that because I hold trump responsible for the current state is equal to me saying that the US was a harmonious utopia. come on prior to his rise. 

    he DID fill a void of hate and division, I agree. but to downplay just how destructive his presidency was is to have blinders on. 
    I'm not trying to downplay it. I agreed with Static saying he did real damage. But I also think he was the result of many things wrong with the U.S. Even down to people believing in him because he's not a politician. Think of how little trust in politicians there is if a crooked casino owner snake-oil salesman could be elected.  
    that's easy: the spin on his reputation from the 80's as being a real estate mogul to his tv show. not many people know just how disastrous his businesses are, so it was an easy sell. 

    ironic how the media played such a part in his rise only for him to turn on them and make half the country believe they all lie all the time. 

    there's always been a very healthy distrust in politicians. everyone just assumes they're going to be corrupt when they reach a certain level; they just try to vote for the guy who claims he'll do something for them. 
    new album "Cigarettes" out Spring 2025!

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  • The JugglerThe Juggler Posts: 48,908
    edited April 2021
    static111 said:
    static111 said:
    static111 said:
    biden is actively trying to bring the country together. it's a monumental task after all the damage that trump did, and is possibly impossible to undo. 
    It wasn’t Trump that got us here, the damage was already done, Trump just let everyone see it for what it is.
    he encouraged the scum to come out from under the rock. of course it always existed, but he unleashed it. 
    As far as I’m concerned he just made them louder. I don’t think there was any less of that before trump or that the feelings and beliefs weren’t just as strong.  Sure he made them feel ok to be that way, but Trump wasn’t the cause of our problems anymore than Biden will be the solution.  We have a national reckoning that really no one here wants to even start processing.
    Please do not downplay the fact that Trump poured gasoline on this already existing fire instead of doing the opposite....
    Please do not downplay how fucked up our country is by laying so much blame on trump. The guy did some real damage, but it was only a matter of time before someone like him took the national stage. We were ripe for it. And if we want to try to come together without any reconciliation we will be in for it all over again, and the next guy will make trump look like a teddy bear.
    Umm, please explain how I did that?

    The country has been fucked up for a long time. At no point did I lead on that I was downplaying it. The main reason I left the republican party long before Trump became a republican was for a lot of the issues you're hinting at here. 

    But to say "the guy did some real damage" does a disservice to the ENORMOUS amount of damage he wreaked over the course of the last five years in every which way possible. It cannot and should not be understated enough.
    Post edited by The Juggler on
    www.myspace.com
  • static111static111 Posts: 4,889
    static111 said:
    static111 said:
    static111 said:
    biden is actively trying to bring the country together. it's a monumental task after all the damage that trump did, and is possibly impossible to undo. 
    It wasn’t Trump that got us here, the damage was already done, Trump just let everyone see it for what it is.
    he encouraged the scum to come out from under the rock. of course it always existed, but he unleashed it. 
    As far as I’m concerned he just made them louder. I don’t think there was any less of that before trump or that the feelings and beliefs weren’t just as strong.  Sure he made them feel ok to be that way, but Trump wasn’t the cause of our problems anymore than Biden will be the solution.  We have a national reckoning that really no one here wants to even start processing.
    Please do not downplay the fact that Trump poured gasoline on this already existing fire instead of doing the opposite....
    Please do not downplay how fucked up our country is by laying so much blame on trump. The guy did some real damage, but it was only a matter of time before someone like him took the national stage. We were ripe for it. And if we want to try to come together without any reconciliation we will be in for it all over again, and the next guy will make trump look like a teddy bear.
    Umm, please explain how I did that?

    The country has been fucked up for a long time. At no point did I lead on that I was downplaying it. The main reason I left the republican party long before Trump became a republican was for a lot of the issues you're hinting at here. 

    But to say "the guy did some real damage" does a disservice to the ENORMOUS amount of damage he wreaked over the course of the last five years in every which way possible. It cannot and should not be understated enough.
    Damage he couldn’t have done with 75 million willing for participants.
    Scio me nihil scire

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  • The JugglerThe Juggler Posts: 48,908
    edited April 2021
    static111 said:
    static111 said:
    static111 said:
    static111 said:
    biden is actively trying to bring the country together. it's a monumental task after all the damage that trump did, and is possibly impossible to undo. 
    It wasn’t Trump that got us here, the damage was already done, Trump just let everyone see it for what it is.
    he encouraged the scum to come out from under the rock. of course it always existed, but he unleashed it. 
    As far as I’m concerned he just made them louder. I don’t think there was any less of that before trump or that the feelings and beliefs weren’t just as strong.  Sure he made them feel ok to be that way, but Trump wasn’t the cause of our problems anymore than Biden will be the solution.  We have a national reckoning that really no one here wants to even start processing.
    Please do not downplay the fact that Trump poured gasoline on this already existing fire instead of doing the opposite....
    Please do not downplay how fucked up our country is by laying so much blame on trump. The guy did some real damage, but it was only a matter of time before someone like him took the national stage. We were ripe for it. And if we want to try to come together without any reconciliation we will be in for it all over again, and the next guy will make trump look like a teddy bear.
    Umm, please explain how I did that?

    The country has been fucked up for a long time. At no point did I lead on that I was downplaying it. The main reason I left the republican party long before Trump became a republican was for a lot of the issues you're hinting at here. 

    But to say "the guy did some real damage" does a disservice to the ENORMOUS amount of damage he wreaked over the course of the last five years in every which way possible. It cannot and should not be understated enough.
    Damage he couldn’t have done with 75 million willing for participants.
    I still haven't seen how I downplayed anything.

    I also have quite a few friends/former republican friends who were disgusted by Trump in 2015 (and either held their nose and voted for him over hrc or didnt vote at all in 16) that were seemingly transformed into a different person who frothed at the mouth for each new conspiracy theory and falsehood that was fed to them over the last five years.

    Minimizing Trump's impact on this is a perilous act .
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  • mrussel1mrussel1 Posts: 29,675
    y'all are arguing over the strength of your adjectives. 
  • dankinddankind Posts: 20,839

    I SAW PEARL JAM
  • mrussel1 said:
    Whoops? Are you interpreting this to mean Biden was predicting a crime free country under his presidency?
    LOL.....the perceived "gotchas" are so fucking stupid it hurts my brain. 

    I'm still waiting on Mr. Rolesomemodels to explain not giving a shit what so ever about Trump's record setting, exploding, debt and then becoming a born again fiscal conservative on 1/20/21
    Elle-oh-elle

    love living in your skull for free.  Miss me when I’m not around, huh?!  Kisses!
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  • benjsbenjs Posts: 9,144
    dankind said:

    I'm still longing for the day when "Space Balls 2: The Search for More Money" comes out.
    '05 - TO, '06 - TO 1, '08 - NYC 1 & 2, '09 - TO, Chi 1 & 2, '10 - Buffalo, NYC 1 & 2, '11 - TO 1 & 2, Hamilton, '13 - Buffalo, Brooklyn 1 & 2, '15 - Global Citizen, '16 - TO 1 & 2, Chi 2

    EV
    Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
  • The JugglerThe Juggler Posts: 48,908
    mrussel1 said:
    Whoops? Are you interpreting this to mean Biden was predicting a crime free country under his presidency?
    LOL.....the perceived "gotchas" are so fucking stupid it hurts my brain. 

    I'm still waiting on Mr. Rolesomemodels to explain not giving a shit what so ever about Trump's record setting, exploding, debt and then becoming a born again fiscal conservative on 1/20/21
    Elle-oh-elle

    love living in your skull for free.  Miss me when I’m not around, huh?!  Kisses!
    Hey there he is! Having fun cosplaying as a fiscal conservative, fraud? Anytime you'd like to explain yourself, I am all ears


    -https://www.thebalance.com/trump-plans-to-reduce-national-debt-4114401

    President Trump's Impact on the National Debt

    The national debt has increased by almost 36% since Trump took office

    President Trump Holds First Campaign Rally Since Coronavirus Diagnosis
    •••
    Table of Contents

    Updated April 07, 2021

    During the 2016 presidential campaign, Republican candidate Donald Trump promised he would eliminate the nation’s debt in eight years.1 Instead, his budget estimates showed that he would actually add at least $8.3 trillion, increasing the U.S. debt to $28.5 trillion by 2025.2 However, the national debt reached that figure much sooner. When President Trump took office in January 2017, the national debt stood at $19.9 trillion. In October 2020, the national debt reached a new high of $27 trillion. That's an increase of almost 36% in less than four years.

    The national debt reached a new high of $28 trillion less than two months after President Trump left office.3

    Key Takeaways

    • During his campaign in 2016, President Trump promised to eliminate the national debt in eight years.
    • Instead, it is projected that he will add at least $8.3 trillion.
    • In October 2020, the national debt reached a new high of $27 trillion, an increase of almost 36% since President Trump took office in 2017.
    • The national debt reached a record high shortly after President Trump left office.

    How Did the National Debt Increase After Trump Took Office?

    At first, it seemed Trump was lowering the debt. It fell $102 billion in the first six months after Trump took office. On January 20, the day Trump was inaugurated, the debt was $19.9 trillion. On July 30, it was $19.8 trillion. But it was not because of anything he did. Instead, it was because of the federal debt ceiling.

    On Sept. 8, 2017, Trump signed a bill increasing the debt ceiling.4 Later that day, the debt exceeded $20 trillion for the first time in U.S. history. On Feb. 9, 2018, Trump signed a bill suspending the debt ceiling until March 1, 2019.5 By February 2019, the total national debt was at $22 trillion. In July 2019, Trump suspended the debt ceiling until after the 2020 presidential election.6 On Oct. 1, 2020, the debt hit a new record of $27 trillion.3

    Trump oversaw the fastest increase in the debt of any president—almost 36% from 2017 to 2020. Trump did not fulfill his campaign promise to cut the debt. Instead, he did the opposite.

    Did President Trump Reduce the National Debt?

    Trump promised two strategies to reduce U.S. debt before taking office:

    1. Increase growth by 4% to 6%
    2. Eliminate wasteful federal spending

    Increase Growth

    While on the campaign trail, Trump promised to grow the economy by 4% to 6% annually to increase tax revenues.78

    Once in office, Trump lowered his growth estimates to between 2% and 3%.9 These more realistic projections are within the 2% to 3% healthy growth rate.10 When growth is more than that, it creates inflation. Too much money chases too few good business projects. Irrational exuberance grips investors and they could create a boom-bust cycle that ends in a recession. 

    President Trump had also promised to achieve between 2% and 4% growth with tax cuts. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act cut the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% beginning in 2018.11 The top individual income tax rate dropped to 37%. It doubled the standard deduction and eliminated personal exemptions. The corporate cuts are permanent, while the individual changes expire at the end of 2025.12

    Trump's tax cuts won't stimulate the economy enough to make up for lost tax revenue. According to the Laffer curve, tax cuts only do that when the rates were above 50%. It worked during the Reagan administration because the highest tax rate was 70%.13

    Eliminate Wasteful Federal Spending

    Trump’s second strategy was to eliminate waste and redundancy in federal spending. He demonstrated this cost-consciousness during his campaign, such as when he used his Twitter account and rallies instead of expensive television ads.

    Trump was right that there is waste in federal spending. The problem isn't finding it—both Presidents Bush and Obama did that. The problem is in cutting it.14 Each program has a constituency that lobbies Congress. Eliminating these benefits may lose voters and contributors. Congressional representatives may agree to cut spending in someone else’s district, but resist doing so in their own.

    Any president must cut into the biggest programs to make a real impact on the national debt.

    More than two-thirds of government spending goes to mandatory obligations made by previous Acts of Congress. For FY 2021, Social Security benefits cost $1.2 trillion, Medicare cost $722 billion, and Medicaid cost $448 billion. The interest on the debt is $378 billion.

    To lower the debt, military spending must also be cut because it's such a large portion of the budget. Instead, Trump increased military spending in FY 2021 to $933 billion. That includes three components:

    1. $636 billion base budget for the Department of Defense
    2. $69 billion in overseas contingency operations for DoD to fight the Islamic State group 
    3. $229 billion to fund the other agencies that protect our nation, including the Department of Veterans Affairs ($105 billion), Homeland Security ($50 billion), the State Department ($44 billion), the National Nuclear Security Administration in the Department of Energy ($20 billion), and the FBI and Cybersecurity for the Department of Justice ($10 billion)15

    What's left of the $4.8 trillion budgeted for FY 2021 after mandatory and military spending? Only $595 billion to pay for everything else. That includes agencies that process Social Security and other benefits. It also includes the necessary functions performed by the Justice Department and the Internal Revenue Service. You'd have to eliminate it all to make a dent in the $966 billion deficit.16

    You can't reduce the deficit or debt without major cuts to defense and mandated benefits programs. Cutting waste isn't enough.

    Did Trump’s Business Debt Affect His Approach to U.S. Debt?

    During the 2016 campaign, Trump said in an interview with CNBC that he would "borrow, knowing that if the economy crashed, you could make a deal.”17 However, sovereign debt is different from personal debt. They can't be handled the same way.

    A 2016 Fortune magazine analysis revealed Trump's business was $1.11 billion in debt.18 That includes $846 million owed on five properties. These include Trump Tower, 40 Wall Street, and 1290 Avenue of the Americas in New York. It also includes the Trump Hotel in Washington D.C. and 555 California Street in San Francisco. But the income generated by these properties easily pays their annual interest payment. In the business world, Trump's debt is reasonable.

    The U.S. debt-to-GDP ratio at the end of 2020 was 129%. That's the $27.8 trillion U.S. debt as of December 2020, divided by the $21.5 trillion nominal GDP at the end of the second quarter this year.193

    The World Bank compares countries based on their total debt-to-gross domestic product ratio. It considers a country to be in trouble if that ratio is greater than 77%.20

    The high U.S. debt-to-ratio didn't discourage investors. America is one of the safest economies in the world and its currency is the world's reserve currency. Even during a U.S. economic crisis, investors purchase U.S. Treasurys in a flight to safety. That's one reason why interest rates plunged to historical lows in March 2020 after the coronavirus outbreak.21 Those falling interest rates meant America's debt could increase, but interest payments remain stable. 

    The U.S. also has a massive fixed pension expense and health insurance costs. A business can renege on these benefits, ask for bankruptcy, and weather the resulting lawsuits. A president and Congress can't cut back those costs without losing their jobs at the next election. As such, Trump's experience in handling business debt did not transfer to managing the U.S. debt. 

    How the National Debt Affects You

    The national debt doesn't affect you directly until it reaches the tipping point. Once the debt-to-GDP ratio exceeds 77% for an extended period of time, it slows economic growth. Every percentage point of debt above this level costs the country 0.017 percentage points in economic growth, according to a World Bank analysis.20

    The first sign of trouble is when interest rates start to rise significantly. Investors need a higher return to offset the greater perceived risk. They start to doubt that the debt can be paid off.

    The second sign is that the U.S. dollar loses value. You will notice that as inflation rises, imported goods will cost more. Gas and grocery prices will rise. Travel to other countries will also become much more expensive. 

    As interest rates and inflation rise, the cost of providing benefits and paying the interest on the debt will skyrocket. That leaves less money for other services. At that point, the government will be forced to cut services or raise taxes. That will further slow economic growth. At that point, continued deficit spending will no longer work


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  • mickeyratmickeyrat Posts: 38,586
    at this point Juggs, just the link. for OUR sake.
    _____________________________________SIGNATURE________________________________________________

    Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
    you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
    memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
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  • nicknyr15nicknyr15 Posts: 8,441
    mickeyrat said:
    at this point Juggs, just the link. for OUR sake.
    Yes please. Or pms 
  • static111static111 Posts: 4,889
    mrussel1 said:
    Whoops? Are you interpreting this to mean Biden was predicting a crime free country under his presidency?
    LOL.....the perceived "gotchas" are so fucking stupid it hurts my brain. 

    I'm still waiting on Mr. Rolesomemodels to explain not giving a shit what so ever about Trump's record setting, exploding, debt and then becoming a born again fiscal conservative on 1/20/21
    Elle-oh-elle

    love living in your skull for free.  Miss me when I’m not around, huh?!  Kisses!
    Hey there he is! Having fun cosplaying as a fiscal conservative, fraud? Anytime you'd like to explain yourself, I am all ears


    -https://www.thebalance.com/trump-plans-to-reduce-national-debt-4114401

    President Trump's Impact on the National Debt

    The national debt has increased by almost 36% since Trump took office

    President Trump Holds First Campaign Rally Since Coronavirus Diagnosis
    •••
    Table of Contents

    Updated April 07, 2021

    During the 2016 presidential campaign, Republican candidate Donald Trump promised he would eliminate the nation’s debt in eight years.1 Instead, his budget estimates showed that he would actually add at least $8.3 trillion, increasing the U.S. debt to $28.5 trillion by 2025.2 However, the national debt reached that figure much sooner. When President Trump took office in January 2017, the national debt stood at $19.9 trillion. In October 2020, the national debt reached a new high of $27 trillion. That's an increase of almost 36% in less than four years.

    The national debt reached a new high of $28 trillion less than two months after President Trump left office.3

    Key Takeaways

    • During his campaign in 2016, President Trump promised to eliminate the national debt in eight years.
    • Instead, it is projected that he will add at least $8.3 trillion.
    • In October 2020, the national debt reached a new high of $27 trillion, an increase of almost 36% since President Trump took office in 2017.
    • The national debt reached a record high shortly after President Trump left office.

    How Did the National Debt Increase After Trump Took Office?

    At first, it seemed Trump was lowering the debt. It fell $102 billion in the first six months after Trump took office. On January 20, the day Trump was inaugurated, the debt was $19.9 trillion. On July 30, it was $19.8 trillion. But it was not because of anything he did. Instead, it was because of the federal debt ceiling.

    On Sept. 8, 2017, Trump signed a bill increasing the debt ceiling.4 Later that day, the debt exceeded $20 trillion for the first time in U.S. history. On Feb. 9, 2018, Trump signed a bill suspending the debt ceiling until March 1, 2019.5 By February 2019, the total national debt was at $22 trillion. In July 2019, Trump suspended the debt ceiling until after the 2020 presidential election.6 On Oct. 1, 2020, the debt hit a new record of $27 trillion.3

    Trump oversaw the fastest increase in the debt of any president—almost 36% from 2017 to 2020. Trump did not fulfill his campaign promise to cut the debt. Instead, he did the opposite.

    Did President Trump Reduce the National Debt?

    Trump promised two strategies to reduce U.S. debt before taking office:

    1. Increase growth by 4% to 6%
    2. Eliminate wasteful federal spending

    Increase Growth

    While on the campaign trail, Trump promised to grow the economy by 4% to 6% annually to increase tax revenues.78

    Once in office, Trump lowered his growth estimates to between 2% and 3%.9 These more realistic projections are within the 2% to 3% healthy growth rate.10 When growth is more than that, it creates inflation. Too much money chases too few good business projects. Irrational exuberance grips investors and they could create a boom-bust cycle that ends in a recession. 

    President Trump had also promised to achieve between 2% and 4% growth with tax cuts. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act cut the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% beginning in 2018.11 The top individual income tax rate dropped to 37%. It doubled the standard deduction and eliminated personal exemptions. The corporate cuts are permanent, while the individual changes expire at the end of 2025.12

    Trump's tax cuts won't stimulate the economy enough to make up for lost tax revenue. According to the Laffer curve, tax cuts only do that when the rates were above 50%. It worked during the Reagan administration because the highest tax rate was 70%.13

    Eliminate Wasteful Federal Spending

    Trump’s second strategy was to eliminate waste and redundancy in federal spending. He demonstrated this cost-consciousness during his campaign, such as when he used his Twitter account and rallies instead of expensive television ads.

    Trump was right that there is waste in federal spending. The problem isn't finding it—both Presidents Bush and Obama did that. The problem is in cutting it.14 Each program has a constituency that lobbies Congress. Eliminating these benefits may lose voters and contributors. Congressional representatives may agree to cut spending in someone else’s district, but resist doing so in their own.

    Any president must cut into the biggest programs to make a real impact on the national debt.

    More than two-thirds of government spending goes to mandatory obligations made by previous Acts of Congress. For FY 2021, Social Security benefits cost $1.2 trillion, Medicare cost $722 billion, and Medicaid cost $448 billion. The interest on the debt is $378 billion.

    To lower the debt, military spending must also be cut because it's such a large portion of the budget. Instead, Trump increased military spending in FY 2021 to $933 billion. That includes three components:

    1. $636 billion base budget for the Department of Defense
    2. $69 billion in overseas contingency operations for DoD to fight the Islamic State group 
    3. $229 billion to fund the other agencies that protect our nation, including the Department of Veterans Affairs ($105 billion), Homeland Security ($50 billion), the State Department ($44 billion), the National Nuclear Security Administration in the Department of Energy ($20 billion), and the FBI and Cybersecurity for the Department of Justice ($10 billion)15

    What's left of the $4.8 trillion budgeted for FY 2021 after mandatory and military spending? Only $595 billion to pay for everything else. That includes agencies that process Social Security and other benefits. It also includes the necessary functions performed by the Justice Department and the Internal Revenue Service. You'd have to eliminate it all to make a dent in the $966 billion deficit.16

    You can't reduce the deficit or debt without major cuts to defense and mandated benefits programs. Cutting waste isn't enough.

    Did Trump’s Business Debt Affect His Approach to U.S. Debt?

    During the 2016 campaign, Trump said in an interview with CNBC that he would "borrow, knowing that if the economy crashed, you could make a deal.”17 However, sovereign debt is different from personal debt. They can't be handled the same way.

    A 2016 Fortune magazine analysis revealed Trump's business was $1.11 billion in debt.18 That includes $846 million owed on five properties. These include Trump Tower, 40 Wall Street, and 1290 Avenue of the Americas in New York. It also includes the Trump Hotel in Washington D.C. and 555 California Street in San Francisco. But the income generated by these properties easily pays their annual interest payment. In the business world, Trump's debt is reasonable.

    The U.S. debt-to-GDP ratio at the end of 2020 was 129%. That's the $27.8 trillion U.S. debt as of December 2020, divided by the $21.5 trillion nominal GDP at the end of the second quarter this year.193

    The World Bank compares countries based on their total debt-to-gross domestic product ratio. It considers a country to be in trouble if that ratio is greater than 77%.20

    The high U.S. debt-to-ratio didn't discourage investors. America is one of the safest economies in the world and its currency is the world's reserve currency. Even during a U.S. economic crisis, investors purchase U.S. Treasurys in a flight to safety. That's one reason why interest rates plunged to historical lows in March 2020 after the coronavirus outbreak.21 Those falling interest rates meant America's debt could increase, but interest payments remain stable. 

    The U.S. also has a massive fixed pension expense and health insurance costs. A business can renege on these benefits, ask for bankruptcy, and weather the resulting lawsuits. A president and Congress can't cut back those costs without losing their jobs at the next election. As such, Trump's experience in handling business debt did not transfer to managing the U.S. debt. 

    How the National Debt Affects You

    The national debt doesn't affect you directly until it reaches the tipping point. Once the debt-to-GDP ratio exceeds 77% for an extended period of time, it slows economic growth. Every percentage point of debt above this level costs the country 0.017 percentage points in economic growth, according to a World Bank analysis.20

    The first sign of trouble is when interest rates start to rise significantly. Investors need a higher return to offset the greater perceived risk. They start to doubt that the debt can be paid off.

    The second sign is that the U.S. dollar loses value. You will notice that as inflation rises, imported goods will cost more. Gas and grocery prices will rise. Travel to other countries will also become much more expensive. 

    As interest rates and inflation rise, the cost of providing benefits and paying the interest on the debt will skyrocket. That leaves less money for other services. At that point, the government will be forced to cut services or raise taxes. That will further slow economic growth. At that point, continued deficit spending will no longer work


    Lol
    Scio me nihil scire

    There are no kings inside the gates of eden
  • or just put it in your signature. lol
    new album "Cigarettes" out Spring 2025!

    www.headstonesband.com




  • Ledbetterman10Ledbetterman10 Posts: 16,882
    Well at least he got rid of the picture of that weird guy with the mustache. 
    2000: Camden 1, 2003: Philly, State College, Camden 1, MSG 2, Hershey, 2004: Reading, 2005: Philly, 2006: Camden 1, 2, East Rutherford 1, 2007: Lollapalooza, 2008: Camden 1, Washington D.C., MSG 1, 2, 2009: Philly 1, 2, 3, 4, 2010: Bristol, MSG 2, 2011: PJ20 1, 2, 2012: Made In America, 2013: Brooklyn 2, Philly 2, 2014: Denver, 2015: Global Citizen Festival, 2016: Philly 2, Fenway 1, 2018: Fenway 1, 2, 2021: Sea. Hear. Now. 2022: Camden, 2024Philly 2

    Pearl Jam bootlegs:
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  • mickeyratmickeyrat Posts: 38,586
    it'll be back now
    _____________________________________SIGNATURE________________________________________________

    Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
    you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
    memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
    another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
  • The JugglerThe Juggler Posts: 48,908
    or just put it in your signature. lol
    This seems most reasonable. 
    www.myspace.com
  • lol indeed. Dude thinks I even read his copy paste mess that spams the forum whenever I’m on. Juggler can’t understand that spending trillions every few months is a problem, or if he does he has to copy paste trump stuff as if that makes it all ok.  Extremely confused and unhappy person it seems.  Spending under trump bad, spending under Biden bad, I’m simply not a fan of either.
    I'm like an opening band for your mom.
  • lol indeed. Dude thinks I even read his copy paste mess that spams the forum whenever I’m on. Juggler can’t understand that spending trillions every few months is a problem, or if he does he has to copy paste trump stuff as if that makes it all ok.  Extremely confused and unhappy person it seems.  Spending under trump bad, spending under Biden bad, I’m simply not a fan of either.
    that's the exact opposite of what you said during Trump's term. 
    new album "Cigarettes" out Spring 2025!

    www.headstonesband.com




  • The JugglerThe Juggler Posts: 48,908
    lol indeed. Dude thinks I even read his copy paste mess that spams the forum whenever I’m on. Juggler can’t understand that spending trillions every few months is a problem, or if he does he has to copy paste trump stuff as if that makes it all ok.  Extremely confused and unhappy person it seems.  Spending under trump bad, spending under Biden bad, I’m simply not a fan of either.
    Lol. We're making progress. 

    Hi buddy! I am just wondering, because now since you finally agree that spending under Trump was bad, why you did not mention that one single time in the last 4 years?

    Because...you know, it took you literally just a few weeks to bring it up regarding the Biden administration. Don't you see how that seems just a smidge disingenuous?

    Almost as if you just don't care about it at all, unless it's a democrat doing the spending. 

    I'll spare you from the article again and just provide you with this tasty nugget:


    Trump oversaw the fastest increase in the debt of any president—almost 36% from 2017 to 2020. Trump did not fulfill his campaign promise to cut the debt. Instead, he did the opposite.

    So if you really care about such things, why would you not feel the urge to speak up against this monstrosity during the Trump admin? Is your political party really worth that much more to you than your country?
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  • KatKat Posts: 4,871
    edited April 2021
    Closed for review.
    People are forgetting to speak on the topic and NOT each other. Possibly some time away from the forums will help solve this problem?
    Please follow this guidance so that doesn't have to happen. It's very close.
    Falling down,...not staying down
  • KatKat Posts: 4,871
    edited April 2021
    Possibly a new topic with the subject: National Debt or something? Then this thread can get back on topic and the fiscal discussion can be the focus of the new thread. It'll likely be a big topic for years, right? Be respectful to each other in your very interesting discussions, please. Thank you.
    Post edited by Kat on
    Falling down,...not staying down
  • i like that we are finally getting our troops out of afghanistan. i like that biden said he is not going to have this touch a 5th president.
    "You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry."  - Lincoln

    "Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
  • mrussel1mrussel1 Posts: 29,675
    i like that we are finally getting our troops out of afghanistan. i like that biden said he is not going to have this touch a 5th president.
    I'm glad Trump won't have to solve yet ANOTHER problem when he comes back.. any day now. 
  • mrussel1 said:
    i like that we are finally getting our troops out of afghanistan. i like that biden said he is not going to have this touch a 5th president.
    I'm glad Trump won't have to solve yet ANOTHER problem when he comes back.. any day now. 
    lol what is the new expected date for him to take over? i have not been following dump at all.
    "You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry."  - Lincoln

    "Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
  • mrussel1 said:
    i like that we are finally getting our troops out of afghanistan. i like that biden said he is not going to have this touch a 5th president.
    I'm glad Trump won't have to solve yet ANOTHER problem when he comes back.. any day now. 
    lol what is the new expected date for him to take over? i have not been following dump at all.
    July 4th. IndeTrumpdence Day. 
    new album "Cigarettes" out Spring 2025!

    www.headstonesband.com




  • BentleyspopBentleyspop Posts: 10,763
    mrussel1 said:
    i like that we are finally getting our troops out of afghanistan. i like that biden said he is not going to have this touch a 5th president.
    I'm glad Trump won't have to solve yet ANOTHER problem when he comes back.. any day now. 
    lol what is the new expected date for him to take over? i have not been following dump at all.
    Take over?

    I thought he was still in charge
  • josevolutionjosevolution Posts: 29,532
    lol indeed. Dude thinks I even read his copy paste mess that spams the forum whenever I’m on. Juggler can’t understand that spending trillions every few months is a problem, or if he does he has to copy paste trump stuff as if that makes it all ok.  Extremely confused and unhappy person it seems.  Spending under trump bad, spending under Biden bad, I’m simply not a fan of either.
    Says the guy who voted twice for the Covidiot! 🤣🤣🤣
    jesus greets me looks just like me ....
  • HughFreakingDillonHughFreakingDillon Posts: 36,976
    edited April 2021
    wow, that's pretty damn high after everything that's gone on. good for him (and the country)
    new album "Cigarettes" out Spring 2025!

    www.headstonesband.com




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