The Slowdown.....is it here ?

[aceonbass]

Not wanting to be the dummy at the table in these conversations, I've been researching spending trends of various administrations since the depression off and on for some time now. In a nut shell...Hoover's tax cuts only made things worse, Rooosevelt fixed most of the problems with socialism(which Republicans have never gotten over, which is why we have term limits on presidents). The debt grows twice as fast during Republican administrations as Democrat admins, caused mainly by the tax cuts of the Reagan and Bush II admins. During Bush II's admin alone, the debt has doubled from 4.5 to over 9 TRILLION dollars, with over half a TRILLION spent in Iraq. Yes the gov borrows money from the SS accounts that will have to be paid back at some point. The gov also just prints more sometimes to pay bills with, which doesn't help it's value elsewhere in the world. It's concievable that unless the Euro or other major currencies crash, that the dollar may never rebound.

[johnallg]

What about the fiscal irresponsibilities of Congress? All the add-on pork barrel spending? When I don't have enough money to pay my bills, I have to cut what I spend money on. The government hasn't ever done that yet. Buying votes with programs there is no money for has helped to get us where we are fiscally in the US of A.

Besides, between Roosevelt and Johnson, we've proved throwing money at social "problems" never solves them, but cripples those they are supposed to help, locking them into perpetual poverty.

[climbs down off soapbox]

[nukebass]

Must...refrain...from...getting...too...political... Forget precious metals, the USA should put the dollar on the Rick standard!

[2112]

Please people, no politics on this site.
Let's not ruin this place with back and forth ranting about non Rickenbacker subjects.

[jps]

Please people, no politics on this site.

This isn't a political discussion, it is Economics that is being discussed.

[aceonbass]

I agree with Jeffrey. This off topic discussion is primarily about economics. Just because the economics are connected with one political party or another doesn't make it political. Our discussions here on the forum are just as RIC related(which gets pretty heated sometimes too) or non-RIC related as they are when we meet in person at the Confluences.

[lyle_from_minneapolis]

Wish I could afford to enjoy my rebate check.

[lyle_from_minneapolis]

Oops, I missed those last posts...I will amend:

Wish I could afford to enjoy my rebate check...in the form of a Rickenbacker brand musical instrument!

[rictified]

I agree with Jeffrey. This off topic discussion is primarily about economics. Just because the economics are connected with one political party or another doesn't make it political. Our discussions here on the forum are just as RIC related(which gets pretty heated sometimes too) or non-RIC related as they are when we meet in person at the Confluences.

If this is not a political debate I'll put in my 2 cents here. The economy has gotten much worse in the past 7 years, seems we had a surplus for the first time in eons before the present occupant got into the white house, what do we owe now a half trillion dollars or some such ridiculous figure? Hmmm... where did that money go, idiotic war? idiotic tax cuts for the wealthy? where else, hmm... to buy votes for a certain political party which is at an all time low in public esteem? Can't understand why. I think I'll take my share and pay my 500.00 deductible I've now got for the first time in my life in my medical insurance and I work in the field. Yup, our economy is in wonderful shape. Jeez, I wonder if it's reasons like this latest recession that great presidents like FDR (depression) have instituted social programs for victims of recessions and depressions? If we took half the money we spent on this war and had put it into socialized medicine we wouldn't be in this mess we're in.

[VRICKY63]

I'll march on Washington with Rickenbacker in hand but you will have to pay me a " retainer "

[aceonbass]

It's amazing that after all these years some people still believe the old stereotypes about the two partys. One being conservative and fiscally responsible and the other raising taxes on "the working man" to fund social programs for people that won't help themselves. In retrospect, I don't think either of these stereotypes have been true in my lifetime. Lest we my fellow forumites believe this diatribe has nothing to do with RIC's, I'll make a comparison that I think everyone here can understand. How many musicians not of the Rickenfaith STILL think that RIC basses sound too trebly and are only suitable for progressive rock with truss rods that are hard to adjust? How many guitarists think that while RIC guitars are god for vintage 60's jangle-pop, they are unsuitable for playing modern leads, let alone heavy metal? I think you all get my point.

[simer4001]

Look at FDR's economic policies a bit closer. You will see that the market had actually recovered after the crash, only to seriously drop again during his administration in the mid 30's. I will gladly debate economics with anyone off board. fter a good nights rest of course.

[rick_ovic]

Hey, would you guys mind getting it right over there?? We're getting splashed by the ripples you guys are causing over your side of the pond!!

Interest rates are up, fuel prices are up...but at least with the exchange rate improving in our favour it means those good ol' made in USA Rickenbackers are even better value for money!! Mwwwahhhahhahhahhah! Send 'em over!

[nukebass]

The wealthiest 1% of Americans (I think the cutoff there is around $200k/year) pay 30% of the income taxes. That is not "fair," especially since they see no benefit. Everytime tax rates have been cut, revenue increases. It happened in the 60s (the largest post war economic growth), the 80s, and the 2000s. All of these tax cuts were "across the board" cuts, meaning everyone paying taxes got a lower rate, but people still like to categorize them as tax cuts for the wealthy. You have to pay taxes to get a reduction and it stands to reason that the wealthiest will see the largest percentage drop. The economy from 2003 to 2006, using the same numbers that people touted in the 90s (unemployment and growth rates) was the best economy since the 80s.

The problem has been spending, not tax cuts. The department of education, as an example, has doubled in cost since 2000 and I'm pretty confident in saying that the increased federal spending hasn't helped to improve education.

[teeder]

What about the fiscal irresponsibilities of Congress? All the add-on pork barrel spending? When I don't have enough money to pay my bills, I have to cut what I spend money on. The government hasn't ever done that yet. Buying votes with programs there is no money for has helped to get us where we are fiscally in the US of A.

Besides, between Roosevelt and Johnson, we've proved throwing money at social "problems" never solves them, but cripples those they are supposed to help, locking them into perpetual poverty.

[climbs down off soapbox]

You've got that right!