[jlisenbe]

"crisis" is over . There were 2 spikes in deaths ;in April of last year and January this year . The US responded to the "crisis" by using genius of those evil greedy Big Parma companies to create vaccines in record times . Mission accomplished .

It's amazing how some people resist good news. Could it be because the bad news is so wonderfully useful in a political sense?

[Athos]

Could it be because the bad news is so wonderfully useful in a political sense?

No, because the crisis is ongoing. To end all safeguards now would be a disaster. Herd immunity is the goal.

[jlisenbe]

I thought you were talking about the crisis at the southern border at first. Too much to hope for, I guess.

[Athos]

I thought you were talking about the crisis at the southern border at first.

No, your comment referred to the vaccine.

[jlisenbe]

I was being sarcastic. I knew it would be too much to hope for to see a liberal dem have any interest in securing our southern border.

[Wondergirl]

securing our southern border.

There are a variety of ways to do that, you know. If only I were younger and livelier...

[Athos]

I was being sarcastic.

It was very straightforward without sarcasm.

[jlisenbe]

Sure it was, to the sarcasm deaf here.

[paraclete]

Sure it was, to the sarcasm deaf here.

Yes jl line up and defend the southern border, against that old traditional enemy, Mexico, Should have annexed it when you had the chance, then there would be less border to defend and "a big beautiful wall" would be sufficient. Remember the Alamo!

[Athos]

Sure it was, to the sarcasm deaf here.

Nothing sarcastic in the quote below:

I thought you were talking about the crisis at the southern border at first. Too much to hope for, I guess.

[jlisenbe]

Need only to say it again. "to the sarcasm deaf here."

[talaniman]

There was no crisis at the southern border...never was. Just talking points to legally discriminate against OTHER folks. Watch it when THEY holler MANIFEST DESTINY, IMMINENT DOMAIN, STATES RIGHTS, SOVEREIGNTY, AND HOMELAND SECURITY!

Somebody is about to be screwed big time

[paraclete]

Somebody is about to be screwed big time

yes and I think it is you, someone has to pay for big plans, and that can only be achieved by taxation, not just taxation of the rich and corporations, but on every worker, otherwise debt at astronomical levels. Governments have drunk the koolaid and are buying votes with OPM, on the pay later plan, but this generation doesn't pay for it, future generations do, and with fewer workers, taxation must rise or no new aircraft carriers

[jlisenbe]

someone has to pay for big plans, and that can only be achieved by taxation, not just taxation of the rich and corporations, but on every worker, otherwise debt at astronomical levels.

You have hit the nail on the head.

[paraclete]

You have hit the nail on the head.

Don't worry JL, they can always repudiate the national debt

[Athos]

someone has to pay for big plans, and that can only be achieved by taxation, not just taxation of the rich and corporations, but on every worker, otherwise debt at astronomical levels..... new aircraft carriers

Who do you expect to pay for big plans - like aircraft carriers? I hope this isn't news to you.

[paraclete]

Who do you expect to pay for big plans - like aircraft carriers? I hope this isn't news to you.

I don't expect anyone to pay for aircraft carriers, they are so last century, as to big plans, only spend your income and stop borrowing for political purposes

[Athos]

I don't expect anyone to pay for aircraft carriers, they are so last century,

They still have a role to play in a world that continues to rely on the big stick of the American military.

as to big plans, only spend your income and stop borrowing for political purposes

Deficit spending is a tried and true method of financing. Individuals do it and so do nations. The question is when does it become counter-productive?

Look at it this way. John's interest payments on his debt exceed his income. He cannot adequately service his debt. He is forced into bankruptcy and loses everything.

On the other hand, US interest payments are a trifling fraction of US income.

There's more to it (lots more!) but that's the basic equation to begin with in relation to spending and borrowing.

[jlisenbe]

U.S. debt is currently 15X greater than its national "income", speaking of annual tax revenues. By any standard that is an equation fit for disaster. On a personal level, it would be equivalent to a man with an annual income of 60K having debt of 900K. We are presently surviving due to interest rates held low by the same government that is 30 tril in debt, but that will not be the case forever, and when it changes, disaster will be at the front door.

Even worse, we have allowed our current crop of corrupt, dishonest pols to discover the political wonderland of being able to impress us with their charitable qualities by spending money that they didn't even have to tax us to raise. So we get the benefits without the pain, or at least we do for the present time. In the future? Not so much. It is beyond amazing to me how gullible the American electorate can be in voting for dems and repubs alike who have no integrity.

[paraclete]

. It is beyond amazing to me how gullible the American electorate can be in voting for dems and repubs alike who have no integrity.

and yet you vote for them because you have no viable alternative, what a sham, what a shame