San Diego Housing Bubble News and Analysis

Well, I think their point is that much of the new spending enacted in the last ten years simply adds to deficit spending with no plans for how to actually pay for it.
So we're paying for it, not our children and grandchildren. It may not make us happy (I'm no fan of the current health care bill) but at least we're not asking for ensuing generations to foot the bill.

This, of course, assumes the increased taxes will result in increased tax revenues and that the cuts in medicare actually go as planned and are not offset by any other increases.

Nailed it.

Six years ago..

So says Republican Senator Orrin Hatch.

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory...

Tis better to brag about spending money with no apparent means to pay for it, or spending money and creating means to pay for it?

Which one of those helped to create the financial crisis?

Exactly right, Mark.

I'd much rather pay higher taxes so we can stop spending ourselves into a hole with "trickle-down" economics.

It would be helpful if you cited a source for the quote, but I agree with the other posts: A government plan that actually defines means to pay for itself is much better than what we've been doing for nearly a decade.

So how exactly did we finance the Iraq war? Did we put it on the credit card? Was that a less "moronic" fiscal policy?

OK, I get the point. No argument here, but I do wish that we could leave everything to the private sector as much as possible. I like the pay as you use scenario where the government does not interfere by imposing taxes so that the funds can be used to subsidize those who want handouts such as free health care. I understand that we need a mutual pool for law enforcement, military, highways, and a myriad of other services. It would not be practical or practicable to make private many of the tax dependent services, but at least we can put forth a concerted effort to cull what we can out of the government system and make private so that it is pay as you go or use. My thinking may seem warped to some, but personal responsibility, in my substantiate opinion, is severely lacking in our country. I exhort and implore parents to instill in their prodigy a sense of self pride and personal responsibility. I know I went off on a tangent, but this health care proposal will by no means ameliorate the current system.

neeta, appreciate the sentiment. Looking at tax issues myself this morning. However, with respect to healthcare delivery, the current system is not a free market. It's not even close.

I don't advocate socialized medicine, but I do support reform. I support the present bill, and expect there will be follow-on legislation to cure certain issues, perhaps tacking back towards the 'Right'. That's okay.

Old lefty-liberal vs. gop-conservative world-view doesn't accurately describe our present day politics. The Prescription Drug Benefit is the largest entitlement since Social Security. It was passed by the GOP.

It's both parties. Problems extend beyond politics to a wider meltdown in ethics and accountability, particularly in corporate America. The Housing Bubble, Financial Meltdown and current economy is Exhibit #A.

I disagree that 'Security' -- eg. military-industrial-defense complex, qualifies for no-questions-asked public subsidy. Defense contracting is the biggest recipient of corporate welfare in the entire system.

I do agree that public programs should be 'paid for' by present-day tax receipts, with full and transparent accounting, or through borrowing if there is a defensible return on investment to the Public.

Neeta, Do you mean that shoveling hundreds of billions of dollars to a few private cartels is not good health care reform? I agree. You know, the private cartels that spent 400 million to write this bill. The guys with all the capital, otherwise known as capitalists.

However, I don't agree that the 50 million people that can't afford health care should be left to die or emergency care. Which really cost a hefty sum as well. That is, unless you advocate that these people die in the street to prove to them personal responsibility. No ideology can make me think that, sorry. I chose humanity and humaneness as my primary ideology. Nothing trumps that.

This is where the ruling elite turn a little pragmatic. Because they know if that were allowed to happen then there would be cries for real socialism. Where their money would be in danger.

So they, in a preemptive strike, devised a way they could become even more wealthy and wrap it up in altruism. Clever little buggers our ruling class are, I'll give them that. Long term viability is low, though.

Of course, like loan mods, people seem to miss who the biggest beneficiary is and only focus on people getting free stuff. This seems to be the cognitive dissonance of the Right. Missing out on who are the biggest beneficiaries are of these "socialist" reforms. Just a hint, it ain't no cabal of socialist holding meetings in the dark. It goes straight to the top capitalists in the country.

This, like the continuous intravenous tax-payer feed to the banking industry is a desperate attempt to keep things the same and save capitalism.

This is what late stage capitalism looks like as it starts to eat itself and the fully indoctrinated will call it "socialism" the whole way down.

Heck, At this point there aint no taxpayers paying on anything other than some part of some interest on past debt while more debt piles up.

No doubt, some would love to return to Dickens's England which would be the absolute best letting the "free market" to work could offer. While children would die in the street and sections of the country become "bad lands"

No, I don't think anybody in halls of congress or K street have too much say in how the future unfolds as capitalism collapses on itself. It is guaranteed to be an interesting time, though. That much, I know.

I suggest people hold humaneness over ideology. Because we are going to need it.

Excellent post, Arraya.

Arraya,

If thousands are people are dying at hospital doorsteps, and this bill is absolutely critical to saving their lives, then why have the Democrats set the bill to go into effect on January, 2013, 2 months after the Presidential election? Seems like it should go into effect much sooner, say January 2011, in order to save those thousands who are dying?

Existing healthcare delivery system needs to be reformed. One of many priorities facing our nation.

Sorry, I think we just came out of an
Administration that believed the best way to
pay any program is a tax cut.

The element I highlighted is almost incomprehensible.

that said, Neeta seems to think Medical Care is a
market good and that if one engages in personal
responsibility, works hard, saves up, one will
never get hit by a bus or get cancer at the age of 28 or be laid off because you got sick and
found yourself without benefits or income.

How does pride fit in that situation?

"The element I highlighted is almost incomprehensible.

that said, Neeta seems to think Medical Care is a
market good and that if one engages in personal
responsibility, works hard, saves up, one will
never get hit by a bus or get cancer at the age of 28 or be laid off because you got sick and
found yourself without benefits or income.

How does pride fit in that situation?"

Oh great, now I'm jinxed. Damn you patb!

Seriously, Neeta.

These Piece of Crap "Social Conservatives" were right when they said Personal responsibility matters
in feeding your kids or in wokring a job and paying your bills. They are full of crap in thinking that
medical care is a "Market Good".

Let me know who price shops when they call for an ambulance.

Wow.. Spoken like a guy who has never been without health care before. The first time yo uare un-employed and can't afford $1500 a month or more for COBRA your tne will change.

Something all these people against health care reform seem to miss is that we are already paying for the people without insurance. Everytime people without insurance go to the emergency room and don't pay, the insured pay through higher insurnace premiums and copays. You don't really think the hospitals give them free care out of the goodness of their hearts do you?