As it stands, the U.S. currently kept its "AAA" credit rating, but even that could be affected in the next few years if we keep going further into debt.

All of the rhetoric is speaking about cutting the deficit, for the most part. While very little is being said about the indebtedness of the U.S. If we keep going down this path, VERY SOON we will lose our ability to negotiate around the world, and soon thereafter will cease to be a world superpower.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42643641/ns/business-eye_on_the_economy/

I'm glad they did it, and I hope it brings some more awareness to the issue that politicians seemingly want to avoid.

sleeper;744021 wrote:I'm glad they did it, and I hope it brings some more awareness to the issue that politicians seemingly want to avoid.

The idiots, twits, and fools running our Federal gubmint don't give a rat's ass about awareness.

believer;744025 wrote:The idiots, twits, and fools running our Federal gubmint don't give a rat's ass about awareness.

Awareness to the public is what I meant. Although, I'd venture that 95%+ of Americans don't even know what S&P is much less care what the implications of the rating mean, so this could be a pointless cause.

95% is probably accurate.

sleeper;744039 wrote:Awareness to the public is what I meant. Although, I'd venture that 95%+ of Americans don't even know what S&P is much less care what the implications of the rating mean, so this could be a pointless cause.

Oh I understood what you meant....I'm simply saying that public awareness means absolutely SQUAT to the idiots, twits, and fools running our Federal gubmint.

Funny that the White House downplayed this, of course they would. They are so full of shit it is beginning to make me physically sick. We need a revolution like yesterday. People need to march into DC (by the millions) and make some noise. Obviously the politicians have not yet heard the voice of the people. Not sure what else we can do.

dwccrew;744202 wrote:Funny that the White House downplayed this, of course they would. They are so full of shit it is beginning to make me physically sick. We need a revolution like yesterday. People need to march into DC (by the millions) and make some noise. Obviously the politicians have not yet heard the voice of the people. Not sure what else we can do.

That administration is NEVER going to change its ways. The guy in the White House is a demagogue and he will go down in flames believing that you can have as big a government as you want, and have as much debt as you want. His goal is to "spread the wealth" and he sees government as the medium for doing that.

I'm absolutely certain much smarter people than me or anyone on here have told him, point blank, that our spending can't continue like this without drastic consequences, and I'm just as certain he is ignoring that advice because he believes he is smarter than everyone else and will eventually be able to do whatever he wants.

Writerbuckeye;744264 wrote:That administration is NEVER going to change its ways. The guy in the White House is a demagogue and he will go down in flames believing that you can have as big a government as you want, and have as much debt as you want. His goal is to "spread the wealth" and he sees government as the medium for doing that.

I'm absolutely certain much smarter people than me or anyone on here have told him, point blank, that our spending can't continue like this without drastic consequences, and I'm just as certain he is ignoring that advice because he believes he is smarter than everyone else and will eventually be able to do whatever he wants.

Agree on all parts. Just want to point out that I wasn't solely blaming the White House and the administration; I place equal (perhaps more) blame on Congress. Many of those morons have been in office longer than Obama and have been screwing up for much longer. I have no faith in the U.S. government anymore and neither does S&P apparently.

dwccrew;744615 wrote:...I place equal (perhaps more) blame on Congress. Many of those morons have been in office longer than Obama and have been screwing up for much longer. I have no faith in the U.S. government anymore and neither does S&P apparently.

I haven't had any faith in the Federal government since January 20, 1989.

dwccrew;744202 wrote:Funny that the White House downplayed this, of course they would. They are so full of shit it is beginning to make me physically sick. We need a revolution like yesterday. People need to march into DC (by the millions) and make some noise. Obviously the politicians have not yet heard the voice of the people. Not sure what else we can do.

People have done that. The problem is that they were: made fun of, accused of a multitude of wrong-doings, downplayed and basically called stupid and uniformed. Including by some people on this very forum.

Sad turn of events, IMO.

CenterBHSFan;744680 wrote:People have done that. The problem is that they were: made fun of, accused of a multitude of wrong-doings, downplayed and basically called stupid and uniformed. Including by some people on this very forum.

Sad turn of events, IMO.

I don't have time to march on DC without some for warning, but I sure can storm my Congress and Senator local office

believer;744659 wrote:I haven't had any faith in the Federal government since January 20, 1989.

Yes sir.

That got me to thinking...where are today's great leaders? Go back 50 years and name them...JFK, MLK, and Reagan come to mind quickly. These are guys that took bold measures, were very charismatic, and were able to get things done. They were able to rally people to their cause against a tide of near hatred. Do we have that person among us today? If so, they need to come quickly to the front and get engaged. Right now, I see a couple with potential, but they seem a little distant for some reason.

http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2011/04/18/sp-debt-warning-timed-prod-reform-analysts/


I honestly do not believe there are enough people in this country that are willing to endure the sacrifices that must be made to make the appropriate changes.

CenterBHSFan;744680 wrote:People have done that. The problem is that they were: made fun of, accused of a multitude of wrong-doings, downplayed and basically called stupid and uniformed. Including by some people on this very forum.

Sad turn of events, IMO.

A couple day event with a tens of thousands of people is not what I had in mind. I'm talking about hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people that do not leave until our government get shit right. Similar to what was done in Egypt. The people stayed until Mubarak was removed. We should assemble until our Congress and White house quit dicking us around and actually start initiating policy that will benefit the people of the US, not cause the demise of this once great nation.

Sad part is, many {too many} Americans are lazy and apathetic. Some probably don't even know or understand the problems that face this country and how close the cliff is that we're about to go off of. I blame these uninformed citizens as much as I do the politicians.

dont_belong;744721 wrote:http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2011/04/18/sp-debt-warning-timed-prod-reform-analysts/


I honestly do not believe there are enough people in this country that are willing to endure the sacrifices that must be made to make the appropriate changes.

100% agree with you.

"When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the Republic."

Benjamin Franklin

dwccrew;744744 wrote:I blame these uninformed citizens as much as I do the politicians.

I hadn't really thought of it this way, but I agree with this statement. Thanks!

The question then becomes...how do we get them informed and involved? One of the answers is to take away their freebies and reduce their entitlements. The wallet is always a nice place to start to get people off their tokus and into the game.

dwccrew;744744 wrote:... if not millions of people that do not leave until our government get shit right.

The only problem is, most people who might be willing to do that have jobs they have to attend to. Which leaves your opportunity set as the unemployed, who all suck from the govt teet. See the problem?

yikes!

BGFalcons82;744716 wrote:That got me to thinking...where are today's great leaders? Go back 50 years and name them...JFK, MLK, and Reagan come to mind quickly. These are guys that took bold measures, were very charismatic, and were able to get things done. They were able to rally people to their cause against a tide of near hatred. Do we have that person among us today? If so, they need to come quickly to the front and get engaged. Right now, I see a couple with potential, but they seem a little distant for some reason.

The mainstream media is still trying to convince us it's their Chosen One.

Curious....Who do you believe has the potential?

The S&P calling a spade a spade. How dare they?

gut;745084 wrote:The only problem is, most people who might be willing to do that have jobs they have to attend to. Which leaves your opportunity set as the unemployed, who all suck from the govt teet. See the problem?

A major obstacle. We have to do in droves though. There is a great many unemployed people that I am sure are not satified with how this country is being run. We have 300 million+, I am sure we could keep people down there for a long time, don't have to be the same people the entire time, but the same message the entire time and large numbers.

Footwedge;745238 wrote:The S&P calling a spade a spade. How dare they?

and despite obama admin pressure not to do so .......... imagine that:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/obama_administration_officials_tried_to_keep_sandp_rating_at_stable/2011/04/19/AFfAeO8D_story.html

QuakerOats;745766 wrote:and despite obama admin pressure not to do so .......... imagine that:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/obama_administration_officials_tried_to_keep_sandp_rating_at_stable/2011/04/19/AFfAeO8D_story.html

On the one hand, I can see why they would want to do that.
On the other hand, I do not appreciate our government trying to pull such a blatant fast-one.

QuakerOats;745766 wrote:and despite obama admin pressure not to do so .......... imagine that:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/obama_administration_officials_tried_to_keep_sandp_rating_at_stable/2011/04/19/AFfAeO8D_story.html

Not surprising at all to me, this bunch of tards only wants to give the "appearance" of having everything under control, and the S&P downgrade would smear that facade. It's all smoke and mirrors and in reality they are all in way over their head, but hope they can keep the American people fat, dumb and happy and going to the polls to vote for them. While the rest of us, which seems like the minority, can see what's happening but feel unable to stop it.