The STUPIDITY of our government

[Howard]

The STUPIDITY of our government:
==============================
When you are throwing around numbers in the trillions, it is sometimes hard to relate. Here's a way that I have seen discussed: simply remove eight zeros from the end of the numbers, and pretend that you are talking about your own family.

Thus, last year, your family...
...
Had a net income of $21,700
But you spent $38,200

Which means that you had to use your credit cards and your home line of credit to borrow the other $16,500 that you spent.

Because you weren't paying anything off, your family debt increased by that $16,500. And it increased by about that same amount the year before, and the year before that, and the year before that.

Is there anyone who believes that this is sustainable?

By the way, your total credit card debt is now $142,710 (vs your income of $21,700).

And, if you were to undertake austerity measures for your family that are in keeping with the spending reductions of the US govt, you would have reduced your spending by a whopping $385, meaning that next year you would only need to borrow an additional $16,115 (vs last year's $16,500)

Isn't government GREAT!

[MrMachine]

excellent post, but some people still won't get it. Some people think the govt has an endless amount of money.
Even if the govt seized ALL the income and assets of "the 1%", it would just make a very small dent in the National debt. Too many people just don't realize that.

[couvsuds]

It's not just money with government. It's the idiot and idological thinking from some of these morons who managed to get elected. Here's a good example from our state:

In November, a statewide initiative passed, privatizing liquor sales within the state and allowing certain large retailers to sell booze. Previously, only state-run liquor stores could sell liquor. This was a vote of the people, not something that went through the legislature. Apparently a vote of the people isn't good enough for three Democrats, who introduced a bill this week that would ban certain retailers (namely Costco) from selling liquor because it would buy in bulk and gee, that would be a public safety issue.

Mind you, this initiative passed by nearly 18 percent. It wasn't close. The people want to buy liquor at the grocery store. Not good enough for these idiots.

[DaveLevenson]

It works for the US Government precisely because it DOES have an unlimited source of paper, (not value). They will produce enough dollars to cover their debt, and thereby steal value from anybody who has accumulated a nest egg of dollars, whether those dollars are in a bank, invested in a business, or stuffed under a mattress. (That is why it now takes more than 20 quarter coins to start my largest washers.)

About a month ago, I installed an ATM. It's interesting to look at the transaction logs from the machine. At least twice a week, somebody attempts to withdraw $35 or so from a checking account and the transaction is denied. They then do a balance inquiry, and then successfully withdraw $10 or $15. I'm amazed at how close to zero some people apparently keep their bank balances.

I marked the bills I used to stock the machine. So far, it appears that about 40% of the bills dispensed by the ATM are used in my coin-changers. I take this to mean that the ATM is fulfilling its purpose in the business plan... it is making it easier for customers to spend money in my store. It's too soon to know whether or not this results in more money being spent in the store!

[Howard]

Not only that Dave, its those people that can least aford it that are spending "x" to use the machine to get at their own money.

[DaveLevenson]

Originally Posted by Howard

Not only that Dave, its those people that can least aford it that are spending "x" to use the machine to get at their own money.

Yes, I'm aware of that. I visited every local non-bank business with an ATM and looked at the fee being charged for withdrawal transactions. Most are charging between $1.50 and $2.50. I'm also aware that some of my customers used to leave my store and walk down the street a block or so and return with cash to complete their laundry tasks. I assume that they were paying other merchants to get their cash. If they are willing to spend money on local ATM fees to save a trip to their bank (a business decision on their part, no?) then I have decided that they might as well spend it in my store! I currently charge $1 per transaction, because I choose to make the bulk of my money by selling laundry services.

[KJ]

Originally Posted by DaveLevenson

I'm amazed at how close to zero some people apparently keep their bank balances.

There are a lot of people in this world living paycheck to paycheck.
Some by necessity.
Most just choose to spend every dollar they come in contact with.

[Sudds]

Originally Posted by couvsuds

It's not just money with government. It's the idiot and idological thinking from some of these morons who managed to get elected. Here's a good example from our state:

In November, a statewide initiative passed, privatizing liquor sales within the state and allowing certain large retailers to sell booze. Previously, only state-run liquor stores could sell liquor. This was a vote of the people, not something that went through the legislature. Apparently a vote of the people isn't good enough for three Democrats, who introduced a bill this week that would ban certain retailers (namely Costco) from selling liquor because it would buy in bulk and gee, that would be a public safety issue.

Mind you, this initiative passed by nearly 18 percent. It wasn't close. The people want to buy liquor at the grocery store. Not good enough for these idiots.

This wouldn't happen to be the state of Washington would it?

[couvsuds]

Originally Posted by Sudds

This wouldn't happen to be the state of Washington would it?

It is. Our great state of liberals.