Billions of Bloat

Originally posted by FMF
Are you trying to satirize something? How many people on this Forum advocate "government [being] in full control of every aspect of the [...] economy"? Name a few. You're just making a fool of yourself.

1/6 of the economy is health care, and people like yourself advocate a government takeover. The whole idea behind words like social justice is for the government to step in and redistribute wealth to be "fair". Can capitalism survive in such an environment? I would say that the more tinkering that is done the closer to death capitalism becomes.

Originally posted by whodey
1/6 of the economy is health care, and people like yourself advocate a government takeover. The whole idea behind words like social justice is for the government to step in and redistribute wealth to be "fair". Can capitalism survive in such an environment? I would say that the more tinkering that is done the closer to death capitalism becomes.

So has capitalism died according to you in most Western countries?

Originally posted by KazetNagorra
So has capitalism died according to you in most Western countries?

It seems to die a little bit more every day. After all, look at how the US federal government grows every year. It does not even matter if "conservatives" like Reagan are at the helm. It truely is impressive. After all, most everything that balloons out bursts at some point, but not the US federal government.......at least not yet. 😉

Originally posted by whodey
It seems to die a little bit more every day. After all, look at how the US federal government grows every year. It does not even matter if "conservatives" like Reagan are at the helm. It truely is impressive. After all, most everything that balloons out bursts at some point, but not the US federal government.......at least not yet. 😉

So the US federal government expenses have caused capitalism to die in other western countries?

Originally posted by KazetNagorra
I really don't see what one has to do with the other. Government waste should always be tackled, and I'm sure most legislators on either party would like to cut waste so they can spend the money on things they think can get them votes (say infrastructure investment or tax cuts). But the problem is a lot more complex than just "get rid of the waste", and I'm sure that's why the GAO refused to attach a figure to it.

That's like not knowing what plugging that little hole in the bottom of the bathtub has to do with filling it up, or what the size of the tub has to do with how much is required to fill it.

Solving the problem may be complex indeed, but the principle is not. The beautiful thing right now is that many politicians have realized cutting waste is what will get them votes.

Originally posted by whodey
1/6 of the economy is health care, and people like yourself advocate a government takeover.

But I don't advocate "a government takeover". On what basis do you make the serious claim that "the Left" advocates the "government [being] in full control of every aspect of the [...] economy". If you just blather, whodey, and swagger about taking swings at strawmen of your own making, your political "points" simply have no traction.

Originally posted by Sleepyguy
That's like not knowing what plugging that little hole in the bottom of the bathtub has to do with filling it up, or what the size of the tub has to do with how much is required to fill it.

Solving the problem may be complex indeed, but the principle is not. The beautiful thing right now is that many politicians have realized cutting waste is what will get them votes.

So previously politicians thought wasteful spending was popular?

Originally posted by KazetNagorra
So previously politicians thought wasteful spending was popular?

Now you're just playing dumb, I hope.

Originally posted by Sleepyguy
The US GAO has come out with a report detailing massive waste through duplicative government programs.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703749504576172942399165436.html?mod=WSJ_Election_LEFTSecondStories
[quote]The U.S. government has 15 different agencies overseeing food-safety laws, more than 20 separate programs to help the homeless and ...[text shortened]... te]
Why oh why should Americans agree to any increase in taxes before this mess is cleaned up?

Your point is well taken. There is a lot of Government waste. Fixing this situation is complicated however. Lawmakers (on both sides) have written billions of unnecessary spending into the budgets because it brings in jobs to there home states. I wish I had a solution...but I don't.😞

Originally posted by bill718
Your point is well taken. There is a lot of Government waste. Fixing this situation is complicated however. Lawmakers (on both sides) have written billions of unnecessary spending into the budgets because it brings in jobs to there home states. I wish I had a solution...but I don't.😞

It's easy to abolish "pork", but I don't think electing Congress members nationally is a very popular proposition.

Originally posted by Sleepyguy
Now you're just playing dumb, I hope.

What was the reason previous lawmakers did not tackle waste, in your opinion?

Originally posted by Sleepyguy
As a private citizen, what can I do "directly" about the waste?

I and many others have spent the last year trying to send people there who will tackle it. That resulted in an election where scads of conservatives were swept into office with a mandate to reduce govt spending and waste. Coburn is part of that effort.

As a private citizen, what can you "directly" about lowering taxes? Do you evade tax to further your devious plan to reduce government waste?

Which do you think would be more effective:
1. Pressuring your representatives to do something about government waste.
2. Pressuring your representatives to reduce taxes.

Which one is more likely to result in greater government debt?

Originally posted by bill718
Your point is well taken. There is a lot of Government waste. Fixing this situation is complicated however. Lawmakers (on both sides) have written billions of unnecessary spending into the budgets because it brings in jobs to there home states. I wish I had a solution...but I don't.😞

That tears it!! Two posts in a row that smack of conservatism.

All I can say is, welcome to the dark side. Mwa, mwahaha, mwhahahaha!!

Originally posted by FMF
But I don't advocate "a government takeover". On what basis do you make the serious claim that "the Left" advocates the "government [being] in full control of every aspect of the [...] economy". If you just blather, whodey, and swagger about taking swings at strawmen of your own making, your political "points" simply have no traction.

From what I have heard you say, you advocate a government takeover of health care. Am I correct?

Originally posted by whodey
From what I have heard you say, you advocate a government takeover of health care. Am I correct?

Of course not. The private sector has a massive role. And government has a role. Stop avoiding the question: on what basis do you seriously claim that "the Left" advocates the , and I quote you, "government [being] in full control of every aspect of the [...] economy".