USA - The Good Samaritan

[Just_me_Mike]

Arrgh. I didn't say that the government doesn't regulate the money supply; they do. What I'm saying is that they don't do this as a way to finance debt. You can tell, because if the government really did just print new money when it wanted to spend more, then the government would have no debt on its books.

I disagree. The government (well the fed, which isn't part of the government) does want an economy based on debt. The money is regulated, so the perceived value remains viable. The debt on the books is real, but it is not relative to current time/space. It is just something we all accept that our grand kids will pay for with future tax contribution.

If they cleaned their books with excessive printed money as they could do, the value of the dollar would go to zero

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

I disagree. The government (well the fed, which isn't part of the government) does want an economy based on debt.

I think it'd be more accurate to say that paying off the debt, or even not running a deficit, would take more political will and voter support than we've seen lately.

The money is regulated, so the perceived value remains viable. The debt on the books is real, but it is not relative to current time/space. It is just something we all accept that our grand kids will pay for with future tax contribution.

If they cleaned their books with excessive printed money as they could do, the value of the dollar would go to zero

I realize that, but it seems like e_o is arguing that this is what they do.

 

[sonofskeptish]

Having read this thread, what surprises me is how helping suffering fellow human beings in Haiti is equated by some to be "throwing away money" and "buying candy bars", and how despite how much dept one has, $1-2 person is too much to spend. Next time your at Starbuck's, have a regular coffee instead of a Latte and you've covered your portion of the cost.

I'm also surprised at views that America is "always the good guy". Despite the "good" America does, America does just as much (arguably more) "bad". If you don't object to a govenrment bombing the **** out of one place, you shouldn't object to sending aid to another.

If you must look at it selfishly, think of it as buying back some of the negative views of America held outside of America, and replacing it with positive ones. Perhaps you don't care what the rest of the world thinks, but you should... it's important.

I'm not American but I like Americans (I live upstairs), and when I heard the Yanks were the first ones in setting up a control tower, flying in troops and aid, etc., my immediate reaction was "good guys". With this single act, millions will likely shift there oppinion of America in the positive direction. Again, maybe you don't care, but you should.

Thankfully, the US masses seem to be supportive of their Government's relief efforts. And IMO your investment of the equivalent of 1/10 the cost of a single B2 bomber (mass murder machines costing $1 billion each) in relief effort in Haiti is an excellent one, and I'll be taking your fine lead and making a donation to the Red Cross today myself.

Thank you America.

B-2 Spirit - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Aquitaine]

I think it'd be more accurate to say that paying off the debt, or even not running a deficit, would take more political will and voter support than we've seen lately.

That and a total revamp of our Monetary policies and system. In order to reduce Government debt, the Government would simply need to stop borrowing money from private Central Banks at interest. In relation to the United States, this would mean cutting off all financial dependence on the Federal Reserve (unlikely, as Congress is currrently struggling to even have to power to properly audit the Fed), and in the United Kingdom, it would mean doing the same with the Bank of England.

However, I do feel I'm derailing and going off topic, so I apologise - I'll say no more.

 

[Neo-Logic]

Fact is, too many bad things happen in the world on a daily basis that would make many question the benevolence of God. We have to pick and choose. The reality of the situation is that we can and will only give money/effort towards things that are a combination of random natural disasters, huge death tolls, extensive media coverage, and ideologically/strategically non-threatening to us.

 

[enchanted_one1975]

...We have to pick and choose...

Were you able to cast a ballot on whether to help Haiti, bail out the banks, or bail out the auto industry? I wasn't. How is that WE choosing?

 

[enchanted_one1975]

Hmmm...

I was just watching CNN. Apparently we brought food to Haiti. Someone saw a manufacture date of 2008 on the food. They convinced everyone that the food had expired in 2008. The Haitians threw the food on the ground and stepped on it instead of eating it. I am so glad we took the huge cash advance for that.

 

[Alceste]

If we stop throwing money away it is not the same as hitting the brakes on the economy. If a family is struggling, are they doing wrong by making dinner at home instead of going out every night?

50,000 people are dead, 250,000 injured and 1.5 million are homeless in Haiti.

Your share of America's $100,000,000 is 33 cents. Quit your whining.

 

[enchanted_one1975]

Quit your whining.

Okay...join the peace corps, give them your all, and sleep all cozy when it is all done. I will keep the First Amendment rights that I earned and I will feel free to have my own opinion.

 

[Alceste]

Okay...join the peace corps, give them your all, and sleep all cozy when it is all done. 'Til then I will keep the First Amendment rights that I earned and I will feel free to have my own opinion.

OK, keep whining about that 33 cents. I'm sure it's worth getting really worked up over.

 

[enchanted_one1975]

OK, keep whining about that 33 cents. I'm sure it's worth getting really worked up over.

If you have problem with threads in the debate forum don't visit the debate forum. If you think it is insignificant you can feel free to pay all of my taxes for me. Until then you have no say-so in where my tax dollars go.

 

[Alceste]

If you have problem with threads in the debate forum don't visit the debate forum. If you think it is insignificant you can feel free to pay all of my taxes for me. Until then you have no say-so in where my tax dollars go.

I'd willingly reimbourse your 33 cents if that would make you happy. PM me your mailing address - hope you don't mind if I send Canadian pennies. I will do the currency conversion honestly...

 

[enchanted_one1975]

I'd willingly reimbourse your 33 cents if that would make you happy. PM me your mailing address - hope you don't mind if I send Canadian pennies. I will do the currency conversion honestly...

It is more than 33 cents. Roughly 30% of my income is taken by the government and thrown away on things I do not agree with. Pay me back every penny or quit trying to belittle the amount.

 

[Alceste]

It is more than 33 cents. Roughly 30% of my income is taken by the government and thrown away on things I do not agree with. Pay me back every penny or quit trying to belittle the amount.

Yes but the specific portion you're whining about is the bit going to "Tahiti" to help millions of suffering people. Tell me, what would you do with that 33 cents if it wasn't going to them?

 

[enchanted_one1975]

Yes but the specific portion you're whining about is the bit going to "Tahiti" to help millions of suffering people. Tell me, what would you do with that 33 cents if it wasn't going to them?

This whole thread has been about us cutting off ALL the useless spending. I suggest you go back and read all twelve pages. I have been talking about us stopping the spending. We just keep adding to it. Ever hear of the straw that broke the camel's back?

 

[sonofskeptish]

Okay...join the peace corps, give them your all, and sleep all cozy when it is all done. I will keep the First Amendment rights that I earned and I will feel free to have my own opinion.

Yup, it's all about individual rights and freedoms... used by people like Pat Robertson to express their views... while others suffer in silence.

 

[Alceste]

This whole thread has been about us cutting off ALL the useless spending. I suggest you go back and read all twelve pages. I have been talking about us stopping the spending. We just keep adding to it. Ever hear of the straw that broke the camel's back?

Aid to Haiti is "useless"? If I were you, I'd let the 33 cents for Haiti slide and start complaining about the $3000 you, personally, owe for the Iraq war (so far).

 

[enchanted_one1975]

Aid to Haiti is "useless"? If I were you, I'd let the 33 cents for Haiti slide and start complaining about the $3000 you, personally, owe for the Iraq war (so far).

I am a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. My debt there has been paid. Your country does owe me for stealing some of my property at the border though. If you want to keep drifting this thread off course, maybe you can pitch some cash toward that cause.

 

[Alceste]

I am a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. My debt there has been paid. Your country does owe me for stealing some of my property at the border though. If you want to keep drifting this thread off course, maybe you can pitch some cash toward that cause.

So you're proud to risk your life to kill foreigners, but whinge and moan about spending 33 cents to help them survive?

That's messed up, dude.

I'm curious, though, what do you think Canada stole from you?

 

[enchanted_one1975]

I'm curious, though, what do you think Canada stole from you?

I think they stole my laptop. They spent two hours searching my truck, came off with my laptop, said they were going to send it to Ottawa to search it for child porn (of which there was none), and that it would be returned within 60 days. It was never returned. All I got on the phone was excuses and lies. According to some searches I have done online, seizing property unjustly (especially laptops) is a scheme that Canadian Customs is doing to raise money and get free things.