Our budget crisis in "real" terms

[freeatlast]

Budget cuts need to be applied on all levels. Federal, State & local. On a state level, look at wisconson. There asking teachers to pay what 12% of their healthcare. Whats the big deal. In the private sector you pay far more. They are striking for 3 days ....that means kids are home & parents have to take off work to care for them. So 3 days of no money plus Im paying these teachers entitlements.

In my state, New Jersey, Chris Christy our governor asked the teachers to pay 2% of their health care. The Teachers union went wild....how dare he. If I had the job as Governor I would say, If you dont like it we will fire you ALL & hire non union teachers & then do it if they dont knuckle under. No more mister nice guy.

I agree that there needs to be some serious cuts to at least ward off a default right now, but I believe it will happen no matter what is done. That being said the politicians are not willing to do what it takes. They want everyone else to pay for their criminal miss-handlings.

I wrote my representatives this and hope others will follow up.
I told them that the current money problems need to be fixed. However it was not the American public that got us in this mess. It was Washington, but because of the severity of this problem we the people would be willing to deal with some serious cuts, but they the politicians need to do the same.
First, every politician in Washington including the president take a 25% pay cut across the board. Second they do away with their lavish health care system and go on an 80/20 plan where they pay 50% of the premiums for themselves and if they want family coverage they pay for 100% of that. Next they do away with their lavish retirement system and put themselves on Social Security and make it illigal to collect on more then one government reitrement plan at a time. I mean why not then that way there would be no conflict in interest when they make cuts to the SS plan. if they do this then we can follow them in their cuts and be part of the sacrifices.

 

[billwald]

Why should the govt be smarter than the voters?

>The Federal government would earn $50,000 a year in tax revenue (the same as the average US household).

>It would be $325,000 in debt.

Counting mortgages, credit cards, and car payments about the same as the median family with 50K gross income.


>It would pay almost $10,000 a year in interest on that debt.

I suspect about the same as a family with a mortgage, credit card balance, and car payments.

 

[billwald]

WHY do you all continually argue about SS going broke but NEVER about the U. S. Army going broke. Don't all US treasury funds (checks, payments) ultimately come from the same pot?

 

[glfredrick]

Budget cuts need to be applied on all levels. Federal, State & local. On a state level, look at wisconson. There asking teachers to pay what 12% of their healthcare. Whats the big deal. In the private sector you pay far more. They are striking for 3 days ....that means kids are home & parents have to take off work to care for them. So 3 days of no money plus Im paying these teachers entitlements.

In my state, New Jersey, Chris Christy our governor asked the teachers to pay 2% of their health care. The Teachers union went wild....how dare he. If I had the job as Governor I would say, If you dont like it we will fire you ALL & hire non union teachers & then do it if they dont knuckle under. No more mister nice guy.

I advocate the Reagan solution for issues like this. Give fair notice, then begin the process of replacement.

 

[carpro]

I wrote my representatives this and hope others will follow up.

You're wasting your time. They know what's they've been doing and they'll laugh at your simple mindedness and ignorance.

 

[SpiritualMadMan]

You're wasting your time. They know what's they've been doing and they'll laugh at your simple mindedness and ignorance.

Yes, but, it's all we've got...

And, he who fails to avail himself of a voice he has will soon have no voice at all!!!!

I, too, just this morning sent all three of my reps the following letter:

Saturday February 19, 2011
To my Congressmen in Washington:
Saxby Chambliss
Johnny Isakson
Sanford Bishop

I am writing this to strongly encourage each of you to significantly cut the deficit *THIS* year. Not over the next ten years. But, *THIS* year.

Sanford, you come up for reelection in two years. I won't mention the closeness of this past election. But, wouldn't it be nice for Our Nation to survive long enough for you to be reelected?

What about you Saxby? We are in a pickle. Our nation is drowning in red ink. If things go as they are, will it survive to your next campaign.

It is even less likely that it will survive through Johnny's current term.

UNLESS DRASTIC MEASURES ARE TAKEN!

Look, I work at ___________ here in ____. But, I still think that if we have to shut down the Government to get SIGNIFICANT reductions THIS year, then so be it!

In keeping with that possibility I am not spending my savings or tax refund until a budget is passed. Not, if a continuing resolution is passed but an honest before God budget.

Whether I spend my money on survival gear or "luxury items" will depend on whether the budget shows the American People whether you in Washington are serious or just playing a game with our Nation!

BTW I am sure you all realize that National Defense is one of the few Constitutionally Mandated Budget items.

I suggest we look really hard at the useless Foreign Aid that really isn't buying anyones goodwill.

Next Entitlements. You can only buy votes so long gentlemen.

SMM

When you tax us to suicide, who'll pay your benefits then!?