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U.S. Government Shutdowns

Koori Renchuu

Koori Renchuu

Always look for the heart in things!
What do you think about the possibility? What is the true cause? Is there a reason to either fear the shutdown or cause revolution? For those in other countries, what do you think of the politics in the U.S that caused this possibility to happen? What are your thoughts in general?
 
If the U.S. Congress fails to pass a budget, the government WILL shut down. It has happened in a few states, and if it can happen on a state level it can happen on a FEDERAL level.
 
All I know is we're in deep shit financially. If a household doesn't pay its bills, it gets foreclosed on. I don't see how it should be any different for the government; even more so, in my opinion, considering they're fucking with public funds.

The bottom line is an entity that is $14 trillion in debt can't be allowed to continue on the same path it's on.
 
When I first read the thread title, I was like 'holy shit, awesome!', but then I realised that you probably meant it was trying to, like, shut down the internet or something.
But now I'm like 'holy shit, awesome!' again. : 3
 
"We're not talking about eliminating the federal government. We want to end all federal activities that are not authorized by the Constitution, and we want to cut everything else as much as we can. In 2000, the federal government spent $1.8 trillion. This year it's expected to spend $3.8 trillion. Things are going the wrong way -- fast."

link
 
Aobaru said:
The bottom line is an entity that is $14 trillion in debt can't be allowed to continue on the same path it's on.
Click to expand...

The main problem with eliminating the debt is that the only way to do that is to raise taxes pretty high, which would not make people happy whatsoever - even if it was passed.
 
Vladimir Putin's LJ said:
What's awesome about a government shutting down?
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure it was George Carlin who said... Uh... Something.
He said something about how life is shit, and it's fun to revel in others' misfortune.
I agree.

EDIT: But that, like, goes against capitalism! That can't happen! How dare you!
In serious though, why is it fair to tax people with more money more money? Sure, some of them don't deserve that cash, but others have worked hard their entire lives to climb the corporate ladder. Why should those with cash pay a higher percentage than those with less?
 
Hoity Toity said:
In serious though, why is it fair to tax people with more money more money? Sure, some of them don't deserve that cash, but others have worked hard their entire lives to climb the corporate ladder. Why should those with cash pay a higher percentage than those with less?
Click to expand...

Because otherwise everyone would be taxed higher, or the deficit would grow so huge that we'd probably be unable to function entirely. So it's either tax the rich more, tax everyone more (and probably starve the poor), or implode the government.

Hmm, which of these has less of a negative impact?

In the long run, it isn't what's technically fair, it's what would benefit the country the most while minimizing the costs.
 
From what I understand, if it does shut down mostly nobody will notice. We've been talking about it in AP Government for the past couple of days... People who get money from the government will still get it, most government workers will still be paid... Most things will continue running as normal. Again, from what I understand.

As for taxes, something's got to give at some point. It seems that people don't want to make sacrifices but at the same time they expect the deficit to magically disappear. I'm for taxing the rich a little more... there is that whole "What if they EARNED it? Don't they deserve to keep it!?" argument, but we are living in a society and the whole point in living in a society is usually for the well being of everyone. They'd most likely still be left with more money than most people have, even if they had to give up a bigger percentage of it than others. The only way I'd see it as unfair is if said rich people were living in cabins in the woods somewhere growing their own food and not using any public roads or anything... but I don't really think that's true of the majority of the upper class.

Then again I'm not claiming to be knowledgeable about any of this stuff so pardon me if I'm being a herp derp
 
Hoity Toity said:
In serious though, why is it fair to tax people with more money more money? Sure, some of them don't deserve that cash, but others have worked hard their entire lives to climb the corporate ladder. Why should those with cash pay a higher percentage than those with less?
Click to expand...

Because they can afford it? Seriously, this seems like a really obvious question.
 
Hoity Toity said:
In serious though, why is it fair to tax people with more money more money? Sure, some of them don't deserve that cash, but others have worked hard their entire lives to climb the corporate ladder. Why should those with cash pay a higher percentage than those with less?
Click to expand...

Welcome to the Liberal Socialist Republic of Teacodia! You must be new here.

Seriously speaking, though, Spike has hit the nail on the head.
 
Hoity Toity said:
I'm pretty sure it was George Carlin who said... Uh... Something.
He said something about how life is shit, and it's fun to revel in others' misfortune.
I agree.

EDIT: But that, like, goes against capitalism! That can't happen! How dare you!
In serious though, why is it fair to tax people with more money more money? Sure, some of them don't deserve that cash, but others have worked hard their entire lives to climb the corporate ladder. Why should those with cash pay a higher percentage than those with less?
Click to expand...

It has nothing to do with whether they earned it or not. Saying they earned it implies that poorer people are not working their asses off to make a buck, which is classist. Because yes, some rich people have worked to make it where they've gotten, but every poor person is working. Every one. (And I don't necessarily mean going to a job, etc.; I mean just working to survive.) And taxing them when they already have nothing? That is just a logical fallacy.

Why is it so wrong to ask for money from someone who can easily afford it?
 
Hoity Toity said:
In serious though, why is it fair to tax people with more money more money? Sure, some of them don't deserve that cash, but others have worked hard their entire lives to climb the corporate ladder. Why should those with cash pay a higher percentage than those with less?
Click to expand...

Because they can afford to pay a higher percentage than those with less...?
 
Hoity Toity said:
I'm pretty sure it was George Carlin who said... Uh... Something.
He said something about how life is shit, and it's fun to revel in others' misfortune.
I agree.
Click to expand...
I know that when I'm feeling down, I just turn on the television, look at some Libyans being torn to shreds, women being denied basic control over their bodies or all of the funding for social services and arts be cut completely from a country's budget, and then allow a slow smile to set over my face as I realize my life is great.

And yeah the answer is obviously because they can afford to pay more. I don't understand the mentality of hoarding as much money as possible and squirting blood out of one's eyes at people who suggest that instead of buying a new car every year, one could get taxed and use the money to do something useful?
 
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