Why is America living beyond its means?

[angelofdeath]

believe me, the last thing bush wants to do is cut any programs. get realistic dude... he has outspent any president IN HISTORY, then you have some leftist sqauking about him eliminating welfare. its just rediculous.

 

but in any case, WE ARE ALREADY ON THE ROAD TO SERFDOM! the road to serfdom/slavery is a socialist system. the classical liberal position was never explained or made so clear.... read this book.

 

[!@#$%]

all this advice on how to manage your own money is all well and good.

it doesn't change the fact that the majority of our society is mired in debt.

 

political viewpoints make for great debate fodder

but does it really address the "whys" of how our people became so enamored with getting 'stuff?'

i think no, it doesn't

 

interestingly, i think 'stuff' is one of the major reasons the masses have begun ignoring politrics

[Dawood]

no doubt, The politicians don't really want you and me nosing too deep into their business.

They stir up an issue in the media when they want to give it attention ,but it always comes down to that cash. If theres money flowing, economy is kicking, It doesn't matter who's unhappy about foreign policy or immagration or govt. spending. Nobody will ever do anything substantial about it until they see it hit their own pockets. That's the motivating factor right there------>POVERTY. Until americans start starving, you won't see a slow down of any of this materialistic consumerism. People love their low fat mocha latte from stardouche's too much and our govt. understands that keeping people quiet is keeping them fat.

Even lowlife , non working, welfare couch potatoes eat well and have cable tv. It's disgusting to me the way some people live.

[Smart]

interestingly, i think 'stuff' is one of the major reasons the masses have begun ignoring politrics

 

I agree, but go a bit farther. I don't think it's the stuff itself, I mean, there's always been cool stuff out there. I think it's the prosperity brought on by years of 'good' fiscal politics, (I say good but I don't mean ethical OR correct neccessarily), that gave us the opportunity to accquire 'stuff' in the first place. Now instead of a continuing interest in 'how the government is spending our money', focus has shifted on to 'how we spend our own money' and further 'how we spend money we don't yet have'.

[Smart]

Not to say everyone was wondering about how the government spent money much until after WWII, 10 years or so after the creation of the national income tax system.

 

Also, I think the aggressive tactics of credit lenders through the 80's to the present is largely responsible. The people who say it's hard to get credit or hard to get good credit only have themselves to blame in 2006 because there is sure as shit someone aound the corner willing to hand you a credit card, even if it is 'secured', w/ a $250 limit, 24% apr and $25 annual fee.

[angelofdeath]

yeah man. credit is being given away. look at the housing bubble and home loans. low interest rates, etc. to bad its all coming to an end. the dollar is collapsing even more. rates are going to sky rocket just to try to keep some confidence in it.