A New Deal for 2013
 

It would make more sense to spend the government's hand outs/money on a New Deal 2013 with massive public works projects to repair our own country's infrastructure while creating jobs, versus spending it on other countries, or to paying people to sit on their asses watching Oprah.

At least if they have jobs rebuilding this country's infrastructure, you would have more jobs despite government involvement, you're able to tax them, they would be out spending and driving the engine of commerce with their wages versus being a 100% cash drain with no return on investment being a couch potato.

From a business owner's perspective, almost nothing the government has done in decades (not just republican, not just democrat) makes any sense. We do not get to run a business with massive debt, and just keep kicking the ball down the road for decades. You do not invest in things that bring absolutely no R.O.I. at all. Things that are invested in, require a timely return or progress to justify them.

While I concede that their are people who need a TEMPORARY hand to keep from hitting rock bottom while they get back on their feet. We are breeding a society of those who are too good to work at McDonalds, all these college students applying for food stamps, and people paid to sit around watching Oprah for 2+ years. This shit is running off the rails.

:disgust

Barefootsies -

The only comfort that I can provide is that it won't keep going like this for long! You can only run up so much debt, before it collapses in on itself. Corruption and greed, on both sides of the isle will eventually work itself to a point that the people will revolt.

I agree that if we are going to spend the $$$'s I would rather see it go to infrastructure improvements versus "collect a check" programs. As long as we can make sure that the $$$'s are actually being spent on infrastructure :) We all have most likely had points in our life where we needed a helping hand, but 99 weeks of unemployment seems a bit excessive!

Let's hope for some clarity for our elected leaders, that they have the wisdom to navigate these trouble financial times that we find ourselves in.

japan debt 200% of gdp and they are stilling running along. Also the us gov is not a business or a household it doesnt run on the same principles. You dont have fix bridges or regulate banks or go to war as a business or a house. Also people working at mcdonalds sounds good but that's poverty wages so you are still paying for gov housing for them, food stamps, child card, medicare.

Sadly, history and the fall of other empires throughout time would disagree with you. No offense.

I would rather be paying for 25% (food stamps, day care, housing) of someone who is at least making an effort and helping contribute to the economy and society at a McDonalds job, versus someone sitting on their fat ass watching Oprah all day long and doing absolutely nothing for themselves, much less the "greater good".

:disgust

You seem to be forgetting TARP. Hundreds of billions have already been dumped into various infrastructure projects throughout the US to do exactly what you say.

I did not forget about a one time investment.

I am talking about a 20/30/50 year investment in America versus waste in other countries.

:2 cents:

Ok, in that case I totally agree with that. If the US ever wants to *THE* economic superpower again, it absolutely must make a huge investment in infrastructure and new technologies.

Unfortunately, the US government can't seem to make deals that stretch longer than a few months, let alone decades, so who knows what will happen.

....among other things.

1. Couch potatoes do not advance themselves, the country or drive the economy.
2. You need to invest in THIS country.
3. Infrastructure is crumbling. It was built to last 50 years. Many are past their lifespan. There are jobs to be had.

Massive infrastructure projects generate jobs, which get people off the couch, give them pay checks which can be taxes, they spend the money driving the engine of the economy. If you announce 10/20/30/50 year investments in such... you generate confidence as time goes on to keep hiring, and so forth and so on.

With people back to work, you have them PAYING INTO the system. Not being a lard ass on the couch and milking it instead where they is next to no return on that. Plus you are actually investing in the country in more ways than one, and driving the economy.

However, you can't do things of this scale with the current government waste going on. You have to do some massive cuts, starting with the military. Slash that shit by 50%. Out of the money they do get, invest in more 'Seal Team 6' and drone type expenditures for the wars of today, not the 20th century where it's all about who has the better cannon to fire at each other's nads until one caves.

:disgust

Bump - 4 - Poo ! :)