Simple Words From Robert Reich

Firearms related political discussion forum

Re: Simple Words From Robert Reich

Postby fabb600 on Sun Mar 03, 2013 5:06 pm

I love how it's always the Right that's funded by the ubber-weathly and big business. Both sides are supported by a crap load of money - and in many cases from the same sources!
User avatar
fabb600
 
Posts: 175 [View]
Joined: Tue Mar 06, 2012 10:36 pm
Location: St. Croix River Valley

Re: Simple Words From Robert Reich

Postby ShadowFlyP on Sun Mar 03, 2013 5:59 pm

(1) Austerity economics (on which the nation has embarked) is a cruel hoax


Any debate of Austerity vs Keynesian ecomomics is pointless because they both assume that it is the role of the government to create jobs. Austerity arguments are simply that the government can "create jobs" better by leaving capital in the marketplace, while Keynesian assumes that the goverment can be a good participant in the marketplace. Both of these are contrary to a view that the best government is a small government. Last I looked, "creating jobs" wasn't in the enumerated powers of the Constitution.

(2) Trickle-down economics is an old fraud

We must have a different understanding of the world "old" if we are talking about a political talking point that was established during the Reagan administration. Trick-down is simply a watering down of austerity economics so that it can be used as a talking point and then repeated enough until it becomes a platitude like "common-sense legislation".

The median wage, adjusted for inflation, is lower today than it was in 1981.


And? What about the average wage? If the average wage is going up then it means that those on the top are being rewarded for their economic output more than those on the bottom, but that doesn't mean the system is unfair. What is the economic value, adjusted for inflation, of the output of those on the bottom?

There is far less economic value (profit per person-hour) today than 1981 in jobs like manufacturing. There has been a shift in the jobs of low-wage jobs from manufacturing to service. If someone with no education and little skills was making a widget with 200% profit in 1981 and today they're stocking shelves in retail, I wouldn't be surprised if their wages have decreased, nor would I consider it unfair. Even though stocking shelves might require as much physical exertion it has less economic value and therefore less wages. (I'm not trying to degrade retail work here but using that as a specific example of my point.)

Rather than quoting low-information statistics like "median wage" are there any real studies on why there is a growing economic disparity? Or is this just another attempt to use a low-information statistic to push an agenda?

(3) Neither of these bogus economic theories would be as dangerous were it not for the explosion of big money in politics


Again, and? Last I checked we still have 1-person/1-vote. Or is this a claim that there is corruption in government (ex. lobbying, campaign contributions to "buy" laws)? Maybe there is some relation to the first point here where we've let the government grow too big, to the point where corrupting political power has too much influence?
ShadowFlyP
 
Posts: 15 [View]
Joined: Sun Mar 03, 2013 5:23 pm
Location: Rochester, MN

Re: Simple Words From Robert Reich

Postby jdege on Sun Mar 03, 2013 6:15 pm

NMRMN wrote:Deficit to GDP is actually 7.3% (see CBO). Debt to GDP, a more useful metric, is over 100%. This is a problem.

The most immediate problem is that we're taking on "debt" that nobody is willing to buy. We're not borrowing money, we're inventing it out of thin air.

The consequences of continuing this are inevitable and unescapable.
User avatar
jdege
 
Posts: 4465 [View]
Joined: Sun Jul 29, 2007 10:07 am

Re: Simple Words From Robert Reich

Postby St. Olaf on Sun Mar 03, 2013 7:46 pm

LePetomane wrote:
St. Olaf wrote:
Nothing, I just want them to pull their weight like the rest of us.

:flag:


We're doing more than our fair share.


Baloney. According to the distribution of wealth information, you're hardly contributing the weight of a couple of sparrows.

We at least want to get you up to a couple of chickens.

:flag:
Those who beat their swords into plowshares will end up plowing for those who didn't.
User avatar
St. Olaf
 
Posts: 420 [View]
Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2013 12:08 pm
Location: The Woods

Re: Simple Words From Robert Reich

Postby St. Olaf on Sun Mar 03, 2013 7:47 pm

jdege wrote:
NMRMN wrote:Deficit to GDP is actually 7.3% (see CBO). Debt to GDP, a more useful metric, is over 100%. This is a problem.

The most immediate problem is that we're taking on "debt" that nobody is willing to buy. We're not borrowing money, we're inventing it out of thin air.

The consequences of continuing this are inevitable and unescapable.


Yes, and it continues as the Party of No continues to block any and every solution.

:flag:
Those who beat their swords into plowshares will end up plowing for those who didn't.
User avatar
St. Olaf
 
Posts: 420 [View]
Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2013 12:08 pm
Location: The Woods

Re: Simple Words From Robert Reich

Postby grousemaster on Sun Mar 03, 2013 7:51 pm

St. Olaf wrote:
jdege wrote:
NMRMN wrote:Deficit to GDP is actually 7.3% (see CBO). Debt to GDP, a more useful metric, is over 100%. This is a problem.

The most immediate problem is that we're taking on "debt" that nobody is willing to buy. We're not borrowing money, we're inventing it out of thin air.

The consequences of continuing this are inevitable and unescapable.


Yes, and it continues as the Party of No continues to block any and every solution.

:flag:


What's the solution? What tax rate schedule would balance our budget?
01 FFL
NRA Life Member
NRA Business Alliance
User avatar
grousemaster
 
Posts: 3493 [View]
Joined: Sat Feb 12, 2011 1:44 pm
Location: Waconia

Re: Simple Words From Robert Reich

Postby St. Olaf on Sun Mar 03, 2013 7:54 pm

Any debate of Austerity vs Keynesian ecomomics is pointless because they both assume that it is the role of the government to create jobs. Austerity arguments are simply that the government can "create jobs" better by leaving capital in the marketplace, while Keynesian assumes that the goverment can be a good participant in the marketplace. Both of these are contrary to a view that the best government is a small government.


Since the theory that the best government is a small government is a Tea Party opinion, a minority opinion, a Fox News talking point and clearly extremist and simplistic--it simply doesn't hold any water as a theory.

Truth is, the best government is the right size to do the job and determining the right size is a little more complex than anybody on Fox News is going to have the capacity to figure out.

:flag:
Those who beat their swords into plowshares will end up plowing for those who didn't.
User avatar
St. Olaf
 
Posts: 420 [View]
Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2013 12:08 pm
Location: The Woods

Re: Simple Words From Robert Reich

Postby grousemaster on Sun Mar 03, 2013 7:58 pm

St. Olaf wrote:
Any debate of Austerity vs Keynesian ecomomics is pointless because they both assume that it is the role of the government to create jobs. Austerity arguments are simply that the government can "create jobs" better by leaving capital in the marketplace, while Keynesian assumes that the goverment can be a good participant in the marketplace. Both of these are contrary to a view that the best government is a small government.


Since the theory that the best government is a small government is a Tea Party opinion, a minority opinion, a Fox News talking point and clearly extremist and simplistic--it simply doesn't hold any water as a theory.

Truth is, the best government is the right size to do the job and determining the right size is a little more complex than anybody on Fox News is going to have the capacity to figure out.

:flag:


Not sure what Fox News has to do with this discussion, but what tax rates would you propose to balance our current budget problem?
01 FFL
NRA Life Member
NRA Business Alliance
User avatar
grousemaster
 
Posts: 3493 [View]
Joined: Sat Feb 12, 2011 1:44 pm
Location: Waconia

Re: Simple Words From Robert Reich

Postby St. Olaf on Sun Mar 03, 2013 8:01 pm

What's the solution? What tax rate schedule would balance our budget?


Balance it when?

It will take some years, even with a wise and measure approach. Here's a plan that would work.

http://secure.assets.bostatic.com/resou ... nfo_v4.png
Those who beat their swords into plowshares will end up plowing for those who didn't.
User avatar
St. Olaf
 
Posts: 420 [View]
Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2013 12:08 pm
Location: The Woods

Re: Simple Words From Robert Reich

Postby White Horseradish on Sun Mar 03, 2013 8:21 pm

St. Olaf wrote:Since the theory that the best government is a small government is a Tea Party opinion, a minority opinion, a Fox News talking point and clearly extremist and simplistic--it simply doesn't hold any water as a theory.
That is an absolutely ridiculous statement that is fascinating in how many fallacies are packed into it. The idea of small government pre-dates both Fox and the Tea Party. Their use of the theory does not reflect on it's validity. Being a minority opinion does not invalidate any theory. It being extremist and simplistic is not clear to anyone but you.

So, we have poisoning the well, appeal to the masses, and begging the question. In the same sentence. Spectacular.
"I have come to kick a** and chew bubblegum." <racks shotgun> "And I'm all out of bubblegum."

--John Nada, "They Live"
User avatar
White Horseradish
 
Posts: 1748 [View]
Joined: Sat Jul 28, 2007 2:46 pm
Location: NE Minneapolis

Re: Simple Words From Robert Reich

Postby grousemaster on Sun Mar 03, 2013 8:28 pm

St. Olaf wrote:
What's the solution? What tax rate schedule would balance our budget?


Balance it when?

It will take some years, even with a wise and measure approach. Here's a plan that would work.

http://secure.assets.bostatic.com/resou ... nfo_v4.png



That's not a plan, that's Obama propaganda. How about, balance it within 10 years. How much do we need to tax those Fox News watching evil rich folks (that already pay most the tab) to balance our budget and keep your pension well funded?
Last edited by grousemaster on Sun Mar 03, 2013 8:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
01 FFL
NRA Life Member
NRA Business Alliance
User avatar
grousemaster
 
Posts: 3493 [View]
Joined: Sat Feb 12, 2011 1:44 pm
Location: Waconia

Re: Simple Words From Robert Reich

Postby 2in2out on Sun Mar 03, 2013 8:31 pm

I'm not trying to be a killjoy, but this would be a great discussion to move on over to Off-Topic Politics, correct?
"...the liberties of the American people were dependent upon the ballot-box, the jury-box, and the cartridge-box; that without these no class of people could live and flourish in this country..." ---Frederick Douglass
User avatar
2in2out
 
Posts: 1014 [View]
Joined: Wed Feb 25, 2009 10:19 am
Location: SE MN

Re: Simple Words From Robert Reich

Postby NMRMN on Sun Mar 03, 2013 8:36 pm

2in2out wrote:I'm not trying to be a killjoy, but this would be a great discussion to move on over to Off-Topic Politics, correct?

good point. it has absolutely nothing to do with firearms.
I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.
Member GOA | GOCRA | NRA
NMRMN
 
Posts: 1624 [View]
Joined: Fri Feb 08, 2013 10:28 pm

Re: Simple Words From Robert Reich

Postby St. Olaf on Sun Mar 03, 2013 9:02 pm

grousemaster wrote:
St. Olaf wrote:
What's the solution? What tax rate schedule would balance our budget?


Balance it when?

It will take some years, even with a wise and measure approach. Here's a plan that would work.

http://secure.assets.bostatic.com/resou ... nfo_v4.png



That's not a plan, that's Obama propaganda. How about, balance it within 10 years. How much do we need to tax those Fox News watching evil rich folks (that already pay most the tab) to balance our budget and keep your pension well funded?


Actually, my pension is already well-funded.

:booyah:

And the Obama plan is the only one that will work and it will be implemented......the "Party of No" can only stall so long.

They can run, but they can't hide.

:booyah:
Those who beat their swords into plowshares will end up plowing for those who didn't.
User avatar
St. Olaf
 
Posts: 420 [View]
Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2013 12:08 pm
Location: The Woods

Re: Simple Words From Robert Reich

Postby NMRMN on Sun Mar 03, 2013 9:10 pm

St. Olaf wrote:Actually, my pension is already well-funded.


Mine isnt. how about I take some of yours, to make it "more equal"? :booyah:
I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.
Member GOA | GOCRA | NRA
NMRMN
 
Posts: 1624 [View]
Joined: Fri Feb 08, 2013 10:28 pm

PreviousNext

Return to Politics

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 4 guests

cron