Any pretentious or condescending anti-government loon who (in a fantasy world) has a masterful grasp on and a vast understanding of economics will surely tell you that our nation's 'crippling' debt could be solved with simple math! We only need to spend less than we take in. This elementary analysis of a complex economic system is almost insulting. And it's wrong. Yes, I said it. Paul Ryan, the tea party, and anyone who condemns logical, reasonable spending as an evil perpetuation of every known problem the nation faces is completely wrong.
And here's why.
When the economy hits a recession, (which was caused the policies of the Bush era-- y'know, the same ones that Republicans STILL endorse today) people spend less money. This can be attributed to a variety of causes: unemployment, less take-home pay, and fear are a few.
When people spend less, the economy suffers. This was mitigated, however, by the hefty government spending that occurred in 2009, and the economic stimulus was the only thing preventing us from diving straight into another Great Depression.
When federal funding is cut, then state funding is cut, and states have to spend more. The debt is passed on to them as opposed to the nation; it is inevitable to incur a negative balance at some point.
This policy of criticizing the administration regarding its spending is fallacious in every facet; the same system of economics was practiced by Reagan and Bush. However, they disguised theirs through lowering taxes, so that instead of "socialism" it was "American laissez-faire glory."
Who wants to play a round of Fox News 'Fact' Buster? You may hear a conservative say that "China owns us!", as if we can only collect funds from China alone. While China owns 7.1% of our total debt, we are currently not relying on China as much; in fact, they own less of our debt today than they did in 2011. Japan is actually our largest lender, owning a slight bit more than China. Now, 44% of our total debt is owned by foreign investors. This is not very good by any means, but don't believe the lies about Chine the next time a redneck with a master's degree in misinformation tries to enlighten you with his endless wisdom.
Oh, and since these facts are real and not faux, here's the citation to the data: Hooray for Truth!
Now that the Obama administration has reduced spending, the notion of raising taxes at all sets off a wildfire of ignorance and blatant stupidity throughout the conservative world. However, it is these same exact conservatives who want the deficit to be reduced. Why is it, then, that raising taxes at all is so bad all of a sudden? I mean, the "math geniuses" with their breakthrough notion of taking in more than what is spent should be delighted in this! But they're not. Because they are Republicans, because Barack Obama is the President of the United States, and yes, because they are that stupid.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Obama's 2nd Term: The Struggles & The Triumphs
Second terms, historically, do not go over very well for the President.
As evident with Reagan's, Clinton's, Bush's, and hell, even Thomas Jefferson's 2nd terms, the extra four years can provide nothing but trouble to many of our past executives. This is no different for President Obama, who will face a flurry of challenges and expectations in his second term.
In his inaugural address, he made, in my opinion, his most progressive speech to date. Touching on climate change, gun control, women's rights, marriage equality, social programs, and even immigration, he has set himself up for either great accomplishment or great failure. America will be watching these next four years to see what really will get done under this administration. Will immigration reform come to fruition? Will marriage equality finally become a reality for many LGBT Americans? Will the President who was brash enough to essentially say "I'm here, get over it," in his speech finally muster the courage to tackle stricter environmental regulations that failed to pass in 2010?
These answers have yet to come. But I feel that Obama will go down in history as our time's FDR. However, the weight of our future will rest heavily upon the soldiers of the American people. In 2014, they will have a choice: vote blue or continue to set our country back. Despite unfair gerrymandering, the GOP is sinking like concrete and I feel that the chance of a Democratic House is alive and well. If this were to happen, America would drastically change for the better.
Should a democratic monopoly be present in Washington after 2014, no amount of GOP opposition will be able to stop the progress we will make both socially and economically. My predictions? Barack Obama will go down in history as the greatest ally in our history to women, LGBT Americans, immigrants, and secular citizens. For the first time in history, we could be at the brink of universal marriage equality. We would pass filibuster reform. We would pass immigration reform. Creationism will not be taught in our public schools, funded by our tax dollars. Our economy will recover exponentially as opposed to its current slow but steady rebound. For the first time in years, our streets will be safe from the military-style death machines known by many as fully-automatic assault rifles. As a great nation, we will reach a liberal zenith while a defeated and weary Republican party sits by the sidelines as their last shreds of racist, evangelical, homophobic, and bigoted holdings on our legislation crumble away with the winds of change.
It will be a glorious and historic moment in our history-- all thanks to a fearless President who told our nation on Monday that he will not back down, that he has nothing to lose and will stop at nothing short of what our country truly deserves. These were the words of a man not concerned with re-election, but rather, concerned with the welfare and happiness of his nation.
So, no matter how many hurdles Obama will face in this second term, (fingers crossed for no scandals) he will have equally as many achievements. Kudos to you, Barry, and I wish you the best of luck in your next four years as President of the United States.
P.S. Barack, I'm not really digging this whole "monarch, tyrannical" persona you've embraced lately. I mean, 'executive orders'? Who do you think you are? The President? You should be ashamed taking people's assault weapons. They need them for protection! What's next? Are you gonna force everyone to have a gay marriage? Shameful.
As evident with Reagan's, Clinton's, Bush's, and hell, even Thomas Jefferson's 2nd terms, the extra four years can provide nothing but trouble to many of our past executives. This is no different for President Obama, who will face a flurry of challenges and expectations in his second term.
In his inaugural address, he made, in my opinion, his most progressive speech to date. Touching on climate change, gun control, women's rights, marriage equality, social programs, and even immigration, he has set himself up for either great accomplishment or great failure. America will be watching these next four years to see what really will get done under this administration. Will immigration reform come to fruition? Will marriage equality finally become a reality for many LGBT Americans? Will the President who was brash enough to essentially say "I'm here, get over it," in his speech finally muster the courage to tackle stricter environmental regulations that failed to pass in 2010?
These answers have yet to come. But I feel that Obama will go down in history as our time's FDR. However, the weight of our future will rest heavily upon the soldiers of the American people. In 2014, they will have a choice: vote blue or continue to set our country back. Despite unfair gerrymandering, the GOP is sinking like concrete and I feel that the chance of a Democratic House is alive and well. If this were to happen, America would drastically change for the better.
Should a democratic monopoly be present in Washington after 2014, no amount of GOP opposition will be able to stop the progress we will make both socially and economically. My predictions? Barack Obama will go down in history as the greatest ally in our history to women, LGBT Americans, immigrants, and secular citizens. For the first time in history, we could be at the brink of universal marriage equality. We would pass filibuster reform. We would pass immigration reform. Creationism will not be taught in our public schools, funded by our tax dollars. Our economy will recover exponentially as opposed to its current slow but steady rebound. For the first time in years, our streets will be safe from the military-style death machines known by many as fully-automatic assault rifles. As a great nation, we will reach a liberal zenith while a defeated and weary Republican party sits by the sidelines as their last shreds of racist, evangelical, homophobic, and bigoted holdings on our legislation crumble away with the winds of change.
It will be a glorious and historic moment in our history-- all thanks to a fearless President who told our nation on Monday that he will not back down, that he has nothing to lose and will stop at nothing short of what our country truly deserves. These were the words of a man not concerned with re-election, but rather, concerned with the welfare and happiness of his nation.
So, no matter how many hurdles Obama will face in this second term, (fingers crossed for no scandals) he will have equally as many achievements. Kudos to you, Barry, and I wish you the best of luck in your next four years as President of the United States.
P.S. Barack, I'm not really digging this whole "monarch, tyrannical" persona you've embraced lately. I mean, 'executive orders'? Who do you think you are? The President? You should be ashamed taking people's assault weapons. They need them for protection! What's next? Are you gonna force everyone to have a gay marriage? Shameful.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Forward
First, let me welcome you to my blog with an introduction about myself. I'm a far-left democrat high school student living in the mountains of southwest Virginia, and I've created this blog as a way for like-minded youths to have a source of relevant insight on current events. The political dynamic in this region is very diverse; a medley of progressive and conservatives populate the area with a slight slant to the right. However, with the trends of the remainder of the state, I feel that sooner than later the county and city of Roanoke will begin to vote blue. As I am just starting out, any and all feedback is welcomed and very much appreciated. Please do not expect this blog to have moderate or "fair" views. It contains a blatant liberal bias. Enjoy!
In November, this country had a choice. When the polls opened, voters across the country had to decide between Barack Hussein Obama, the 44th President of the United States, or Willard 'Mitt' Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts and businessman extraordinaire. However, as the political pundits and common sense told us time and time again, this was not simply a presidential election; this was a turning point for the country. We were faced with two options. First, we could elect a president who believes in equality for all Americans, regardless of their gender, income, race, or sexual orientation. We could elect a president who believes that every American should have access to affordable healthcare, who believes that a woman has the right to both contraception and abortion, and who believes that the wealthy elite should not have a monopoly on Washington.
America also had another choice. We could choose a man who would create a supreme court that would overturn Roe v. Wade. We could choose a man who would try his absolute hardest to sway Congress into amending the constitution to prevent marriage equality from becoming a reality. We could choose a man who would allow the wealthiest Americans to pay only a 15% tax rate, while the struggling middle class supports them with 40% or even 50% effective rates.
We could have chosen a man who believed that an employer should be able to decide whether or not their female employee could have access to contraception. We could have chosen a man who attended charity events only to have his picture taken for the press.
But we didn't make that decision.
We, as a country, decided to move forward. We decided, as a great nation, to uphold the integrity of this nation's founding ideals: that all men are created equal, that everyone has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. And that, my friends, is why I am proud to be an American.
Earlier today, Barack Obama was publicly inaugurated and delivered a inspirational speech. One of the most progressive speeches in Presidential history, he reminded us what we voted for.
He reminded us that we voted for hope, prosperity, and equality.
Four more years, baby.
In November, this country had a choice. When the polls opened, voters across the country had to decide between Barack Hussein Obama, the 44th President of the United States, or Willard 'Mitt' Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts and businessman extraordinaire. However, as the political pundits and common sense told us time and time again, this was not simply a presidential election; this was a turning point for the country. We were faced with two options. First, we could elect a president who believes in equality for all Americans, regardless of their gender, income, race, or sexual orientation. We could elect a president who believes that every American should have access to affordable healthcare, who believes that a woman has the right to both contraception and abortion, and who believes that the wealthy elite should not have a monopoly on Washington.
America also had another choice. We could choose a man who would create a supreme court that would overturn Roe v. Wade. We could choose a man who would try his absolute hardest to sway Congress into amending the constitution to prevent marriage equality from becoming a reality. We could choose a man who would allow the wealthiest Americans to pay only a 15% tax rate, while the struggling middle class supports them with 40% or even 50% effective rates.
We could have chosen a man who believed that an employer should be able to decide whether or not their female employee could have access to contraception. We could have chosen a man who attended charity events only to have his picture taken for the press.
But we didn't make that decision.
We, as a country, decided to move forward. We decided, as a great nation, to uphold the integrity of this nation's founding ideals: that all men are created equal, that everyone has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. And that, my friends, is why I am proud to be an American.
Earlier today, Barack Obama was publicly inaugurated and delivered a inspirational speech. One of the most progressive speeches in Presidential history, he reminded us what we voted for.
He reminded us that we voted for hope, prosperity, and equality.
Four more years, baby.
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