I'm starting to think our debt is the end result of years of deregulation and allowing those in positions of influence to run riot in the name of pure, unbridaled capitalism. Granted, too much regulation is a bad thing, buisness and industry will leave, but too little is equally as bad because we are human.

The one thing you can count on from humanity, regardless of whatever system is adopted by a society, is greed and self interest. Our national debt, is a result of this. The politicians, Lobbyists, and Wall street are responsible. Each has been playing the system for the loopholes, each trying to get a larger chunk of the pie, each out only for themselves. They've all been running riot, and we the people are the ones who will be paying for it.

BTW, Capitalism is great, it is the best system, but it needs temperance. Pure unbridaled, unregulated capitalism, is a failure, and should be a dead concept. I can of 14,277,069,321,700 reasons why.

edit:
US debt. Some of that is war costs. So here's a gripe. If I can live within my means, why can't the F'ing government? I owe, a grand total of 200 dollars in gas on a credit card. That's my "debt" which will be paid at the end of the month. Buy now, pay later is bad. M'kay?

The National Debt is the accumulation of the Federal Budget Deficit. It is the result of Congress spending more than they make, and nothing else. I agree about regulation and deregulation, but I'm pretty sure the National Debt has zero to do with either regulation or capitalism.

Quoted for irrefutable truth. The national debt is exactly that, the debt of the nation, which is to say the national government. Private industry and citizens have nothing to do with it, save where they have bought national bonds. Private entities do not accumulate debt, at least not for long. They either profit or they go away or get bought or seized or restructured or any number of other means in which an entity can cease to exist. Government, not so much, obviously.

Certainly it is ! Where does this abstract government spend the money ?


A bit goes to the health system; with rising costs - companies have raised their costs for medicaments enormously.

Another (tiny) bit goes indeed to social welfare, what's wrong about that ?

Another tranche goes to schools and universities, which is a wise method to improve the nation overall.

Also most museums are paid by the government, or did you think some companies pay them ?

And the major part ? Military ! Those submarines cost money ! Also flattops, planes, maintenance, training, personnel.
And the governmenet pays the companies what they demand. The latter are not in for patriotism, they are getting paid for every rivet, or sonar system they build and install.
Playing the Sheriff all over the world also costs big money.
If it is the government which is to blame, a good part of that can be sought for with the arms and weapons lobbies. The government should not always listen to them ! As well the CIA threatens the politicians with horror scenarios, to get enough funds for their own work, and hardware. Who do you think paid "Operation paperclip", or "Gladio" ?

Greetings,
Catfish

P.S. if this sounds arrogant or what, i do not say nor believe that the german system (or any other) is any better. But we have to find a solution, if we want not too much taxes on one hand, but on the other be able to care for our own population, and additionally help (or bomb) other countries. Someone always has to pay.

My post was in direct response to Ducimus. Where or how it is spent is irrelevant to the point I was making, which is that neither private nor industrial debt is part of the National Debt, so deregulation and unbridled capitalism don't affect it directly. Bailouts do cross over, but it is still Congress choosing to spend money which they neither earn nor deserve, but either take or borrow. That borrowing part is what comprises the National Debt.

I'd agree with you except it is my belief that the government, or more specifically, the politicians that comprise the govertnment, are little more then puppets for corporate and special interests. That's how regulation and capitalism enter the picture. They are the ones who pull the strings. The wall street bailout, pretty much makes that irrefutable i would think.

I'm confused, or is that unsure, no thank Heaven, it's just bewildered.:sunny: