US National debt has reached $64 Trillion

[Digital_Trucker]

Originally Posted by OneToughHerring

Makes me wonder how in the US it is often the soldiers and ex-soldiers who are the most ready to be patriotic.....

Is this not true in all countries? Aren't the most patriotic also the most likely to become soldiers or have been soldiers already? Why is that so difficult to fathom?

[AngusJS]

Originally Posted by August

Since you choose to keep your location a secret I can't tell what your viewpoint is but let me assure you that what you hear in the foreign press about religion in my country is highly inaccurate.

I'm American. Based on the domestic press and my own observations, I think the number per capita / power of fundamentalists is greater in the US than in other Western countries.

But regardless, my point is that today, the quality of life in other Western countries is at least comparable, if not better, than that in the US. Thus, I don't see the basis for the US still being touted as the greatest thing since sliced bread in the 21st century.

[August]

Originally Posted by AngusJS

I'm American. Based on the domestic press and my own observations, I think the number per capita / power of fundamentalists is greater in the US than in other Western countries.

But regardless, my point is that today, the quality of life in other Western countries is at least comparable, if not better, than that in the US. Thus, I don't see the basis for the US still being touted as the greatest thing since sliced bread in the 21st century.

Have you ever lived in a foreign country? Where do you live in the US?

[AngusJS]

Originally Posted by August

Have you ever lived in a foreign country? Where do you live in the US?

I lived in Russia for 4 years, and have traveled to 20 countries. I live in the northeast.

[August]

Originally Posted by AngusJS

I lived in Russia for 4 years, and have traveled to 20 countries. I live in the northeast.

That's interesting because my experience, though quite similar to yours (lived in Germany 3 years, been to a comparable number of countries, live in the northeast) is very much different. Maybe we travel in different circles...

[Schroeder]

Originally Posted by August

That's interesting because my experience, though quite similar to yours (lived in Germany 3 years, been to a comparable number of countries, live in the northeast) is very much different. Maybe we travel in different circles...

Just out of curiosity, what was you impression of German living standards compared to the US?

[August]

Originally Posted by Schroeder

Just out of curiosity, what was you impression of German living standards compared to the US?

They were more comparable to US living standards than any other country i've been to except Canada, although there were some things that would be out of the ordinary here. My grandparents for example lived in a 400 year house whose only heat was the kitchen stove. Air conditioning meant opening the windows. The apartments tended to be a lot smaller as well, usually one small room with a communal bathroom. Car ownership wasn't as widespread either. Your public transportation system was more extensive than ours but if I had my druthers I'd take private car travel over train any day.

On the other hand your country is generally a lot cleaner than mine. The lack of litter is one of the first things people notice and it is something you should be proud of.

All in all Germany was certainly no Somalia, but I must add that this was in the late 1970's and with the Red Army poised on the East German and Czechoslovakian borders there was a constant feeling that it would all be swept away at any moment in the fires of war.

[Schroeder]

Originally Posted by August

All in all Germany was certainly no Somalia, but I must add that this was in the late 1970's and with the Red Army poised on the East German and Czechoslovakian borders there was a constant feeling that it would all be swept away at any moment in the fires of war.

Yep, that was a constant problem (although I didn't realize it back then since I was only a child).
Thanks for the reply.

[SteamWake]

Originally Posted by rubenandthejets

The Bush legacy, a gift that keeps on giving....trillions dollars of debt!

:rotfl:



Something screwy with that timeline, cant quite put my finger on it.

Something screwy with that timeline, cant quite put my finger on it.

Thats understanable , after all you clearly don't know what legacy means .

[Digital_Trucker]

Originally Posted by Tribesman

Thats understanable , after all you clearly don't know what legacy means .

And you clearly can't see where that legacy ends and The Chosen Ones MasterCard bill begins.

And you clearly can't see where that legacy ends and The Chosen Ones MasterCard bill begins.

It began when the new president picked up the complete mess left by the earlier responsible fiscally prudent president who managed to leave as his legacy lots of expensive long term commitments and a thoroughly screwed economy

[Digital_Trucker]

Originally Posted by Tribesman

It began when the new president picked up the complete mess left by the earlier responsible fiscally prudent president who managed to leave as his legacy lots of expensive long term commitments and a thoroughly screwed economy

and ended when his successor threw the entire Treasury plus a few odd billion at the problem to make it better

[August]

Originally Posted by Tribesman

It began when the new president picked up the complete mess left by the earlier responsible fiscally prudent president who managed to leave as his legacy lots of expensive long term commitments and a thoroughly screwed economy

Administrations have little effect on the economy. A Democrat controlled Congress spending several trillion dollars will have a much bigger effect.

[SteamWake]

Originally Posted by August

Administrations have little effect on the economy. A Democrat controlled Congress spending several trillion dollars will have a much bigger effect.

Politico's would have no effect on the economy if they stayed the hell out of it as was desired in the constitution.

Oh well.