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Title: Who's Really Downgrading America? [By Pat Buchanan]
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URL Source: http://lewrockwell.com/buchanan/buchanan178.html
Published: Aug 10, 2011
Author: [By Pat Buchanan]
Post Date: 2011-08-10 11:01:37 by Capitalist Eric
Keywords: None
Views: 35329
Comments: 57
The decision by Standard & Poor's to strip the United States of its AAA credit rating, for the first time, has triggered a barrage of catcalls against the umpire from the press box and Obamaites. S&P, we are reminded, was giving A ratings to banks like Lehman Brothers, whose books were stuffed with suspect subprime paper, right up to the day Lehman Brothers fell over dead. Moreover, S&P made a $2 trillion error in its assessment of U.S. debt and used political criteria in making its downgrade. All of which may be true. But none of which is relevant. This downgrade is deeply deserved. For no one really believes the United States is going to pay its creditors back the $14 trillion it owes them, or the $21 trillion it will owe them at decade's end, with dollars of the same value as those that the United States is borrowing today. In the last year alone, the U.S. dollar has lost 30 percent of its value against the Swiss franc. A Swiss citizen who exchanged francs for $100,000 in dollars in June 2010 to buy one-year T-bills, then cashed those T-bills in this June, would have gotten back $100,000 in U.S. dollars. But those dollars would now be worth 30 percent less in Swiss francs. On "Meet the Press," Alan Greenspan insisted that the United States is not going to default. Why not? Because our debt is denominated in dollars, and we can print dollars to pay off our creditors. Which is pretty much what Chairman Ben Bernanke and the Fed have been doing. With the dollar down 5 to 10 percent this year alone against the world's more respected currencies, we are engaged in what the Romans called coin-clipping – official stealing from citizens and foreigners. Why are the Chinese so upset? Because they are sitting on more than $1 trillion in U.S. bonds and Treasury bills bought with dollars we paid them for Chinese-made goods, while the purchasing power of the dollars that those bonds and T-bills represent withers away every week. "I believe this is, without question, the 'Tea Party downgrade,'" says Sen. John Kerry. How so? Because the Tea Party blocked the big deal President Obama sought to cut with House Speaker John Boehner to resolve the deficit-debt crisis. The president, we are told, was prepared to accept $3 trillion in reduced future spending for entitlements like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, but the Tea Party caucus refused to let Boehner agree even to $1 trillion in "revenue enhancement." But here, a question arises: If the president believes entitlement reform is essential to get America's deficit-debt crisis under control, why does he need Tea Party cover to do his duty? He doesn't. Tea Party intransigence on taxes is not the reason for Obama's failure to cut spending. It is his excuse. Indeed, if Obama announced tomorrow that he was going to cut future spending on entitlements by $3 trillion to restore our AAA credit rating, he would have the full support of the Tea Party. His opposition would come from Kerry's colleagues in the Senate and Nancy Pelosi's in the House. To see how absurd it is to blame Tea Party Republicans for the downgrading of America's debt, imagine this scenario: Rep. Ron Paul is speaker of the House, Sen. Rand Paul is majority leader, and Rep. Paul Ryan is president of the United States. Does anyone doubt this trio would restore the U.S credit rating in a New York minute? Every sacred cow in the federal pasture, from food stamps to foreign aid, would be hanging in the meat locker. The American people have come to like the president, but a majority is coming to believe he is simply not the decisive president we need to lead us out of the morass in which he found the country and from which he has failed to extricate us. "He made it worse!" is shaping up as the GOP slogan for 2012. If Obama wishes to restore the AAA rating of his country, he might consider two separate and bold steps, both consistent with his professed beliefs. First, tell the Republicans that if they will not agree to revenue enhancement, he will nonetheless do his duty and pare back spending in the entitlement programs. He would get instant GOP support. Following this, he could go to the Republicans and tell them that if they agree to eliminate the clutter in the tax code – exemptions, loopholes, deductions – he will agree to cut tax rates for individuals and corporations alike, to make America more competitive. Again, he would have the support of Republicans and the Tea Party. It might even advance his re-election prospects, if he could get renominated by his own party, which would rebel at both reforms because they would mean a suspension of the politics of tax and spend. As for the S&P downgrade, again, the only surprise is it didn't come sooner.
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#18. To: Liberator (#17)
The ball is in your court. Time to prove your allegations.
Yeah, imagine MY surprise....bwaahaa! The "Tea Party" is the Left's Talking Points Bell. What a bunch of Pavlov's Dogs. The reality is that, had they done the "cut, cap & balance" deal (which didn't cut enough) the credit would NOT have been downgraded. Ssssshhh....You'll ruin the "Tea Party" fantasy for them. It happened because the establishment GOP and DNC parasites stopped any REAL reform from happening. THAT'S a fact. True.
"It's not surprising, then, they [White Pennsylvanians] get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." ~ Comrade-in-Chief Barry Hussein 0bama
Speculation. Don't you agree that at SOME point the fiscal brakes needed to be used? Evidently according to you S and P was being negligent. Or intimidated. In fact THAT'S EXACTLY what 0bama's vindictive Admin is engaging in right now: Intimidation and threats of S&P decision-makers.
"It's not surprising, then, they [White Pennsylvanians] get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." ~ Comrade-in-Chief Barry Hussein 0bama
The bottle is on your table.
"It's not surprising, then, they [White Pennsylvanians] get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." ~ Comrade-in-Chief Barry Hussein 0bama
Another one of your lies.... heh, Lieberator?
That would be F16Fighter to you!
Another one of your lies.... heh, Lieberator? Can you prove the bottle is NOT on your table??
"It's not surprising, then, they [White Pennsylvanians] get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." ~ Comrade-in-Chief Barry Hussein 0bama
Now, Fred...You and the Gin Dispenser have it wrong. Technically "Liberator" did NOT post at LP, did he? ;-)
"It's not surprising, then, they [White Pennsylvanians] get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." ~ Comrade-in-Chief Barry Hussein 0bama
Tea Party runs the GOP and the GOP runs the House and the House has the power of the purse. I thought "constitutionalist" GOPers would know this basic fact......
With the economy still in the dumper -- maybe permanently? -- and full-time jobs becoming as scarce as rain during a drought, huge percentages of Americans have had their (misplaced) faith in the American dream shaken, the upper-middle-class consumerist lifestyle is exposed as a mirage for anybody who plays by the rules. Capitalism and the America that embraced it as a way of life is now and forever more a failure. It does me good to know that the generation that voted in Reagan and his ideology will see their America die from that ideology before their very own eyes and knowing they had a hand in its destruction.
Can you prove it's not up your ass and The Yukons put it there in some sort of homo rear-otic ritual? Just askin'...
America...My Kind Of Place... "I truly am not that concerned about [bin Laden]..." "THE MILITIA IS COMING!!! THE MILITIA IS COMING!!!" I lurk to see if someone other than Myst or Pookie posts anything...
You're not a "he" then.
Just askin'... If there's an orifice within striking distance, of course the yukons will attempt to insert whatever is available. I thought that was common knowledge. Are you looking for the video tape? Oh....and have you a midnight confession to make yourself? Just sayin'.
"It's not surprising, then, they [White Pennsylvanians] get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." ~ Comrade-in-Chief Barry Hussein 0bama
Libby a girl?!? Nah...
America...My Kind Of Place... "I truly am not that concerned about [bin Laden]..." "THE MILITIA IS COMING!!! THE MILITIA IS COMING!!!" I lurk to see if someone other than Myst or Pookie posts anything...
Right. I'm an "it." Happy now, Fred?
"It's not surprising, then, they [White Pennsylvanians] get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." ~ Comrade-in-Chief Barry Hussein 0bama
I'm happy 99 percent of the time. When my lawn mower doesn't start or my dog stumbles due to old age, then I'm not.
Oh....and have you a midnight confession to make yourself? Just sayin'. Why don't you stop with your obsessive distractions and just show your proof of S and P's historical malpractice.
That's all you ask for in life. Thank the Lord, Fred.
"It's not surprising, then, they [White Pennsylvanians] get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." ~ Comrade-in-Chief Barry Hussein 0bama
Am I REALLY supposed to take you seriously?? As though you care either way. Lol Like yukon, you have fallen into a tiny, exclusive class of posters who are just so defectively antagonistic and agenda-driven, it's a complete waste of time ( I mean other than for providing the occasional chuckle.)
"It's not surprising, then, they [White Pennsylvanians] get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." ~ Comrade-in-Chief Barry Hussein 0bama
They only know it when it suits their purpose.
No, it's a real simple question. Who did the US government "stiff" or "pay late" while it was up and operating? The S&P rating system has nothing to do with the question.
IF that were so, ALL the RINOs and GOP Dem-humpers would have been jettisoned, or order restored to the House. Do you really believe this is the case? No, seriously?? ....and the GOP runs the House and the House has the power of the purse. I thought "constitutionalist" GOPers would know this basic fact...... Are you familiar with the calender, Van Winkle?? Look it over since 2007 and get back to me.
"It's not surprising, then, they [White Pennsylvanians] get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." ~ Comrade-in-Chief Barry Hussein 0bama
Lol Like yukon, you have fallen into a tiny, exclusive class of posters who are just so defectively antagonistic and agenda-driven, it's a complete waste of time ( I mean other than for providing the occasional chuckle.) Oh No..... don't tell me you are seeing yukon AND all those bottles of gin under my bed again?
Without raising the debt ceiling, guess what? DUH. The S&P sees the writing on the wall. Skippy - now why don't YOU tell me what S&P criteria forced them to downgrade to US's rating.
"It's not surprising, then, they [White Pennsylvanians] get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." ~ Comrade-in-Chief Barry Hussein 0bama
THAT was funny.
"It's not surprising, then, they [White Pennsylvanians] get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." ~ Comrade-in-Chief Barry Hussein 0bama
Skippy - now why don't YOU tell me what S&P criteria forced them to downgrade to US's rating. The ball is in your court. Just cite the historic examples instead of trying to distract.
PROBLEM: I can't fix "stupid" or "ignorant."
"It's not surprising, then, they [White Pennsylvanians] get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." ~ Comrade-in-Chief Barry Hussein 0bama
TRANSLATION: You made an erroneous statement and you can't defend it. Hey, it's okay, I make errors every once in awhile. And I admit it.
That would be the same crowd who applauded when they heard about the downgrade.
Why should Liberator admit anything? The 0bama administration couldn't negotiate with Congress and as a result, the downgrade. These are critical times, too. Where was a fast track negotiating team from 0bama to continue show the many reasons for reduction of spending simultaneously with reasons for tax increases? Why did the negotiations finally occur at the last minute?
Because it would show he's someone worth posting to. Since he won't, he isn't.
Yes...it was me who left the light on...
America...My Kind Of Place... "I truly am not that concerned about [bin Laden]..." "THE MILITIA IS COMING!!! THE MILITIA IS COMING!!!" I lurk to see if someone other than Myst or Pookie posts anything...
And exactly which statement was that? Hey, it's okay, I make errors every once in awhile. And I admit it. Remind me to send you another "Atta Boy" certificate.
"It's not surprising, then, they [White Pennsylvanians] get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." ~ Comrade-in-Chief Barry Hussein 0bama
They want me to "admit" 0bama's plan "wuz hacked" by the Tea Party (eyeball roll) and sabotaged by S&P. Thanks for re-infusing a bit of sanity into this thread and issue. These are critical times, too. Where was a fast track negotiating team from 0bama to continue show the many reasons for reduction of spending simultaneously with reasons for tax increases? Why did the negotiations finally occur at the last minute? Good questions; Don't expect a reasonable answer or theory. He's only function is as a destabilizing hood ornament for the PTB. 0bama can ALWAYS be counted in to play both ends, then play the second-guess and blame-game 100% of the time no matter WHAT the issue has been.
"It's not surprising, then, they [White Pennsylvanians] get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." ~ Comrade-in-Chief Barry Hussein 0bama
Boo-hoo... Oh, and thanks for ignoring MY questions to YOU. Not that I GAS, but at least be consistent about your bullsh*t, shall we?
"It's not surprising, then, they [White Pennsylvanians] get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." ~ Comrade-in-Chief Barry Hussein 0bama
Yes...it was me who left the light on... Last one to leave the party, eh?
"It's not surprising, then, they [White Pennsylvanians] get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." ~ Comrade-in-Chief Barry Hussein 0bama
Nah...my 53 year old bladder...
America...My Kind Of Place... "I truly am not that concerned about [bin Laden]..." "THE MILITIA IS COMING!!! THE MILITIA IS COMING!!!" I lurk to see if someone other than Myst or Pookie posts anything...
I hope you locked that bathroom with the dead-bolt.
"It's not surprising, then, they [White Pennsylvanians] get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." ~ Comrade-in-Chief Barry Hussein 0bama
;|
America...My Kind Of Place... "I truly am not that concerned about [bin Laden]..." "THE MILITIA IS COMING!!! THE MILITIA IS COMING!!!" I lurk to see if someone other than Myst or Pookie posts anything...
I ignored nothing. I told you where to find your answers, if you wanted to. It's not my job to trim things down to tiny bites that you might be able to understand.
As to a "citation," it's time that YOU read S&P's criteria for its rating system.
#19. To: Capitalist Eric (#14)
I'm shocked- SHOCKED- that gobsheit fails to provide the direct link to the Tea Party.
#20. To: mininggold (#16)
Then we would have had a much lower than AAA rating years ago.
#21. To: mininggold (#18)
The ball is in your court.
#22. To: Liberator (#21)
The bottle is on your table.
#23. To: mininggold (#22)
#24. To: mininggold (#22)
(The bottle is on your table. )
#25. To: Fred Mertz (#23)
That would be F16Fighter to you!
#26. To: Liberator (#4)
The Tea Party doesn't run the Fed nor Congress nor the DomRat Party.
#27. To: Liberator (#24)
Can you prove the bottle is NOT on your table??
--GW Bush
--Sarah Palin's version of "The Midnight Ride of Paul revere"
#28. To: Liberator (#25)
#29. To: war (#27)
Can you prove it's not up your ass and The Yukons put it there in some sort of homo rear-otic ritual?
#30. To: Fred Mertz (#28)
--GW Bush
--Sarah Palin's version of "The Midnight Ride of Paul revere"
#31. To: Fred Mertz (#28)
You're not a "he" then.
#32. To: Liberator (#31)
#33. To: Liberator (#29)
If there's an orifice within striking distance, of course the yukons will attempt to insert whatever is available. I thought that was common knowledge. Are you looking for the video tape?
#34. To: Fred Mertz (#32)
I'm happy 99 percent of the time. When my lawn mower doesn't start or my dog stumbles due to old age, then I'm not.
#35. To: mininggold (#33)
Why don't you stop with your obsessive distractions and just show your proof of S and P's historical malpractice.
#36. To: Godwinson (#26)
Tea Party runs the GOP and the GOP runs the House and the House has the power of the purse. I thought "constitutionalist" GOPers would know this basic fact......
#37. To: Liberator (#17)
As to a "citation," it's time that YOU read S&P's criteria for its rating system.
#38. To: Godwinson (#26)
Tea Party runs the GOP...
#39. To: Liberator (#35)
Am I REALLY supposed to take you seriously?? As though you care either way.
#40. To: Skip Intro (#37)
No, it's a real simple question. Who did the US government "stiff" or "pay late" while it was up and operating? The S&P rating system has nothing to do with the question.
#41. To: mininggold (#39)
Oh No..... don't tell me you are seeing yukon AND all those bottles of gin under my bed again?
#42. To: Liberator (#40)
Without raising the debt ceiling, guess what? DUH. The S&P sees the writing on the wall.
#43. To: mininggold (#42)
#44. To: Liberator (#43)
The ball is in your court. Just cite the historic examples instead of trying to distract.
#45. To: Liberator (#43)
PROBLEM: I can't fix "stupid" or "ignorant."
#46. To: Skip Intro (#5)
Who was it who threatened to send the US into default?
#47. To: Fred Mertz, Liberator (#45)
(Edited)
Hey, it's okay, I make errors every once in awhile. And I admit it.
#48. To: buckeroo (#47)
Why should Liberator admit anything?
#49. To: Liberator (#29)
Oh....and have you a midnight confession to make yourself?
--GW Bush
--Sarah Palin's version of "The Midnight Ride of Paul revere"
#50. To: Fred Mertz (#45)
TRANSLATION: You made an erroneous statement and you can't defend it.
#51. To: buckeroo, Fred Mertz (#47)
Why should Liberator admit anything? The 0bama administration couldn't negotiate with Congress and as a result, the downgrade.
#52. To: Skip Intro, buckeroo (#48)
Because it would show he's someone worth posting to. Since he won't, he isn't.
#53. To: war (#49)
("Oh....and have you a midnight confession to make yourself?")
#54. To: Liberator (#53)
--GW Bush
--Sarah Palin's version of "The Midnight Ride of Paul revere"
#55. To: war (#54)
#56. To: Liberator (#55)
--GW Bush
--Sarah Palin's version of "The Midnight Ride of Paul revere"
#57. To: Liberator (#52)
Oh, and thanks for ignoring MY questions to YOU.
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