Originally Posted by l2ridehd

Such a total lack of understand of our free market system and the root cause of our problems. We have the highest standard of living in the world, only 50% of our people pay taxes and we need more wealth distribution. Very sad thinking. It actually scares me that you vote.

Sorry to offer up facts instead of offensive rhetoric, but our country does not have the highest standard of living in the world - unless "the world" is limited to that space between your ears. See: http://hdr.undp.org/en/statistics/

Since you suggest that the misinformed (aka me) should not vote - please help the rest of us by shredding your voting card.

BTW - Please don't get too huffy regarding my tone as you invited it when you elected to describe my thinking as "sad" and that it scares you that I vote.

I admire honest informed debate. I certainly don't profess to have all the answers. Still, ignorant opinions get quite tedious. You might consider researching before hitting the keyboard again and dazzling us with your misinformation.

Again, if you think exceeding the debt ceiling is a grand idea - please invest in edgy tech stocks. They were made for you! Really!

Harbor

Originally Posted by Talk Host

...I thought about that, but doesn't this transcend politics. Isn't it at the core of the very financial stability of every person in the US, which includes The Villages....

Just in case you haven't noticed, the stock market is down 400 points in just the last four days. Most think that it'll take another dive tomorrow. That in spite of generally record earnings for most companies.

How much has this childish bickering cost each of you. It's cost me quite a bit and I'm not at all happy.

The country should be equally upset over how the uncertainty being introduced by our politicians is impacting our economy as a whole. There were several articles in today's Wall Street Journal about companies holding back on hiring because of the uncertain economic climate, or if they do hire just hire some temps for a few weeks.

There were two other articles having to do with those companies that are hiring having to hire foreign nationals and get them visas or actually build plants overseas because they can't get qualified people in the U.S. The jobs were technical. Microsoft was one company that was hiring 4,500 people, but had to go elsewhere because of the absence of capable and educated people here.

Another article noted that this year 17,000 graduates with Phd degrees in math, science and engineering left the U.S. for foreign countries after getting their education here. In response, one of our erstwhile Senators, Chuck Grassley of Iowa, said "...just because they're highly educated, that shouldn't be a shortcut for citizenship." Maybe Grassley ought to talk to the companies who can't find qualified talent and hire people offshore as the result. These are the guys we have running our government?

I can tell you for sure that some of the most popular computer products being sold today--I'm typing this posting on one--are all made in China. I placed an order for this computer about two months ago and it was manufactured in Shanghai and shipped to my door in The Villages in five days! And it's one of the highest rated computers available today.

No wonder our economy is a laggard. Our government spends virtually all their time politicizing every single issue and accomplishes nothing to improve the education of our kids and making a fertile environment for companies to invest in this country.

Do they think long-term? Juast consider what they're talking about doing with the debt ceiling legislation they're arguing about now. The Republicans want to make it good for only six months so they can start the argument again during the election campaign.

Couldn't they be doing something more productive for the country? Shouldn't they be doing something more productive?

Originally Posted by harbor53

If we default - I hope you have your nest-egg in fed bonds or gold....

Fed bonds? You must be kidding. If we default or our debt rating is downgraded, that will result in a higher interest rate on all new bonds issued, driving the value of the bonds outstanding to the basement. No, fed bonds is one of the last places you want to have your money in case of a default or downgrade.

Yes, now would be the perfect time to have a great leader. Guess we'll have to wait for November 2012.

Originally Posted by Villages Kahuna

Fed bonds? You must be kidding. If we default or our debt rating is downgraded, that will result in a higher interest rate on all new bonds issued, driving the value of the bonds outstanding to the basement. No, fed bonds is one of the last places you want to have your money in case of a default or downgrade.

I'm sure you are right. My perspective is from a Fed invested in the TSP "G" fund. I think I'm covered no matter what happens with this foolishness.

See--
http://blogs.federaltimes.com/federal-money/tag/g-fund/

I apologize if I provided incorrect advice. Weltanschauung is everything.

Harbor