Same Here
 

The same thing that's happening in Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal is exactly what's happening in then U.S.....and then some. The only difference is that we're still able to both print money and borrow 40 cents of every dollar our government spends, neither of which those countries can do. Eventually, the same thing that's happening in Europe will happen here. We will have to dramatically reduce spending, eliminate entitlements, stop being the world's big brother with our military, and yes increase taxes.

Based on what's happening here, I'd debate that Americans are proving to be no different than their European friends. We too are very happy to take all the government handouts that we can get. In some cases it's being paid for not working or having the government finance large numbers of illegitimate children. In other cases, it's gladly accepting low taxes and loopholes that let's the beneficiaries escape paying their fair share and requires the country to borrow more and more. There's no difference between those types of "handouts". And as in Europe, they all will have to stop.

So true. But as long as votes can be gained by promising goodies and equal outcomes for unequal effort/productivity, the government spending binge will go on.

The only thing we can do is vote the bums out of office.

cha cha cha I am fully aware of the dangers of socialized anything. I was pointing out that if it has to be then how it should be to be effective. Merely to highlight the current direction is the worst way as there is no plan and no way to pay.

I am 100% free enterprise, let the chips fall where they may, let the losers fail and be replaced with winners. All supported by 100% participation in taxation....close the loop holes...stop the give aways to those who do not qualify.

And as we all know our political direction in this country is not geared toward what is best for the country. It is geared for what is best for the individual politicians, like Obama.

Most European countries that have socialism compared to the USA of yester year....free enterprise was/is always a winner. Their socialism compared to the out of control entitlement spending of today.....theirs looks much better because it is recognized what it takes to provide the entitlements.....raise the bajesus out of earnings to pay for it.

I do not believe in hand outs.

btk

Barefoot: I stand corrected, thank you, and I am so glad that you are doing better now.(!)

Socialized medicine is like socialized golf people talk a lot but nothing gets done and so the wait times are much longer

Thanks De Lis. It's a "hot button" for me, because I am so blessed to be alive. That is why I'm such a fan of Canadian "free" health care, because it saved my life in 2005, and I received incredible health care from the very best specialists. At no cost to me.

But I have to say that it scares me, to see the wait for elective surgery. Because I know with the baby boomers all wanting new knees and new hips, and other elective surgery, the pressure on the health care system will be enormous.

The other important factor is that "free" health care isn't really free. Someone has to Pay the Piper. In Canada we pay excessive amounts of tax and everything is much more expensive than in Florida. We are taxed to the max. Anyone in the US that thinks socialized medicine is a "free ride" will be sorely disappointed. Our prices and taxes in Canada are practically double what we pay to shop and eat in Florida.

Barefoot: That hasn't been my experience in my annual trips to Canada. Hotel costs are slightly higher, food seems to be cheaper at some restaurants (though that can be a matter of taste), admissions seem to be close to 'on par'.

The taxes certainly ARE higher - you see the GST and another tax who's initials escape me at the moment on every receipt.

One item that certainly IS noticeably higher is gas.

I had to wait 6 months for a doctors appointment to confirm I needed GB surgery....