Just to preface, this is about the economy! I will admit, economic humor isn't the most titillating genre of comedic styling, but I seem to think that a little bit of humor is appropriate with regard to the content of this post. So please, grab a nice glass of Merlot and cozy up to the screen because I'm about to pelt your palates with handfuls of rational thought!
The Budget
I know, it is unfortunate that Washington cannot get its act together and put aside moral differences in order to keep the government running smoothly without speculation of a massive government shutdown. Well, good news, it didn't shutdown. I mean could you imagine the largest, most successful operational democracy shutting down? It probably wouldn't do much for the credibility of the United States. It was heroically averted by our trustworthy elected officials. But--yes, there is a but and it is a big BUT, definitely something that would implore an ogle from Sir Mix-A-Lot!
The main issue was that the government requires a budget be passed by both the Congress and Senate in order to spend taxpayer dollars. You would think it is a fairly simple process. Just do what is the best possible thing for the nation, collectively. Intuitively, the government should execute efficiently since it has to do with funding themselves, BUT(here is what I was talking about) that isn't how Washington works!
The debate was framed to be between the Democrats proposing $30.5 Billion dollars in cuts for the fiscal year, which ends in September, versus the Republicans proposing $61 Billion dollars in cuts. Of course, as usual, the Republicans want to cut more social spending than the Democrats. You know, silly social spending, things like Education, Healthcare, etc. Nothing Important. So after a long, drawn out battle that was completely unnecessary, they come to a compromise of $38.5 Billion in cuts for the fiscal year. YES! Agreement made! Champagne falls from the Heavens and what not! BUT here is the kicker, they forgot to include defense spending so it's more like a savings of $352 MILLION!
The only additional comment I have on this is as follows--ATTENTION: FOX NEWS, MSNBC, CNBC, and CNN! No one won. Not Obama, Not Boehnor, Not the Dems or the GOP! WE ALL GOT SCREWED!! Bringing me to the next topic...
The Deficit
I'm sure we are all privy to the insane amount of discussion circulating with regards to the massive debt that the United States has so masochistically entrenched itself. So, let us review the plans that are proposed.
"The Path to Prosperity"
This fiscal plan boasts the reduction of $6.2 Trillion dollars in the next 10 years and expects to completely balance the budget in the 2030s or early 2040s. It was birthed and finely tuned by Republican Paul Ryan. The issue with this is that, in layman's terms, it adopts the idea of "trickle-down" economics and basically violates the poor and elderly in order to let the insanely rich keep more of their money.
Obama's Fiscal Plan
I am not sure if this fiscal plan has a name yet, but the current name will suffice. The basic pillars of this plan is cut unnecessary spending and raise taxes on the people earning $250,000 dollars or more. It will cut less money than the GOP plan, but it will still eliminate something like $5.4 Trillion dollars in 12 years. All this without forcing the people without money to pay more to stay alive!
The obvious solution to this, in my eyes, is to combine the tax aspects of both plans. Let the Bush Tax Cuts expire, raise taxes, close tax loopholes and eliminate deductions like private jets. However, rational thinking in the Congress and Senate is useless. Oh well, there is nothing to worry about though--THE HOUSE PASSED THE PAUL RYAN PLAN!
So, Hang in there America! I know we were promised a trickle-down, but its shaping up to be a monsoon! NOAH START BUILDING THE ARK and GET TWO OF EVERY BILL!!
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