Ha! Government hilarity

[patches70]

The debt limit for the United States is $16,699,421,095,673.60 and the Treasury says our debt is at exactly $16,699,396,000,000.
That's 25 million under the legal debt limit.

We have been at that level of debt for 56 days now. For just shy of the last 2 months we haven't had a single penny of debt added, even though Quantitative Easing is adding $85 billion in debt each month.

Hilarity. We accuse the Chinese of lying about their economic situation (and they do!) but here we are trying to say we haven't added any debt for going on 56 days straight.
My God, is there any integrity or trust left in government? When the laws government imposes upon itself become inconvenient then the government simply ignores those laws.

That's a great example for the rest of us...


http://cnsnews.com/news/article/treasur ... Uoe5L.dpuf

[waauw]

In the letter, Lew said the Treasury would begin implementing what he called “the standard set of extraordinary measures” that allows the Treasury to continue to borrow and spend money even after it has hit the legal debt limit.

best part of the article

[Dukasaur]

My God, is there any integrity or trust left in government?

Nope.

When the laws government imposes upon itself become inconvenient then the government simply ignores those laws.

Correct.

[notyou2]

The provincial government where I live has been conveniently ignoring their own laws for a couple years now. At least that is when I caught them doing it in several different instances and involving several different laws.

[BigBallinStalin]

The provincial government where I live has been conveniently ignoring their own laws for a couple years now. At least that is when I caught them doing it in several different instances and involving several different laws.

Were government employees routinely taking a dump on your yard?

(I heard this is the reason why saxitoxin really left the GDR).

[Woodruff]

In the letter, Lew said the Treasury would begin implementing what he called “the standard set of extraordinary measures” that allows the Treasury to continue to borrow and spend money even after it has hit the legal debt limit.

best part of the article

That is an outstanding phrase!

[notyou2]

The provincial government where I live has been conveniently ignoring their own laws for a couple years now. At least that is when I caught them doing it in several different instances and involving several different laws.

Were government employees routinely taking a dump on your yard?

(I heard this is the reason why saxitoxin really left the GDR).

They were knowingly poisoning my employees and their own in one instance. In the other, they were applying their rules to contract work when in their favour, and disregarding those same rules when not in their favour. They felt that the law did not apply to themselves in both instances.

[BigBallinStalin]

The provincial government where I live has been conveniently ignoring their own laws for a couple years now. At least that is when I caught them doing it in several different instances and involving several different laws.

Were government employees routinely taking a dump on your yard?

(I heard this is the reason why saxitoxin really left the GDR).

They were knowingly poisoning my employees and their own in one instance. In the other, they were applying their rules to contract work when in their favour, and disregarding those same rules when not in their favour. They felt that the law did not apply to themselves in both instances.

Well, if it's for the greater good, then how can you blame them? If I was one of them, I certainly wouldn't blame myself. In fact, we should probably investigate your financial history a bit more closely, so I'll put a word in with the CRA.

[notyou2]

The provincial government where I live has been conveniently ignoring their own laws for a couple years now. At least that is when I caught them doing it in several different instances and involving several different laws.

Were government employees routinely taking a dump on your yard?

(I heard this is the reason why saxitoxin really left the GDR).

They were knowingly poisoning my employees and their own in one instance. In the other, they were applying their rules to contract work when in their favour, and disregarding those same rules when not in their favour. They felt that the law did not apply to themselves in both instances.

Well, if it's for the greater good, then how can you blame them? If I was one of them, I certainly wouldn't blame myself. In fact, we should probably investigate your financial history a bit more closely, so I'll put a word in with the CRA.

Please do. I no longer work for that firm.

PS: It is not CRA, it is Revenue Canada, but I was complaining about the provincial government not the federal government.

[Dukasaur]

PS: It is not CRA, it is Revenue Canada, but I was complaining about the provincial government not the federal government.

Actually he's right, and your information is out of date. RevCan has been renamed to CRA.

(Still not provincial, of course, but if we're assuming that he's talking about an income tax audit, that would be run federally, of course. Provincial income taxes are still collected federally and the provinces just wait for the feds to pass along the cheque.)

[Lootifer]

I think what is best about this is they have essentially got away with it.

Sure the financial analysts and macro economists among us have been facepalming (but to be honest we/they have been facepalming for years); but the general public is like "whatever dude"; and politically thats really what matters...

[rishaed]

Some of us who know one simple rule are facepalming too.... Its called: you can't spend more than you make ad. infinitum. (Actually its a good rule NEVER to spend more than you make.)

[Woodruff]

(Actually its a good rule NEVER to spend more than you make.)

I actually disagree with that, though I will agree that the situations are limited where it's a good thing. For instance, the idea of purchasing a home. And in preparation for that, buying on credit to get your credit built (yes, this second can be done while within your means, but it certainly takes longer).

[rishaed]

(Actually its a good rule NEVER to spend more than you make.)

I actually disagree with that, though I will agree that the situations are limited where it's a good thing. For instance, the idea of purchasing a home. And in preparation for that, buying on credit to get your credit built (yes, this second can be done while within your means, but it certainly takes longer).

Then let me edit that. Actually its a good rule NEVER to spend more than you make unless you have a good plan,(including means) and back up plan, on how to pay the money back. And by plan I am also including a TIMEFRAME.

[Phatscotty]

In the letter, Lew said the Treasury would begin implementing what he called “the standard set of extraordinary measures” that allows the Treasury to continue to borrow and spend money even after it has hit the legal debt limit.

best part of the article

Funny how "extraordinary measures" have become "business as usual". They do this everytime we are about to approach the debt limit.

As an aside, I am disgusted that people still want our government to borrow even more money and put the next generation that has not even been born yet into further debt, thus robbing them opportunity and enslaving them to future interest payments on money they did not even have spent on them!

This is generational abuse of the highest order. Americans need to vote fiscally responsible YESTERDAY!

[Woodruff]

(Actually its a good rule NEVER to spend more than you make.)

I actually disagree with that, though I will agree that the situations are limited where it's a good thing. For instance, the idea of purchasing a home. And in preparation for that, buying on credit to get your credit built (yes, this second can be done while within your means, but it certainly takes longer).

Then let me edit that. Actually its a good rule NEVER to spend more than you make unless you have a good plan,(including means) and back up plan, on how to pay the money back. And by plan I am also including a TIMEFRAME.

Absolutely.

[Woodruff]

In the letter, Lew said the Treasury would begin implementing what he called “the standard set of extraordinary measures” that allows the Treasury to continue to borrow and spend money even after it has hit the legal debt limit.

best part of the article

Funny how "extraordinary measures" have become "business as usual". They do this everytime we are about to approach the debt limit.

As an aside, I am disgusted that people still want our government to borrow even more money and put the next generation that has not even been born yet into further debt, thus robbing them opportunity and enslaving them to future interest payments on money they did not even have spent on them!

This is generational abuse of the highest order. Americans need to vote fiscally responsible YESTERDAY!

You could have done that in the Presidential election, but you outright refused to because of your own personal fears.

[Phatscotty]

In the letter, Lew said the Treasury would begin implementing what he called “the standard set of extraordinary measures” that allows the Treasury to continue to borrow and spend money even after it has hit the legal debt limit.

best part of the article

Funny how "extraordinary measures" have become "business as usual". They do this everytime we are about to approach the debt limit.

As an aside, I am disgusted that people still want our government to borrow even more money and put the next generation that has not even been born yet into further debt, thus robbing them opportunity and enslaving them to future interest payments on money they did not even have spent on them!

This is generational abuse of the highest order. Americans need to vote fiscally responsible YESTERDAY!

You could have done that in the Presidential election, but you outright refused to because of your own personal fears.

And you were literally so terrified of Mitt Romney so much so that you completely wasted your vote, which resulted in 4 more years of Obama, who is obsessed with attacking the 2nd amendment and appointing hardcore Liberals to lifetime terms in the Supreme Court.

I voted for what I think is best for my country and who can best work with Congress given the (realistic) options the primary process Democratically delivered. You voted for what makes you feel warm and fuzzy.

Congrats. you are a real patriot, and by all means, way to go changing the subject from the most important issue of our time to a personal quip you have with the way other people practice their voting rights. You are incredibly selfish, and your wasted vote makes even more sense now.

[BigBallinStalin]

I think what is best about this is they have essentially got away with it.

Sure the financial analysts and macro economists among us have been facepalming (but to be honest we/they have been facepalming for years); but the general public is like "whatever dude"; and politically thats really what matters...

Yeah, yeah... and that sucks.

[BigBallinStalin]

In the letter, Lew said the Treasury would begin implementing what he called “the standard set of extraordinary measures” that allows the Treasury to continue to borrow and spend money even after it has hit the legal debt limit.

best part of the article

Funny how "extraordinary measures" have become "business as usual". They do this everytime we are about to approach the debt limit.

As an aside, I am disgusted that people still want our government to borrow even more money and put the next generation that has not even been born yet into further debt, thus robbing them opportunity and enslaving them to future interest payments on money they did not even have spent on them!

This is generational abuse of the highest order. Americans need to vote fiscally responsible YESTERDAY!

Pushing the rhetoric aside, advocates of government spending on X need to address the underlined.

[Woodruff]

In the letter, Lew said the Treasury would begin implementing what he called “the standard set of extraordinary measures” that allows the Treasury to continue to borrow and spend money even after it has hit the legal debt limit.

best part of the article

Funny how "extraordinary measures" have become "business as usual". They do this everytime we are about to approach the debt limit.

As an aside, I am disgusted that people still want our government to borrow even more money and put the next generation that has not even been born yet into further debt, thus robbing them opportunity and enslaving them to future interest payments on money they did not even have spent on them!

This is generational abuse of the highest order. Americans need to vote fiscally responsible YESTERDAY!

You could have done that in the Presidential election, but you outright refused to because of your own personal fears.

And you were literally so terrified of Mitt Romney so much so that you completely wasted your vote

Literally so terrified of Mitt Romney that I...voted for the candidate I thought was actually the best one? See, here's the Phatscotty psychology...voting for the candidate you believe is actually the best one is the same as wasting your vote.

Perhaps you can point out where I voiced my terror at the idea of Romney becoming President. Perhaps you can also show my vocal support for electing Obama.

which resulted in 4 more years of Obama, who is obsessed with attacking the 2nd amendment and appointing hardcore Liberals to lifetime terms in the Supreme Court.

When does reality set in with you? Ever? Or is it just one constant stream of cognitive dissonance?

I voted for what I think is best for my country and who can best work with Congress given the (realistic) options the primary process Democratically delivered.

You admitted yourself that you voted out of fear.

You voted for what makes you feel warm and fuzzy.

Do you even understand the idea behind voting?

Congrats. you are a real patriot, and by all means, way to go changing the subject from the most important issue of our time to a personal quip you have with the way other people practice their voting rights. You are incredibly selfish, and your wasted vote makes even more sense now.

I didn't change the subject...it remained on voting responsibly (or are you claiming that's not what you were talking about?).

[Lootifer]

And you were literally so terrified of Mitt Romney so much so that you completely wasted your vote, which resulted in 4 more years of Obama, who is obsessed with attacking the 2nd amendment and appointing hardcore Liberals to lifetime terms in the Supreme Court.

I voted for what I think is best for my country and who can best work with Congress given the (realistic) options the primary process Democratically delivered. You voted for what makes you feel warm and fuzzy.

Congrats. you are a real patriot, and by all means, way to go changing the subject from the most important issue of our time to a personal quip you have with the way other people practice their voting rights. You are incredibly selfish, and your wasted vote makes even more sense now.

You are part of the failed democratic problem if you are voting for Romney because he is closer than Obama to your ideals. You should be voting for what you believe in (which is apparently the Libertatrian party).

[Phatscotty]

And you were literally so terrified of Mitt Romney so much so that you completely wasted your vote, which resulted in 4 more years of Obama, who is obsessed with attacking the 2nd amendment and appointing hardcore Liberals to lifetime terms in the Supreme Court.

I voted for what I think is best for my country and who can best work with Congress given the (realistic) options the primary process Democratically delivered. You voted for what makes you feel warm and fuzzy.

Congrats. you are a real patriot, and by all means, way to go changing the subject from the most important issue of our time to a personal quip you have with the way other people practice their voting rights. You are incredibly selfish, and your wasted vote makes even more sense now.

You are part of the failed democratic problem if you are voting for Romney because he is closer than Obama to your ideals. You should be voting for what you believe in (which is apparently the Libertatrian party).

I believe in what the Tea Party in Congress is doing. They would accomplish more with Romney than Obama. That's just a fact.

And you know what else, I won't ever vote for a candidate who does not run a serious campaign or cannot even get their name out to more than 1% of people. When a Libertarian runs a good campaign and looks like they really want to win instead of just get a certain number of votes, then I will give them money and support them.

And another thing, my vote needs to be earned. Just because someone is saying on a stage what I believe does not automatically get a zombie vote. There are a hundred other things to consider and different times. Like Obamacare.... or just voting no against Socialism and redistribution of wealth, rather than have it broadened and cemented permanently into the foundation of our everyday life as the law of our land, all while government power continues to grow exponentially.

Ross Perot, Jesse Ventura, and Ralph Nader are good examples of good campaigns that can get double digits and have a shot. Gary Johnson and whoever ran in 2008 (see what I mean) are not. I've really tried not to rip on people for what I think of their vote, but that's what I think about that.

[BigBallinStalin]

And you were literally so terrified of Mitt Romney so much so that you completely wasted your vote, which resulted in 4 more years of Obama, who is obsessed with attacking the 2nd amendment and appointing hardcore Liberals to lifetime terms in the Supreme Court.

I voted for what I think is best for my country and who can best work with Congress given the (realistic) options the primary process Democratically delivered. You voted for what makes you feel warm and fuzzy.

Congrats. you are a real patriot, and by all means, way to go changing the subject from the most important issue of our time to a personal quip you have with the way other people practice their voting rights. You are incredibly selfish, and your wasted vote makes even more sense now.

You are part of the failed democratic problem if you are voting for Romney because he is closer than Obama to your ideals. You should be voting for what you believe in (which is apparently the Libertatrian party).

I believe in what the Tea Party in Congress is doing. They would accomplish more with Romney than Obama. That's just a fact.

And you know what else, I won't ever vote for a candidate who does not run a serious campaign or cannot even get their name out to more than 1% of people. When a Libertarian runs a good campaign and looks like they really want to win instead of just get a certain number of votes, then I will give them money and support them.

And another thing, my vote needs to be earned. Just because someone is saying on a stage what I believe does not automatically get a zombie vote. There are a hundred other things to consider and different times. Like Obamacare.... or just voting no against Socialism and redistribution of wealth, rather than have it broadened and cemented permanently into the fabric of our everyday life as the law of our land, all while government power continues to grow exponentially.

Ross Perot, Jesse Ventura, and Ralph Nader are good examples of good campaigns that can get double digits and have a shot. Gary Johnson and whoever ran in 2008 (see what I mean) are not. I've really tried not to rip on people for what I think of their vote, I don't believe in that, but sometimes people deserve it.

I don't understand the underlined. Romney is definitely in favor of redistribution of wealth (taxation, crony capitalism), and he favors socialism by supporting state-owned or de facto ownership over certain sectors of the economy (courts, police, military, finance, health, and more).*

*Yeah, there's a spectrum with socialism at one end and total private ownership/control at the other end (anarcho-capitalism and other varieties of voluntary anarchism--e.g. communo-anarchism, syndicalism, etc.).