America is gona crash? Serious people only!!!!?
922152
You said you wanted serious answers, so I'll take you at your word. It's not nearly as bad as you think. Cheer up.\n\nYes, America owes trillions. But please remember three points:\n\n1. The vast majority of that debt is not owed to foreign nations. Over two-thirds of it is owed to the American people themselves. Everyone American who purchases US Savings Bonds or Treasury Bonds (T-Bills) is purchasing a portion of that debt.\n\n2. The American economy is worth approximately 3 trillion dollars a year. That means the US has about a two-to-one debt ratio. Putting that in micro-economic terms, it's the equivalent of someone who brings in 100k a year, and whose only debt is a 200k mortgage. Any economist would tell you that that person is doing very well indeed. Most people's debt ratio is far higher.\n\n3. The US has the lowest debt ratio of any industrialized country. No other country in europe or anyplace else has that little debt relative to the size of its economy.\n\nAs to your comments about the cost of the war. Yes, for now it's not cheap. But this is not a permanent expense. In a few years it will go away. So in the short term -- you're right -- it calls for a little belt tightening; but in the long run, it's not much to worry about.\n\nAlso, the amount of the budget consumed by all of the social-welfare programs of the US (minus Medicare and Social Security) amounts to no more than 3% of the annual budget. everyone always thinks its more; but seriously, it's a very small percentage. In Britain, social welfare costs are about 18% of the total budget. In France, about 22%; and I could go on, but I think you get my point.\n\nAs to your comments about trade. Actually, people are lining up to trade with America. America leads the world in Computer hardware and software sales. The agricultural industries of America sell to the world. While America has lost manufacturing jobs over the years -- this is not to worry, as America has transformed itself into the first Post-Industrial society, providing services to clients around the world that earn American companies hundreds of billions every year.\n\nAnd finally, yes, oil is a problem. But it's not just America's problem, it's a problem for everyone else as well. The greatest challenge of this century is going to find the substitute for the world's addiction to petrolium. But here's the good news. Because America has one of the strongest economies on earth, It's Americans who will have the greatest resources to come up with an answer. And that answer having been been found, will make Americans even better off tomorrow.\n\nDon't believe all the bad news you hear on the news. Remember, people in the media want ratings points. And they don't get viewers by concentrating on good news -- only bad. There's plenty of good news out there. Trust me.\n\nHope this answer helps. Cheers, mate.
1125401
Go, Lady Godiva\n\nReally need one right now, for the burden in the usa has become alot\nand it's going to break the people who really care about others.
895859
It's a start!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Our country is being invaded by parasitic terrorist to the tune of $ 30 BILLION AMERICAN TAXPAYERS DOLLARS A YEAR" that is taking away the future of our elderly, ourselves, our children and their children. Wake up!!! The U.S.A. is the life boat of the world and it's overloaded. What good does it do to try to save the whole world, if we all perish? You future will be dim if this country does not wake up and do something about all the different groups of illegal aliens including the Chinese. Have you ever heard of the Trojan Horse?
301916
To all those looking at USA and hoping it goes down, please take note that if we in the USA go down we will not go down quietly. It is not our style. \n\nWe will almost certainly take down some large fraction of the rest of the world with us. That is not a threat or even a wish, it is just realism.\n\nHope for the USA to change? Fine, I'm with you. Hope for the USA to lighten/loosen up a bit on world affairs? I don't agree, but I understand why you feel that way. Hope for the USA to go down, to fall, to fail? You are asking for one whole pile of worldwide collateral damage. So watch out.
961474
I gave the examples of America falling below it's power by 2050 before and got plenty of thumbsdown. That is cause they are scared that it will happen. It's not that they have so much pride.
753472
The economy is getting ready to crash.  Congress has enacted several laws in the last couple years that are having a direct effect on our future economy.\n\nIt is now legal to charge nearly 40% interest on credit cards (that used to be called USARY, but now, it's called first step to bankruptcy) Our interest rates have gone through the roof, the fees financial institutions are allowed to charge are breaking us, with the rise in prices for gas, heating & insurance, and the falling home values, there are going to be many, many people out of jobs in the next year.\n\nAnd meanwhile, what are elected officials worrying about?  Crap, gay rights, abortions, their own paychecks, retirements and health care.  Sure as hell not us.\n\nAnd I would hazard a guess that there are very few people who own their homes outright.  In fact, many people owe more for their homes than they can sell them for.\n\nWe are in for a rude awakening my friend.  \n\nWhile we continue to sue and tax American companies out of business, we sit back and wonder where are all the jobs going.  And don't tell me "service industry" that line only works if there are people with money to buy the services.  Here in Metro Detroit and Michigan, even McDonalds is starting to lay off.\n\nAs my company does business with other companies all over the country I can tell you this, we are headed for a serious recession.  Many small industrial companies are teetering on the verge of bankruptcy.  70% of the jobs in this country are directly related to small business.  While our local and state governments give all the tax breaks to the large corporations for the benefit of the unions and their foreign suppliers they now buy from,  the rest of us are drowning and losing our incomes.  Yet our cost of living has shot through the roof.\n\nBelieve me, or not, it's coming and it's going to be as ugly as it was in the early 80's.  History is repeating itself and no one seems to notice.\n\nGood luck to us.
100405
the federal reserve disaster & lieing us into war.\nhttp://www.philipdru.com/griffin3_stream.html
1080191
Sgt K said it best!!  He's done many good things for this country.  If many of you would log in and research the facts instead of spouting your uneducated swill that you are apparently parroting from some other ill informed nut (but may be like has way cool hair) this country would be thought of in a much better light.  What you are showing the world is that the education system in the US is continuing on its downward trend.  With people like you, there will never need to be a war when someone wants to take over the US, because you will be too dumb to know anything happened.  Perhaps you are right.  The Presidents "No child left behind" program must be a dismal failure, because you have missed the bus completely.
1095744
Yes, all intelligent people are already aware of this. There are just too many morons out there who are too boozed up, coked up, or slobbed out in front of the TV to care.\n\nDon't expect an intelligent response in this forum, it is filled with hippies and bums.\n\nIn about 15 years, this is going to be the North American Union, and your guns and rights will be removed by the new socialist order. It's not science fiction, it's spelled out ON THE GOVERMENT'S OWN WEBSITE, YOU FOOLS!!! GO LOOK AND READ IT YOURSELF!!!!\n\nspp.GOV means GOVERNMENT. Yes, GOVERNMENT. This is not an op/ed in the NEW YORK TIMES, it's what GW Bush wants the future of America to be, just like the European Union.\n\nBut you're too coked up and boozed up to care. Go back to sleep, it will all be over soon.
198914
I am going to totally answer your last statement. We do need to focus more on what is wrong in America first, as long as we have people living in third world conditions right here, no homes, no running water, no food. Pitiful. Did anybody catch Oprah the other day, it is horrible how some people have to live in this country, while some are filthy rich and have more than they and 30 families would ever need. Now I'm getting the heck out of here.
223540
Man that is going to be a touchy subject. I am in Houston and I have friends and family on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.\nSo I have seen the devastation and the destruction and the free loading first hand.\nLet me fist say that not everyone in N.O. needs a hand out. Some are good honest people and had the sense God gave a fly to get out of dodge before the storm. They will do so again. The ones that did not are the problem..\nDid they learn their lesson the first time - we will see?\n\nHowever!... If they choose to go back and it is a choice. I.E. There are a LOT of N.O. residents that are now residents of H town that are not going back.\nAnyway... If they choose to go back it should be at their peril.\nContrary to what "lynn" thinks. The Government does not owe them anything. That has been the problem all along. Too many people feel the U.S. Government should pay for their losses. Ahhh have ya ever heard of insurance? If you didn't have it before and you are going back it should be REQUIRED. \nThe government is not a charity. It was not established to support and bail out the people who are to stupid to plan for an emergency. It is not like they did not know they were below sea level, it is not like they did not know a storm was coming. An accident is unexpected and catches you by surprise... a majority of N.O residents feel like this was an accident. \nHow many of them are willing to move back there and pay 2 or 3 times the taxes they were paying to build stronger levees and better drainage systems? I doubt many. So what... the rest of the tax paying U.S. is supposed to foot the bill?\nWRONG. \nIf they did not know before, they know now. N.O is below sea level and will flood. Anyone that rebuilds there should do so at their own expense and risk.\nI would be happy to come spend a few days "helping", that is what neighbors do... but do not expect me to pay for any aspect of your choosing to live there.\nIf I build my next home on the rail road tracks... there is a higher than probable chance that it is going to get hit by a train.... duh.\nThe people of the US and the US Gov. have given and given and are still giving... Don't expect us to do it again.\nAs to where are they supposed to go...\nAnywhere? As I said... there are lots of them here in Houston and to the best of my knowledge there are 49 other states to choose from. I mean come on... \nBurn me once shame on you, burn me twice shame on me. NO THEY GOV SHOULD NOT PAY TO EVACUATE THEM.\nDon't look for the free hand out. Make a better choice.\n\nAdditional Comments:\nI don't think anyone should NOT move back there. I do however think it should be at their own risk. Put it anyway you want... It is BELOW SEA LEVEL and building there INVITES problems. I just heard on the news not an hour ago that the cost to rebuild the levees is now over 10 Billion. \n\nThat money should not have to come from the federal Government and the rest of the citizens of the U.S. Nor should any future federal funds for the next time. The lessons have been taught and should have been learned. If you can't afford to insure your property to the level of replacement... you shouldn't live there and expect me to pay for it. \n\n\nGo ahead rebuild. I am all for it. As I said I would be happy to help. Point in case... I am leaving Tuesday 4/12 for my third trip back to Mississippi to help rebuild... So the work is not the issue. I just think the same values and nuances you and others are so fond of could be relocated to a safer place.\n\nBottom line it is not the buildings it is the people that make it.\n\nand Yes I have been there several times.
397468
in general, I get that feeling alot. i live in Michigan. We have been spared many disasters. we have not had a terrorist attack, widespread flood, blizzard, or much of anything. We don't get hurricanes or earthquakes. We are suffering from job loss though. That is substantial. Motor city's engine has blown, the automotive industry continues to take blow after blow. I think the whole country is feeling these effects. on top of our problem, there are MANY more to complicate matters. If that is not enough, tensions between the U.S. and other parts of the world are becoming stronger. They are bound to come to a head before too long. More attacks on US are inevitable. And don't get me started on global warming.
1147929
There's at least one American out here who agrees with you.  Such a sad state of affairs.  And the worst thing about it is that people can't see it.  Doesn't anybody look beyond the nice news stories the Republican-owned press keeps putting out?  For instance, http://www.democracynow.org (an independent media outlet) has a daily M-F show that goes beneath the surface on what's happening in the US and in other parts of the world.  We're conditioned to believe our beloved country can do no wrong... but it's time to grow up and open our eyes.
344640
is there any hope for america????????????
478260
Please do, it will save the whole world from a lot of grief.  I'm English but lived in the US 91-99, the good old Clinton days!  Last year i visited my family in Phoenix and was genuinely shocked at how conservative the country and media had become.  Everything seemed to pro-Bush and no question seemed to be raised against him.  I tried explaining to my parents friends why the rest of the world sees George Bush as a serious cause for concern and i thought i was going to be shot.  Get back to America being free...you were good at that once.
658791
America is the most violent country on earth.  Things are not always what they seem. Good Luck.
474057
Damn right. I recieve emails all the time regarding how the Americans actually beleive what comes out fo their TV sets. Finally they are experiencing the cost of car fuel the rest of the world has experinced for years! It's amazing how such a large country, who really genuinely believes it is the 'keeper' of the world, can have such a weakened economy, despite make fuel cheaper for years.\nWhen Bush finally agrees to discuss this issue, it will be too late. Do you wanna be an American Idiot? - Even your own pop stars write lyrics about how stupid you are.\nI realise that the power of these issues is a little out of about 50% of the populations' hands, however, 50% of you (roughly) did vote for Bush, and therefore the BLOOD is on your hands!!