The Chosen People

[douche]

We find out the truth ten years later after we've thrown a trillion dollars away and get stuck with higher taxes again - and it turns out to be just another grift.

Anyone else sick of this shit?

Yep. If you're a taxpayer, you're nothing more than a slave to be bled dry at the expense of those pulling the strings and making bank.

[Walla Walla Dawg II]

Yep

[Donn Beach]

We find out the truth ten years later after we've thrown a trillion dollars away and get stuck with higher taxes again - and it turns out to be just another grift.

Anyone else sick of this shit?

Yep. If you're a taxpayer, you're nothing more than a slave to be bled dry at the expense of those pulling the strings and making bank.

When do we get stuck with higher taxes? it's a growing deficit that someone someday is going to be stuck with, Trump wants to lower taxes. I remember Reagan and his voodoo economics doing it. The issue is isn't paying for the crap, the issue is avoiding paying for it. And Trump is right there with the rest of them

[douche]

I found this, sums it up pretty well. https://govfacts.org/explainer/governme ... -takes-in/

From the article:

Structural Deficits: The Deeper Problem
While cyclical deficits reflect temporary economic weakness, structural deficits represent a more fundamental imbalance. These occur when government spending consistently exceeds revenues even when the economy is performing well.

What Drives Structural Deficits?
Unlike cyclical deficits, structural deficits won’t disappear when the economy recovers. They require deliberate policy changes to fix. Several forces drive these persistent imbalances:

Aging Population: As Baby Boomers retire, more people become eligible for Social Security and Medicare. The Congressional Budget Office projects Social Security spending will rise from 5.2% of GDP in 2025 to 6.0% by 2035, primarily due to demographics.

Rising Healthcare Costs: Healthcare spending per person has consistently grown faster than the overall economy. The CBO expects net federal spending on major healthcare programs to increase from 5.8% of GDP in 2025 to 8.1% in 2055. About half reflects the aging population; the other half comes from healthcare costs growing faster than the economy.

Tax Policy Choices: Tax cuts not matched by spending reductions create structural deficits. The CBO has analyzed scenarios where provisions of the 2017 tax law become permanent, showing such policies would significantly increase long-term debt.

Long-term Spending Commitments: Programs like Social Security and Medicare have benefits determined by law rather than annual Congressional appropriations. As these “mandatory” programs grow, they consume larger shares of the budget.

Why Structural Deficits Matter More
Structural deficits pose several serious long-term risks:

Growing National Debt: When deficits persist even during good economic times, debt grows relentlessly. The CBO projects debt held by the public could reach 156% of GDP by 2055—well above historical peaks and still rising.

Crowding Out Investment: Heavy government borrowing can push up interest rates economy-wide, making it more expensive for businesses to invest in new equipment and expansion. This “crowding out” can slow long-term economic growth.

Rising Interest Costs: As debt grows, the government must devote more of its budget to interest payments. The CBO projects net interest costs will rise from 3.2% of GDP in 2025 to 5.4% in 2055. Those interest payments divert money from other priorities like infrastructure, education, or tax relief.

Reduced Crisis Response: High debt levels limit the government’s ability to respond to future emergencies. If another pandemic, war, or financial crisis hits, a heavily indebted government has less room to borrow without risking financial instability.

What It Means for You
Unchecked structural deficits eventually affect everyone:

Higher Taxes or Fewer Services: Future policymakers may be forced to raise taxes, cut popular programs, or both to manage unsustainable debt.

Higher Borrowing Costs: Increased government debt can contribute to higher interest rates across the economy, making mortgages, car loans, and student loans more expensive.

Inflation Risk: Very high debt levels can increase inflation risk, especially if there are concerns the Federal Reserve might print money to help finance government spending.

Intergenerational Burden: Current policy choices can burden future generations with larger debt, higher interest payments, and fewer options for public investments.

[gil]

Agreed. Thanks for posting.

The scale of the structural deficit is mind boggling. We are now paying more interest on what we have borrowed than we spend on national defense. We are so far away from a "balanced budget" that no one seems to have a serious plan for how to get there. (Cut 1.5 trillion per year in federal spending? Yeah, right.) We've had a "baseline" structural deficit since the last balanced budget (around 2000), so the debt increases every year. And then when we do have crises that create more "need" for spending (i.e., the Great Recession and the pandemic) it just adds huge amounts to the debt. But even in "normal" economic times -- such as the first 3 years of Trumps first term or the last 3 years of Biden's term -- we never get close to a balanced budget.

[douche]

it's a growing deficit that someone someday is going to be stuck with

Agreed. Every administration simply continues to kick the can down the proverbial road. Why? Because it's the simplest thing to do. Nobody wants to address the elephant in the room.

Again, look at the homeless problem. Commit gobs of money to a problem that nobody knows how to remedy (or even cares to). Another example of government grift.

[DavidGee24]

So I'm reading this morning where Ayatollah Khaleesi threatened the US if we conduct air strikes on them. What exactly is he going to do? Send the Iranian Navy to bombard our shores? Good luck getting even one of his boats out of the Arabian Sea. Send his Air Force to bombard our cities? Have fun cleaning up jet fighter wreckage that doesn't even expand past your own borders. As A Flock Of Seagulls famously said, "Iran's So Far Away".

[douche]

Agreed. Thanks for posting.

The scale of the structural deficit is mind boggling. We are now paying more interest on what we have borrowed than we spend on national defense. We are so far away from a "balanced budget" that no one seems to have a serious plan for how to get there. (Cut 1.5 trillion per year in federal spending? Yeah, right.) We've had a "baseline" structural deficit since the last balanced budget (around 2000), so the debt increases every year. And then when we do have crises that create more "need" for spending (i.e., the Great Recession and the pandemic) it just adds huge amounts to the debt. But even in "normal" economic times -- such as the first 3 years of Trumps first term or the last 3 years of Biden's term -- we never get close to a balanced budget.

If you have a few minutes, Dave Ramsey explains it quite well:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKXYo_Wc8iA

[bpj]

I can't disagree with anything you said. But since the overthrow of the Shah in the late 70's, they have been very terroristy. Funding HUMAS and other organizations that ARE NOT "the west" friendly.

And believe me, I am more likely to believe what you (AA) have to say over the crackpot (PB&J) that get's his headline news from Facebook, Snapchat and X..... and calls them reliable news.

Furthermore, the Jews and Israel have a right to live and peace, but someone on these boards doesn't believe that. He would be happy with all the Jews dead and Israel as a new Terrorist State run by Palestine/Hamas/etc...

In reality, I would be happy if the USA, China and Russia just nuked the entire middle-east to a flat piece of glass and was rid the that way of life. It would be a shame because there are peaceful people over there, but their leadership has pounded them so hard they are all afraid of what would happen if they revolted.

Does that include Israel?

Don't you think you're clever?

You'll do anything to get me to say to take out Israel too.....

As I said before, it's the governments and RELIGION in that part of the world that is the issue, not Israel, but there is no doubt that Israel does have some blood on their hands (not nearly as much as those that surround them).

If it would make the world a better place, I WOULD NUKE THE ENTIRE REGION TO A SHEET OF GLASS.

Israel's history of wars:
Israel has been involved in a number of wars and large-scale military operations, including:

1948 Arab–Israeli War (November 1947 – July 1949) – Started as 6 months of civil war between Jewish and Arab militias when the mandate period in Palestine was ending and turned into a regular war after the establishment of Israel and the intervention of several Arab armies. In its conclusion, a set of agreements were signed between Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria, called the 1949 Armistice Agreements, which established the armistice lines between Israel and its neighbours, also known as the Green Line.

Palestinian Fedayeen insurgency (1950s–1960s) – Palestinian attacks and reprisal operations carried out by the Israel Defense Forces during the 1950s and 1960s. These actions were in response to constant fedayeen incursions during which Arab guerrillas infiltrated from Syria, Egypt, and Jordan into Israel to carry out attacks against Israeli civilians and soldiers. The policy of the reprisal operations was exceptional due to Israel's declared aim of getting a high 'blood cost' among the enemy side which was believed to be necessary in order to deter them from committing future attacks.

Suez Crisis (October 1956) – A military attack on Egypt by Britain, France, and Israel, beginning on 29 October 1956, with the intention to occupy the Sinai Peninsula and to take over the Suez Canal. The attack followed Egypt's decision of 26 July 1956 to nationalize the Suez Canal after the withdrawal of an offer by Britain and the United States to fund the building of the Aswan Dam. Although the Israeli invasion of the Sinai was successful, the United States and USSR forced it to retreat. Even so, Israel managed to re-open the Straits of Tiran and pacified its southern border.

Six-Day War (June 1967) – Fought between Israel and Arab neighbors Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. The nations of Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Algeria, and others also contributed troops and arms to the Arab forces. Following the war, the territory held by Israel expanded significantly ("The Purple Line") : The West Bank (including East Jerusalem) from Jordan, Golan Heights from Syria, Sinai and Gaza from Egypt.

War of Attrition (1967–1970) – A limited war fought between the Israeli military and forces of the Egyptian Republic, the USSR, Jordan, Syria, and the Palestine Liberation Organization from 1967 to 1970. It was initiated by the Egyptians as a way of recapturing the Sinai from the Israelis, who had been in control of the territory since the mid-1967 Six-Day War. The hostilities ended with a ceasefire signed between the countries in 1970 with frontiers remaining in the same place as when the war began.

Yom Kippur War (October 1973) – Fought from 6 to 26 October 1973 by a coalition of Arab states led by Egypt and Syria against Israel as a way of recapturing part of the territories which they lost to the Israelis back in the Six-Day War. The war began with a surprise joint attack by Egypt and Syria on the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur. Egypt and Syria crossed the cease-fire lines in the Sinai and Golan Heights, respectively. Eventually Arab forces were defeated by Israel and there were no significant territorial changes.

Palestinian insurgency in South Lebanon (1971–1982) – The PLO relocated to South Lebanon from Jordan, staged attacks on the Galilee, and used South Lebanon as a base for international operations. In 1978, Israel launched Operation Litani – the first Israeli invasion of Lebanon, which was carried out by the Israel Defense Forces in order to expel PLO forces from the territory. Continuing ground and rocket attacks, and Israeli retaliations, eventually escalate into the 1982 War.

1982 Lebanon War (1982) – Began on 6 June 1982, when the Israel Defense Forces invaded southern Lebanon to expel the PLO from the territory. The Government of Israel ordered the invasion as a response to the assassination attempt against Israel's ambassador to the United Kingdom, Shlomo Argov, by the Abu Nidal Organization and due to the constant terror attacks on northern Israel made by the Palestinian guerrilla organizations which resided in Lebanon. The war resulted in the expulsion of the PLO from Lebanon and created an Israeli Security Zone in southern Lebanon.
South Lebanon conflict (1982–2000) – Nearly 18 years of warfare between the Israel Defense Forces and its Lebanese Christian proxy militias against Lebanese Muslim guerrilla forces, led by Iranian-backed Hezbollah, within what was defined by Israelis as the "Security Zone" in South Lebanon.
First Intifada (1987–1993) – First large-scale Palestinian uprising against Israel in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

Second Intifada (2000–2005) – Second Palestinian uprising, a period of intensified violence, which began in late September 2000.

Israel–Hezbollah War (2006) – Began as a military operation in response to the abduction of two Israeli reserve soldiers by the Hezbollah. The operation gradually strengthened, to become a wider confrontation. The principal participants were Hezbollah paramilitary forces and the Israeli military. The conflict started on 12 July 2006 and continued until a United Nations-brokered ceasefire went into effect on 14 August 2006, though it formally ended on 8 September 2006, when Israel lifted its naval blockade of Lebanon. The war resulted in a stalemate.

Gaza War or Operation Cast Lead (December 2008 – January 2009) – Three-week armed conflict between Israel and Hamas during the winter of 2008–2009. In an escalation of the ongoing Israeli–Palestinian conflict, Israel responded to ongoing rocket fire from the Gaza Strip with military force in an action titled "Operation Cast Lead". Israel opened the attack with a surprise air strike on 27 December 2008. Israel's stated aim was to stop such rocket fire from and the import of arms into Gaza. Israeli forces attacked military and civilian targets, police stations, and government buildings in the opening assault. Israel declared an end to the conflict on 18 January and completed its withdrawal on 21 January 2009.

2012 Gaza War or Operation Pillar of Defense (November 2012) – Military offensive on the Gaza Strip.[1]

2014 Gaza War or Operation Protective Edge (July–August 2014) – Military offensive on the Gaza Strip as a response to the collapse of American-sponsored peace talks, attempts by rival Palestinian factions to form a coalition government, the kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teenagers, the subsequent kidnapping and murder of a Palestinian teenager, and increased rocket attacks on Israel by Hamas militants.[2]
Syrian Civil War and the Iran–Israel conflict during the Syrian civil war.

2021 Israel–Palestine crisis or Operation Guardian of the Walls (May 2021) – Riots between Jews and Arabs in Israeli cities. Hamas fired rockets into Israel, with Iron Dome intercepting the most dangerous projectiles. Israel began airstrikes in Gaza.

Gaza war or Operation Iron Swords (October 2023–present) – After a Palestinian incursion from the Gaza Strip into Southern Israel on 7 October 2023, Israel responded with a devastating bombing campaign and invaded the Strip. The war has created a humanitarian crisis in the Strip and an ongoing famine, with experts stating that Israel is perpetrating a genocide against Gazans through its conduct in the war.
Israeli invasion of Lebanon or Operation Northern Arrows (September 2024–present).

You should visit the source below to see who was involved with both sides. For example the Lebanon War, the Lebanese fought with Israel to get their territory back.

Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_w ... ing_Israel

Lol. Exactly.

You say glass the middle east.

But what you really mean is kill all Arabs.

You people are psychotic.

[bpj]

So I'm reading this morning where Ayatollah Khaleesi threatened the US if we conduct air strikes on them. What exactly is he going to do? Send the Iranian Navy to bombard our shores? Good luck getting even one of his boats out of the Arabian Sea. Send his Air Force to bombard our cities? Have fun cleaning up jet fighter wreckage that doesn't even expand past your own borders. As A Flock Of Seagulls famously said, "Iran's So Far Away".

Sounds like more propaganda to get you people that listen to it all primed for the regime change attacks.