Please don't rate this as just another anti-American rant. Because it is not. At least, it is not intended as such. I feel I have strong ties to America and Americans in general, - like most Europeans do. Nor do I know 'everything' about America and what's goes on all the time, over there. We have more than enough with our own financial crisis, and our own domestic problems. Thank you very much...
There is a few things I find disappointing regarding president Obama. I just have to say this.
First of all: He promised to pull out if Iraq. Now we here that 50.000 'instructors' are going to be left behind. That is some education reform! I am sure there isnt that many teachers in Ohio, - about the same population as Iraq.
He promised...!
Second: He is not going forward with this 'Wall Street Bail Out', is he? Just about everybody - with any sense that is, are shouting from the side lines: 'Don't do it!' Save 'people' and 'industries' that create something of real value. Let the banks go bankrupt and nationalize them! Save people's savings and pension funds (as much of the funds that is reasonably possible, that is).
- In a speech about the crisis, the bailout and all that, he says: ' "While our economy may be weakened and our confidence shaken, though we are living through difficult and uncertain times, tonight I want every American to know this: We will rebuild, we will recover, and the United States of America will emerge stronger than before."
Sure, but how, and who's gonna pay...?
He continues: '"Now, if we're honest with ourselves, we'll admit that for too long we have not always met these responsibilities—as a government or as a people... we still managed to spend more money and pile up more debt, both as individuals and through our government, than ever before."
- I beg your pardon?
The wast majority of the American people were not at this 'party' were all this money was spent! The average American has had a hard time to cope with falling purchasing power and increasing prices over the last years. Many struggle with credit card debt, just to get by from day to day. Nor were they told of the consequences of 'tax reductions'. By these, the whole nation was indebted beond control.
I am also wondering from where and from whom the US government is going to cover the 1,75 Trillion budget deficit, - just for 2009, that is. Hav'nt it dawned on the US government that we are in a middle of a 'financial' crisis? One of the reasons we got there is, - as Obama so elegantly put it - well - read the above! And now he is going to solve this by borrowing more...?
The defence spending is going to grow some 24% in the coming 4 years! The US defence budget equals that of the defence spending of the rest of the world. Practically. Never mind any legalisation of any drugs; 'Washington' is rambling on as if nothing has happened.
To finance the budget they have to convince nations like China or Japan, with their own domestic problems to cope with, to borrow them more money. That was a piece of cake up untill a few months a go. Not any more.
One other way is to print more dollars. That is: Make everything more expensive for ordinary Americans. Regardless if the money is borrowed or just printed up; it is the ordinary American who's gonna take the tab. Ask your president: 'Make it cheap, please!' Printing more dollars, that was the way out the Weimar Republic of Germany choose, back in the 30'. Or Zimbabwe.
It is not only a matter of getting out of the crisis, but to do so without having to empoverish large tracts of the US population when doing so. So, insist on 'no tax reduction for anyone'. 'Everybody' got to contribute to carry the burden. Particularly those who prospered from the debt boom.
