If I Were President

Discussion in 'Political Opinions & Beliefs' started by Dayton3, Dec 10, 2017.

  1. Dayton3

    Dayton3 Well-Known Member

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    I haven't suggested eliminating any critical government services? And I haven't suggested building amusement parks with government money.
     
  2. Quantum Nerd

    Quantum Nerd Well-Known Member

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    Okay, my bad, I misread, you want to cut the deficit by 50% each year. That still means that the deficit is shrunk by $900 billion in 4 years. In a $18 trillion economy, that's still 5% spending you take away. Good luck growing 5.2% under such austerity.

    There is a reason the coming tax cuts are not paid for. If they were, they would be a 0 sum game and would not stimulate the economy. But they are not, so they are just stimulus that buys short-term economic growth through debt.
     
    Last edited: Dec 12, 2017
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  3. Dayton3

    Dayton3 Well-Known Member

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    Only half of the deficit reduction comes through federal spending cuts. It's a hard deal the first year only.
     
  4. Cigar

    Cigar Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Well .. glad that dream is over.
     
  5. Quantum Nerd

    Quantum Nerd Well-Known Member

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    So the other part comes from magical 5.2% economic growth? What if it doesn't happen? What if you inherit a recession/almost depression, as Obama did?
     
  6. Dayton3

    Dayton3 Well-Known Member

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    Then I was wrong. But 5.2% economic growth in a modern western economy sustained for 8 years is not unreasonable. It has been sustained at far higher rates up to a year (one year of the Reagan admin. and IIRC one year of the Clinton admin. at least). If it can be done for a year then it can be done for several.

    Very strong economic growth will hide a multitude of sins in the U.S.
     
  7. Dayton3

    Dayton3 Well-Known Member

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    1. 1) Freeze and rollback of regulations (except for emergencies)

      2) Vast tax code broadening and simplification-including Social Security
      Note this includes broadening payroll taxes to apply to ALL of income rather than just the first hundred thousand plus it does now. With the increased revenue from applying it to all income including that of the ultra wealthy, an overall average rate reduction for everyone should be doable. This will dramatically cut not only the taxes paid by lower income employees but also lower the hiring costs for potential employers.

      3) Government/industry partnership on things like refinery building & nuclear power plant construction, open nuclear waste storage facility
      renewing nuclear power plant construction will stimulate production in heavy industries that support the nuclear power industry. Likewise building more refineries will help insulate the U.S. from sudden price shocks in the oil industry which are largely caused by refinery capacity bottlenecks. by "government/industry" partnership I do not suggest the federal government outright funding nuclear power plant or refinery construction but acting to streamline the licensing and regulatory environment and partial assumption of risks.

      4) Emphasize a strong dollar-possibly higher interest rates.
      Higher interest rates, at least modestly higher ones makes U.S. government securities more appealing and encourages the flow of foreign capital in to the U.S.

      5) Push free trade in targeted areas using reciprocal trade agreements.
      reciprocal trade agreements rather than generalized "free trade" makes it more likely that trade agreements will be mutually beneficial to the U.S. and its trade partnerships and not just nations where the "cheapest labor" can be found. Also it helps keep the U.S. economy from being the de facto funder of the economies of nations that abuse their workers and their environment.

      6) Strong federal investment into research & development
      in terms of applied R & D heavy emphasis on the exploitation of off world (space) resources and those from the sea beds, but the major investments should be in basic science & technology both through the university system and partnerships with private researchers. Make massive efforts to protect the intellectual property rights and the rights of American researchers and those working in American facilities.

      7) Heavily promote trade with African nations.
      Beyond the pivot to Asia, Africa is a massive future market (something the Chinese are already working on) and it behooves the U.S. to seek out the markets there. Also in the long term African nations are a massive potential buyer of American government securities thus enabling our debt to be financed in the future.

      8) Promote dramatic growth in domestic fossil fuels production
      While renewables will no doubt continue to grow in importance, fossil fuels are likely to remain dominant for most of this century. So developing and exploiting those resources to the max as the transition to renewables takes place providing a reliable source of energy makes considerable sense.

      9) Reduction of the U.S. annual budget deficit
      Will dramatically increase the amount of capital available for economic development in the United States. One of the Clinton Admin. key economic advisers said this was key (and inadvertent) in the large scale economic growth in the 1990s

      No, I don't have House Bills written out promoting these policies but that's for someone more detail oriented to tackle.
     
  8. Quantum Nerd

    Quantum Nerd Well-Known Member

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    Between 1981 and 2007 the average annual GDP growth was 2.1%. Will it be possible to get 5.2% average growth over 8 years? Yes. Will it be likely? No, actually extremely highly unlikely given past data.

    That doesn't prevent the GOP (and you) to dangle the carrot of highly unlikely GDP growth scenarios in front of voters to make them vote for their antisocial policies.
     
  9. Dayton3

    Dayton3 Well-Known Member

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    Given the recent rise in the federal budget deficit in my opinion my suggestions about reducing the deficit significantly are more relevant than ever.
     
  10. Foolardi

    Foolardi Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Just curious do you find the Department of Energy as a
    government service.? Or how about the California Department
    of Forestry and Fire Protection { CAL FIRE }.
    I think that Department is not only a joke but endangers
    lives.California was far better off in the days of Beat Poets like
    Jack Kerouac and even Hunter Thompson.Staying for a month
    or couple months in a Fire Lookout tower.
    The problem with Government services is how they are
    managed and by who.
     
  11. Foolardi

    Foolardi Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Did you know that Bush 43 had a Budget Deficit in 2007 of
    $ 162 Billion.
    And that Obama Averaged in his first term { 4 years }
    Over $ 1.2 Trillion,each year.The reason you might not know that is because
    it was blatantly Suppressed.Just like the way pesky Harry Reid as
    Senate Majority leader Refuse to even Debate our National Debt.
    Never passing a budget { operating on Fiscal CR's }.
    Obama's had 2 years { 2012,2013 } where his Presidential Budgets
    { Filed late } got No Senate votes.Not a single Senator voted
    Yay on Obama's 2012 or 2013 Budgets.All Nay's.
    How does that square with you.?
     
    Last edited: Oct 8, 2019
  12. Foolardi

    Foolardi Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Obama went public with declaring that the years of 3 % GDP growth
    per quarter were over.Let alone annually.Trump just barely missed an
    annual 3 % GDP.Trump is out trying to Inspire Higher GDP where
    Obama did the opposite.Obama also said the same thing about certain
    Jobs.That those type jobs are never coming back.Trump Proved that
    wrong in the extreme.Plus you'd never hear a President Trump utter
    some cartoon crack like " You didn't build that ! ".
     
  13. Lesh

    Lesh Banned

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    This is why the above posters are spouting nonsense here and are not legislators

    Jesus...

    I have read comic books that make more sense
     
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  14. ButterBalls

    ButterBalls Well-Known Member

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    I wouldn't worry about colonizing, unless living in a bubble someplace close is considered "A Life"? The closest habitable planet is twenty light years away Gliese 581 c..

    This promise is the equivalency of having Mexico paying for a wall ;)
     
  15. 61falcon

    61falcon Well-Known Member

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    THANK GOD YOU WILL NEVER BE PRESIDENT!!!!!!
     
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  16. Quantum Nerd

    Quantum Nerd Well-Known Member

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    Resurrecting your ancient thread, while still living in fairy land with your outlandish deficit reduction projections? As others have said, thank goodness you are not making policy. However, Trump makes policy based on the same "gut feelings", no math required.
     
  17. Foolardi

    Foolardi Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    I think that should be ... Better Sense.
    No such thingy as More Sense.It's like saying More better.
    More Ugly.
     
  18. Quantum Nerd

    Quantum Nerd Well-Known Member

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    BTW: How do you like GOP fiscal policy, exploding the deficit with reckless tax cuts since the OP was created? Must feel a little funny.
     
  19. Foolardi

    Foolardi Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    hint hint ... Go to post # 61.Self-explanatory.
     
  20. Dayton3

    Dayton3 Well-Known Member

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    Conservatives/Republicans need to think a lot more bodly rather than being constantly "woe is me".
     
  21. Shirogayne

    Shirogayne Newly Registered

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    Oh maaaaaan, this thread is...
    ....it's a thread, alright :lol:

    Never change, @Dayton3 :)
     
    Last edited: Oct 9, 2019
  22. Shirogayne

    Shirogayne Newly Registered

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    I've been saying that for years the first time I saw this post :lol:
     
  23. Dayton3

    Dayton3 Well-Known Member

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    Why not? It would make the United States and the world better for almost everyone.
     
  24. opion8d

    opion8d Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    If I were suddenly made president I would surround myself with experts in their field with long, fantastic resumes. During Cabinet Meetings, I would make sure I was the dumbest guy in the room. No sycophants allowed. Then, I would find a secluded place on the south lawn and quietly blow my brains out.
     
  25. ButterBalls

    ButterBalls Well-Known Member

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    Generally I would hope all your dreams come true! But in this case I hope they don't, and hope you find something in your life to brighten your day the rest of what I pray, is a very very long and healthy life!!

    Good luck, sounds like you're in need of some!
     

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