Debt Deal History

There is a lot of history on the debt ceiling in the united states. In fact for many decades the debt ceiling increased tremendously without the need of any compromise on spending. In fact JFK increased has the debt ceiling rise by 5% only. Some would say Obama is asking the debt ceiling to be increased way too much.But let's look at history  .every President has increased the debt ceiling. Johnson increased it by 18%, and then after that Nixon and Jimmy Carter both increased the debt ceiling by 35.6% and 33.6% respectfully. Then came the "fiscally responsible" Ronald Regan who increased the debt ceiling by oooh....199%!!!!! Bush senior in just four years increased the debt ceiling by 48%. Then came Clinton who also increased the debt ceiling by 43.5%, but mid way in his term he balanced the budget and the debt ceiling never had to rise ever again.Of course Bush Junior came and increased the debt ceiling by 90%. Obama with this deal of an extra 2 trillion to the debt ceiling has increased the debt ceiling by 44%. This isn't a good number at all considering Obama hasn't even finished his first term, but it shows that Obama wasn't the only one who has ever increased the debt ceiling. If Reagan can without the risk of default double the debt and increase the national debt ceiling by 199%. Why is it that Obama must be pushed almost to default in order to increase the debt ceiling. The fact that the U.S almost went into default is irresponsible of the Republicans. The Republicans should realize that the debt ceiling should be separat then a deficit plan which by the way is no where near good enough to eliminate the deficit.

Republicans Still Oppose Tax increases!

The Republican position on taxes has never changed over the past few years. They will be against any tax increases. Even tax reform which would actually lower the Corporate tax rate in the U.S by 7%, but makes more revenue by eliminating loopholes wasn't good enough for the Republicans. It seems anything that would even raise revenue would be completely against there values. Cuts are the only thing they can agree with. Even though one of the reasons we are in this deficit is, because of the Bush Tax cuts. That the Republicans would never dream of eliminating tax cuts. Even though it was set to expire in 2010. Now we must wait till 2012 for to expire, but people are still a little skeptical on whether they will really expire. In 2012 we will see the Republicans howling that taxing billionaire's and millionaires will hurt the economy. Even though forgetting eliminating medicare will probably eliminate more jobs than taxing billionaires who can afford to pay a little more. But taxing millionaires wouldn't solve the deficit alone people must admit that.

Now I can somewhat understand the idea of not increasing taxes on anyone, because it is bad for the economy, but eliminating loopholes of major corporations while reducing the Corporate tax rate I thought that could be the big compromise on taxes, but no! Eliminating loopholes on major profitable companies is still a tax on the country! This super committee will have triggers if nothing get's done, which I hope will not only include Tax reform, but eliminating the Bush tax cuts for all (Although knowing American politics it will probably just be the rich tax cuts on the line)

The Fedaralist Sovereigntist Party?

Even though the current NDP leader does consider herself a federalist. recent events begs the Question is the NDP turning into the Bloc trying to look like the Bloc?

Some would be quick to say No, but consider this Jack Layton even said that Quebec only needs 50% +1 to be it's own country after the election. The NDP has moved much of it's policy towards pleasing Quebec while still calling itself a federalist party. The NDP even named a new leader from Quebec. Even though there are many other MP's in the party that come from other parts of the country (that by the way have loads of experience more than their current interim leader). The NDP are trying to hold on to their new found friend Quebec. Even though they will definitely lead to problems. They can't image themselves somewhat pro the idea of Quebec allowed to be it's own country or having more power, and be completely for federal unity and a central goverment. The Conservatives are going to have a field day. Being in Montreal I can hear the new ads being targeted at federalist in the island. If the NDP don't start to think as too what kind of party they would like to be seen by Quebec then Harper will do it for them. Which means Montreal could start to turn more red and blue with only a little orange on the side. The NDP may not be the Bloc, but if they keep trying to keep former sovereigntist to their campaign it may mean trouble in the other side's of the country. Which would be a good thing for the Liberals and Conservatives.

Our Crubbling Infastructure!

Our Montreal mayor is right we need more money into Infrastructure I quite frankly am happy to see that the Montreal mayor has taken an unpopular stance on increasing fees in order to help Montreal infrastructure. Montreal needs infrastructure help. The Federal Government should help, by increasing the Gas tax. Even if this will be a tax on motorist over 80% of the Montreal population are worried about the infrastructure in Quebec. I think paying more for the oil to drive a car  more safely in Montreal sounds like a good deal!

"When you look at citizens' comments, when you read the newspapers, citizens are feeling insecure — they're worried," Tremblay said.

Fixing this problem will take time considering economist predict that the cost of fixing all of the Infrastructure in the city will cost 120 billion, but we need to start (stop) now putting little band aids on the issue (that) will only make it cost more in the future. We need to start helping our infrastructure not only in Montreal, but also in Toronto, Vancouver and other major cities that need help now!

"When I talk to my colleagues in other big Canadian cities it's the same issue — we have a $120-billion hole...

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Debt deal is Okay!

The debt deal that is currently being rushed to in the last few days before a default. This deal supports 1 trillion in cuts first over the next decade then having a joint committee that would look into another 1.5 trillion in more cuts. Medicare and Social security will not be cut right now. But in the joint committee I have no doubt in my mind that they will be subjected to be cut. The sad part about this deal is that currently no tax increases have been apart of the deal, not even tax increases on the richest Americans! The U.S can end the deficit without cutting too much into medicare or social security. Eliminating the Bush tax cuts entirely would generate 300 billion dollars a year, (and to make the number look bigger) 3 trillion over 10 years. That is more than this entire debt deal. True this tax cut being eliminated will not eliminate the deficit, but if we raise the social security and medicare age, look at ending fraud in Medicare, cutting the military by billions, Cut the pentagon, reform the tax code, and look at ending subsidies to big oil and ethanol, create a carbon tax and cut discretionary spending. I hope that the the joint committee looks into proposals that will not harm Americans too much, because in order to destroy the deficit the U.S needs to make sacrifices, but let's look at easy sacrifices before elderly people need to give there social security payments to big oil companies. This deal isn't perfect, but right now I think it may just be the compromise U.S must accept, as tax increases could still be a part of the deal in the joint commitee and currently medicare and social security is safe.