What??? (More on Dubya, spending)
The photo posted above is the closest image I could think of in my little picture library that resembles the question, "What???"
I had to post a quick follow-up to the piece I wrote moments ago when I saw another gem of insanity on Mankiw's blog, again quoting the office of the POTUS:
We don't think you should raise taxes
to pay for more spending.
People have various colourful expressions for the moment when your brain stops working. Typing out that sentence would have to be one of them.
How else, exactly, will you pay for more spending? If they mean to say they don't want to spend more money, I understand, but according to US Government Spending, a handy little website, it looks like since Dubya was granted the presidency by the Supreme Court, spending has increased by roughly a trillion dollars federally, and 1.5 trillion dollars in total.
It's amazing how much a quick Google Search reveals - the previous link mentions the total numbers. The Financial Times reports that Dubya's own party is upset about how much he's spending, and the US National Debt Clock continues to spiral upwards.
The FT article has an Orwellian quote from Giulliani:
“You’re going to have a choice in November 2008,” Mr Giuliani told
activists. “You can vote for me, where you will increase choices for
people. Or you can vote for the Democrats, who will increase choices
for government."
What is up with Republicans - and Democratic activists, like the "pro-choice" movement, and their constant PDAs for "choice"? Yes, choice is good, but you make it sound like your God is "Choice, the Almighty."
The Americans desperately need to balance their budget. They're going to have to raise taxes, no matter how much they cut back on services, to really pull it off. Is it going to happen? Well, if not, am I not the only person who foresees Bad Times ahead?