What do you think about the republicans not wanting to raise the debt ceiling?

Our debt of over $14 trillion is already equal to 100% of our GDP. If we continue to yearly raise the debt ceiling by $1.5 trillion, in 10 years we will have the debt equal to 200% of our GDP. That could very well result in all of us living in the street.

Nobody has threatened SSI and Medicare in the way you suggest. They will raise the debt ceiling but not without significant cuts or we will have our credit rating downgraded which will further damage our economy. Even the democrats would not just raise the debt ceiling. They have to work it out.

There are shelters all over the country. Also I have to believe that people who wind up on the street would have some friend or relative who would take them in for a while if they would ask. I can't believe there are many people who would allow someone they love to live like that if they were aware of it. Why do people always think the government is the only answer to everything. There are 43 million people on food stamps. Safety nets are good but people should be doing their share as well just by offering personal help to people who are suffering temporarily in this horrible economy.

If the American people understood what loading another $2.5 trillion on our backs (in just 18 months) means in the long run, they would be marching on Washington and demanding a balanced budget. I know the long run end game but short term exactly how it plays it is uncertain.

The end game takes place after the FED has bought trillions of treasuries financing the government. Money becomes worthless due to this inflation, even as unemployment rises (due largely to the unwelcome but Press supported interventions by regulators like the EPA, Dept of Transportation, Dept. of (mis)Education, FEMA, SEC, Consumer Finance regulator, etc.). Then the FED decides to fight inflation with tight money, high interest rates, selling treasuries, etc. Finally, the Federal Govt. decides to cut spending. But instead of not paying medicare, union pensions or social security, they will do the political thing and not pay interest on the Treasuries.

Then we are Greece, but not on a tiny bailout-able scale. Money becomes worthless, the cities turn into riot torn ghettos, rule of law breaks down and we can expect a foreign invasion. Did that cheer up your evening?

So far every bill passed by Republicans has absolutely raised the debt ceiling. So you are flat out 100% wrong in your statement. Also, so far, only the Democrats have ever taken money away from Medicare. To support Obamacare the Democrats, all on their own, stole half a billion dollars from Medicare.

Social Security has been bankrupt for quite a while due to the past several Presidents stealing money from it without repaying it. Now Obama, after a historical record-breaking spending spree, wants to increase out nation's credit limit???

If you are $100,000 in debt, do you call your creditors and ask them to raise your credit limits? Or do you buckle down, stop spending, and pay off your debt? One way leads to bankruptcy, the other leads to eventual stability. Apparently you are all for bankruptcy. Well let me tell you something; when it happens it will be just like Greece. Not only will you lose your social security, but EVERYONE will lose EVERYTHING. It's amazing to me that people actually want this to happen.

Okay. Try this

Most republicans are not against raising the debt ceiling. They ARE against raising the debt ceiling without significant cuts and they want it raised incrementally insuring more cuts are made.

Social security checks will go out unless the president keeps them from being paid. We have enough money coming in every month to pay SSI and the interest on our debt.

If I go out and max out four credit cards purchasing art, exotic animals, and lavish parties, would you lend money to continue to spend that way?

Well, they will end up raising it one way or another. I read that under Reagan and Bush the ceiling was raised 25 times. How about that?

They do have a point about cutting spending, but they are going to have to accept cutting military spending also. I also heard that to balance the budget this year spending would have to be cut 40%. That is not possible in this economy, but obviously cuts can and should be made. Obama and most Democrats agree that cuts are needed and that the debt is out of control. Actually, it has been out of control for years.

There is more than enough money coming in to pay SS, Medicare, and the interest on the debt. There is just not enough to pay all the needed programs, and still subsidize everybody with give a ways and pork to buy votes with.

You (especially us Senior Citizens) will NOT lose our Social Security and Medicare.

Unless the President chooses to allow you to suffer. There is more than enough current revenues to cover SSI, medicare, veterans benefits, active military pay and interest on the debt.

Failure to address the fiscal issues now will eventually lead to forced austerity later where far greater numbers will "suffer".

1) I think its great.

2) Your head is full of lies and imaginary worries blown way out of proportion which normal ppl that can think rationally aren't overly upset about.

3) Failure to get the debt under control will without any doubt result in a permanent debt ceiling because nobody will be willing to buy bonds from us once our debt gets much higher and our ablility to service our debt become impossible.

4) The shoe is already on the other foot, its a shame you dont realize it. some of us are willing to do the right thing for the country instead of the selfish thing.

Signed,

Someone who is unlikely to get much if any SS.

Yes, but surely you understand that, just as an individual or a business cannot live on borrowed money, neither can a government. Sooner or later, one must pay. There's no getting around that fact, uncomfortable though it may be.

These are the wages of profligate government spending in the past.