An Example of What Happens When the Government Takes Over

[Gawain 0]

Look to Venezuela.
Energy-Rich Venezuela Faces Power Crisis

and

Venezuela Devalues Bolivar for First Time Since 2005

So, now you have complete government control over industry that cannot sustain basic needs now, and spending that has now forced revaluation and set the stage for some serious inflation.

The only reason this hasn't started happening to us is 1) The government hasn't taken everything over (yet) and, 2) There are still a few entities bitterly swallowing our debt.

If China decides it's had a enough, all we need is one more major stakeholder, like Japan, to do the same and it's end of game.

Then again, the signs may already be beginning to appear:
Fed Plan to Stop Buying Mortgages Feeds Recovery Worries

I don't disagree with this plan, though, we wouldn't be having this discussion if the government didn't already own 80% of the mortgages out there (Fannie/Freddie).

Quote

The Fed now holds $909 billion of mortgage-backed securities. In the past year it has purchased 73% of the mortgages that government-backed Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae have turned into securities. Purchases by the Treasury pushed total government purchases above $1 trillion. The Fed says it plans to top off its purchases at $1.25 trillion by the end of March, but must decide in the months ahead whether the economy is strong enough to stick with that plan.

Look at these numbers. *barf*

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[Amazon 7]

GOD Max... you guys really do need to get out and fall from the sky more often rather than all this daily bludgeoning us with the sky is falling.

[Andrewwhyte 1]

Venezuela's problems are deeper than just the level of government involvement. Exporting huge amounts of wealth to further the revolution in other latin American countries and confiscatory economic policies that have driven business to withhold technical investment are more significant here than just the overall level of government involvement in the economy.
Norway and France are examples of very high government spending but that have economies that work.
I have yet to hunt down a good set of stats on the issue but here is one list of unknown accuracy that shows Venezuela is 70th on the list at 41.1% ('07 data).
http://anepigone.blogspot.com/2008/03/government-spending-as-percentage-of.html

[Andy9o8 3]

Quote

GOD Max

Shhh! You'll give him a swelled head.

[Gawain 0]

Quote

Quote

GOD Max

Shhh! You'll give him a swelled head.

If it's any consolation, my full name is not rooted in the old meanings of "Greatest" or "God".

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[mnealtx 0]

Quote

GOD Max... you guys really do need to get out and fall from the sky more often rather than all this daily bludgeoning us with the sky is falling.

Like how everyone went out and jumped instead of posting on and on and on about the mortgage crisis, maybe?

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[StreetScooby 5]

Quote

Look at these numbers. *barf*

+1

We are all engines of karma

[captain1976 0]

Quote

Norway and France are examples of very high government spending but that have economies that work.

Economics have never worked in South American or Africa, both have always depended on others for technology and outside help.

You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

[Andy9o8 3]

Quote

Quote

Norway and France are examples of very high government spending but that have economies that work.

Economics have never worked in South American or Africa, both have always depended on others for technology and outside help.

I think the common denominator is less about geography, and more about stability (or lack thereof) of governments and political systems.

[Amazon 7]

Quote

Quote

GOD Max... you guys really do need to get out and fall from the sky more often rather than all this daily bludgeoning us with the sky is falling.

Like how everyone went out and jumped instead of posting on and on and on about the mortgage crisis, maybe?

Oh now there is comparing peanuts to watermelons...

[mnealtx 0]

Quote

Quote

Quote

GOD Max... you guys really do need to get out and fall from the sky more often rather than all this daily bludgeoning us with the sky is falling.

Like how everyone went out and jumped instead of posting on and on and on about the mortgage crisis, maybe?

Oh now there is comparing peanuts to watermelons...

Yes, we know already - everything the Dems do is good, and everything the Reps do is bad.

But thanks for proving the point.

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[lawrocket 3]

Quote

Quote

Quote

GOD Max... you guys really do need to get out and fall from the sky more often rather than all this daily bludgeoning us with the sky is falling.

Like how everyone went out and jumped instead of posting on and on and on about the mortgage crisis, maybe?

Oh now there is comparing peanuts to watermelons...

True. I've never seen anyone go into anaphalaxis wirth watermelons.

So you agree it's the same concept, but you don't think the log in Mike's eye is as important as the sliver in yours. Understandable - you've got your gripe. Mike's doesn't matter.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[Amazon 7]

Quote

Quote

Quote

Quote

GOD Max... you guys really do need to get out and fall from the sky more often rather than all this daily bludgeoning us with the sky is falling.

Like how everyone went out and jumped instead of posting on and on and on about the mortgage crisis, maybe?

Oh now there is comparing peanuts to watermelons...

True. I've never seen anyone go into anaphalaxis wirth watermelons.

So you agree it's the same concept, but you don't think the log in Mike's eye is as important as the sliver in yours. Understandable - you've got your gripe. Mike's doesn't matter.

Sorry but the sky is falling towards America being a bunch of commies.. does get a tad old.....especially on a daily basis. It kinda fun watching the red baiters come out in droves because its an enemy they thought they knew... and they miss the good ole days. Must be a conservative thing

[captain1976 0]

Quote

Quote

GOD Max... you guys really do need to get out and fall from the sky more often rather than all this daily bludgeoning us with the sky is falling.

Probably should, but the reaction of some here is entertaining in itself.

You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

[captain1976 0]

I think the common denominator is less about geography, and more about stability (or lack thereof) of governments and political systems.

[Andy9o8 3]

Quote

I think the common denominator is less about geography, and more about stability (or lack thereof) of governments and political systems.

I happen to agree with the science of "The Bell Curve" in drawing conclusions on the subject.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bell_Curve

[captain1976 0]

Quote

Quote

I think the common denominator is less about geography, and more about stability (or lack thereof) of governments and political systems.

I happen to agree with the science of "The Bell Curve" in drawing conclusions on the subject.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bell_Curve

You mean - based on the premise of the book in the link - that people of certain races are have an innate genetic propensity to be less intelligent?

Here's your card.

http://www.newsgroper.com/files/post_images/racecard(1).jpg

[Andy9o8 3]

Quote

One can believe in the science surrounding genetics and intelligence without being a racist.

Ah, but I'm not referring to simply "the science surrounding genetics and intelligence", which is why, for example, people are often of similar intelligence to their blood next-of-kin. I'm referring to the pseudo-"science" that proposes that certain races are innately more intelligent than others. Because that is a manifestation of racism. If, by this stage of your life, you don't know how that manner of so-called "science" has been tragically abused by so many cultures historically, and has been soundly discredited over the past several decades as the racist claptrap it is, then there's not much I can do to re-educate you in a few blog posts.

[Casurf1978 0]

We've also had our hand in Central and South American politics. It's not as simple as saying 'economies dont work there'. Just look at what happened in Guatemala in the 1950's with United Fruit Company. Back to the OP, I wouldn't worry about China or Japan dumping US bonds, our economies are too intertwined. I would be more worried about an economic crash in China. Came across this interesting article.
http://finance.yahoo.com/retirement/article/108534/contrarian-investor-sees-economic-crash-in-china?mod=retire-planning

[Gawain 0]

Quote

We've also had our hand in Central and South American politics. It's not as simple as saying 'economies dont work there'. Just look at what happened in Guatemala in the 1950's with United Fruit Company. Back to the OP, I wouldn't worry about China or Japan dumping US bonds, our economies are too intertwined. I would be more worried about an economic crash in China. Came across this interesting article.
http://finance.yahoo.com/retirement/article/108534/contrarian-investor-sees-economic-crash-in-china?mod=retire-planning

They don't have to dump anything. All they have to do is stop buying.

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!