Bee: the "lefty" or, as we now prefer, progressive moment should never be over! It is a dismal commentary on the power of the tea party types (note: not republicans) that being left of center is somehow something to apologize for.

Quote:
No one in their right mind can look at out national debt and say, "no big deal."


Perhaps a misunderstanding perpetuated by Joe Scarborough and crowd. Krugman (and Stiglitz & Reich & Bernacke etc.) would not say about the deficit and debt "no big deal." Krugman has repeatedly said it's definitely necessary to deal with, but ONLY when the recession is over (e.g. unemployment under about 6%). The point is, the debt is not an immediate crisis (that is, within, say the next 5 years). It's not a "sound mind" thing. Actual bare-naked economists agree (ewwwwww!):

http://www.businessinsider.com/10-people-who-disagree-with-joe-scarborough-2013-1

Debts to GDP ratio have, historically, been even higher and we've done quite well. If and when the economy recovers, this is not at all an issue.

A slightly geeky side note is how accurate can any forecast be beyond maybe 10 years and should we bind decisions made now to predictions 20 years out? That (if I understand him correctly) is Krugman's point.

The debt may be, as Bulldog says, "unsolvable" but it may not be all that critical for the moment. Solving the unemployment problem is the critical factor for economic recovery.

Once again, these are real choices that are reflected in budgeting for the National Parks and Forests. Here's the root of the problem (see graph);
http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/...icized-than-cut

Everyone wants government and services but seem unwilling to acknowledge that they cost money. Who should pay?

Finally, what's with all the caterwauling about taxes. I mean, what is it worth to have an education system subsidized such that everyone has a chance at college education and so eventually contribute to innovation and a vibrant economy? To have medical care and a solid safety net for everyone so we don't end up paying for it through use of Emergency Departments? Having huge areas of terrain for people to see America as it was before roads and cities and McDonald's sprawled across the landscape?

I think it's worth a lot and cheerfully pay my taxes (ok, not quite cheerfully) to support that society of which I am a part.

g.

None of the views expressed here in any way represent those of the unidentified agency that I work for or, often, reality. It's just me, fired up by coffee and powerful prose.