Okay, Folks, Let's Put Aside Politics And Look At The Facts... [CHARTS]

[MindMover]

The most important issue in this year's election is the economy.

Unfortunately, this topic has now been "politicized," which means that you can't talk about it without being instantly cheered or jeered by fans of each respective political team.

But the economy is much more important than this year's election or either political team.

And both teams are responsible for the mess we're in--and so, I am sorry to say, are the rest of us.
And fixing that mess is going to take decades, regardless of who's in power.

http://www.businessinsider.com/politics-economics-facts-charts-2012-6?op=1

[dennis4868]

1. I agree...

it's our fault, Obama's, and the rest of the Democrats in Washington fault that the Republicans have obstructed any progress on the economy so that people like you can blame Dems and Obama. They know how to fool uninformed people. Awesome!

[MindMover]

4. I think the article plainly states that it is not one party at fault....

"And both teams are responsible for the mess we're in--and so, I am sorry to say, are the rest of us.

And fixing that mess is going to take decades, regardless of who's in power.

But we have to fix it. Or we're going to become a nation of a few million landed aristocrats and 300 million serfs.

The first step is getting past the political blame-game and understanding what's wrong."

[sinkingfeeling]

2. Seems like an advertisement to cut and shred the social programs of the country.

[MindMover]

5. If you do not believe that we have to get healthcare spending under control....

then we are really toast.....

"So, do we have to get Healthcare and Social Security spending under control? You'd better believe we do. If we don't, we're toast."

[sinkingfeeling]

11. There's an easy fix for Social Security. And one for Healthcare.

[MindMover]

12. MEDICARE FOR ALL......

SS needs to increase revenue from 1%ers and cut entitlements to the 1%ers....they already have their investment banker taking care of their safety net.....

SS is a safety net for the 99% seniors not 1% seniors

How do millionaire politicians accept SS payments......?.....and then get on their soapbox and spout idiocracies.....

[lumberjack_jeff]

3. Business insider misses THE BIG point. Inequality.

They're not "putting aside politics" they're partly hiding behind it.

To say that per capita income is stable ignores the fact that all the gains went to a few people at the top. For the average person, wages have declined. No amount of further austerity among the working class is going to fix anything.

And borrowing? Banks would rather give employees loans than raises. Same with the government, those with the money would rather give governments loans rather than pay taxes.

The Al Capone rule applies. Why (tax) banks? Because that's where the money is.

Media is convinced that the only way to get people to listen is by saying things like "putting aside politics" or "both teams are responsible". Even when all the facts indicate nothing of the sort.

[MindMover]

6. They said to share the wealth and that most of the gain went to the 1%....

"What's wrong is that the amazing profits of our businesses aren't flowing through to most Americans. Except at the very top."

[booley]

7. over all good

but I think it leaves out a few things.

Like yes medicare is expensive but how much of that is because of the demographic hump and things like medicare part D?

Fixing Part D can be part of fix the guy mentions but he made it sound as if the problem was inherent in the system.

And the demographic hum will fix itself eventually.

So over all a good analysis but it could use more data.

[MindMover]

8. When you give away medications and the cheerleading squad was....

big pharma.....and no new taxes to pay for it.....well yes fixing this will help...

[Trajan]

9. Wages .... wages .... wages ...

My personal mantra here at DU for the last decade ....

Suppressed wage development has been the problem all along ....

Suppressed wages are a conservative economic policy .... Yet Democrats rarely say a word about them ...

IF only business owners had the foresight to maintain wages at a reasonable level, then we would not be watching as struggling businesses shut their doors due to lack of revenues .... Too bad that rich people wont get richer faster because they lacked the foresight to realize they NEED consumers to spend money in order to accumulate wealth ....

The answer is so fucking easy ..... Raise wages to better match expenses, and allow disposable income to accumulate .....

Democrats ? .... Where the fuck are you ? ... Where have you been for 30 fucking years ?

[MindMover]

10. Amen, if wages had been steadily increasing over the past 30 years...

then revenue would have held steady.....and we would not be so out of whack on everything...

but no, keep wages low, cut taxes and give most of the gain to 1%ers.....this is a ridiculous suicidal prescription for what we have.....

on top of that, look at this fact and chart....

The percentage of Americans with jobs is at the lowest level in three decades. If you do not have workers earning a paycheck then how the hell do you create revenue from taxes......and consumerism....?

[cbrer]

13. If only it was possible!

To take politics out of economic facts in discussions and debates.

And the spin?! Less capable minds will continue to be warped and twisted against their own best interests.

All against a backdrop of unsustainable lifestyle. The American dream!

If the enlightened citizenry don't get off their collective asses and make change happen. FORCE it to happen, it ain't a gonna.

But I am certainly up for suggestions...

[MindMover]

14. The sentiment is a perfect statement for your avatar.....

almost sounds like him.....