Do you think Standard and Poor would up the US bond rating if ...

[Meeker Morgan]

... the federal government imposed VAT like they have in Europe?

[rfranklin]

1. Not necessary...we have the lowest tax rate among developed countries...

We have the biggest military accounting for half the war spending in the world, the most inefficient and expensive health care. There are so many practical ways to bring the deficit under control but we are being distracted by bullshit which is generated to further the political aims of the uber wealthy.

[WinkyDink]

2. Oh, let's burden the poor even MORE, shall we?

[DJ13]

3. No VAT unless we get the same benefits as Europe

Like a nationalized healthcare system, mandated 4 weeks vacation, mandated sick pay, free or low cost tuitions, etc..

Knowing the politicians in DC they would implement a VAT without giving anything back to the people it would harm.

[Rage for Order]

4. They would up the bond rating if the federal government bribed them

It worked for Goldman Sachs, UBS, and several other banks when they were peddling worthless mortgage backed securities a few years ago

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-04-13/moody-s-s-p-caved-to-mortgage-pressure-by-goldman-ubs-levin-report-says.html

Apr 13, 2011 6:24 PM CT

Moody’s Investors Service and Standard & Poor’s adjusted the way they graded securities after Goldman Sachs Group Inc., UBS AG and at least six more banks pressured them, according to a U.S. Senate report.

[prairierose]

5. Exactly....all it takes is a bribe ...or possibly prosecution for taking bribes ...

in the past. What about that? Shouldn't the justice dept be prosecuting them for that and maybe somebody should be changing the rules so that the way they make criteria they use are different. Instead of rating things based on the bribe they are given, they could actually look at the essentials of an investment and whether it is real or fake to base their ratings. Oh, wait..that would actually be doing their jobs. Never mind.