ChatterBank1 min ago
What Is Going On?
Admittedly I haven't seen the news in the last couple of days but what has happened in/to America in last couple of days? I'm not even getting the jokes on HIGFNY!!! Cheers in advance Mitchell : s
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President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (commonly known as 'Obamacare') into law, after extensive debate in both Houses, 2½ years ago. It's provisions (which give the USA something vaguely similar to a universal health service for the first time ever) are due to come into effect next January.
However 'Obamacare' is massively expensive and many Republicans are totally opposed to anything which increases US spending at a time when most economists believe that the USA needs to dramatically cut state spending. So they've refused to pass the US budget for the forthcoming year into law unless the Democrats agree to delay the implementation of Obamacare for at least one year (when they'd almost certainly do exactly the same thing again).
Since there's no agreement on the budget, US law requires that all non-essential state services (such as running national museums) are closed down and staff sent home with no guarantee of being paid for the time when they're not employed. Further, the USA will find it far harder to borrow money on the international markets, which will damage their economy (and could quite possibly eventually lead to worldwide economic chaos).
Neither side seems prepared to back down and there's very little 'middle ground', so we could all be heading for a situation far, far worse than that resulted from the banking crisis a few years ago. So perhaps we should all be incredibly gloomy but, as there's nothing we can do about it anyway, we might just as well sit back and laugh at the Yanks for the time being ;-)
However 'Obamacare' is massively expensive and many Republicans are totally opposed to anything which increases US spending at a time when most economists believe that the USA needs to dramatically cut state spending. So they've refused to pass the US budget for the forthcoming year into law unless the Democrats agree to delay the implementation of Obamacare for at least one year (when they'd almost certainly do exactly the same thing again).
Since there's no agreement on the budget, US law requires that all non-essential state services (such as running national museums) are closed down and staff sent home with no guarantee of being paid for the time when they're not employed. Further, the USA will find it far harder to borrow money on the international markets, which will damage their economy (and could quite possibly eventually lead to worldwide economic chaos).
Neither side seems prepared to back down and there's very little 'middle ground', so we could all be heading for a situation far, far worse than that resulted from the banking crisis a few years ago. So perhaps we should all be incredibly gloomy but, as there's nothing we can do about it anyway, we might just as well sit back and laugh at the Yanks for the time being ;-)
Buenchico, why should Obama be expected to back down? The Law has been passed in accordance with the correct procedures after long bitter debates. The Republicans who hold themselves to be true patriots are now refusing to uphold the will of the people for their own ends. Yes, it's expensive, but it's the law and they, the Rs, seem like petulant babies throwing their teddies out of the pram.
I loved the bit on HIGNFY that the Tea-party is UKIP with guns
I loved the bit on HIGNFY that the Tea-party is UKIP with guns
>>>Buenchico, why should Obama be expected to back down?
He shouldn't, Zebo. I tried to provide an answer for Cmitchell that addressed both sides of the argument, in order to provide a (reasonably) unbiased answer. However I took great care to point out that the relevant legislation had ALREADY passed through both houses (and been given Presidential approval). Like you, I also believe that it should now be brought into force.
However, at the same time, I'm alarmed that the USA continues to borrow more money than it can ever possibly afford to repay. Sooner or later their economy seems to be heading for collapse, with potentially terrible consequences worldwide.
He shouldn't, Zebo. I tried to provide an answer for Cmitchell that addressed both sides of the argument, in order to provide a (reasonably) unbiased answer. However I took great care to point out that the relevant legislation had ALREADY passed through both houses (and been given Presidential approval). Like you, I also believe that it should now be brought into force.
However, at the same time, I'm alarmed that the USA continues to borrow more money than it can ever possibly afford to repay. Sooner or later their economy seems to be heading for collapse, with potentially terrible consequences worldwide.
Possibly of interest?
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The Republicans have been taken over by the Tea Party movement. They are pulling the strings and leading the Party and the Country down a dangerous path.
They lost the Presidential Election, and they lost the vote on ObamaCare. So instead they act like spoilt children and sulk.
Their aim was to weaken the President, but the polls indicate that most voters are blaming them.
The last time there was a shutdown it lasted months.
They lost the Presidential Election, and they lost the vote on ObamaCare. So instead they act like spoilt children and sulk.
Their aim was to weaken the President, but the polls indicate that most voters are blaming them.
The last time there was a shutdown it lasted months.
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