America is by most measure, still the
best place to live in all the world! Lately, it's even improved somewhat,
if you happen to follow the stock market. But, I fear that this momentum may well begin
to flag soon. Not because of work force shortages, wars or rumors of
wars, but because of those who seem to make living out of
complaining!
Let me take a page out of the
Democratic play book. There is something to be gained at times by
stalling, pointing fingers and the outright spreading of falsehoods.
For eight months now, nothing of any consequence has occurred
in with the House or the Senate in terms of bill passing. Trump is
witnessing obstructionism first hand as he has tried for Healthcare
reform, tax reform and immigration control. The country, under
Republican control, has drifted now for eight months! And sadly, it
looks like that trend will continue indefinitely. Yes, things will
just keep running along, until we hit a number of walls, that is.
Wall #1 – That pesky
healthcare insurance hike, as figured by insurance actuaries each
fall.
Preliminary analysis suggests some of
the most popular plans could see double-digit premium increases.
Health care consulting firm Avalere analyzed initial rate estimates
from eight states and found that premiums for "silver"
plans (the most popular plans) are rising 18% next year, after a 12%
increase this year! On top of that, 41% of counties in the U.S. will
have just one insurer option on the marketplace. Not good and certainly something to complain
about!
Wall #2 – The Debt Ceiling.
Come December (and perhaps for every three months thereafter),
Congress will be forced to raise the National Debt ceiling thereby
kicking that old dented can down the road once again, as the country
continues to struggle on. (This move is somewhat similar to the head
of a family whose credit cards have all be maxed, yet with a sense
pride, that same person announces at the dinner table that they have
secured a new credit card)! Yes, problem solved... for awhile.
For those unsure as to exactly what the
Debt Ceiling is: The debt ceiling is the legal limit on the total
amount of federal debt that the government can accrue. The limit
applies to almost all federal debt, including the roughly $14.4
trillion of debt held by the public and the roughly $5.5
trillion the government owes itself as a result of borrowing from
various government accounts, like the Social Security and Medicare
trust funds. As a result, the debt continues to increase due to both
annual budget deficits financed by borrowing from the public
and from trust fund surpluses, which are invested in
Treasury bills with the promise to be repaid later with interest. Can
I get a good laugh here? That money is never ever going to be repaid!
Wall #3 – Actually, this could
be termed the lack of a wall. Illegal residents, here in the US, cost
taxpayers about 113 billion dollars a year! Money that could have
been used for infrastructure, education and better healthcare.
Interestingly, there are many people who complain that we should have
completely open our borders and perhaps even rename the country The
United Banana Republic of America or UBRA! A great idea! Note that in
a stereotypical banana republic, income inequality is dramatic: one
finds an ultra-rich minority, a poor majority, a small or nonexistent
middle class, and a lack of upward mobility for most of the
population. Wow! Which one are you?
Well,
there are many more walls that were are sure to hit, this assuming
the average American's brain haven't become totally addled by the
above three....
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