Where is the US economy headed?

Well, I would never presume to tell you that I know more about how the works works than you do. I don't believe there's any, as you say, need to do that at all.

Cycloptichorn

By the way, winnate, welcome to A2K and to this thread. Some of us will slap down any idea that doesn't conform to our opinion. Others, though, will give you room to flesh out your arguments.
Take your time.

I'm slightly off your question, but I have a bad feeling about the existing SS rate, and even more about a 0% on the employer side. That, combined with someone else's scheme to apply a means test to SS benefits seems like an attempt turn it from an entitlement, meaning we are entitled because we paid for it, into a welfare plan. I started paying for mine in 1962, and it was not voluntary.

If I had my way ethics and logic would be taught as most important starting at birth and continuing into adulthood!

I might consider making all drugs legal but not for sale! I would educate in elementary school the affects of drugs by field trips to see people dying of cancer and other people strung out on drugs!

We can only give thanks to the Lord that you're not in charge of anything rl.

Only you being an atheist would I expect this from!

Luckily, we will be dead before SS gets into real trouble. I think you and I are the same age. We will get our COLA, but it will probably not keep up with inflation in our health care.
The proposed reductions in employee/employer contributions is just more of the same kicking the ball down the field for some future politicians to deal with.

Another foolishness by Obama; he should know better than to take revenue away from the program that will continue to add increased costs, while doing nothing to reduce costs. Why is it that they are so good at doing the very opposite of what's needed?

They're strangling the very program that most Americans rely on when they retire.

Johnboy you are succumbing to the narrative of Democrat propaganda (you pompous little git):

"These are all proposals that Republicans have supported in the past!"

Like any good propaganda there is probably some truth to the statement, but it clearly is misinformation intended to paint the Republicans as utter partisan hacks if they don't agree to Obama's proposals.

You're a smart guy, do you really believe that isn't the case?

A great number of Republicans can support the proposal of payroll tax cuts. They may not support Obama's plans for political reasons, or they may pass this one element for political reasons, but it is naive to suggest that either party is approaching this problem without any political consideration. I just don't believe you are this naive.

Tax credits of any sort for hiring are ludicrous.

If you actually need to hire a new employee you will, irrespective of any Obama plan.

If you don't need to hire an employee or you are afraid of the impact of hiring on your business you will not, irrespective of any plan. The tax credit will not offset the cost of a new employee.

No matter how you slice it, Obama's plan will not provide an economic wash, let alone a gain, to anyone who hires someone new who they don't actually need. The primary way this could possibly benefit an employer is if he intended to let the employee go as soon as he realized the tax benefit. Not much of a sustainable Jobs Program.

I suppose there might be a few employers out there who right now can make a case for hiring 80% of a new FTE, and with the tax credit, they'll take the plunge on a full one, but how many such opportunities do you believe exist. Certainly not millions and probably not even thousands.

It's all smoke and mirrors.

For the Obama bait and switch to work, he had to propose some aspects of a plan that Republicans might agree to.

If everything he proposed was clearly in conflict with Republican principles who might believe that the Republicans are thwarting his initiative simply for partisan purposes.

In all likelihood, the Republican House will approve several, but not all, of his proposals. I'm sure Obama would prefer them to reject the proposal in its entirety, but he will still try to make hay as respects "The Party of No".

You must be more of an old fart than I ever imagined

Oddly, I was once offered a job by a local CPA. I declined. It was some kind of state program in the early 90s in which an employer could pay minimum wage, with the state actually reimbursing over half of it. I didn't want to work for someone who thought I was worth ~ $2.00/hour.

You are one malicious ass hole.

You have adopted a nome de plume that is nearly perfect for you.

How about it Johnboy do you think my comment was malicious?

Certainly it was no worse than calling you a "pompus little git."

It must be nice to know that you have Rabel as a rabid defender...however I suspect the comment had more to do with displeasure with me than affection for you.

Just because you have studied history doesn't mean you know any more about history but it would also mean george doesn't know any more about engineering because he studied engineering. I'm sure goerge would agree with that.

The NIKKEI is currently trading at 8560, which is .3% off of its 52 week low. Recovery?? We ain't got none......

If I am not mistaken George has also USED engineering in his professional life, and has been learning it for decades....this is worth a lot more than is sitting in a few classes now and then as a youngster and passing a final.

You can put your money on that! The US stock market isn't going to fare any better.

I am seeing it on the ground too...for the last year I have been looking to get into the restaurant business, but there has been very little in the way of great deals....in the last month the dam has broken, there are a bunch of places open as people who have been just hanging on and not making any money over the last few years give up and throw in the towel. I am not sure that I can get the deal I want even now, but I am a lot closer.

I don't regret refusing to pay blue sky in a recession...a place I looked at way back last summer finally sold in FEB, reopened under new owner with a new name end of may, at the end of July she went to the park a mile from my house a bit from the lake and ate her gun.....she paid too much and spent way too much gutting the place for her dream restaurant, and there was no way she was ever going to get her money back, suicide seemed like the best option.

One thing you should not forget as the euro and other markets continues its downward slide. It makes US more competitive1