Date: 05/23/2011
by Ron Paul
The federal government once again has reached the limit of its legal ability to borrow money, meaning it cannot issue new Treasury debt without action by Congress to increase the debt ceiling limit. As of this month, our “official” national debt- which doesn’t include the staggering future payments promised to Social Security and Medicare beneficiaries- stands at $14.2 trillion.
The debt ceiling law, passed in 1917, enables Congress to place a statutory cap on the total amount of government debt rather than having to approve each individual Treasury bond offering. It also, however, forces Congress into an open and presumably somewhat shameful vote to approve more borrowing. If the new Republican majority in the House of Representatives gives in to establishment pressure by voting to increase the debt ceiling once again, you will know that the status quo has prevailed. You will know that the simple notion of balancing the budget, by limiting federal spending to federal revenue, remains a shallow and laughable campaign platitude.
It is predictable that Congress will once again merely delay the inevitable and raise the debt ceiling, after the usual rhetoric about controlling spending, making cuts, and yes, raising taxes. We have heard endless warnings about how irresponsible it would be to “shut down the government.” The implication is that sober, rational, mature pundits and politicians understand reality, while those who oppose raising the debt ceiling limit are reckless ideologues who will harm the economy just to make a point.
But like any debtor that has to reduce its spending, the federal government simply needs to establish priorities and stop spending money on anything other than those priorities. Interest payments on our federal bond debt likely will amount to about $500 billion for fiscal year 2011, an average of $41 billion per month. Federal tax revenues vary by month, but should total around $2 trillion to $2.5 trillion for FY 2011– an average of perhaps $180 billion per month. So clearly the federal government has sufficient tax revenue to make interest payments to our creditors. For now, those interest payments represent about 12% of the total federal budget.
What nobody wants to admit is this: even if the federal government has only $1.5 trillion remaining to spend in 2011 after interest payments, this is PLENTY to fund the constitutional functions of government. After all, the entire federal budget in 1990 was about $1 trillion. Does anyone seriously believe the federal government was too small or too frugal just 20 years ago? Hardly. So why have we allowed the federal budget to quadruple during those 20 years?
The truth is, in spite of how cataclysmic some might say it would be if we did not pass a new debt ceiling, it is hardly the catastrophe that has been advertised. The debt ceiling is a self-imposed limit on borrowing. The signal congress sends to worldwide markets by raising the debt ceiling is simple: business as usual will continue in Washington; no real spending cuts will be made; and fiscal austerity will remain a pipe dream.
When our creditors finally wise up and cut us off, we will be forced to face economic realities whether we want to or not. It would be easier to deal with the tough choices we face now, on our own terms, rather than wait until we are at the mercy of foreign creditors. However, leaders in Washington have no political will to admit that we cannot afford to continue spending without any meaningful limit. They prefer maintaining the illusion and putting off reality for another day.
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Ron Paul is the leader of a religion. All of his followers are emotional young people, none of them are serious academics (unless they’re getting paid by David Koch). Like most religious people, his followers mean well. It’s just that their reasoning faculties have been disabled by their emotions and the propaganda they’ve been exposed to.
You can’t blame them for getting angery and looking for answers. Their country has been getting raped by the top 0.1% for some time now.
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No urdisturbing, it’s not just young people. The tone of some of the replies makes it painfully obvious that there are a lot of older people supporting Ron Paul too. Stupid older people who have been propagandized into buying the load of bullshit that Ron Paul peddles. It’s cruel to lead them on as he does especially when he must know himself that his issues are all losing issues. As raising the debt ceiling will of course be too. Good grief!
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only 304 views?
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Ron Paul: Explained it well that the 2 party system is finished, nothing ever gets done and our country is falling into a Debt Black Hole…This is why we need you to run as an Independent with Ventura…The both of you can pull this country back to its glorious self and the people can finally feel at ease…These insane wars, the police state we are in now need to go away or the people are going to revolt and I am afraid that it is going to be bloody mess, if Obama is aloud to continue…
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Get a food storage people, If we default we could go into hyperinflation.
Then, Get out & support Ron for 2012 & save this country!
»crosslinked«
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And how are we supposed to stop raising the debt cieling, Mr. Paul. Answer me that.
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See folks, this is the kind of lunacy that lurks where Ron Paul treads. A commenter asks a simple question of Ron and he gets 4 thumbs down. Why not 4 thumbs up and an answer from Ron Paul? Well, because Ron Paul doesn’t have any answers and that’s because his supporters don’t care. They just want to keep on drinking his Kool-aid.
Oh, and Paul Ryan, how’s your plan working out for you so far?
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neither a borrower nor a lender be.
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default so the bankers can take it in the ass!
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declare bankruptcy.
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agree or disagree with Ron Paul’s positions., He is an honest man in a world of liars and thieves
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My President!
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Either ways my patriotism commands me to support you and you will ALWAYS have my vote!
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I adore Ron Paul thus I want him not to be president, they will take him out like JFK…I love you Ron Paul but a dead patriot is futile.
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Don’t worry maokly1, there’s nothing to fear. Ron Paul could get elected in 2012 to dogcatcher and nobody will care enough to threaten his life.
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Wow, this guy is the ONLY polititian I’ve ever heard that cuts the bull & speaks 100% sense!!!!
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Why even have a debt ceiling if Congress is just going to keep raising it. It’s stupid to even call it a ceiling. Congress is an alcoholic (drug of choice is cheap money). It gets liquored up real good everynight by the bartender Osama Bin Bernanke. He pours the drinks real stiff. We could stop drinking now + experience the worst hangover ever (we might even die) and hopefully survive or keep drinking and gurantee ourselves a slow death by suffocating in our own vomit (debt). Congress will drown
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I would definitely fight a war for this President.
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We have everything we need to straighten this out, People. We just need to get these sellouts out of the driver’s seat. End Unconstitutional Charities and Wars. Keep American dollars for Americans.
Vote Liberty in 2012. End the Status Quo. End Corporate Welfare. Wallstreet isn’t Washington.
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Mr. Paul, your views on the uncontrollable spending by the present administration are certainly valid. However how do you plan change what in my opinion is a government at all levels under the control of the money changers?
How can I feel my vote will make a difference when the wining candidate was selected prior to election day
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Ron Paul for president….
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FOr those not voting for ron paul Vote For me
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GIVE ME RON PAUL OR GIVE ME DEAD !
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I got 20 strong family Members going for Ron PAUL. I wonder How many Friend they may have going for Ron Paul in 2012.
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truth
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RON PAUL FOR PRESIDENT!!!
FROM ITALY!!!!
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Islam disproved at my channel. Check it out…
Exmuslim N Free
Muhammad lied… Check my videos
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Lets work together and Restore America Vote Ron Paul 2012
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The US follows it’s constitutuion to much, just like they follow the bible to much. outdated and only worths a guidence at most in the society
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love how my local new talks about all the republican candidates BUT Ron Paul here in iowa, kinda bull shit
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I know debt is a bad thing when it’s america’s size but i’d say if japan can survives an earthquakes, tsumanmi and godzilla with 200% gdp debt and a economy in recession then i’m sure the weathiest nation in the world can survives a few more $ debt
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Live free or die. Vote Paul, or demise. 2012
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HE NEEDS TO SAY STOP HAARP WEATHER MANIPULATION IN THE USA AND CHEM TRAILS DEPOPULATION THIS IS A BUNCH OF BS GET EDUCATED PEOPLE
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We should make the rest of the world pay the US to police the world for the good the the bankers.
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THERE IS NO OTHER CHOICE !!!THE RULES OF CHECKS AND BALANCE NEED TO BE FOLLOWED!!
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Ron Paul-the only candidate that really runs for the US by following the constitution on which the US was created on
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It is RON PAUL vs Death of America
R O N P A U L vs all the rest
that is the choice we face. He was cheated out of Nomination in 2008.
Will we let it happen again.
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We love you Dr. Paul… you are our only hope!
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