Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Nation & World

Washington Whispers by Paul Bedard

John McCain's Syrian Straight Talk

October 22, 2008 10:47 AM ET | Paul Bedard | Permanent Link | Print

GOP presidential contender John McCain cultivates a tough-guy image when it comes to dealing with troublemaker nations like Iran, North Korea, and Syria. But when Syria's ambassador to Washington, Imad Moustapha, wrote to the Arizona senator during the campaign, he was pleasantly surprised at the response. "He answered back in a very positive manner," Moustapha tells us. The envoy says that McCain was appreciative of the Syrian's evaluations of recent, positive developments in the Mideast. McCain went so far as to tell Moustapha not to hesitate to contact him in the future. All good signs, says Moustapha, who thinks Washington may be ready to re-engage with Syria.

Tags: John McCain

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Reader Comments

Michael from NYC of NY what racist stereotypes???

Another Kool Aid Drinker, If you don't like what they say call them a racist, sad.

BTW,Michael, college degree-self paid, over $250K income, "had" 6 figures in the 401K & holding investments, and paid for both my daughters college with cash, not with government funds, what say you.

olroy of WA your presentation is on the right path but I think your figures are off due to the fact you didn't adjust for inflation nor did you consider the assets the US government owns today vs 34 years ago. Looking at one side of the equation fits your agenda, total assets minus total liabilities

Poor Larry

Larry of CA says, "Every time an administration has lowered taxes, the government has gotten more cash, the American people have gotten to keep more of their hard-earned cash, and the economy has moved in a positive direction."

That's partially true, but there's an elephant in the room that's misunderstood, or ignored by the Larrys of the world. The elephant is the fact that the government has never gotten enough more cash to make up for the increased amount every President except Bill Clinton has spent beginning with Ronald Reagan.

In terms of percentages, national debt was at 117% of national income (GDP) at the end of WW II. By 1979, the end of the Carter administration, it had declined to 33%. Through those 34 years under 7 presidents, the government practiced fiscal responsibility. In dollars adjusted for inflation, our GDP tripled, while debt stayed nearly level.

Reaganomics decreed cutting taxes without cutting expenditures, & subsequent Republican administrations have followed the same. For most of the past quarter century, our government's outgo has exceeded its income, contrary to the fiscal prudence practiced in the preceding 34 years. Today, our national debt has increased to 70% of GDP.

Following these percentages in practical terms, it is as though you had $50,000 in income at the end of WW II, & $60,000 in debt. By 1979, your income had increased to $180,000 wile your debt held steady at $60,000. Today, at $180,000 of income, your debt has risen to $126,000, and that isn't economic progress. It's your descendants who will pay for the false prosperity you enjoyed from lower taxes while the government borrowed to pay its bills.

Sorry, Larry, you've been living in a fools paradise along with most of the rest of our nation, and the chickens of Republican fiscal irresponsibility are coming home to roost.

Michael

Does that mean that after obama is elected there won't be any more free speech?

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