Debt, National

It's the economy, voter.

Once upon a time I was good with numbers. Not so much anymore. But there are a few concepts I think I understand when it comes to money.

The next president and congress is going to inherit an economy that is, to put it mildly, in terrible condition. Frankly I do not know how the ship can be righted. But I do know this: One side is talking about it, and one side is trying to avoid talking about it. And neither side has a solution - but that would be asking way too much - if it were easy, well, it might be on the road to recovery right now.

There's a chart I find interesting, as well as a ton of apparently unbiased information (all positions see to be recognized and discussed) at http://www.federalbudget.com/.

Here is what I find most interesting. Look at the chart - this year we are spending $580B on Defense, $675B on Health and Human Services and $490B on Tresury (debt). The candidates and the congress spend oodles of time debating whether or not to spend 2 or 3 billion dollars on, say, education. That's a good debate, but in the overall scheme of things wouldn't it make more sense to concentrate on the really high dollar areas? It's not unlike a homeowner agonizing over whether or not to spend $10 on a magazine subscription, while ignoring the fact that the mortgage could be refinanced and payments reduced by $500 a month!

Well, there, I've exhausted my knowledge of finance. Look at the website. Oh, one other thing. The Republicans claim the Democrats are 'tax and spend'. According to all of the unbiased information I have seen, the proposals on the table have 1) less tax for most Americans by the Democratic plan, and 2) less spending for programs by the Democratic plan! Go figure.

Which One Has the Crisis ?!