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IMF Says US Must Raise All Taxes, Cut All Entitlements By 35% To Contain Future Budget

Tyler Durden's picture




 

In what is either a delayed April Fool's report, or its latest exercise in rhetoric the IMF asks the humorous question: "An Analysis of U.S. Fiscal and Generational Imbalances: Who Will Pay and How?" The obvious answer is naturally the Fed. The unobvious answer, according to the IMF, is the impossible: a slashing all of USSA's entitlement benefits by a whopping 35% combined with a hike in all tax rates. From the IMF: "This paper updates existing measures of the U.S. fiscal gap to include federal laws up to and including the mid-December 2010 federal fiscal stimulus. It then applies the methodology of generational accounting to establish how the burden of adjustment required to attain fiscal sustainability is shared across generations. We find that the U.S. fiscal and generational imbalances are large under plausible parametric assumptions, and, while not much affected by the financial crisis, they have not improved much by the passing of the Final Healthcare Legislation. We find that, under our baseline scenario, a full elimination of the fiscal and generational imbalances would require all taxes to go up and all transfers to be cut immediately and permanently by 35 percent. A delay in the adjustment makes it more costly." Such drama: have these people really not heard of the Fed. What is rather shocking is that Larry Kotlikoff, who has made it all too clear the US is bankrupt, was used as a consultant: "We are extremely grateful to Lawrence Kotlikoff who acted as a consultant providing unique inspiration, guidance and supervision." Are massively dissenting voices now credible sources of information? What next: Fed white paper citing Zero Hedge?

Full April Fool's joke:

IMF Working Paper US

 

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Mon, 04/04/2011 - 11:00 | 1132379 TomJoad
TomJoad's picture

Meet the new boss.

Same as the old boss.

 

Jump! You Bankster Fuckers!

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 11:01 | 1132385 Cole Younger
Cole Younger's picture

Well, the report is closer to the truth than any of our politicians or fed would like to admit. It won't happen....or....be entertained by anyone...

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 11:03 | 1132389 r101958
r101958's picture

The paper is essentially correct. We need to cut; big time. IMO 20% cuts, across the board, for two years would do the job. We don't need more tax. We need less spending on everything related to gov't. If we cut across the board then nobody can complain they are getting unfairly picked on. The pain is shared by all. Pain now.....or MORE pain later.....our choice. Unfortunately, politicians usually choose the latter......95% of the time. After all, why worry about an election 2 or more years from now.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 12:29 | 1132871 cxl9
cxl9's picture

20 per cent? That's cute. The Federal government is spending $2 for every $1 it collects in taxes. A 20% cut won't close the deficit, to say nothing of paying down the existing debt. And then there's the state and municipal deficits, the pension underfunding, and other future unfunded liabilities.

The numbers are simply too huge. You can talk about spending cuts or higher taxes all you want, but there simply is no realistic solution. The government will print money. That's all you need to know.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 15:20 | 1133777 James
James's picture

Actually, it's spending $1.43 for every $1.00 it collects/steals.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 11:04 | 1132394 Gimp
Gimp's picture

IMF has been fucking the Third World for decades, now it is our turn. Get ready for big tax hikes and more CONTROL....

war is peace...

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 11:04 | 1132396 docj
docj's picture

Translation: you guys are so totally freaking screwed.

Oh, and we still demand our tribute, serfs.  Through our junior partner - the Federal Reserve Bank, Benron Berspankme, Chairman.  So you better get to work on that.  Now.

My respone: Yeah, or we could default.  Which would still mean we have to cut spending by a ton and probably raise a little more in revenues, but won't reward you for, well, basically skimming rent off the top of everything we do while providing no positive value at all.  So, fuck off and die, bankster.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 11:06 | 1132401 SheepDog-One
SheepDog-One's picture

Here it comes people, just handcuff your wrists to your ankles from here on out.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 11:08 | 1132404 ghostfaceinvestah
ghostfaceinvestah's picture

Another $8B printed today.  Any wonder how we are going to pay our bills?

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 11:08 | 1132408 Jo
Jo's picture

Cullen Roche in 5, 4, 3.....

 

He & his MMT buddies have a magic accounting trick that fixes everything.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 11:12 | 1132417 n9lhm
n9lhm's picture

Kotlikoff is slightly wrong. The US IS bankrupt, we just choose to not notice or do anything about it.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 11:18 | 1132447 TruthInSunshine
TruthInSunshine's picture

That's what involuntary petitions to enforce bankruptcy proceedings are for.

The only question will be whether the American People will be free from debt or debt slaves, and that just depends on their level of devotion to their sons and daughters, wives and mothers.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 11:29 | 1132517 Doubleguns
Doubleguns's picture

I object, since the FED holds so much of our bonds THEY are bankrupt and choose not to notice.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 11:35 | 1132567 TruthInSunshine
TruthInSunshine's picture

That's step one.

When interest rates rise, and they will, make sure any politician who even dares insinuate, let alone expressly states, there should be a bailout (by even stealthy and insidious measures) for The Federal Reserve, is banished forever and an extreme example made of them.

Let The Bernank choke on unredeemable at any price treasuries.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 19:09 | 1134818 FIAT_FixItAgainTony
FIAT_FixItAgainTony's picture

amen truth!  stab the banksters to the floor will silver spikes right through their achilles heels.  then stuff the banksters full of their worthless fiat and worthless bonds and light the paper up!  burn banksters burn!  then recover the silver spikes since silver doesn't burn and save them for the next fuktards who want to repeat fiat history.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 11:17 | 1132436 Trundle
Trundle's picture

Said the wonderful pol invoking social justice to the poor immigrant Polish painter about his obligation to pay for the crimes of another:

See that poor child over there.  200 years ago his great, great, great grandaddy got screwed over by a number of people to whom you are not related.

 

Our collective guilt are overwhelming.

Now, give me all of your money, asshole.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 11:17 | 1132438 ZackAttack
ZackAttack's picture

Oh, it's much worse than that, if you want to balance the budget. Look at the 2010 balance sheet:

 

Total revenue $2.381 trillion (estimated)
Total expenditures $3.552 trillion (estimated)
Deficit $1.171 trillion (estimated)
Debt $14.078 trillion (estimated)   If you exclude Social Security receipts, the total "income" of the federal government for 2010 was $1.44 trillion. But let's pretend it's all fungible. Here are the Mandatory and Discretionary spending numbers for 2010: Mandatory spending: $2.184 trillion * $677.95 billion – Social Security
* $571 billion – Other mandatory programs
* $453 billion – Medicare
* $290 billion – Medicaid
* $164 billion – Interest on National Debt
* $11 billion – Potential disaster costs Discretionary spending: $1.368 trillion (here are the top 10): * $663.7 billion – Department of Defense (including Overseas Contingency Operations)
* $78.7 billion – Department of Health and Human Services * $72.5 billion – Department of Transportation
* $52.5 billion – Department of Veterans Affairs
* $51.7 billion – Department of State and Other International Programs
* $47.5 billion – Department of Housing and Urban Development
* $46.7 billion – Department of Education
* $42.7 billion – Department of Homeland Security
* $26.3 billion – Department of Energy
* $26.0 billion – Department of Agriculture
... So, to balance 2010's budget, you have to cut *every dime* of discretionary spending (including *all* of defense), plus 10% of all mandatory spending (including a 10% haircut for US bondholders). Won't happen. For perspective, the F-35 program alone would roughly pay for 3/4 of Medicare for a year. We have a true buns & gutter economy.
Mon, 04/04/2011 - 11:19 | 1132464 r101958
r101958's picture

Across the board cuts is the only thing that is politically possible......and yet....they won't agree to it.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 11:25 | 1132494 ZackAttack
ZackAttack's picture

Sorry my table came out messed up. Basically, what I'm trying to say is: $2.381 trillion in revenue, counting social security taxes; total expenditures of $3.552 trillion (of which 2.184 trillion are mandatory, 1.368 are discretionary), means you either have to have some combination of revenue increases/cost cuts that knock $1.17 trillion off the budget in order to balance it.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 11:17 | 1132451 SheepDog-One
SheepDog-One's picture

People seem to be confused and believe there is some dfference between the FED, the world central banksters, and the IMF...its all the same people. 

This is just the same FED central banking cabal telling the peasantry (99.9%) of the population to PAY THE HELL UP NOW!

 

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 11:17 | 1132456 Rodent Freikorps
Rodent Freikorps's picture

Snowball's chance in hell.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 11:20 | 1132462 MarketFox
MarketFox's picture

As usual...the IMF has it backwards....

Their policies have decimated developing ¨poor countries¨treating the people like they are nothing....

 

.......................

 

Anybody can add 2 + 2...The IMF needs some people that can think outside of the box....

 

Here it is ....the government has to get a lot smaller...and the entreprenuership side of business has to get a lot bigger....

 

The IMF just like the US government in general ....has taken the typical whitebread accounting stance....

 

Picture this....Which economy would be a lot bigger in ten years _ An economy whereby the add back in taxation is 35% or 10% ...government costs are nothing but an add on to goods and services....The only way that a country can improve under the IMF scenario is a decrease in the standard of living...and the relative decline of the country in question´s currency to that of its peers....

 

It dos not get any dumber than this....

 

And these people have IVY league pedigrees...

 

One has to wonder what their REAL AGENDA really is....

 

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 11:32 | 1132531 Dr. Impossible
Dr. Impossible's picture

ponder this agenda: If your "delta neutral" this means NOTHING!!! where shear volume can be the creator of value.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 14:18 | 1133436 Rula Lenska
Rula Lenska's picture

"shear volume"

Are you talking about the size of senior bondholder haircuts?

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 11:24 | 1132500 r101958
r101958's picture

I'll say it once (last year before the elections) and I'll say it again now:

"Current politics is best represented by a two headed dragon. Politicians pay lip service to opposing ideologies but both the Republican and Democratic parties are part of the same big government dragon body. The body is moving in one direction; bigger and more powerful government. More control over the electorate. Having the two parties serves a greater purpose though....it divides the populace (sheeple?) into two camps that are always at each others throat. I think this tactic is called divide and conquer. Until we wake up and get away from the 'Repubs this....' or 'Dems that....' blame game then we will be slowly boiled...just like a frog...all while the dragon stands by watching and laughing. "

And .....the sheep continue bleeting.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 12:16 | 1132808 samsara
samsara's picture
Carroll Quiqley on the Two Party System   "The argument that the two parties should represent opposed ideals and policies, one perhaps of the Right, and the other of the Left, is a foolish idea acceptable only to doctrinaire and academic thinkers. Instead, the two parties should be almost identical, so that the American people can 'throw the rascals out' at any election without leading to any profound or extensive shifts in policy... But either party in office becomes in time corrupt, tired, unenterprising, and vigorless. Then it should be possible to replace it, every four years if necessary, by the other party, which will be none of these things but will still pursue, with new vigor, approximately the same policies". -- Carroll Quigley, "Tragedy and Hope", 1966, p. 1247-48
Mon, 04/04/2011 - 12:46 | 1132950 JR
JR's picture

Wow! Quigley is a gift that just keeps on giving!  The old debates between Republican and Democrat partisans remind one of the debates on whether our current problems stem from fascism, socialism, crony capitalism, corporatism or free trade.  When the state shoves your face to the ground with its boot, it’s useless to identify the maker of the boot that your attacker is wearing.  He comes at the order of the tyrant, be he carrying the flag of the 82nd Airborne or the Red Flag of Socialism.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 12:51 | 1132969 Rodent Freikorps
Rodent Freikorps's picture

If you want a vision of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face - forever.
George Orwell

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 11:28 | 1132508 sbenard
sbenard's picture

Folks, let's be realistic! Washington is not going to become fiscally sound. There is no history of them doing it, and there is no reason to believe they will start.

We must therefore plan and prepare accordingly!

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 11:30 | 1132522 r101958
r101958's picture

Seconded!

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 11:30 | 1132529 shushup
shushup's picture

How Exciting. This means the stock market will go parabolic to the upside.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 11:35 | 1132557 dick cheneys ghost
dick cheneys ghost's picture

It is already happening at the state level......Idaho, a small state is cutting $35 million from medicaid...which translates into a $100 million hit.....thats just one state....philly school district has a $630 million hole in its budget.....

 

this will get much worse.....lots of action at the state level that is not being covered by MSM...

 

http://nakedempire2.blogspot.com/

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 11:36 | 1132560 Seymour Butt
Seymour Butt's picture

The solution to all our problems:   Charlie Sheen/2012.   

Winning.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 11:50 | 1132656 magpie
magpie's picture

No refunds, bitchez.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 12:34 | 1132900 topcallingtroll
topcallingtroll's picture

Yeah he already got ur money!

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 11:52 | 1132657 chunkylover42
chunkylover42's picture

I just threw up in my mouth a little.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 11:38 | 1132572 bugs_
bugs_'s picture

Open Borders Globalism....the price is indeed high - and that is just another installment.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 11:43 | 1132603 n9lhm
n9lhm's picture

The only way that this is even remotely possible is to take the specific cut decisions out of Congress' hands, as they will NEVER agree on what and how much to cut anything.

 

Have Congress agree on the amount to cut -- say 40% OF EVERY DEPARTMENT. Then tell all the Cabinet department heads they have have to cut that amount. The department heads, who are political appontees and not directly responsible to anyone, can make the tough choices as to what programs to cut/reduce/or even increase, if they are willing to cut/eliminate others to fund it. That takes it out of Congress' hands, and lets someone else do the dirty work.

 

Not that this would ever happen either..........

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 11:48 | 1132616 Sheriff Douchen...
Sheriff Douchenik from AZ's picture

LOL - this just ain't gonna happen. Anyone notice in Wisconsin what happens where there is an entitlement/union rollback? To be fair the unions are seeing the multi year highs on the stock market and saying where's mine? Until the little guy who isn't feeding at the public tough gets angry enough to fight back, nothing's gonna get done.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 11:57 | 1132704 Rodent Freikorps
Rodent Freikorps's picture

Unions learned everything they know from the Sicilian mob.

I've met SEIU members that would gut you and laugh if you opposed a $ 0.50/hour raise.

Stand by.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 12:58 | 1133007 Dr. Impossible
Dr. Impossible's picture

funny, not long ago, i damn near was gutted by a mob of young girls gathering signatures out front a burger king, they were gathering signatures to petition the major fast food chains demanding 1 penny more on the price of tomatoes to go striaght to the families PICKING said tomatoes, appearently subsidies arent enough, anyhow, i requested they change their fight to 1 PERCENT more and i would sign on, maybe even help get signatures being an employer its kinda easy for good cause's.....man i still remember running from that cause i wouldnt sign it, these were college girls in the chicago land area....who'd a thunkt!

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 14:40 | 1133146 Rodent Freikorps
Rodent Freikorps's picture

Heh.

I offered the cutest one $200 for an hour of stimulating intercourse, and she was very accommodating.

She was a self-identified Democrat, so I knew she was an idiot, or a whore. No lose situation to test the theory.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 12:05 | 1132744 Rodent Freikorps
Rodent Freikorps's picture
You can discover what your enemy fears most by observing the means he uses to frighten you. - Eric Hoffer
Mon, 04/04/2011 - 12:18 | 1132811 SheepDog-One
SheepDog-One's picture

Good quote.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 12:06 | 1132768 luk427
luk427's picture

Whatever they slash or cut will go into military spending anyway.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 12:10 | 1132774 dootyfree
dootyfree's picture

How can the US be bankrupt when we are the issuer of our own currency?

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 12:18 | 1132809 thedrickster
thedrickster's picture

Sigh, the farce that is fiat.

Also your reckless use of "we" is unfortunate.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 14:27 | 1133501 Rula Lenska
Rula Lenska's picture

"Whaddya mean I'm overdrawn, I still have checks left?!"

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 12:12 | 1132785 connda
connda's picture

Way cool.  Slash benefits and let the riots begin...

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 12:33 | 1132885 topcallingtroll
topcallingtroll's picture

Yeah slash benefits and i call your bluff. Besides being morally wrong in your justifications to help yourself to other people's money, most of the long term unemployed, fake disability scammers and welfare parasites are too lazy and wimpy to riot effectively. If they had.motivation and organizational skills they wouldnt be in the position they are in. Cut benefits.50 percent. End laws.which impair employment and labor flexibility. I will gladly.endure.a.few.minor riots by people who are generally unmotivated and ineffective. Lazy fat government dependent people cant sustain it.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 12:17 | 1132801 Bagbalm
Bagbalm's picture

That you oppose this will matter as much as the public opposition to the TARP and healthcare. You get as much say as the Irish.

The politicians will be glad to reduce you all to peasants and play the Lords of Creation over you. That they can blame it on the IMF is just a bonus.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 12:23 | 1132829 topcallingtroll
topcallingtroll's picture

When they raise my taxes i go galt on your socialist asses. you like waiting four weeks for a specialty appointment? How anout 8 weeks? Because i fire my staff and me and my wife work half time and make 70% of previous income. the asle sociali.asts cant tax my freee time

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 12:22 | 1132838 topcallingtroll
topcallingtroll's picture

Punish the parasites not the productive.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 12:34 | 1132899 Rodent Freikorps
Rodent Freikorps's picture

Parasites and liberals vote. The "enlightened" here are actually proud of not voting.

Run, Forest, run.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 12:30 | 1132876 Bicycle Repairman
Bicycle Repairman's picture

If the US is bankrupt, then let's admit it and default, so we can all move on.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 12:36 | 1132889 falak pema
falak pema's picture

Who does the IMF think they are? Do they really think they can get the US govt. to take the usual medicine doled out to 3rd world countries? Let Hell freeze over first! As John Wayne would have said.  Like in every good western there two types of actors : those who die at the end and those who walk away with their riveted Stetson, standing tall in their well worn cowboy boots, having re-holstered their Colt !..."Do not forsake me oh my darling...".

Those IMF guys don't know how to write their Hollywood scripts. They probably belong to that notorious Hollywood 10 gang! Where are you Joe Mc...?

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 13:05 | 1133047 Bicycle Repairman
Bicycle Repairman's picture

The USA has always been a curious mixture of the 1st and 3rd world.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 14:46 | 1133603 Rula Lenska
Rula Lenska's picture

+elvenses!1

A truth that is seldom (as in never) acknowledged.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 12:45 | 1132947 baby_BLYTHE
baby_BLYTHE's picture

This is what is known as IMF Shock Therapy.

Where does the IMF get the fund$ to impose itself as the financial authority upon nation states?

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 12:55 | 1133005 Rodent Freikorps
Rodent Freikorps's picture

The power of the printing press. Both fiat creation, and the international socialist press.

Trans-national progressives are the enemy of every freedom loving individual on Earth. The aristocracy will use socialism to regain their power.

We betray all the people throughout history who gave their lives for liberty.

And all for the lie of a free lunch.

We suck as a generation.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 13:10 | 1133056 baby_BLYTHE
baby_BLYTHE's picture

Which generation are you?

My generation is just coming online (18-25). Believe me, they have no clue what is coming down the pipe.

We will be known as America's very first lost generation- as we shall be among the first to fully experience Thrid World America in its full blown glory.

I am prepared to fight it out in the streets and die for what I believe.

Let's party like its 1789! I want to see heads literally rolling.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 13:11 | 1133078 Chuck Walla
Chuck Walla's picture

You will be lonely as long as they are running Idol and Charlie Sheen re-runs...

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 13:23 | 1133137 baby_BLYTHE
baby_BLYTHE's picture

This song pretty much sums up how I feel about it all.

Thanks be to music such as this. May death find our fascist overloards quickly!

Bring out your dead
Bring me their heads
An execution is at hand
These are you false prophets selling you Armageddon...


These are the ones who are telling you that you are safe
These are the ones who are taking your life away
Day by day we cleanse the world of evil
Yet, the blood is still on our hands

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSL20EMVZNc

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 13:30 | 1133161 Rodent Freikorps
Rodent Freikorps's picture

ARCH ENEMY - We Will Rise (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4Dn02bR4pg

It is the mindset, not the generation.

I'll man the barricades beside you, even if the best I can do is reload for you.

 

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 13:33 | 1133190 baby_BLYTHE
baby_BLYTHE's picture

I <3 Angela

Met her and got to hangout backstage before they played a gig in Chicago a few years back ;)

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 13:10 | 1133075 Bicycle Repairman
Bicycle Repairman's picture

"We suck as a generation."

Previous generations have not been exposed to the level of sophisticated propaganda that this one has.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 15:59 | 1133995 reader2010
reader2010's picture

"No Child Left Behind."

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 13:02 | 1133038 JR
JR's picture

The modus operandi of theoreticians who drafted the plan for the IMF/World Bank – Fabian Socialist John Maynard Keynes and U.S. Treasurer Harry Dexter White (a member of a Communist espionage ring in Washington who later became the first Executive Director for the United States at the IMF) – was to replace gold as the basis of international currency exchange and replace it with a politically manipulated paper standard.  In other words, says G. Edward Griffin: “It was to allow governments to escape the discipline of gold so they could create money out of nothing without paying the penalty of having their currencies drop in value on world markets… It was the establishment of a world central bank (exactly the method devised on Jekyll Island to allow the Fed to create money in America out of nothing)  which would create a common fiat money for all nations and then require them to inflate together at the same rate.  There was to be a kind of international insurance fund which would rush that fiat money to any nation that temporarily needed it to face down a ‘run’ on its currency.”

Dominque Strauss-Kahn, managing director of the IMF, is an official leader of the Socialist movement.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 14:05 | 1133364 falak pema
falak pema's picture

I don't care about the label I look at the acts : he is the Oilgarchy's man, like Benocide. As for your rant on world socialism...go read...the Odyssey. When Ulysses crossed the narrow straights he was faced with a choice between two redoubtable monsters : Scylla and Charybdis : Rock and whirlpool. In today's world the Rock is the globalised, financialised Oligarchy; greedy 1% who wants to crush the other 99% through rampant inflation. And the whirlpool is world socialism, nation-state protecting the majority entitlements in a protectionist, closed system, deflationist model, but with it plethoric/uneconomic/corrupt bureaucracy. Which do you prefer of these two evils. Ulysses chose Charybdis...in the legend. It is evident that if ever the world goes through the narrow straits..it'll have to clean out the mess in the Aegean stables...like Hercules! God luck , brave new world!

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 14:21 | 1133479 JR
JR's picture

Unlike Ulysses, we face only one monster. The rise in world Socialism is the economic model of the central planners using the vast mass of non-producers to swamp the good will and hard work of the individual operating under freedom.  These same central planners are the central bankers who would establish a world government.

And, IMO, it is a serious mistake to equate the wealthy with the central bankers; the 1 percent versus 99 percent is fundamental socialist propaganda. The central bankers' seizure of power has resulted from Communist agitation and Socialist legislation.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 15:20 | 1133790 falak pema
falak pema's picture

I now know who you be : A ONE eyed Cyclops! But they knew all about you in the Odyssey. So you're old hat! 

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 14:22 | 1133486 MachoMan
MachoMan's picture

Isn't this what we're already doing with the FED and the dollar?  (and it's still not working...)

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 14:30 | 1133532 JR
JR's picture

Exactly!  Their problem is that they don't understand human nature; that's why the League of Nations failed, why the euro is failing, why the ethnic assimilations are failing, why Israel is failing... They dont understand, or care, what man wants.  They just keep pushing.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 12:46 | 1132948 trav7777
trav7777's picture

I can synopsize the IMF paper:

GET BACK ON YOUR WHEELS HAMSTERS!  RUN HARDER

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 15:56 | 1133983 israhole
israhole's picture

LMAO!!

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 12:58 | 1133017 ak_khanna
ak_khanna's picture

The blame for causing the financial crises is to be shared by all the parties involved.

Individuals kept on spending even in face of declining incomes by using the cheap and easily available loans handed over to them by the bankers.

The bankers kept on lending to the individuals, who they knew would never be able to repay their loans, because they were getting commission and charging exorbitant interest on the loans. Moreover they were able to sell the poor loans (after getting them fraudently rated as AAA) to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. The bankers also sold these toxic products to the pension funds and fixed income investors for commissions knowing very well they will go down in value when the borrowers default. The bankers were confident that the government would route tax payers collections to them in case of any mishap as they had become too big to fail and controlled the politicians, rule-makers and the rule enforcers.

The politician­­s around the world are nothing more than auction items which can be sold to the highest bidder. They will do whatever they can for the lobbyist paying them the maximum amount of money or votes, be it the unions, the banksters, the richest corporatio­­ns or individual­­s. They are in the power seat to extract maximum advantage for themselves in the small time frame they occupy the seat of power.

The rest of the population is least of their concerns. The only activity they do is pacify the majority of the population using false statistics and promises of a better future so that they do not lynch them and their masters while they are robbing the taxpayers.

http://www.marketoracle.co.uk/Article24581.html

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 14:24 | 1133484 CustomersMan
CustomersMan's picture

 

                   WHAT ?

 

        The use of LEVERAGE and DERIVATIVES and SPECULATION had more to do with the DISASTER than loaning money to people who couldn't pay.

 

        The U.S. Government could have paid off in full every delinquent loan early on for the original $ 700 Billion in the FALL OF 2008.

 

         How about the other $ 12 + TRILLION they loaned out, gave away and guaranteed with the full faith and credit of the U.S. TAXPAYER,...with NO AUTHORITY TO DO SO.

 

         Other figures that combine all programs, sub-programs, and sub-Rosa deals and behind the back guarantees and twisted hypothications and other misdeeds, set our TOTAL OBLIGATIONS at over $ 24 TRILLION Z.

 

         You Sir are MISINFORMED or are trying to sugar-coat the mess by saying it was due to bad loans, either that or are trying a mis-direction scheme in order to slant opinion in a direction other than where it belongs.

 

         Because, CuzMan calls you on your shit

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 13:06 | 1133042 AldoHux_IV
AldoHux_IV's picture

In honor of Dr. King's assassination, I too have a dream: that one day we can rise up from the slavery of centrally planned economic genocide-- that we can break free from the shackles of greed and fraud that is running rampant amongst our policymakers-- that we can stand hand in hand against the tyranny of crony capitalists and those who continue to steal from us, our children, and our children's children-- that we can end all central banking and finally put the financial sector in its place of utility and not master of our domain-- that we end the destruction of democracy in our country and around the world-- I have a dream that we can be truly free in the core values that made our country great at one point: life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and equality for all.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 13:30 | 1133175 JR
JR's picture

And as Abraham Lincoln said in the Alton debates: You work and I’ll eat.

“That is the real issue. That is the issue that will continue in this country when these poor tongues of Judge Douglas and myself shall be silent. It is the eternal struggle between these two principles -- right and wrong -- throughout the world. They are the two principles that have stood face to face from the beginning of time, and will ever continue to struggle. The one is the common right of humanity and the other the divine right of kings. It is the same principle in whatever shape it develops itself. It is the same spirit that says, 'You work and toil and earn bread, and I'll eat it.' No matter in what shape it comes, whether from the mouth of a king who seeks to bestride the people of his own nation and live by the fruit of their labor, or from one race of men as an apology for enslaving another race, it is the same tyrannical principle.”
--October 15, 1858 Debate at Alton

The IMF money changers have a plantation economic program in mind whereby the people of the world are corralled and ruled as slaves under the lash of the masters' whip.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 15:30 | 1133852 falak pema
falak pema's picture

You're the Savage in THAT book. Look out for Mustapha Mond and Lenina Crown and their great hatchery. I know you wrote the book in a dream like state in a past life...but sometimes we forget what we did with our right hand as our left gets so restless...god and the devil, are our two faces...So don't forget how the book ended...before you add to the list..."and equality for all"...remember the Gaussian curve...the law of natural selection!

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 13:08 | 1133053 tahoebumsmith
tahoebumsmith's picture

"AUSTERITY BITCHEZ" coming soon to a theater near you..

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 13:08 | 1133063 Chuck Walla
Chuck Walla's picture

Why, how would we be able to transfer taxpayer wealth to the failed EU, via the IMF, under this theory?

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 13:28 | 1133163 Piranhanoia
Piranhanoia's picture

socialism would imply some benefit to the people. inserting it into either politics or economics is hardly appropriate. It is not compatible.  Some "commodities" would not be for sale. Some ""economists" would be day laborers with a box at Hyde Park.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 13:55 | 1133319 jlohman
jlohman's picture

So, rather than quit spending taxpayer dollars on giveaways to the special interests that give campaign bribes, congress wants to cut legitimate entitlements to balance the budget????

Bull roar!

Jack Lohman

http://MoneyedPoliticians.net

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 14:01 | 1133345 nah
nah's picture

the world will run out of money untill things improve

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 21:23 | 1135259 FIAT_FixItAgainTony
FIAT_FixItAgainTony's picture

i thought it was "the beatings will continue until morale improves."

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 14:04 | 1133369 CustomersMan
CustomersMan's picture

 

          Social Security Withholding, All The Way To The TOP


       This is one change that would have an impact, that is NO MORE phasing out of Social Security Withholding Taxes, Let Them Go all the WAY TO THE TOP, on ALL income and BONUSES.

        And I don't care if you want to call it raising taxes or not, Just Do It.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 14:22 | 1133476 jmc8888
jmc8888's picture

How about instead of your bankster reccommendations, we re-enact the full 1933 law of Glass-Steagall and shove it up your bankster casino ass?

Wipe out the fraudulent debts.  Wipe out the bad derivatives, the bad rmbs, the bad cmbs, the bad everything that doesn't adhere to the Glass-Steagall standard.

It's either the cuts they propose (which still won't solve a failing monetary system), or we can switch back to our great Hamiltonian system, and not cut a damn thing that is needed, nor raise taxes on working folk.  How about instead, we make YOU pay, the IMF fucktards. 

The party's over wall street. even if like a dead body it still twitches.

Anyone that cuts needed services for fraudulent debt needs to up their medication.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 14:36 | 1133560 jlohman
jlohman's picture

Because it is the banksters and other Fat Cats that fund the elections. NOTHING is going to change until we get public funding of campaigns and we get these b*stards off the payroll of the special interests.Bribes work, or they wouldn't be given!

 

Jack Lohman

http://MoneyedPoliticians.net

 

 

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 14:34 | 1133547 steve3828
steve3828's picture

Tyler, the Fed can't inflate away a defined benefit.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 14:38 | 1133555 TruthInSunshine
TruthInSunshine's picture

Paul Krugman just called and said we can pay down the 35% by printing 35% more money.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 15:20 | 1133794 PulauHantu29
PulauHantu29's picture

Kotlikoff said a few years ago we need to raise income taxes to 65% and and double the payroll taxes...this was in 2006! Now it's uch worse.

His book The Coming Generational DStorm os a classic and he suggested gold, oil and Chinese stocks. He said 'eat broccoli" since health benefits will be drastically cut.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 15:56 | 1133980 KickIce
KickIce's picture

They could start by paying us back, you can add all the foreign banks that we gave several billions as well.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 16:18 | 1134122 lordbyroniv
lordbyroniv's picture

As Neil Farage said: "Who ARE these people ? ? ? ?"

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 17:42 | 1134539 Matte_Black
Matte_Black's picture

Hm. Lots of interesting comments in this thread, ideological arguments, economic theory, populism, interesting stuff....

I'm thinking this is an opening salvo in the reserve currency fight. Bitchez want their SDRs. Just my opinion.

Great thread.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 18:13 | 1134646 Verstehen
Verstehen's picture

Imagine this. The greatest asset of an ecosystem or a country is the quality of its inhabitants. High quality inhabitants leads to high GDP growth and progress (industrial revolution, the car, the telephone, the Internet ect.). The relatively homogeneous baby boomers (white Europeans) were of relatively high quality but this group fell short of the magically 2.1 children to sustain itself. To halt the decline high quality Asians were brought in but this group itself is falling far short of the magically number 2.1 to sustain itself (South Korea, Japan, China all are far below 2). This source will run dry at some point.

According to PISA, these two groups (Whites and Asians) have the highest IQs of all populations.

At the other hand the countries with the lowest PISA-IQs (from Mexico to Brazil and from Africa to the Middle East) are the fastest growing populations worldwide. Do you get the point?

To sustain the populations (and the economic system) of the US and Europe the politicians and their masters will inevitably resort to the more stupid populations on earth. This will lead to an irreversible decline in the gene pool and the overall IQ of the US and Europe because the more stupid populations with their high birthrates will dwarf the Whites and Asians at some point (already underway). 

This "socio-economic super trend" will culminate in a degeneration of the population and the overall economy (climax). The best example is the rapidly growing group of Mestizos (Latinos) who are famously dull (PISA-IQ 70 and sinking). A microcosm of this can be observed in Texas where they will outnumber the whites in a few decades. They invest little in education and their income is far lower than that of Whites and Asians. This means they consume less, save less and will use crime to get more money. 
This "socio-economic super trend" (or the trend of all trends) is the doom of doom and strikes terror into the elites head (Hello David). It can only be stopped when immigration is halted which is nearly impossible and is against the Neo-Liberalism mantra (Globalisation). 

The world is heading toward an epic socio-economic disaster more destructive and powerful than every monetary system and they know it. This is the way how civilizations fall. The Germans of 1933 understood that the so-called democracy and Neo-Liberalism conspiracy can only lead to the fall of the US and Europe which is now underway. The Germans were your only salvation but you have conspired against them (Hello England, France, the US, Russia and House of Rothschild YOU ALL WILL FALL). Can you beat the trend of all trends?

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 19:42 | 1134879 Matte_Black
Matte_Black's picture

To sum up your theory then, you're saying that had we maintained the purity of our blood we wouldn't be in this mess?

How do you know it wasn't flouride? Or chemtrails? Or 50 years of 24/7 electronic propaganda? Why reinvent history?

We watched them commit economic rape and pillage on all those people and nations you listed for 75 years, and never believed they would eventually get around to us.

Hard to admit we got pimped like a $2 hooker by a bunch of guys who have never done an honest day's work in their lives, isn't it?

Comfort youself with bullshit if you want, but me? I'll stick with the truth.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 19:59 | 1134980 msjimmied
msjimmied's picture

Stupid? Most of these civilizations flowered way before your time. They are suffering through the dark ages, exended further by the IMF, the same that will befall us with our hubris. Mathematics, Astronomy, philosophy, art and poetry, the spiritual ascendency of these cultures at their time cannot be denied. It is the dark pall of penury that bars them from the resources of information and education now, not a genetic weakness.

Probably all you got going for you right now is being white and having the ability to string together enough words to reveal your warped mind. If you really have the intelligence, you would have delved deeper into the grand warehouse of human endeavor in different cultures to know how incredibly shallow your knowledge is.

Oh yeah...and Heil Hitler! Go fuck yourself.

 

 

 

Sun, 05/15/2011 - 05:27 | 1275741 Hunch Trader
Hunch Trader's picture

Yes that would be the salvation of your people, your race.

But guess what? The people behind this global socialism, are not doing it for the race, but for their own class (consisting mostly of a certain religion with very international, stateless orientation). Turning the rest of the people (99.999% of earth's humans) into idiocracy is the exact intended end result.

Your skin color does not mean that you belong into this international socialist elite.

You will be consumers and whores for the global elite (who mostly wear the kipa).

 

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 18:25 | 1134684 PulauHantu29
PulauHantu29's picture

mmm, how about recommending an end to the $$Trillion$$ a year wars? Sounds like that would save a nice penny.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 18:30 | 1134696 headless blogger
headless blogger's picture

I am impressed with Ron Paul for getting up on the House floor and asking the questions and telling the truth about the Fed that few others would.

People have had their lives ruined and careers sabotaged, in the past, when they have stood up to the Federal Reserve and shone a light on it.

I believe that this entire "crisis" was created purposely. Yes, I'm one of those people...

These people sitting in high places in Europe and elsewhere that control the BIS, had to have known that what these bankers were doing was going to ruin the U.S.

ALL the people involved are all invited to annual "meetings" that the rest of us are not.

I don't care what people say.....This entire scam and ponzi scheme that has brought down many governments (present and past) was definitely created for some purpose.

NOW we have the IMF calling for our taxes to go up and to cut health care and social security. We already have about 60 million people with no health coverage.

Are they trying to create a Union between between N. America and Europe? Because that is what I see going on.

This is why the Federal Reserve is literally trashing itself....because there will be an international version of the FED to replace it after it has served it's purpose of destroying the economy (so the internationalists can then take charge)....

 

They have taken this globalization and have gone mad with it.

 

 

 

 

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 19:28 | 1134871 JR
JR's picture

Mikla - a top Zero Hedge contributor and commentor - wrote on 10/02/10 in his powerful ZH article: Nightmare Scenario: The Fed Outlives the US Federal Government:

If I were Ben Bernanke and wanted to become King of the World, I would:

  1. Encourage nations all over the world to issue sovereign debt denominated in US dollars (Germany and numerous other EU nations are doing this now).  I would do this even if I needed to print dollars to promise/subsidize their debt issuance (it's "free to me").  This establishes a future need by that nation to come up with dollars at the sovereign level.
  2. Print dollars to gift/loan massive amounts of dollars to nations all over the world.  I want as many (public and private) institutions using dollars as possible, and more importantly, to leverage debt denominated in dollars.  (This was the purpose for the AIG bailout, and continues with currency swaps and outright purchases of foreign sovereign bonds.)
  3. Print dollars to purchase real assets and securities which establishes my "fundamental value" as a holder of assets (MBS purchases, POMO, etc.)

What would happen next:

  1. Sovereign defaults will start worldwide.  I could even trigger them by restricting currencies, or buying/selling currencies to force a change in exchange rates that would trigger sovereign default (since nearly all countries are over-leveraged past the point-of-no-return).  The ECB can't freely print, but I can.  The US Congress can't freely issue bonds, but I can freely print.  You think a $700B bailout is a big deal?  Bah.  I can write checks $Trillions at a time with no vote and no review.
  2. In the deflationary unwind, people would need dollars.  The dollars would not exist (e.g., debt would not be serviced, counter-party risk would be massive).  Suddenly, my ability to print dollars would make me even more important.  And, these are my dollars that I am free to spend as I please.
  3. I'd default foreign nations first, and the US Federal Government last.  As the holder of the World Reserve Currency, I don't want the US Government to default first, because there would be a chance that another world reserve currency would replace me.  However, by removing all foreign currency viability *first*, and then defaulting the US Federal Government *last*, I would be the undisputed holder of the World Reserve Currency without a challenge.
  4. To fortify my World Reserve Currency status in a new world of sovereign mistrust (which further undermines the chance of a new sovereign currency arising), now freed from the restrictions defined by US Congressional charter, I would establish a new charter with the IMF or BIS (each is outside the bounds of any given nation).  I would probably pick the IMF, since they are more "direct meddlers" with a good history of ensuring indentured servitude on nations.  I would thus enhance my protected "world currency" status, and the IMF would gain the power to print its own currency without the annoying influence of sovereign governments.
  5. To show my "good will", I would start a "new" Marshall Plan to "print-and-gift" my dollars to countries that agree to use my currency.  This will ease every one's transition in a new uncertain world.  Why use "New Greek Drachmas" when you can't buy a tanker of oil with them?  I'll give Greece enough dollars to buy *three years* of oil, after which time the Greek economy will be entirely denominated in dollars.  Greece doesn't want to play?  Fine.  I'll ignore them for a few years until they realize the Saudi's don't want New Drachmas, and Greece gets desperate for my grace (at which point I'd make them an offer they can't refuse).

Not only is this plausible, it's rather simple.  If Ben can't pull this off, he really is a moron.  (END)

Smart man, that Mikla.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 19:48 | 1134913 Matte_Black
Matte_Black's picture

Doesn't that scenario usually end with a mark on everyone's right hand or forehead?

Just sayin...

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 22:48 | 1135485 headless blogger
headless blogger's picture

 I think that is probably something on the line of what they are doing.

There is always the "black swans" that are not calculated into their risk models.

You can take this one step further also. There seems to be an undercurrent of tension going on between the two "clans" that are basically ruling the Western powers. That does not bode well for the rest of us. Last time that happened over 20 million people were killed.

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 22:23 | 1135433 Tunga
Tunga's picture

Tunga think something big going on just out of sight. Tunga think you worry too much. Strange unexplainable events to come. Very good for everyone. Help Tunga. Be positive please and Thank you. 

Tue, 04/05/2011 - 00:17 | 1135672 Bartanist
Bartanist's picture

Maybe the US should:

a) start collecting wat-time taxes (70% with no outs on the >$1 million crowd)

b) fire 2/3 of its workers

c) make it less profitable to do business outside the US than inside the US.

... oh, but then the big bully would be unpopular ... oops, too late. Fix us and economically let the rest of the world figure it out for themselves, and if that means we need to kill the Fed and break up all of the TBTF, then it should be done for the greater good.

Sun, 04/10/2011 - 00:49 | 1154455 thames222
thames222's picture

Once again, the rich just keep getting richer.  Raising taxes is the last option, this budget crisis needs real policy that creatively cuts spending instead of making life harder and harder for the everyday man.

 

www.forecastfortomorrow.com

Sun, 04/10/2011 - 10:15 | 1154782 i-dog
i-dog's picture

Cutting spending means cutting government ... and you can't [rationally] expect 'the system' to reduce itself! Only an outside force (ie. a change of paradigm) could achieve a change.

The federal government is a cancerous growth that is now more than 50% of the size of the host and it will continue feeding off the host until the host is no more.

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