Obama Encourages Saving Your Money Rather Than Reveling in Massive Debt.

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Oh Noze! Here he goes again, that wacky socialist super hero Barry Obama is taking on the current paradigm of the USA. Could this be his last battle against the powers of corporate dominance or could this wacky adventurer defeat his nemesis 'greed' and save the people of the USA for spending themselves into the streets?

"If you work hard and meet your responsibilities, this country is going to honor our collective responsibility to you: to ensure that you can save and secure your retirement," Obama said in his weekly radio address.

Sounds like good advice to me, but based on my experience there will be many who think he is overstepping the boundaries and that this action is somehow meant to 'indoctrinate' we the people into believing we can't spend our money with reckless abandon in preparation for the coming socialist, communist, fascist state.

"We cannot continue on this course," said the president. "And we certainly cannot go back to an economy based on inflated profits and maxed-out credit cards; the cycles of speculative booms and painful busts; a system that put the interests of the short-term ahead of the needs of long-term."

Commie hogwash or common sense?

Obama's plan calls for expanding opportunities for automatic enrollment in employer-provided and other retirement savings plans, helping people convert tax refunds as well as their unused vacations and sick leave into savings among other measures.

Sounds good to me? Perhaps it is not? Perhaps this is the prelude to the rise of the evil socialist empire? Dun Dun Dun!

"We have to revive this economy and rebuild it stronger than before," Obama argued. "And making sure that folks have the opportunity and incentive to save - for a home or college, for retirement or a rainy day - is essential to that effort."

Dear god the logic of these statement is rather glaring to the pint of blinding. After eight years of Bush screaming 'SPEND SPEND SPEND' the idea os 'save save save' makes my mind reel.

Save? The future? Economy? What is going on here folks? Does this in fact sound too logical to be true or good? Is this a socialist, communist, fascist scam to enslave my soul and steal my beans?

Time will only tell.

reply to post by Animal


I do not need advice from the President of my nation that is so obligatorily silly as to say I need to save my money, because this is basic common sense.

I am deeply offended that this man is bothering with such small comments and measures so as to suggest we need his advice on common knowledge and basic God given common sense.

Does President Obama think that we as a nation are all simpering idiots drooling down the sides of our face as we click the mouse to search for inane news commentary?

Look, in the sky, it's a pair of ears...

It's a Russian I.C.B.M....

It's Barack Obama

Please, Mr President, tell us something we do not already know.

Enough cotton candy dreams, rainbow smiles, and gumdrop smiles, actually do something to help the nation because your speeches sure are not putting food on my table, your speeches sure are not paying my electricity bill, and your speeches are not giving me anything more than an Excedrin headache.

Dismantle the Federal Reserve, begin making those jobs you keep promising and never delivering on, and for God sake, please do your job.

The Creature from Jekyll Island : A Second Look at the Federal Reserve

I save my money, Mr Obama, I work hard Mr Obama, and I utilize my money in the most effective way I can, to buy books and further my own education.

Might I give you some advice, Mr Obama?

Read that book, because it shows everything you are up to right now, trying to gain more power by attempting to be the "Father" to the nation, when this is not your job whatsoever.

The Cult of the Presidency, Updated: America's Dangerous Devotion to Executive Power

Some of us citizens, well we know how to read, and we know how to count to twenty without taking off our shoes and socks.

This is not the Beverly Hillibillies and you sure are not Mr Drysdale.

[edit on 5-9-2009 by SpartanKingLeonidas]

Great stuff!

You know, during the Bush years, I almost felt "unAmerican" because we save up for stuff BEFORE we buy it. We pay cash for most purchases. We have NO running credit cards because if we use them, we pay them off that month. They are a convenience, nothing more. Our only payment is our house payment and that's paid a year in advance, should something happen...

We don't have ipods, cell phones, flat screen TVs, new cars, all the latest gadgets - None of it. We are frugal and live within our means. We don't invest money we can't afford to lose. We have a nice nest egg...

Oh Noes! ... Is I a commie.



[edit on 5-9-2009 by Benevolent Heretic]

reply to post by Animal


I can agree with this. For too long we have rewarded debt and irresponsibility (loan mandates to those who don't qualify, higher credit scores for those who finance and go into debt, etc.) while punishing those who save and plan (tax on the interest in savings accounts, lower credit scores for those who save and then buy without financing, etc.).

reply to post by SpartanKingLeonidas


It's not that he's simply telling others to save and plan, it's that he's trying to implement incentives for those who do. So it's not just him telling us what should be common sense. It looks like he's trying to develop benefits for those who choose to save instead of spend.



My question is, does anyone know what his plans are for the incentives? I didn't see any specifics in the article.

[edit on 9/5/2009 by AshleyD]

reply to post by SpartanKingLeonidas


I hear you, it only seems obvious that saving money is the right thing to do. It also seems ludicrous that our president would have to say anything on this issue as it is so painfully obvious.

However, based on the actions of the people of this fine nation something obviously needs to change.

We live in a nation that prides itself on consumption.

Even our children have credit cards.

Our economy is in the crapper, and many people are looking at the last leg of their lives being pretty crappy as they have no money to take care of themselves and the government is not exactly in a great position to help out.

I personally think that many people need to be reminded about some basic concepts like 'saving money'.

I think it ties directly into the economy and if the president feels that encouraging people to be a bit more financially savvy will help so be it.

reply to post by Animal


That's nice.

On the other hand, its hard to have any credibility on savings when your own budget calls for a $9 trillion deficit over the next 10 years. Instead of admonishing the public or a past administration, the hypocrite needs to put a sock in it and practice what he preaches.

At the rate of inflation we better save all we can, because by next year it'll be worth half that.

I need to go change my diaper now so I don't make poopy all over the place.

Peace

Originally posted by SpartanKingLeonidas
I do not need advice from the President of my nation that is so obligatorily silly as to say I need to save my money, because this is basic common sense.

YOU may not... But clearly some aren't getting it.

Does President Obama think that we as a nation are all simpering idiots drooling down the sides of our face as we click the mouse to search for inane news commentary?

I would say he thinks that generally, far too many people are loaded up with credit card debt and way over their head with car payments, loan payments, credit card payments, etc., and have nothing saved for the future... And he's right.

...your speeches sure are not putting food on my table, your speeches sure are not paying my electricity bill, and your speeches are not giving me anything more than an Excedrin headache.

Wait... that's not what you're expecting him to do... Is it?

Come on, SKL. I know enough to know that common sense is not overwhelmingly represented in this country.

Ashley, the incentive for saving is clear. The incentive for living within one's means is clear. Especially after the economic collapse we've just seen, it's clear why we should WANT to save and take care of ourselves. The president doesn't need to provide an incentive to exercise common sense. He shouldn't even have to tell us this. But people are not operating with common sense to great degrees. That's why we're where we are! Short term thinking, immediate gratification, greed, disregard for the future. It's a recipe for an economic collapse.

reply to post by vor78


I was thinking the exact same thing but was worried I'd derail the thread. lol

So true. It is very odd to have plans to tell us we need to be financially conservative when our government is anything but.

However, I am interested in seeing how he plans to pull this off. We do need to encourage Americans to save instead of going into debt for everything.

Originally posted by Benevolent Heretic
Great stuff!

You know, during the Bush years, I almost felt "unAmerican" because we save up for stuff BEFORE we buy it.

Why just during the Bush administration? This has been a problem for decades. I remember seeing the same situation under Clinton when I became an adult and the 'keeping up with the Jones' mentality as far back as Reagan. That's as far back as I go since I was born in '79. lol Even though Obama is doing something about it, he is not innocent either. Like in the cash for clunkers program- go out and buy a new car, etc.

Originally posted by AshleyD
My question is, does anyone know what his plans are for the incentives? I didn't see any specifics in the article.

Here is some of the stuff he talked about during the campaign. I'm not sure what he's planning to put into action, though.

Passing off on the importance of personally saving because the message is coming from the president of our nation which is the biggest debtor in the world is kind of silly.

It's like a smoker dying of cancer telling you 'don't smoke' and you think to yourself 'your dying from cancer you stupid old smoker who are you to tell me not to smoke'...

Change starts at home.

Originally posted by Benevolent Heretic
Here[/url] is some of the stuff he talked about during the campaign. I'm not sure what he's planning to put into action, though.

Exactly, neither do the rest of us. Based on the first eight months, it's a crapshoot (no pun intended).

Peace

reply to post by AshleyD


Don't get me wrong, he's at least partially correct to be asking the public to avoid additional personal debt and to practice financial responsibility. I say 'partially' because he needs to be careful that he doesn't further discourage consumer spending altogether, which itself would be very harmful to the economy.

Its just hard to sit there and listen to it with a straight face. He's asking the public to be financially responsible, yet he's setting an absolutely horrid example with his own government.

Originally posted by Benevolent Heretic

Originally posted by SpartanKingLeonidas
I do not need advice from the President of my nation that is so obligatorily silly as to say I need to save my money, because this is basic common sense.

YOU may not... But clearly some aren't getting it.

Of course I get it, and I am sorry that others apparently are not getting it, BH.

I can see that the people of this nation are smarter than most people give them credit for though.

Originally posted by SpartanKingLeonidas
Does President Obama think that we as a nation are all simpering idiots drooling down the sides of our face as we click the mouse to search for inane news commentary?

Originally posted by Benevolent Heretic
I would say he thinks that generally, far too many people are loaded up with credit card debt and way over their head with car payments, loan payments, credit card payments, etc., and have nothing saved for the future... And he's right.

I know this far too well, BH, as I see people dumpster diving for aluminum cans, I have read the stories about all the copper that has been stolen over the last few years, pass houses that are for sale or foreclosed on, vehicles for sale all over my county, not necessarily because people are over-extended on credit card debt but because so many people are out of work right now it is not even funny.

At my job I must see at least ten people an hour come in asking for an application, and while yes I have a job, it is not enough to pay my basic bills at all and I am not looking to it as being a career since I am tired of working for other people and taking orders from idiot bosses.

I am trying to get self-employed, so I do not have to listen to bosses anymore.

Originally posted by SpartanKingLeonidas
...your speeches sure are not putting food on my table, your speeches sure are not paying my electricity bill, and your speeches are not giving me anything more than an Excedrin headache.

Originally posted by Benevolent Heretic
Wait... that's not what you're expecting him to do... Is it?

No, I am not expecting him to do what is my responsibility, at all.

I did however expect that the Bailout was actually going to assist American citizens, not rob us blind and steal all of our tax money, bailing out banks who have money up the wazoo.

After read the book "The Creature from Jekyll Island", I now know that the
"Bailout" was yet another Congressional scheme set up to give money to the rich and screw us American citizens through the unnecessary giving away of money.

How much common sense does it make, to give banks money to loan to American's who cannot afford their mortgage payments now, who cannot afford their car payments, and who are struggling to survive?

Is that common sense or horse puckey, BH? I say it is the latter.

Originally posted by Benevolent Heretic
Come on, SKL. I know enough to know that common sense is not overwhelmingly represented in this country.

Of course BH, I know common sense is not often represented, unfortunately is seems to be a lost art and as well it seems to be something America citizens are no longer born with or it is bred out of them, or maybe it is taught out of them through school and inserting nonsense into their heads.

[edit on 5-9-2009 by SpartanKingLeonidas]

I have nothing against what he says. Good advice.

The only problem I have is that I have no money to save. I am pinching every way possible and am barely making it.

The money that I am contributing to my retirement in addition to what my employer is chipping in is basically going to the loss column.

But as stated above. The President should watch his own spending.

Save as much as possible, as our current money is devalued by massive deficit spending it would also be wise to consider saving new forms of currency, as well as precious metals especially gold.

In the future it could take a lot more dollars to buy the most basic things.

I am sure the Obama administration has plans for larger future denominations able to cover these changes.

I am currently filling my savings accounts with these:

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/b77083ebb78b.jpg[/atsimg]

Good plan.

reply to post by Animal


We're not passing off the importance. At least I'm not- I've been a frugal saver since childhood so any incentives instead of punishment will pique my interest.

It's not an immediate dismissal- just ironic.

To use your smoker's analogy (good one, btw), it's not brushing off the life long smoker and cancer victim. It's simply looking at their hypocrisy side ways because while they're telling you what you need to do, they're lighting up another cigarette and alternating their puffs between a cigarette and an oxygen mask.

So, not a dismissal. Just questioning the do as I say and not as I do. If it's such common sense, why is the government not being more fiscally conservative to plan for our nation's future?

I am so glad the president is telling everyone to save their money just like he is

saving the Weoples money he takes for the government thru taxes and spends

like a spendaholic. ^Y^

reply to post by AshleyD


Oh I hear ya Ash! My post was only casually directed towards you.

I just wanted to make the point that no one should pass up good advice, regardless of the source.

reply to post by vor78

I say 'partially' because he needs to be careful that he doesn't further discourage consumer spending altogether, which itself would be very harmful to the economy.

Exactly. That crossed my mind, too. On one end, a way to harm a failing economy even further is to decrease spending. Then I started thinking if this was a conspiracy to tank the American economy even further. Then I told myself to slow down on the conspiracy juice and just wait to see where this was going. lol