So, What about this "Fiscal Cliff"?

[Xanxabara]

Over the last several months, we've been hearing economists and other people on Wall Street talking about our country approaching the ominous "Fiscal Cliff". I'll be like Imp and not post what I think yet until some others have posted what they think. So...what do you think?

[Magyar Királyság]

I've heard alot about this too. This is where we get to a point where there is no more money the govt can pump into the economy. The time is coming when we have to start paying off all those trillions in stimulus money and accumulation of public debt. If we don't start eliminating some of this debt, there won't be any money in the capital markets for private industries.

[Triune Monarchy]

Makes sense. They're already talking about closing loopholes and increasing the tax rate in all brackets while lowering the threashold for alternative minimum taxes. Based on what they're saying now, I'm not sure it'll be enough. Obama doesn't want to piss off the I Republicans in Congress who'd block any of his attempts to push through all his liberal proposals, so he's playing soft ball with this (actually it's more like nerf ball). I'm afraid we'll end up right at the edge of that cliff and start to go down hill soon. I hope not though.

[Yávaros]

The future will be very scary. This situation is not only something that effects the US but also its major trading partners like Mexico. We rely on alot of export business with the US. If they don't have money to buy our exports, then we will suffer too. I cannot understand why the US govt keeps pushing more and more money into the economy without a certain plan to reduce its expenses and its debt.

[The Ruescher Empire]

The US is filled with a bunch of morons (politicians) that's why. And nations who deal with them are just as bad. Canada thank god sees the US crumbling and is now looking outwards to other nations to expand trade with. We have dropped our trade with the US a fair bit over years (as a percentage of total trade) and honestly it's time to jump ship At least until the US decides to fix itself

[Exarchos]

I don't even want to think about any of this. It's been a real scary couple of years for me. It's been rough finding a decent job. Here in Nevada we've been having major issues because of the casinos not doing so well. At least I live in Reno to the north where the economy doesn't rely as much on them as our friends to the south in Las Vegas (one of the top cities in the nation for foreclosures).

[The Ruescher Empire]

Ya I'm sure tourism must've collapsed quite nicely in Nevada.

[Yávaros]

Dec 3, 2012 16:58:50 GMT The Ruescher Empire said:

The US is filled with a bunch of morons (politicians) that's why. And nations who deal with them are just as bad. Canada thank god sees the US crumbling and is now looking outwards to other nations to expand trade with. We have dropped our trade with the US a fair bit over years (as a percentage of total trade) and honestly it's time to jump ship At least until the US decides to fix itself

This is what the new administration in Mexico is attempting to do but it is very difficult because of the long relationship we have to the US as a trading partner. I agree with the moron part. We have too many of them here too. This is why things are too slow to change.

[The Ruescher Empire]

Long relationships shouldn't mean that you should make yourself dependent on them. I would go into problems with Mexico (and it's a long list) but truly I doubt Mexico's ability to deviate from its current trade partnership with the US as it allows itself to be dependent on the US and is unable to get its act together.

The problem in Canada on the other hand is the fact that while the Canadian government has the will and ability to deviate its trade with the US, Canadian businesses do not. Many Canadian businesses are simply too lazy to try and export their goods elsewhere

[Sabastos]

Could it be the cost factor? It costs less to ship it across a common border than put it on a plane or cargo ship.

Exarchos = Part of the lost gambling business with the casinos has probably more to do with the Indian casinos than the economy.

[The Ruescher Empire]

Shipping is not a huge factor, we have a large coastline and most of our manufacturing is surrounding the great lakes making it cheap and efficient. I've read a few articles on it and the fact remains that people simply like to keep doing what they have always done in terms of business, why expand and try to tap new overseas markets when you've been doing the same business with the US for 10+ years and know what you're doing. Canadians are simply lacking motivation...And god help French Canada. Freaking Quebec is becoming as bad as France when it comes to actually doing business, thinking wealth is evil and all that...

[Imperator Rex]

Now that is an interesting statement. Les Québecois making things difficult? Oh, say it isn't so! In the building industry, one of the largest in California is owed by a French holding company. They wanted their vendors to open their books so they can see how much profit they are making. Obviously, their request was refused. But, but...that's what they do in France apparently. I am think about moving out of California at some point in the next year or so. I have been looking at several cities in New England. One of the perqs is being close to Canada and going up to spend a weekend in Montreal. Hmmm...I am wondering if that is actually a perq of living where I will freeze my wowies off six months a year.

[The Ruescher Empire]

I have no idea what you were trying to say in that post But I shall give it a whirl Funny you mention sketchy French construction companies, in Quebec right now there is a huge corruption scandal in all the construction companies for giving bribes and such to various mayors and politicians for contracts. It's really going crazy...

New England? Does Vermont count? Probably the best US state there is no with no crap going on ever Nah but why the hell would you want to move up to New England? Also if you go to Montreal make sure you stay in actual Montreal unless you speak French, and good French at that. The separatists are back in power and they really clamp down on English rights when they can, and Quebecers are assholes anywhere aside from Montreal unless you speak French (my father was once refused gasoline because he couldnt speak french)

[zain]

I think, it's a good place for to do some thing.