Wow!
I was reading the BBC's Website late yesterday evening (my time) and a new article about the debt discussions by the US Congress (more accurately termed "debt arguments" or maybe "debt threats") popped up.
I read it, then made a comment. Lo and behold, I was first. I have made comments on BBC articles before; they have always been mostly ignored in the past. Not this time though.
A short while later, I got a message from the BBC: They would like to do a telephone interview with me on my opinion about the debt fight. (I mentioned in the comment I am a disabled vet and am somewhat concerned my disability compensation, which is discretionary spending in the budget, would be axed if there is no agreement.)
I thought about it, then wrote back to decline. My education in economics is only sufficient to balance a cheque book, and ends at high school. I have no clue what to do about the problems the GOP and the Dems are wrangling with. I don't care to show my lack of education on television in the UK and on the BBC's worldwide shortwave service.
I did give a response which I hope was not too provincial to her, pointing out the things above and that for a long time I was homeless and was forced to live within my means. Neither a borrower nor lender am I: no credit cards, no loans, no debts. My wife and I bought a house recently with money we saved for the purpose. We will buy a new car the same way later this summer. We are not wealthy by any means (VA disability does not make you rich), we just don't buy what we cannot afford. (That is why I am using a laptop with no "k" nor "m" keys: I cannot afford another computer.)
It does occur to me though, that veterans' pensions, veterans' disability, and active duty and reservist pay are all discretionary spending in the USA's budget. Discretionary spending is the first thing to go when the government wants to raise funds without raising revenues. It also occurs to me what has happened to other nations in the past when they stiff their armed forces of their pay.
James. Living the high life beyond civilisation in the Nebraska Sand Hills.
"Be ye not lost amongst Precept of Order." - Book of Uterus, 1:5, "Principia Discordia, or How I Found Goddess and What I Did to Her When I Found Her."
