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If Congress does not raise the debt ceiling, the result will be no different
than the Jones family deciding that they have maxed out their credit cards and that, if they continue borrowing and spending over their means, there will be significant pain to the family at best and bankruptcy at worst. Any attempt to prove otherwise is futile because it’s just not true! [To further make his point the author provides below 7 other examples of why the economics of government are no different than those of the typical American household.] Words: 585
So writes Dean Kalahar (www.realclearmarkets.com) in edited excerpts from and article* entitled If Congress Doesn’t Raise the Debt Ceiling, Nothing Disastrous Will Happen.
This article is presented compliments of www.FinancialArticleSummariesToday.com (A site for sore eyes and inquisitive minds) and www.munKNEE.com (Your Key to Making Money!) and may have been edited ([ ]), abridged (…) and/or reformatted (some sub-titles and bold/italics emphases) for the sake of clarity and brevity to ensure a fast and easy read. Please note that this paragraph must be included in any article re-posting to avoid copyright infringement.
Kalahar goes on with his other 7 examples as follows:
1. Mr. and Mrs. Jones want to be able to provide for themselves in their retirement and hopefully leave a little something after they are gone to provide a better life for their children and grandchildren. They understand living in the moment and not planning for the future is a plan for failure. The economics of government are no different.
2. The Joneses know if they stop borrowing they will not become destitute, or default on their loan payments and obligations, because they will continue to work and earn income. (Just as the government will still take in tax revenue) They know that if they reallocate and budget, which includes paying the interest and some of the principle on their credit card debts, and live within their means – nothing disastrous will happen! The economics of government are no different.
3. The Joneses know they have a spending problem – not a revenue problem, and their extravagance must end. They will have to define what is essential for the family to provide stability. This will not be fun or easy, but the Joneses know their free spending choices have costs and they have decided personal responsibility to their accounts now is better than painful accountability later. The economics of government are no different.
4. Sure the kids will whine and their friends will begrudge losing the benefits of cozying up to their big spending neighbors; but the basic family obligations of securing the home, providing food for the table, and making sure the children have clothes will ensure the health of the family. The economics of government are no different.
5. If the Joneses want some things they can’t afford, they can become more efficient, increase their productivity, sell some of their assets, hold a garage sale, or just plain old save for that special purchase on a rainy day. The economics of government are no different.
6. Over time the Joneses will adjust to their new financial way of life, pay off their bills, and get back on solid economic footing. At that time, they will have the option of having more credit extended to them because their credit rating will not only be secured, it will be enhanced. The economics of government are no different.
7. Character and integrity are important to the Joneses, because living up to their commitments is not a slogan, it’s a moral obligation. Over time the self-respect they have shown turns those who were once resentful of their bounty and scornful of their austerity into neighbors who view them with admiration and strength. The economics of government should be no different.
Conclusion
If Congress decides to stop borrowing money and not raise the debt ceiling – nothing disastrous will happen and any attempt to prove otherwise is futile because it’s just not true!
Editor’s Note: The author’s views and conclusions are unaltered and no personal comments have been included to maintain the integrity of the original article. Furthermore, the views, conclusions and any recommendations offered in this article are not to be construed as an endorsement of such by the editor.
*http://www.realclearmarkets.com/articles/2013/01/11/if_congress_doesnt_raise_
the_debt_ceiling_nothing_disastrous_will_happen_100082.html
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