[oldfogey]

For those interested in following up on economics 101, the link:

http://www.economist.co.uk/research/...1-e04a729d9747

will get you on to the Economist magazine's site with an A-Z of economics and there are links to basic books you could buy or loan from the library.

[BDA116]

Originally Posted by Cowboy1600

Dont need to import a damned thing? Are you kidding me? What would you do without foreign gas, coal, uranium and oil? Candles and billy carts?

Like the old man stated, arguing over being self-contained can be destructive. It won't happen, as there is too much at stake on the global scene, but to follow up on your question you are showing that your knowledge of the U.S. is very low with every post. We don't need a drop of foreign oil, we have plenty of our own. However, the oil that we already drill every year goes into a Strategic Reserve that we don't touch. The vast deposits of oil that we haven't even started drilling is mind boggling. When there are countries willing to bleed themselves dry of the only resource they have, why not get it from them? They are running out, and we will still have massive amounts to drill.
Natural gas, coal and uranium are all similar stories. We have tons of our own, but are using up others' first.
We have no NEED whatsoever to import gas, oil, coal or uranium.
Candles? You kidding? Billy carts? WTF are those? Either way, we don't need to import them.
The U.S. has more natural resources than Aus, and more engineering and manufacturing capabilities. Why is it you think you can be self-sufficient but no one else can?
It will never come to it, and there is really no need for it to, but if there were ever a major catastrophe that made the U.S. have to be completely closed off to the rest of the world, we would go on with no problems whatsoever.

[Baketech]

Yes, it would suck because we are all addicted to coffee...

But while we are talking about resources....let's talk about US agriculture, and how many countries rely on it to feed their people....

[luvtolean]

Originally Posted by Cowboy1600

Funny thing is the US has bigger guns but China could sink the US economy overnight. There is talk that China is playing with the idea of swapping its $5 trillion it has in US currency reserves to the Euro instead. This would have catastrophic consequences for the US economy.

Like oldfogey said, go read some books, and not the funny pages you have been reading.

[rocket]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cowboy1600

To all the people crapping on about me fishing, and guns and **** like that, a short message. **** off and get a life. Im not trying to pick a fight.

Originally Posted by Bacchus

Don't let'em get to ya Cowboy. You've maintained composure so far.

[Cowboy1600]

Im not trying to pretend that I know anything about economics. Im trying to figure this out on the fly. I guess what I am trying to ask is are the che current levels of debt relative to the current strength of the economy and ability to generate income? From the tiny amount of reading of have done on the subject, and yes it has only been a few documents, it seems that maybe the debt is bigger than it ought to be. Has the rate of borrowing been matched by the rate of value-adding?

[Baketech]

Originally Posted by Cowboy1600

Im not trying to pretend that I know anything about economics. Im trying to figure this out on the fly.

If this is true...then why did you title the thread in an inflammatory manner?

[Cowboy1600]

Originally Posted by Baketech

If this is true...then why did you title the thread in an inflammatory manner?

Force of habit. I changed the title as Im not trying to incite an argument. Do you find the current title to be provocative?

[Will]

Keep to it Cowbay your doing good. Could all those usual posters whe revert to screaming liberal have a look at how he's conducted himself here. He is only trying to learn, if you all claim to know so much then teach him!
OK Australia imports so much cause we simply have to where an island continent and don't have alot of choice, however we could be self sufficent. The US is not self sufficent at all, do you honestly think you produce enough oil to support yourselves? And god forbid those glock aren't made with pride in the USA are they? (ok now I'm fishing)
Busch is economically retarded, his foreighn debt is gettign higher however I think a closer look at where he's spending best highlights his abilities, poor, literally!
Oh and someone had a go at the aussie education system, as someone who grew up in both, the aussie education is head and shoulders above the US!

[Johnny Diablo]

Originally Posted by Will

Oh and someone had a go at the aussie education system, as someone who grew up in both, the aussie education is head and shoulders above the US!

Well based on results

I did do a little research on any real problems in the aussie edu system trying to figure out how many years they require attendance and discipline problems.

I think if cowboy asked his question in an American high school he would be dodging an eraser or sent to the dean for his rhetoric.

[Will]

Actually that's one of the main differences in our cultures right there. If you asked that in an Aussie classroom you would have an open thought out, educated disscussion not sent to the office to get your ass whooped cause you may have been anti patriotic...actually sounding alot like a communist regeime...wholly shite Cowboy might be on to something!

[BladeRider]

Originally Posted by Will

Actually that's one of the main differences in our cultures right there. If you asked that in an Aussie classroom you would have an open thought out, educated disscussion

Don't get me wrong I like Aussies and I'm enjoying my time here but I find Aussies to be some of the most closed minded people I have ever met. I might not be the most travelled person and I'm sure there are people on this board more travelled then me but I have visited about forty countries and lived in a few and most other places I've been people are more willing to except a person for who they are then here in Australia. Just my personal experience might not hold true for everyone.

[Baketech]

Originally Posted by Cowboy1600

Force of habit. I changed the title as Im not trying to incite an argument. Do you find the current title to be provocative?

Neither the new title, or the assertions made in your first post are consistent with the "I'm just trying to learn" statement....

[BDA116]

Another moronic oil statement. Proof right there the Aussie school system doesn't work. The U.S. ALREADY produces enough oil to be self sufficient. We also have vast deposits untapped. We don't use it because there are countries stupid enough to bleed themselves dry of their only resource, and because the whine-assed liberals cry every time we try to drill some more.
It will be absolutely hillarious to hear the world's bitching when we do start using our own oil system (we do need a few more refineries) and stop spending money on the world oil stage. Again, another economic topic that certain individuals won't understand.
Learn facts, and stop bringing your Dundee knives to our Eastwood gun fights.
Yes, if we ever so chose, we could be completely self-sufficient in a matter of days. Again, another fact too difficult for certain individuals to grasp.
Sheesh, this thread reminds me of the Black Knight. Look you stupid bastard, your arm's off!!

[matt232]

Originally Posted by Will

Actually that's one of the main differences in our cultures right there. If you asked that in an Aussie classroom you would have an open thought out, educated disscussion not sent to the office to get your ass whooped cause you may have been anti patriotic...actually sounding alot like a communist regeime...wholly shite Cowboy might be on to something!

Will pulls out some more fine Wordsmithing!!!

[spillover]

Originally Posted by BDA116

Yes, if we ever so chose, we could be completely self-sufficient in a matter of days.

What would I have to give up in order for the US to close up shop and make itself completely self sufficient? How much more would basic living cost me? Food, clothes, cars, gas, computers, McDonalds (beef imported from Brazil)? How much would my 52" DLP projection TV cost me?

[Baketech]

Originally Posted by BDA116

Sheesh, this thread reminds me of the Black Knight. Look you stupid bastard, your arm's off!!

"No it isn't.....tis only a flesh wound...."

[rocket]

Cowboy1600: ...and that, my liege, is how we know the Earth to be banana shaped.
King Arthur: This new learning amazes me, Sir Cowboy1600. Explain again how sheep's bladders may be employed to prevent earthquakes.

[Will]

BDA your reply again confirms to me how narrow minded rediculous and completely uneducated and founded your argument is. So when will your country of 200+ million be ready, tuesday?
No the US absolutley could not support their own oil consumption, do some research.

I am an adopted Aussie, they are without question the most open minded group of people on this planet, it's a melting pot of so many cultures and they all live here happilly and peacefully, many could do with a closer look of how it's done. Your right though, you may be well travelled but illinformed, get down here have a beer and yes we might just put a shrimp on the barbie

Dundee! Now thats a stereo type, crickey!

Ta matt I am an eloquet mother F*%#er

[Baketech]

"Come back ya pansy....I'll bite your leg off!!!"

[Baketech]

Originally Posted by Will

I am an adopted Aussie, they are without question the most open minded group of people on this planet, it's a melting pot of so many cultures and they all live here happilly and peacefully, many could do with a closer look of how it's done.

I've travelled just a bit...and if there is one thing I have found to be true...no one country has a monopoly on good hearted people...

To rank them, or claim one to be better than the other, just doesn't pan out with what I have experienced.....of course yours may be different...

[BladeRider]

Originally Posted by Will

I am an adopted Aussie, they are without question the most open minded group of people on this planet, it's a melting pot of so many cultures and they all live here happilly and peacefully, many could do with a closer look of how it's done.

Open minded

I can't tell you how many people tell me how bad a place the rest of the world is to live, not one of them has set foot outside Australia.

I actually had someone tell me what suggestions I should tell Bush to do... yeah I'll call Bush up when I get home and give him your suggestions buddy.

Yesterday I had a discussion with a very open minded Australian, I told him I recently travelled to Singapore and I was impressed with the size of the economy for such a small country. He then told me that I was crazy, if Australia had as many people as Singapore they would have the largest economy in the world. I informed him that Singapore had a population of about 4.5 million people, much smaller then Australia. He then laughed and said "You Yanks are all the same, don't take time to look at the rest of the world do you? Asian countries all have billions of people"