IMF Isolation

Taken from Columnist: Wolfgang Münchau
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/6ccb8e40-4364-11e1-8489-00144feab49a.html#axzz1kFb93LP6

Columnist Wolfgang Munchau argues that the International Monetary Fund should take a backseat when handling the eurozone crisis at the moment because most measures that the IMF is willing to take would be counterproductive. Right now, the European Central Bank has the ability to resort to lending if needed and does not need the outside financial aid of the IMF. Munchau also argues that it would be easier and more efficient   to allow the European Central Bank to lend within its boundaries than for the IMF to go through different political obstacles that are necessary for loans.Furthermore, Euro holding nations are taking larger steps to make sure they do not fall like Greece, and reduce the risk of a potential domino effect of the European economy.Munchau's main argument is that if the IMF does get involved in bailing out other countries, the lenders will bare more of a burden than if the bond-sharing stays within the European Union.

Compromise

             In this ongoing debate on how to handle the economic crisis there are many point of views; whether we should increase government spending, or put restraints on debt spending; whether we should increase taxes on the wealthy, or introduce a flat tax rate to ensure equality in the tax system. Though all these ideas have valid reasoning and credit to economist around the country, the only real solution that we know will work is compromise.
                Cartoonist Wuerker addresses this through his characterization of the economies of China and U.S. The only way we can remain a strong competitor is through compromising not just in the government, but also with the people. Americans have a strong tradition of feeling entitled to certain benefits, like social security and medicare. E.J Dionne of the Los Angeles Times wrote about these strong feelings and how the only way to reach compromise is by evaluating the necessities and whether or not all people need such social benefits. I would like to agree with these two points of views, it is imperative to our future success that the government and people learn to work together. It is not only up to one side to bare the brunt of the blame for the recent economic collapse and moving forward we need to learn how to tap into the great ideas that made America one of the most successful nations in world history.

The Chinese Compettion

Taken from: http://slinkingtowardretirement.com/?p=21467

Wuerker in this political cartoon shows how the in-fighting of the U.S government is inhibiting economic recovery and putting the U.S behind in terms of world-wide competition. This cartoon showcases the two economic leaders in the world, the United States and China, and it shows how the team of China is uniform and looks like a prepared team for the upcoming "game". The United States on the other hand is disorderly and cannot even setup at the line of scrimmage. Wuerker is making the assertion that until the United States can come together and reach a compromise, they will inevitably lose their position as an economic power in the world.

Latin America in the States Economy

Taken from Editorial: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/08/03/2344192/latin-america-not-immune-to-us.html

The Latin American economy has been taking big hits ever since the downgrade of the U.S credit rating, not only have exports slowed down but foreign aid that some Carribean nations rely on has been halted, slowing down economic progress in impoverished nations. These problems end up cycling back to the Untied States which relies on Latin American goods like sugar, and raises the prices of both production and consumption in the sugar "ecosystem". So, in order for the United States to not hit another recession, it is imperative that they continue trade with Latin America, as they provide a stable source of trade.

Entitlement

Taken from Editorial: http://lacrossetribune.com/news/opinion/editorial/columnists/article_d4d553b0-8260-11e0-94e9-001cc4c002e0.html
In the ongoing debate of America's fiscal future, both Republicans and Democrats have acknowledged how spending is too rampant and cuts need to be made to ensure the stability of the treasury. Many right-wing politicians have outlined plans to responsibly cut funding to programs such as Medicaid to achieve fiscal stability. But the problem is not the economics in the plan, but the politics. Many Americans feel that they are entitled to things like Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. To makes things worse, election season is coming up so no politician is willing to stand up for something that may be deemed "politically risky". The real solution to this debt problem is not anything politicians can do, but what citizens can do to take a serious look at what we feel we are "entitled" to.

The Misconception Behind our Debt

Taken from editorial: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/choosing-prediction-predictor-u-ongoing-debt-crisis-190729155.html

In an election that stresses fiscal responsibility and knowledge, candidates often exaggerate a problem that is relatively non-existent in this country. The ongoing debt crisis is a serious problem in the eyes of the American people, but not for the reason presented in such presidential debates. Most politicians recently have been focusing on raising revenue to sustain government spending. But the problem is not the governments budget, but its credit rating. If the United States do fall into a credit default most of the large corporations would be forced out of the countries, something revenue cannot prevent. So instead of focusing on raising the governments budget, politicians should be focusing on a way to get investor confidence back to the United States; a matter that has not been stressed enough in Congress because there is relatively no media coverage for presidential candidates to feed off of.

U.S Intervention is Necessary in Libya

 Taken from Editorial: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/sep/16/lead-from-the-front-in-libya/

The U.S needs to help the rebel forces set-up a cooperative government in Libya otherwise leaving the citizens to their own can lead to further conflict in the already bloody civil war. It is already known that Islam will be the basis for government but Libya is a moderate Islamic nation and extremist did not help the rebel forces; therefore, the rest of the world does not have to fear an extremist takeover because extremist were not among the rebel leaders. We can look to the example of post regime Egypt and it shows the world the detriments of a hands-off approach by the U.S. Right now there is power vacuum in Egypt which in past historical events, usually leads to an extreme form of government. The United States needs to take the time and help promote "pro-Western political movements in Libya".