Does the U.S. have any business telling Europe how to fix its financial troubles?
Here’s my question to you:
Note to the United States from Germany: Mind your own business.
Can't really blame them. President Obama, the owner of a $14 trillion national debt and $1 trillion plus annual deficits, scolded European leaders for letting the Greek debt crisis get out of hand.
Mr. Obama said that Europe's financial crisis is "scaring the world."
Germany's finance minister pushed back, saying "it's always much easier to give advice to others than to decide for yourself. I am well prepared to give advice to the U.S. government." Ouch.
But he's got a point. The United States hardly presents a picture of fiscal soundness.
We're facing unsustainable $1 trillion plus annual deficits and a $14 trillion national debt. So far, no one in the government has been serious about doing anything meaningful about either one.
There's also the president's $447 billion jobs program. It's going nowhere fast. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a fellow Democrat, says the Senate won't even take up the bill until they come back from this week's recess. Reid says, "we'll get to that."
Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner spent the last three weekends travelling around Europe meeting with their leaders and telling them how to conduct their affairs. It's no wonder he was given the cold shoulder on several of his stops.
Granted in today's global economy, what happens in Europe greatly affects us here in the U.S. - but there's an old saying: "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."
Here’s my question to you: Does the U.S. have any business telling Europe how to fix its financial troubles?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Paul in Dayton, Ohio:
Jack, You know the saying about people who live in glass houses not throwing stones? It applies here. Perhaps we can avoid generating more foreign enemies by addressing our own shortcomings and keeping our nose out of others’ business.
Loren:
The only place where government has mismanaged its finances worse is Greece, so if the advice is limited to Greece, then, Opa!
Russ in Pennsylvania:
This is like the pot calling the kettle black. But, of course, politicians and bureaucrats in America apparently pride themselves in knowing just how to fix things, all while running this country into the ground. Ron Paul is right once again: the US shouldn't be meddling in the affairs of others, particularly when the US has proven itself incapable of behaving responsibly. Ron Paul in 2012.
Ken on Facebook:
Hell no. It’s like guy in jail for robbing a bank telling someone how to rob a bank without getting caught.
Larry in Denver:
One thing about this country, no matter how bad things may be at home, we always find ways to tell others how to fix things. Our nose does not belong in many other places but we don’t let anything stand in the way. Not just the economy, its battles, borders, wars, trade, etc. How about we try and fix what is broken here first? When we can show the world how good we are at something, then we can offer advice. When you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there.
Jason in Virginia:
Jack, Us telling anyone what to do with their finances should provoke the same response Chinese students gave Tim Geithner when he told them he believes in a strong dollar: Laughter.
@jackcafferty on Twitter
One thing about this country, no matter how bad things at home may be we always find ways to tell others how to fix things. Our nose (USA's) does not belong in many other places but we dont let anything stand in the way. Not just the economy, its battles, borders , wars, trade, etc. How about we try and fix what is broken here first? When we can show the world how good we are at something, then we can offer advise. When you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there.
Yes. The financial problems are global and all countries must come to some conscience as to solving the problems. Talk and than lets have action.
Since we provide them defense resources I'd say we have the right to give them sugggestions (As long as it isn't the Republican House making them).
Jack, you know the saying about people who live in glass houses not throwing rocks? It applies here. Perhaps we can avoid generating more foreign enemies by docusing our own shortcoming and keeping our nose out of others business.
This is like the pot calling the kettle black (can we say that any longer?). But, of course, politicians and bureaucrats in America apparently pride themselves in knowing just how to fix things, all while running this country into the ground. Ron Paul is right once again: the US shouldn't be meddling in the affairs of others, particularly when the US has proven itself incapable of behaving responsibly.
Ron Paul in 2012...
Jack: If it is true that the United States is the number one economy in the world, yes. We may not act like the number one economy. We allow our politics to run our policy rather common sense. We believe more strongly in our social issues than we do seeing people going to work. We cheer when someone is executed, rather bow our heads in prayer for the individual. Global economics is very important to America's on well being, but to many policies or lack of policy are developed by ego's rather than clear headed people.
The European banks used the American banking model to get themselves where they are today. It would be extremely foolish for them to listen to the Americans now. As the whole world can see our solutions to America's banking problems aren't doing all that well. True, the banks are making money but their debt still haunts them and will for a long time.
Jack,
Thanks for a question that made me laugh. Now that I'm done laughing, we [the U.S.] have absolutely no business telling Europe how to fix its financial problems. As for a lesson in political dysfunction, who better to turn to than the U.S?
I always said we have a lot of hypocrites here in the United States. Your question proves me right. Not until we get our own financial house in order can we give advice to other countries.
The U.S. giving financial advice to European countries is almost as silly as advising them to adopt our healthcare delivery system in which 1 out of 6 citizens can't afford coverage.
Not really. The US may state its opinion of how decisions affect the US, but how Europe deals with its own issues, is up to them. The US has meddled in other people's affairs far too much, for decades.
This country needs to solve its own problems, first, before trying to influence others.
From your questions I can see you need a VACATION Jack.
Three words come to mind: pot, kettle, black.
The US spent a huge amount of money bailing out our banks and Wall Street to prevent our financial meltdown from turning into a global Great Depression II.
Now it's the Europeans' turn to spend a huge amount of money bailing out their system to prevent a global Great Depression.
Jack, who are we to throw stones at someone else's glass house, when we live in one ourselves!
This would be funny if it wasn't so serious. The guys involved in our financial system convinced our politicans to deregulate, which ultimately caused a global collapse. Then said "guys" got appointed to government positions to fix it. Then they have the nerve to suggest to other countries what they should do. Where's Shakespeare when you need him?
We have been telling everyone in the world how to govern themselves, how to educate themselves, and how to behave themselves for decades. Not only have we been telling them, we have been spending billions in the interferences. So the simple little fact that we cannot do something is moot, isn't it?
Let us continue telling Europe, China, and the world how solve its financial problems. It is a natural. Send money.
Jack us telling anyone what do do with their finances should provoke the same response Chinese students gave Tim Geithner when he told them he believes in a strong dollar. Laughter.
Just think Jack, we have over 6 billion minds available to solve any problem mankind has, when we are able to reach all people and put aside the politics, greed, and human failings we could accomplish anything.
Telling them no, coming together with the world, YES.
I would first ask,does business have any business telling America how to run its business?
The only place where government has mismanaged its finances worse is Greece, so if the advice is limited to Greece, then, Opa!
Considering how badly we screwed up over the last ten years, absolutely not! That would be like Sarah Palin telling McCain how to run an election campaign.
No they don't Jack. When I have a problem with my car I go to a mechanic. When I have a problem with my teeth I go to a dentist. I do this because I want them fixed and I want them fixed to last and properly. Going to the American government who have singlehandedly broken the financial back of America, the once greatest nation on earth with their out of control spending is laughable. Our government could not find it's own ass in the dark with both hands and a flashlight. They certainly can't be expected to give financial advice to anyone else and be taken seriously.
As the good book says, why are we trying to remove the splinter from another eye when we have a 2 x 4 sticking in our own eye?
Europe should ask our experts how they, ( Europe), can recover financially, and then do exactly the opposite, and then, they will be fine in no time. Doug, Pepperell, MA.
No we don't. But I'm sure that won't stop us.
No, Jack. that would be like my football bettor brother-in-law telling me who to play on Sunday here in Las Vegas.
on second thought, maybe Europe should do the OPPOSITE of what we tell them to do. after all, my brother-in-law is SO bad that taking the other side of his football picks are money.
Jack: Sure, they have a right--–but looking at the state of the economy of the United States--and if I were Europe--I surely would not be listening! Stupid is as Stupid does!
Of course, just like an alcoholic has the right to tell a drug addict to straighten up and act like a responsible adult.
The U.S. does not really want Europe to fix its troubles – as a strong EuroDebt funded by an adequate EuroTax under the control of a strong Presidency would put the Dollar in danger as a world currency and give U.S. Treasuries competition as the safe bet for investment. NATO would also become unneccessary – which is good for the American taxpayer but bad for the defense sector.
Sure, the U.S. has a right to tell Europe how to solve its financial problems.
I just wished that the U.S. would take some of its own advice.
Human nature:
Humans are smart and give good advice.
Humans just do not receive and take advice.
Emotionally, it is so very comfortable to laze back in our old familiar habits of failure.
Human nature!
Sure the U.S. will be hypocritical for doing so. It never stopped the preachers, priests, rabbis, or imams.
Jack, It isn't that we (the USA) don't know HOW to fix financial troubles. Iit is that we just DON'T.. or haven't yet.
I would guess that the same must apply to Europe. The "fix" will in some cases mean unavoidable austerity for some.
Now, by "the USA" I mean our top conservative (business/reality oriented) economists.. decidedly NOT our government.
Our government listens to only those who shares their own economic philosophy, which in the hands of Democrats is an obvious disaster. Problem is, most of the "gimmie crowd" do not WANT to fix our own problems.. they just want more of the "gimmie" that got us here in the first place – with blind and unconcerned assent of all of us who knew better, I admit. Only now are SOME of us ready to take the pill of austerity to fix the problem.. which is simple and straight-forward to fix. And there is no other way.
Still, good advice, when welcomed, can be most valuable, when the advisee is listening.
Bud in Jax, FL
In a word - NO. We need to get our own fiscal house in order before condemning or critizing others.
Do away with the party system. Don't put the party name on any ballot. Don't use the party name after a Representative or Senator's name, nor any other elected official. This wouln't make the party system disappear right off but slowly but surely, we'd start listening to peoples thoughts and ideas, instead of party rhetoric. The symbol of an R. or D. after a name is not like a college degree after all. This could be the answer to closing the differences and it wouldn't hurt a thing to try it.
Hell, Jack, that depends on whether you're a Democrat or a Republican. Democrats think we should all work out our differences. Republicans think they should rule the world.
This is an oxymoron and must be a joke. We have no business telling anyone anything let alone how to fix their financial issues. Congress in the US can't even decide to help our own people in need or if we should pay our bills except the Tea Party and the GOP say cut, cut and cut.
No, we have no business telling Europe how to fix their problems. Doing so would be akin to our 2-22 High School Baseball Team coach instructing the Red Sox on needed changes to make the playoffs.
As much as I would like to say that we have no business telling the EU to get their finances in order, the trueth of the matter is we live in a global economy and their economy affects ours and vice versa. So yes, we need to work together to get out of this economic mess that we are in....
Might as well try.. Its obvious that u.s. is helping u.s. citizens get paid off europe decisions.Much like china gets wealthy off democratic party decisions that empower communist govt.
Lets put it this way Jack until we can fix our own not only no but no way.
Of course the U.S. has the God given right to tell Europe and everyone else in the world what to do for that matter. If you don't believe me, just ask any of the pompous elected, they'll tell you I'm right. Remember, it's do as I say, not as I do.
The American government can't manage its own affairs so attempting to offer advice to others is just a bit stupid. No, make that completely stupid. Then again, how about totally absurd. And throw in idiotic while you're at it. Did I overlook anything Jack?
Gary in Scottsdale, Arizona
We should not tell any one how to run their house until we fix our own house. lead by example is the only way. to show the world how it is done properly
How can the U.S. tell Europe how to fix their financial situation when Obama cannot fix ours. It will be the blind leading the blind. Obama is hopeless as a leader so that's why he does not know what to do fix our economy so he cannot give anybody advice.
The key word here is the word "telling".
We should start to change our international image by OFFERING assistance, not jamming it down the throats of other nations. Assistance only when it is sought.
America has always helped all nations in time of disasters and need. We should do the same in other areas but only when requested. Many times we may come away learning more than we taught. What a concept.
It's our business to fix our own economy before we preach to others. The world might be better served if the European leaders, including Queen Elizabeth, came to Washington and smacked McConnell, Boehner, Cantor and the Tea Party obstructionists up the side of the head and tell them it will be a lot easier to fix the European economies if the US fixes theirs first. Being the grand economic world leader we are supposed to be, and handling our own business as irresponsibly as possible of late, has affected their finances as much as our own.
Absolutely! The U.S is either a partner in the global economy or we revert back to protectionism and isolate ourselves from the rest of the world. That being said, what happens in Europe directly affects the U.S and what happens in the U.S directly affects Europe and other parts of the world.
The U.S. has no clue on how to fix Europes financial crisis! But Europe, has no idea whatsoever either. There is so much confusion in Europe, over Greece, Portugal, Ireland, Spain, and Italy, that brilliant economists are close to tears, and literally seem to be crying over their pasta! If there is another Gold Rush in California, let us know!
If anybody in the U.S. has the answers to Europe's problems, then why is America still facing full-mode destruction and desfunction? No doubt all this wisdom coming from someone with little interest in fixing this country's mess. That may be America's biggest problem, trying to dictate what other countries should be doing and bribing them with U.S tax-dollars to do it. How about cleaning up your own house before professing to know it all. True hypocrisy.
Ruby (Louisiana)
NO AND DOUBLE NO BOTH WE AND EURPOE AND IN COMPLETE AND TOTAL DENIAL............I don't think we have anying on europe after squandering 3 trillion dollars of the social security trust fund on waste and pet projects then telling the people you are broke...........................truly lame sorry shallow leaders RIGHT and LEFT on both sides of the pond.ONLY RE ELECTION MATTERS..................its all about selfish me me me!!!!
David
Does the U.S. have any business telling Europe how to fix its financial troubles?
Only if we lent them the money.. However, they are not required to listen nor do we have to lend to them again.
Jenna
Roseville CA
Absolutely not. If our banks, insurance companies, and pension funds have exposure to toxic European debt, they should suffer the write-downs. Capitalism cannot function properly if government is always distorting certain market players’ risk and reward decisions. Besides, we’re a broke empire. It’s not as if we have any credibility.
When Wall Street defrauded America, Iceland went bankrupt. The market makes it obvious enough, but economists are also telling us that we're all in this together. We need the whole world to stop dampening down the economy. We all need to be creating serious stimulus plans. If humanity were to fight Global Warming with the same determination we fought WWII, the recession would be over and we'd stop incurring billions in Climatic disaster debt. If Europe sinks, we all go down.
Simple answer there are no simple answer. We the people will see to it.
Yes, because according to the most recent statistics, Europe and Eurasia received $631 million in foreign aid in 2010. Besides, did they ever pay the US back for the Marshall Plan?
No. The US telling Europe how to fix their economy is like a blind man showing a baseball player how to catch a fly ball.
None whatsoever Jack. This is another example of the presidents inexperience. Did he actually tell Geitner to go to Europe on our dime and preach fiscal responsability when he cant manage it here? I have a suggestion. Tell Timmy to come home and make his bed it looks kinda sloppy here!
I think its crazy to think we can tell another nation how to do anything. We have been successful, yes, but we are a baby in comparison to these other countries. We don't like our kids telling us what to do but we are quite accustomed to telling the rest of the world how to behave.
Instead of scolding them and telling them what to do and how to fix it, it would have been more tactful to voice our concerns and how the financial situation in Europe affects us and the rest of the world, and discuss what we all could do to help each other out. Should we be concerned that Europe's financial crisis is scaring the world? Yes. On that point, Obama is dead-on.
We've set the world standard for arrogance, meddling and invasive behavior, and we don't qualify to be telling anyone what to do. Our politicians absolutely refuse to fix our problems here in America, and would rather spend time telling us what everyone else is doing wrong.
Frankly, Jack, I don't think we have any right to go and tell Europe-or anyone else-how to manage their fiscal house when we're the main reason why the rest of the world is hurting. Interdependence is a two-way street, so while its true that Europe fiscal problems will affect us down the road..the same can easily be said about OUR fiscal problems. The best way to help Europe is to help ourselves.
After tracking so much mud through our own house we've got a lot of nerve telling anyone else to clean house. Especially when you consider what a lousy job we're doing with our own mess. Hello pot, this is the kettle . . .
Better be careful about casting stones then Jack. Slow down and take a deep breath and let the ones who are in office take care of it. "Some people" are so against our Black President that they can't let him try to straighten out Bush's big mess all they want to do is get him out. They don't care what they replace him with, as long as he is gone. I trust him and will vote for him again.
We have more debt than the entire world combined, but we continue to run our mouths off about what everyone does. The $14 trillion dollars does not include the $60 to $100 trillion dollars of unsecured debt. I think the solution is to "IMPOSE" a trader tax on Wall Street and split the money evenly between the U.S. Treasury and the SSA Trust Fund. This would pay off the National Debt and make SSA solvent for years to come, and allow for stimulus money to circulate through the parts of the economy that need stimulating, rather than circulating the money through the pockets of the millionaires and billionaires like it is now, while the government continues to borrow and print money we do not have. In short, a tax on Wall Street would benefit everyone because the more Wall Street steals, the better off the rest of us will be.
We need to do what we recommend first. Europe affects us and coordination is needed. But to tell them what to do is not our business and to tell them what to do when we do not do it ourselves, is hypocritical.
Jack:
We are the main cause of most of the financial problems of the world in the first place! When our economy sang, most of the rest of the world sang right along in tune! In the last decade our economy has gone from being stable with a budget surplus to unquestionably on the brink of bankruptcy dragging the rest of the world along with it!!
We need to pay attention to what is going on at home before we try to solve their problems! We need a government once again “for the people” not just for “campaign donors’!
Dan K
Owens Cross Roads , Alabama
Not when we are the cause of their financial problems. When are the banking criminals who ruined the world economy going to be brought to justice?
Absolutely. They have no overall Federal Reserve to guide policy. So they fight, bicker...can't get anything done. One-third of the US economy is dependent on Europe. They go down and we are going with them. Do whatever is necessary to get them to clean their mess up. Twenty-five percent of the European economy is Greece, Italy, Spain, Ireland, Portagul. You need to get them to slow down on accumulating debt and slowly pay off their debt over time so that they do not do it quickly and cause a recession (same applies for our debt burden). Do it quickly and you got a deep recession. In this regard Mitt Romney intends to do just that...reduce government spending rapidly. That well cause a deep recession (Ronald Reagon 1981).
one word Jack NO!
Jack,
Thanks for a question that made me laugh. We [the U.S.] have absolutely no business telling Europe how to fix its financial problems. But if it's political dysfunction Europe is after, who better to turn to than the U.S?
Why not, we tell everyone else how to run their countries Since we supply their Military forces shouldn't we be able to have a voice That goes for the entire Middle east also.
No. We need to stay out of the business of other countries. They need to handle their own problems and we will handle our own. Think of the money we will save.
This adminastration has no business giving advice on anything other than Class Warfare. Secretary Geithner was in charge of Risk Management for a company that needed bailed out not that long ago and now he's Secretary of the Treasury. Obama hasn't got a clue what to do. He hasn't seen the ball since kickoff. They come up with fuzzy math and smoke and mirrors to convince everyone he has the answers. The problem is there are enough coolaid drinkers out there who believe him.
Nothing like the blind leading the blind, eh Jack?
I love those Biblical quotes. To bad the United States doesn't "Trust in God" enough to practice them.
Like Forrest Gump said in the movie, "Stupid is as Stupid Does". Well "We is stupid and We does stupid things" so yeah we can tell them and pray they don't listen if they know what's good for them.
I think the U.S. should tell europe to cut money on their overregulated public policies and that they should privatize their health care and some of their pensions and balance their debt because if their economic system falls they will hurt the global economy and america and the rest of the world would be in a double dipped reccesion and will slow down economic progress in the U.S.
Please Jack......we have no business telling any other country how to be run when ours has run amuck!!!! Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!!! Secretary Geithner should just keep quiet on this one.
Actually, the U.S. has no business sticking our noses into the business of ANY other country! That is what has brought us to many of the problems we have today. We think we need everyone in the world to adhere top what we think and what we believe. I think other countries are totally sick of us telling them what to do. No wonder so many people in the world want to do us harm!
And anyway, if WE think it is OK to tell EUROPE what to do, how are we going to like it when CHINA feels the same way about us? Are we going to like it when they call the tune?
You (and others) refer often and without reservation to "Global economy." Would that be a more politically and propagandized acceptable term for "New World Order?" In my mind and my way of thinking, the two are the same. One just more palatable than the other. Many in the past have attempted globalization in many different ways such as world wars, exterminations, elitism, to name a few and fortunately have failed. However, it seems this economic attempt, "Global Economy" is succeeding or has a great possibility of succeeding. It is still a taking over of the world by a few to control the many. Hitler would be pleased. "Global Economy/New World Order".....same thing. So why not put our two cents in? We are or will soon be "one."
Thom Richer
Negaunee, MI
Personally, I don't think the US government can advise a child how to run a lemonade stand. As for Mr Geithner handing out advise, I'll offer a quote from Will Rogers: "An economist's guess is liable to be as good as anybody else's."
No, Jack – none! Obama is doing what brought on the crisis in Greece and other countries. These liberal elites are dangerous. – Minesh Baxi, Troy, MI
We have no business telling them what to do.heck we can't even handle are own problems here so why would they want are advice.Really think we need to straighten out America first.
Jack,
Absolutely not! We have no business telling Greece or Portugal or Germany or anyone else who is struggling how to fix their financial troubles when our own house is such a mess. IF we were to clean up our own house, THEN our advice might be worthy. Talk about the blind leading the visually-challenged!
Maybe the U.S. and any other country that is facing financial difficulties should look to emulate those countries that do have their financial house in order. It is okay to be concerned–the world is a lot smaller and if the economy in one country (like the U.S. or Germany or Greece) crashes, it affects the economies of other countries. We're all connected, for better or for worse.
No, until we get our house in order we should assume nobody really wants our advise about finances. I think Obama just couldn't help himself. Someone else is always responsible.
Let he who is without sin cast the first stone is not an old saying, it's a quote from the Bible. It also says there that we should love one another.
While the US should be a bit more restrained in commenting on the economic issues in Europe there is a need for Europe to remember the mountains of US Dollars that have been poured into Europe over the past century. Costs of wars, costs of reconstruction and costs of military protection. That does not even start to address the American blood shed in European based wars.
No especially coming from a president that has let the debt skyrocket after he was elected. Come on this guy was all concerned about the deficit before he was elected. Talk about a flip flop. This flip flop will take many years to correct and he wonders why the tea party republicans have a problem with him.
Jack:
Are you kidding me? We can’t even fix our own backyard. Why are we always over at the neighbors or in another city sticking our noses in their business. Until we can fix our own problems, we need to keep our focus on ourselves! .
Nina in So. Calif
ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! ha!
Answer is NO! ... Like US knows how to get its nose out of water.
Jack, No, it is like taking mechanical advice from a hamster regarding car trouble.
While the US needs to be engaged in affairs all around the world (you can't make the world bigger again), we really have no business taking a lecturing tone like Secretary Geithner keeps doing in Europe. He represents an administration that seeks to "borrow our way out of debt," as represented by his $450 billion borrowing package to jump-start the economy. Only after having achieved some measurable progress on something should he dispense advice.
WE can tell any counthy in the world what to do, that does not mean they will listen to us. We ask Israeli to stop build homes on Palestinian property. This is right before the U.N. vote on PALESTINE statehood , Israeli still building. Another problem is when our C.I.A gets involve in regime change, with money first or they have been know to kill a leader.
I am a German citizen and lived all of last year in the U.S. Europe faces a major crisis but if anything threatens the world economy it is the irresponsible actions of the U.S. Congress and the unwillingness to raise taxes to fix the deficit. And just as a reminder, the global financial crisis that caused a lot of the debt crisis in Europe emerged from the U.S. so in conclusion Obama should really keep his mouth closed on this topic.
No.
"Hey Europe, we saved you guys nearly 95 years ago!"
"Oui, we remember."
"Hey Europe, we saved you guys about 65 years ago"
"Si, we remember."
"Hey Europe, we led a mortgage bubble that came to a crisis point over two years"
"Ja, we remember."
no....wait let me put my caps lock on for emphasis...NO!!!
Ed in Sacramento
There's a big difference between hypocrisy and lack of know-how, Jack. The U.S. most definitely does not have its financial house in order, but that stems more from partisan posturing and a lack of political will than real ideas about how to reduce our debt on both sides of the political isle. Maybe with a little nudging leaders in Europe can pull off what our dysfunctional Congress cannot.
No, Jack. It would be like Bristol Palin advising teenagers about sex.
No. But neither does the Rothschild family via its global central banks.
that was a great question.
of course NOT
Insofar as he is Lobbyist in Chief, I would hope he has the ear of those.policy makers on the other side of the pond.
After WWI, then President Wilson was snubbed by Britain and France on how to treat Germany. The U.S. was ignored then and surely will be ignored now. When they are on their knees, they will ask for our assistance. We have no business telling them how to run their countries and they have no business asking for our help when their solutions don't work.
It really embarrasses me to know that the people who are supposedly representing America, are arrogant enough to do something like this. I mean seriously who are we to go tell other European nations how to handle their economic issues when our own is in shambles? And Timothy Geithner of all people should know better, being that he hasn't tried to do much to helping the working poor & unemployed in America. I truly like & support Pres Obama, however I believe his economic team is full of pompous fools who only care about their own personal interests and undermining the President. The Federal Reserve is NOT a doing a very good job of guiding policy in this country and I think a more direct approach on unemployment instead of the markets, deficits & politics would help to pull us from this trough we are in.
Why stop after Middle East and South Asia, we should go after Europe as well. It is the AMERICAN WAY
Jack,
The United States advising any nation, or person for that matter, on finances is like Casey Anthony advising me on child rearing. Did we forget that it was American Corporations that went to Europe and sold them boxes filled with rocks in the form of CDO's and MBS's that caused their current situation? The AAA investments Wall Street peddled around the world turned out to be financial Weapons of Mass Destruction? We should be thankful they didn't consider it an act of war.
How can Germany take our crticism seriously? When we are on the brink of disaster due to lack of oversight on our government. And the continued belief that our taxpayers are responsible to bail out publicly traded companies that are run by men without an ounce of morality. It's the other world leaders that need to be giving Obama a tongue lashing on how he has run his government since he has been in office.
Yes, we dragged them down with us, now we should help them get out of it. Yes, we can.
No, but then "telling Europe how to fix its' financial problems" is not exactly a fair characterization of what President Obama did. "Begging" might be more accurate, and Germans were certainly not shy about doing the same when our own housing bubble was causing their banks so much trouble....Minister Schaeuble included. In fact, his angry insistence that European governments can't get together and sell Euro region bonds is part of the problem.
-Connor in Fort Worth, Texas
The United States should not be telling other leaders how to run their countries. At this point in time it appears the US government wouldn't be capable of running a bake sale. They need to focus on the problems here!
Yes, if europe would adopt the american way of running a country it would help europeans overcome the economic crisis in a shorter span of time. Problem with europe is the poor quality of politics and politicians, except maybe the french president. The lethargy, the no-action plan, excess of government, the euro making live more and more costly for europeans....I wonder if the EU has a future. For sure if this was the XIX c. for sure war would have exploded in europe.
There is no doubt without you we would all be speaking German right now. How ever sense the end of WW2 America has been the most arrogant and obnoxious country on the planet. No, you have no right to tell anyone anything about anything.
No. We need to get our financial house in order before we start throwing stones at others.
The problems in Greece wouldn't even be on our radar if we could put people back to work and balance our budget. We put ourselves in a situation where every little thing that goes wrong in the world sends shock waves through our financial system.
Yes, we should. We dragged them down with us, now we should help them get out of it, Yes, we can.
No! We should mind our own business. Government has swelled to the point that 48% of our employed work for Government with good salaries and benefits. We're only a couple of years away from being Greece.
The question should be...Now that you are similar to us. How does it feel.
All these countries in finacial trouble should ask the only one who would know. It is not a country or person, but an entity. A vast and powerful entity. More powerful than any four counties combined. An entity that controls everything from the shadows and impacts every corner of the globe. And it does so without any military might.
But asking this entity to help would be a waste of time, as everything is playing out just as it wants. Just as it intends.
It is a multi-headed beast with many identities and facades. It has one goal – to make money.
Big money.
Yes, absolutely. Since we always know better what's good for others, why not let the Europeans solve our crisis and we solve theirs, in return? The world may be better off.
Simply put, no! We can't or better said, won't even bring those who created this mess to justice. The only thing this country seems to "manufacture" anymore is arrogance and ignorance. You only have to look at the audiences of the recent Republican debates to see we are in no way in short supply there.
This country has literally blown its wad with respect to its past world standing. As many other Americans think, if we do not get our act together very soon, we are going to be paying homage to Chinese skate boarders let along their leaders. America has lost its moral and economic compass and we are in freefall among has beens of the world. Not a good way to live!