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.