So who's the most fucked in this whole default situation?

[Tiggeroshii]

The Democratic party, Republican Party, the average American citizen, or everybody?

:shrug:

[Crazy Dave]

1. Everybody except the rich and all politicians

Even the ones who don't get re-elected still get a pension and will be hired by a lobbying firm in DC.

[Taverner]

2. Everybody who doesn't have a cave stock full of gold

[Gamow]

3. The rich. As always, the rich suffer.

or something. Just make sure we don't ask billionaires to go back to the rules we used when the system worked.

[RKP5637]

4. Those that once trusted "The System."

[spanone]

5. i suspect the republicans will be licking their wounds for some time to come

the great majority of americans know you need to compromise in life....period

[Spider Jerusalem]

6. The rest of the world outside America who didn't even vote for any of those nutters

an American default would, to phrase it inelegantly, fuck the global economy in the arse without lube. In case you haven't noticed Europe has been pretty much on an economic knife-edge with successive crises in Ireland and Greece and recent fears over Spain and Italy; Greece is almost certain to default as it is but a worsening of the financial situation due to a US default is not going to help matters at all (double-dip recession for most developed-world economies a certainty; say hello to the 1930's all over again). Especially when one considers how much US debt is held by central banks all over the world.

[B Calm]

7. We're witnessing the fall of the republican party!

[William769]

8. Seniors & the poor.

[villager]

9. interesting -- the Panglossians who unrecc'd this think the situation is swell!

:thumbsup:

[PurityOfEssence]

19. Ug. Must unrec anything that makes Obama look bad. Ug. Must.

Dr. Pangloss spits teeth at this constant dynamic.

Ug. Obama good. Ug. Must kill dissent. Ug.

[ShockediSay]

10. 98% of US n/t

[Poll_Blind]

11. I think those who are just barely hanging on, which is a lot of people, are going to...

...get hit the hardest. The Democratic Party will take a big, embarrassing, hit as a brand. And those Americans who aren't ripped out of their homes, etc., directly will endure the slow burn of the specter of poverty hovering over them for a decade or more.

PB

[RickFromMN]

13. I agree.

[Autumn]

15. That's exactly who will be hurt the most

A lot of the poor and the elderly are not feeling any recovery yet and these idiots are going to make cuts. And God help me I will not forgive them for that.

[RKP5637]

16. Agree! It will be millions and millions of people, the invisible people that

MSM likes to avoid in la la America. And the opportunists will come out to rip them off more if they can, payday loans with 100's of percent interest and all the rest of the crap that comes with a failed capitalistic system for the masses that has gone off the deep end. The oligarchy will do just fine. They have already prepared.

[sandyj999]

12. We the people of the United States of America

And especially people of my age that can't possibly survive if they cut social security or medicare.

[Angry Dragon]

18. +1000

[OmahaBlueDog]

14. It really depends how the default plays out.

I think, if we get much past 8/2 with no deal, there will be a government shutdown.

All non-essential workers are furloughed

All essential workers (active military in combat zones, prison guards, active duty FBI, customs, border patrol, FAA) might get paid, or they might be issued warrants (basically IOUs). It's anyone's guess how long or if the banks will cash them.

Whether Social Security checks go out is an open question. Federal payments and block grants to state will be delayed, so state and local budgets will quickly feel that impact. Things like unemployment, WIC, School Lunch, Head Start, TANF, LiHEAP, and other assistance too the needy will likely dry up. VA Hospitals and BIA Hospitals will likely shutter.

The government will not be "broke", but it will have a monumental cash flow problem, and will have to decide who gets paid first.

I have argued that a law of unintended consequence may play out. 2/3-3/4 of our "debt" is essentially owed to ourselves (domestic banks, the Social Security Trust Fund, pensions, etc). The balance is owed to foreign central banks. I don't imagine they'll be too happy with not getting paid, or the other economic side effects that this little GOP stunt will bring about, so I can envision them poutng a lot of money into elections to see that their interests are protected and that this never happens again. We can thank Citizens United and the SCOTUS for that, and it should scare both parties.

I also think that Americans of all political stripes may re-examine party affiliations, and that we may see the start of a multi-party system in earnest.

[RKP5637]

17. I like your last sentence. It's for sure this mess now isn't working. It's been

broken for years now and just getting worse IMO.

[mdmc]

20. I'd like to see that in earnest..