Phase 2 semi-finals: WHICH of the following two 2 ISSUES do YOU think is more important in U. S. for government emphasis from these two?

[strateguy632]

WHICH of the following two 2 ISSUES do YOU think is more important in U. S. for government emphasis from these two?
phase two, after 4 votes each, which do you think is more important?

lowering inflation
energy independence =energy independence means U. S. mines ITS OWN FUELS oil and coal instead of importing.

[loveslongnails]

To be clear, we need the proper definition of "Energy Independence". It's not just gasoline, or oil. Energy independence simply means you produce more energy than you use, and that includes ALL energy. According to the US Dept of Energy, The United States' energy production reached an estimated 104.76 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu) in 2022, while consumption amounted to approximately 99.19 Btu. Therefore, the USA was energy independent in 2022. Does that mean gas should automatically cost less? Not at all.

The biggest factor right now regarding inflation is CORPORATE GREED. Record profits across the board were reported in 2022, despite still rebuilding the supply chain. When I hear Republicans blame this on Biden, I can't help but shake my head. They, the R's, are the ones giving the biggest tax breaks to corporations and their investors, skyrocketing the debt. That's just one factor, but greed is the major one.

[strateguy632]

what you just did is called BLURRING. however the fact is we in u. s. IMPORTED we would not need to import oil. u. s. is FAR from independent look at the amount IMPORTED in 2022: "Crude oil accounted for the largest percentage share of U. S. total energy imports nearly 65%" and MORE "in 2022 U. S. crude oil imports and exports both INCREASED in 2022, and the United States remained a NET crude oil IMPORTER. Crude oil accounted for the LARGEST percentage share of U. S. total energy imports nearly 65%" eia. gov›energyexplained/us-energy-facts/imports

[strateguy632]

about DEBT if biden spent LESS, then the debt would not rise he is the one DOING this overspending imagine a reckless household. earns $5 thousand and spent $9,000 that is NEGLIGENCE and when income decreases, then spending must decrease too,

[loveslongnails]

It's not blurring anything. Yes, the US is a net importer of crude oil, AND it is a net EXPORTER of petroleum products.

[loveslongnails]

Oh, if Biden spent less? Hmmm... Let's see. The Trump tax cuts amounted for a huge decrease in revenue. Under Trump, the debt rose 8 trillion. I concede that much of that was due to Covid borrowing, but his tax cuts exacerbated everything, especially dividing the wealthiest from the have-nots. So far under Biden, the debt has 4.6 trillion, also driven by Covid borrowing.

The tax cuts Trump embedded for lower and middle income folks and families expire this year, while the cuts for the rich are permanent. There is no blur to the facts that corporate profits, even post-pandemic, were at their highest in history - EVER. Even with adjustments for fuel increases, goods and services got priced 30% higher than pre-covid, and there's no way in hell that's only the supply chain, or "Biden's fault".

Or do you forget - Congress passes spending bills. The defense budget gets 400 billion dollars and operates UNAUDITED, while Republicans want to "save money" by cutting essential services like lunches for kids, Medicaid and Medicare, and anything else they deem as "an entitlement". Meanwhile, the wealthy KEEP their tax breaks and corporations get bigger tax breaks as well. Get off your Biden whine and address the REAL issue.

[strateguy632]

true less taxes , therefore what would your family do? steal to get more? obviously spend less. same for biden administration.

[loveslongnails]

I don't understand what you're saying. But for shits and grins, the Republicans fully blamed Biden for high gas prices when he was just a month into office. In Feb 2021, the average price in the USA was $2.47. In August 2022 it was $4.08. I just paid $2.47 for a gallon of gas in Georgia. That's 94 cents below the current national average, so for me, it's back to where it was when he took over. Should the Republicans praise Biden for lowering gas prices now, or do I rightfully realize that he's had little to do with it? Do I rightfully praise the Governor for suspending the gas tax in the state to help out its residents? YES, and that's about 60 cents a gallon.

Meanwhile, gas and oil giants post record profits for the last 2 years and get tax BREAKS on those profits due to Republican backed legislation that took effect in the Trump years and can't be overturned now because they control the House. That's just one small reason I cringe when ANYBODY starts blaming Biden for gas prices that go up or praising him when they go down. You just don't know what you're talking about if you do.

[RealMarek]

Lowering inflation. Inflation is the stuff of nightmares. Of course, we cannot have low inflation with high-cost energy, mass migration, and as the petrodollar system unwinds massive government spending.

[exitseven]

I say energy independence. If gas prices go down so will inflation. .

[Grond21]

Probably lowering inflation. It's harder to fix and has more long-term damage potential.