On "This Week," Jake Tapper posed the question, "Is the nation headed towards bankruptcy?"

[high density]

Does anybody know how many nations heading towards bankruptcy can borrow money for free?

The Republicans are doing a really good job at thrusting out this idea that "we're broke." In my opinion, there's only the appearance of being broke, and entities lending us money billions at a time seem to agree. The GOP has done everything to cripple the effectiveness of government while allowing the rich to either hoard money or spread it offshore. If taxes migrated back to more rational levels and we stopped spending insane amounts of blood and money on conquering the world, we'd easily be able to afford things like roads and healthcare.

[ewagner]

1. Melissa Harris-Perry

on her show this morning pointed out that the Republicans will try to "pivot" the theme of this election to "we're broke"...attention on the deficit using the "family budget" as the model for the "national budget".

Looks like Tapper got the memo

[CrispyQ]

2. You are right. We're not bankrupt.

This is a right wing talking point to dismantle government to the point where they can say, "See, government doesn't work."

We are not bankrupt. We are not broke. We spend our income foolishly & we are in debt. In addition, we could avail ourselves of other revenue streams, but that option is off the table.

[abelenkpe]

3. We aren't broke

You're right. Besides we have our own currency

Edited to add:

We will not go broke. But we can choose to not honor our obligations. This is what republicans threaten to do with the debt ceiling nonsense. If they were to do that again they could force a default that would harm the US and the world causing many to suffer. But again they would have to choose to do it.

[lumberjack_jeff]

4. There's plenty of money.

The problem is that it isn't circulating in the economy.

A zero interest rate on savings means that lending capital is worthless. Let that sink in. Tax policy in this country only makes sense if the reverse is true. Since "job creators" are awash with cash and can borrow essentially for free, why keep doing the same stupid things?

Tax the fuck out of capital, use the proceeds to hire cops, teachers and road builders. Those people will be customers, and will give capitalists something to invest in.

[Historic NY]

5. I hear that in my town but they keep spending money...

on a althetic complex, and other unnecessary items...this is from a complete GOP board. They have no money for senior bus's etc...its used for only their own pet projects the one people didn't want with the previous GOP administration.

[madrchsod]

6. OH NO!!!!!!

[flamingdem]

7. braaack! buck buck - I've heard this as well "We're broke, broke, braaack!" n/t

[progressivebydesign]

8. Did Jake ask it like a REAL journalist? As in he's finding out if it's true???

Or is the latest "journalism" that starts with the answer, then finds the info to back it up... according to what he wants it to prove.

I always thought Jake was a pretty objective guy.. hoping that this is still true.

[high density]

9. He carelessly threw it out in an opening to the show's round table discussion

At that point I hit the delete button on my DVR and stopped wasting my time.