tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548695401579410439.post3263740817837730182..comments2024-01-04T07:05:27.381-06:00Comments on Immigration Talk with a Mexican American: 2012 Republican Prez Candidate Pawlenty Reveals Conservative Agenda: The TRUTH - CHANGE EXPECTATIONS! NO MORE MEDICARE! MORE TAX CUTS TO RICH!!Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09583438645860375661noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548695401579410439.post-20982166768059790932010-02-26T17:25:10.853-06:002010-02-26T17:25:10.853-06:00"I agree with you that removing the cap on so...<i>"I agree with you that removing the cap on social security payments for the wealthy would benefit the program significantly."</i><br /><br />You do know that makes the wealthy (anyone PAYING into Social Security) eligible for Social Security pay-outs in the future? So we wouldn't really be solving the issue, just pushing back it's death date.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548695401579410439.post-28975328943925530132010-02-24T18:11:34.569-06:002010-02-24T18:11:34.569-06:00Ultima,
I agree with you that removing the cap on ...Ultima,<br />I agree with you that removing the cap on social security payments for the wealthy would benefit the program significantly.<br /><br />They should do it.Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09583438645860375661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548695401579410439.post-25174207518372059502010-02-24T17:49:42.471-06:002010-02-24T17:49:42.471-06:00The United States Supreme Court decided in Flemmin...The United States Supreme Court decided in Flemming v. Nestor (1960) that no one has an accrued property right to benefits from Social Security.ultimahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13624967903736347171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548695401579410439.post-62920546302784512052010-02-24T17:34:23.761-06:002010-02-24T17:34:23.761-06:00I understand your desire to withdraw all of your a...I understand your desire to withdraw all of your and your employer's contributions but I doubt that will ever happen because if everyone were allowed to do that Social Security would be defunct and many poor people who have nothing else to depend on would be destitute. They would spend the lump sum withdrawal rather quickly while now they have some income for life.ultimahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13624967903736347171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548695401579410439.post-2523449005208052522010-02-24T17:32:03.408-06:002010-02-24T17:32:03.408-06:00The first $106,800 in earnings in 2010 are subject...The first $106,800 in earnings in 2010 are subject to a 6.2% tax on both the employer and the employee.<br /><br />Thus, if the cap was removed, a person earning $250,000 per year would see an increase from $6,622 (0.062 x $106,800)to $15,500 (0.062 x $250,000). This is a large increase of 134%. However,putting this in perspective, it still leaves the earner with $234,500. I could live on that! I don't recall whether the Social Security payroll deduction is taxed at the time it is earned or only later when you begin to draw SS. In the beginning, the feds said SS would never be taxed but it is. If it is taxed when the money is earned, the benefits certainly shouldn't be taxed.ultimahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13624967903736347171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548695401579410439.post-2830096107908176532010-02-24T12:01:09.668-06:002010-02-24T12:01:09.668-06:00George W. Bush suffers from bad neurons Alcohol - ...<b>George W. Bush suffers from bad neurons Alcohol - says Super Conservative Hawk : British Imperialist Lord David Owen, former Foreign Minister, House of Lords, and Neurologist Doctor</b><br /><br />Interviews to Great British Lords, Imperialist Hawks and Glories of the Queen and the House of Lords. They say unsavory things for America.<br /><br />Brits have many doubts about Adventures with America in the "Graveyard of Empires"<br /><br />"Afghanistan 2002-2010 is the Gravest Failure of England since the Suez Canal Fiasco in 1956".<br /><br /><br />From Wikipedia :<br /><br />David Owen in Wikipedia<br /><br />http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Owen<br /><br />Some excerpts :<br /><br />David Anthony Llewellyn Owen, Baron Owen CH PC FKC (born 2 July 1938) He is also known for becoming the youngest person in over forty years to hold the post of British Foreign Secretary (from 1977 to 1979) and as one of the authors of the failed Vance-Owen and Owen-Stoltenberg peace plans offered during the Bosnian War. He has been a controversial figure for much of his career, inspiring great devotion among close followers but also disaffection due to perceived arrogance. He sits in the House of Lords as a crossbencher.<br />.........................<br /><br />In fact Owen disagreed with them as the nationalisation was a 'confiscation' rather than an 'invasion', nevertheless the whole affair convinced him that 'politicians... able to stand up for Britain's interests even in the age of Imperial decline' and 'brought home' to him the 'robustness about the British people's character which is often underestimated by... the chattering classes'.[Kenneth Harris, Personally Speaking Pan Books, 1987]<br />.............<br /><br />He was neurology and psychiatric registrar at St Thomas's Hospital for two years, as assistant to Dr. William Sargant, then Research Fellow on the Medical Unit doing research into Parkinsonian trauma and neuropharmacology.<br /><br /><br />GlobalPost.com<br />Iraq inquiry turns focus on transatlantic cooperation.<br />By By Alan Blinder (University of Alabama) Student Correspondent Corps<br />February 5, 2010<br /><br /><br />British leaders reflect on US-UK relationship<br /><br />http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/study-abroad/100204/british-diplomats-review-bush-decisions<br /><br /><br />Some excerpts :<br /><br />But Owen argues that had Iraq been better managed from the beginning, the coalition could have been victorious.<br /><br />"Could Iraq have been a success? It could have been," Owen said.<br /><br />Howe, who worked with the first President Bush, said his son, George W., disappointed his father.<br /><br />"He just had an extraordinarily superficial approach to everything," Howe said. "It seemed as if he had almost forgotten the elementary components of political leadership. It was a great tragedy for his father."<br /><br />Owen, a neurologist by training, said he thinks Bush suffers from adult attention deficit disorder.<br /><br />He has never met Bush, but said he wonders if a link exists between the former president’s early years of heavy drinking and later difficulty delivering speeches, which he called "a language defect."<br /><br />The superficial approach that Howe described triggered other problems. Hurd thinks the invasion created — not just worsened — turmoil in Iraq.<br /><br />"We let terrorism into Iraq," Hurd said. "There was no serious terrorism in Iraq under Saddam Hussein, except his own brand of it."<br /><br /><br /><b>The Future of Foreign Policies :</b><br /><br /><a href="http://prophesizing.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow"><strong>Prophesizing.com</strong></a><br /><br />Vicente DuqueDefensores de Democraciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01990488344886411353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548695401579410439.post-14520109101072051502010-02-23T09:46:04.218-06:002010-02-23T09:46:04.218-06:00McClatchy Newspapers : Schwarzenegger breaks with ...<b>McClatchy Newspapers : Schwarzenegger breaks with GOP on health care, stimulus - Arnold, a gentleman, is giving political help to Obama</b><br /><br />Arnold Schwarzenegger, always a gentleman, helps the president without the Hate and Partisanship that has infected Politics. The Governor of California shows Political Kindness and Graciousness. Arnold has warm courtesy.<br /><br />So Big Muscles are not contradictory with Humanity and being Nice.<br /><br /><br />McClatchy Newspapers<br />Schwarzenegger breaks with GOP on health care, stimulus<br />By Rob Hotakainen<br />February 22, 2010<br /><br />Schwarzenegger breaks with GOP on health care, stimulus<br />http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2010/02/22/87395/start-from-scratch-on-health-care.html<br /><br /><br />Some excerpts :<br /><br />WASHINGTON — While Republican leaders in Washington are urging President Barack Obama to start from scratch on a health care bill, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Monday dismissed the idea as "bogus talk."<br /><br />It marked the second day in a row that Schwarzenegger strayed from his party's positions.<br /><br />On Sunday, he defended Obama's economic stimulus plan and chided elected officials, most of them Republicans, who oppose the overall stimulus but are quick to trumpet individual projects in their states that are paid for by the stimulus.<br /><br />Standing outside the White House after meeting privately with Obama on Monday, Schwarzenegger touted the economic stimulus plan yet again.<br /><br />"I think the stimulus package has been very successful so far and I think California has benefitted tremendously," he said.<br /><br />Schwarzenegger also said it's good that the president is reaching out to Republicans as he prepares for this week's health care summit with congressional leaders.<br /><br /><a href="http://raciality.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow"><strong>Raciality.com</strong></a><br /><br />Vicente DuqueDefensores de Democraciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01990488344886411353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548695401579410439.post-70400089625792248082010-02-22T19:55:20.431-06:002010-02-22T19:55:20.431-06:00BTW Ultima,
I have read over 25 articles by the &q...BTW Ultima,<br />I have read over 25 articles by the "new unemployed" and those most impacted by the Recession/Depression. <br /><br />Most are the over 40/50 crowd. <br />Most are middle class.<br /><br />Most are NOT competing for jobs by those your side terms "illeegals."<br />They are NOT looking for AgJobs.<br />They are NOT looking for Construction Jobs.<br /><br />They are looking for jobs that are currently being outsourced to Canada or India. They are looking for these service/IT jobs where you can work from home. With today's technology, they could all work from home. They have the skills, the knowledge, the American drive to make their company a success! IF the company wanted to do it.<br /><br />But the problem is, they would rather spend $1 an hour and a million dollars in technology to hire the folks in India or Canada vs everyday Americans.<br /><br />No matter what you say, it is possible and we have the skills and technology to do it, IF ONLY business would do it!Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09583438645860375661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548695401579410439.post-61022656317623610542010-02-22T19:40:57.065-06:002010-02-22T19:40:57.065-06:00The other "cap" I am interested in is th...The other "cap" I am interested in is the cap on earnings one can make while on Social Security.<br /><br />This seems ludicrous. <br />Why have a program in place that penalizes people from working when they want to work?Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09583438645860375661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548695401579410439.post-35148818989976881542010-02-22T19:39:13.385-06:002010-02-22T19:39:13.385-06:00Ultima
Talk about this more.My "cap" usu...Ultima<br />Talk about this more.My "cap" usually comes in November. So those with super high wages, they would continue paying into social security, right?<br /><br /><br />ultima said...<br />1. Remove the cap on taxable income for social security purpose so that the affluent pay the same percentage of their income into the system as the rest of us do. (This would require a matching contribution by employers.)Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09583438645860375661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548695401579410439.post-19858610600257323932010-02-22T19:17:19.447-06:002010-02-22T19:17:19.447-06:00I do not like the term entitlement program. By def...I do not like the term entitlement program. By definition, entitle would refer to a gift. Those of us over 50 have bought and paid for our social security. It is no gift. We EARNED it. <br /><br />I suppose you can refer to it as a ponzi scheme perpetrated by the government. <br /><br />So therefore, if you acknowledge it is a ponzi scheme, then acknowledge it was a scheme/ a scam and PAY BACK ALL we paid into it. We don't want a profit, merely payback and interest. The SS dept gives us a printout every year of how much we have paid into it. Just pay us back IF you want to start over. Very Simple! NO HANDOUTS, JUST PAYBACKS...like any victimes of a scheme/scam.Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09583438645860375661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548695401579410439.post-36889022468973595202010-02-22T19:07:15.479-06:002010-02-22T19:07:15.479-06:00Most companies outsource offshore. This is why Ame...Most companies outsource offshore. This is why Americans are losing jobs!<br /><br />Any service jobs or IT jobs are the first to go. You know this. Pick up the phone and call a business with a call center. You will get a representative from Canada or India or any other international country that speaks English. The same goes for IT jobs.<br /><br />ALL of these outsourced jobs could be performed domestically. ALL of them. Business should be held accountable for hiring domestically. <br /><br />Henry Ford had it right when he helped his own employees purchase their own affordable cars.<br /><br />The American Worker/Taxpayer has to be our 1st Priority!<br /><br /><br />Ultima said..In Pawlenty's words, "...make it more likely that they're going to start a business, grow a business, buy equipment, build buildings, conduct research, commercialize the results of that research and grow jobs." <br /><br />How can anyone disagree with that?Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09583438645860375661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548695401579410439.post-91391255082614869732010-02-22T18:57:27.553-06:002010-02-22T18:57:27.553-06:00Maybe a few years ago Ultima, but not anymore.
A...Maybe a few years ago Ultima, but not anymore. <br /><br />As I said, while I am doing fine with my consulting skills, my husband (talented, skilled, white, male, early 50s) is having more difficulty than I am. It has everything to do with age and who is competing with whom for white collar jobs. I know. He has an impeccable resume and portfolio package. <br /><br />It has more to do with outsourcing, recession and who is competing. <br /><br />Again, it doesn't matter as long as we have SS and Medicare in our future. <br /><br />The Dems are NOT trying to take this away. Only the Republicans have this on their agenda.<br /><br /><br /><br />Ultima said..<br />Top executives are often in their 50s or 60s when they change jobs. They are able to do that because of the level of their experience offsets the age factor.Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09583438645860375661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548695401579410439.post-32888896900722866262010-02-22T18:53:10.435-06:002010-02-22T18:53:10.435-06:00Ultima said...
No one is going to take away Social...Ultima said...<br />No one is going to take away Social Security.<br /><br /><br />That's NOT what Pawlenty said. He said he would not impact anyone currently ON SS but wants to change it for anyone entering into it. That hits all of us fifty somethings. <br /><br />The profane Anonymous had the same misunderstanding you did only who was very profane/abusive in his response so I couldn't post it. He also thinks it is funny my husband and I were impacted by layoffs.<br /><br />Let me make this clear. My husband and I, like many middle income Americans were impacted by the recession, but we are not desperate. We have our pensions and my small business income. However, like most middle income Americans, we are looking forward and stretching our savings hoping we will receive our fully paid for social security payments when we reach eligibility age at 62. <br /><br />Democrats are NOT taking this away from us. It is only Republicans like Pawlenty that even talk about ripping it away. <br /><br />You are right. It is NOT easy to get a new job in your fifties. It is logical for employers, when hiring, to choose the twenty/thirty somethings vs us fifty somethings. No one blames them for that. Regardless of our skills, drives or talents, we are only going to work a few more years and are not in it for the long term anymore. Why should they waste years of training/indoctrination of their products/services on us? I don't blame them. <br /><br />All I am asking for is that no one takes away what WE already paid for, our Social Security benefits until we die twenty or thirty years from now.Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09583438645860375661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548695401579410439.post-11270757892709455952010-02-22T16:26:56.395-06:002010-02-22T16:26:56.395-06:00Culture Crisis or Health Care Crisis?
Dea...Culture Crisis or Health Care Crisis?<br /><br /> Dear Mr. President: <br /><br /> During my shift in the Emergency Room last night, I had the pleasure of evaluating a patient whose smile revealed an expensive shiny gold tooth, whose body was adorned with a wide assortment of elaborate and costly tattoos, who wore a very expensive brand of tennis shoes and who chatted on a new cellular telephone equipped with a popular R&B ringtone. <br /><br /> While glancing over her patient chart, I happened to notice that her payer status was listed as "Medicaid"! During my examination of her, the patient informed me that she smokes more than one costly pack of cigarettes every day and somehow still has money to buy pretzels and beer. <br /><br /> And, you and our Congress expect me to pay for this woman's health care? I contend that our nation's "health care crisis" is not the result of a shortage of quality hospitals, doctors or nurses. Rather, it is the result of a "crisis of culture", a culture in which it is perfectly acceptable to spend money on luxuries and vices while refusing to take care of one's self or, heaven forbid, purchase health insurance. It is a culture based in the irresponsible credo that "I can do whatever I want to because someone else will always take care of me". <br /><br /> Once you fix this "culture crisis" that rewards irresponsibility and dependency, you'll be amazed at how quickly our nation's health care difficulties will disappear. <br /><br /> <br /><br />Respectfully, <br /><br />STARNER JONES, MD <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /><br />Reply<br /> Reply all<br /> Forward<br /> New<br /> |<br /> Delete<br /> Junk<br /> Not junk<br /> |<br /> Mark as ▼<br /> Unread<br />Read<br />Phishing scamMove to ▼<br /> Inbox<br />Junk<br /><br /> <br /> |<br /> <br /> <br /> © 2010 Microsoft Privacy Terms <br /> <br /> <br /> {0} <br /> Mark as read<br /> <br />Mark as unread<br /> <br />Delete<br /> <br />. Show full messageultimahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13624967903736347171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548695401579410439.post-10432550600167643042010-02-22T13:11:34.532-06:002010-02-22T13:11:34.532-06:00No one is going to take away Social Security. It ...No one is going to take away Social Security. It is not politically feasible or desirable. I think Pawlenty was referring to people who begn their working years after the entitlement reforms are enacted if that really happens, not those who are already retired or who are approaching retirement.<br /><br />Republican opposition to health care reform has its roots in the fact that over 90% of people before the debate were happy with their insurance plans. They are trying to pay attention to the people rather than liberal idealogues. The opposition also has it roots in the idea that we simply don't need another underfunded entitlement when we are unable to manage the ones we already have.<br /><br />Republican positions are grounded in sound economic considerations and are not nearly as onerous as Dee would have us believe.<br /><br />I am sorry about Dee's and her husband's employment status. I have two sons and a daughter who are approaching their fifties. I worry about their retirement prospects and hope they will be able to stay employed. It's not easy to get a new job when you are in your fifties unless you have significant managerial experience at an appropriate level. Top executives are often in their 502 or 60s when they change jobs. They are able to do that because of the level of their experience offsets the age factor.<br /><br />I think part of the debate about entitlement will come down to what can be done to enable people to do a better job of planning for a rainy day (six months or a years income in a rainy day kitty) and saving for retirement at the rate necessary to achieve the desired income in retirement. For example, at age 50 for an 80% income replacement you would need to save 56.8% of an $80k salary if you were starting from scratch, or a 60% income replacement of an $80k salary would require a saving of 33.4%. Obviously, the percentages are much lower if you start at age 25.ultimahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13624967903736347171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548695401579410439.post-27101177758737539982010-02-22T12:45:58.150-06:002010-02-22T12:45:58.150-06:00The Republican Party is not the party of "no&...The Republican Party is not the party of "no". That's just Demospin. I would hope that Republicans and Democrats would all be in favor of tax cuts and the easing of any regulations that would produce jobs. In Pawlenty's words, "...make it more likely that they're going to start a business, grow a business, buy equipment, build buildings, conduct research, commercialize the results of that research and grow jobs." <br /><br />How can anyone disagree with that?<br /><br />The facts about social security's and medicare's unfunded obligations are just that, facts. Deal with them. Don't just ignore them an hope that they will go away. That's what Pawlenty, Schwarzenegger and Rendell are saying. It's just a bitter pill that we have to take.<br /><br />State budgets across the nation are hard on low income people because there are huge deficits that have to be dealt with. In Colorado, state funding of higher education has already been reduced 49th or 50th out of 50. Candy and internet transactions will be taxed. State budgets like the federal budget is loaded with entitlements so there is nowhere to go to balance the budget except those programs that constitute the biggest part of the budget. We could of course privatize all state higher education institutions. We are almost there already. We could open the gates of the state prisons and turn loose all the felons. We could lay off 30% of all state employees. None of these are very palatable. We could raise taxes even more than the current plan but raising taxes is never a good idea in the middle of a recession.<br /><br />It's easy to criticize but if you had to balance the budget yourself as I did for 22 years at the University of Colorado, it is a different story.<br /><br />Minnesota has a fairly liberal cast in the legislature so Pawlenty will not be able to do anything except what the legislature approves so the blame game is not appropriate.ultimahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13624967903736347171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548695401579410439.post-85461316985625748542010-02-22T12:37:35.116-06:002010-02-22T12:37:35.116-06:00“Progressivism is a cancer in America” - Glenn Bec...<b>“Progressivism is a cancer in America” - Glenn Beck in 2010</b><br /><br />What Teddy Roosevelt said about Health Insurance, protection of the poor and the weak, Protection of the Immigrant, Taxation of the Rich - Presidential Campaing of 1912<br /><br />Teddy Rooselvelt proposes Health Insurance for Americans and presents Germany and Bismark's legislation as a model. More Information on Germany and England, pioneers in these developments.<br /><br />This is a speech of Theodore Roosevelt in August of 1912, during the Presidential Campaign. <br /><br />Teaching American History Organization<br />Confession of Faith<br />Theodore Roosevelt<br />August 6, 1912<br /><br />Confession of Faith<br /><br />http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/index.asp?document=613<br /><br />Some excerpts<br /><br />It is abnormal for any industry to throw back upon the community the human wreckage due to its wear and tear, and the hazards of sickness, accident, invalidism, involuntary unemployment, and old age should be provided for through insurance. This should be made a charge in whole or in part upon the industries, the employer, the employee, and perhaps the people at large to contribute severally in some degree. Wherever such standards are not met by given establishments, by given industries, are unprovided for by a legislature, or are balked by unenlightened courts, the workers are in jeopardy, the progressive employer is penalized, and the community pays a heavy cost in lessened efficiency and in misery. What Germany has done in the way of old-age pensions or insurance should be studied by us, and the system adapted to our uses, with whatever modifications are rendered necessary by our different ways of life and habits of thought.<br /><br />Working women have the same need to combine for protection that working men have; the ballot is as necessary for one class as for the other; we do not believe that with the two sexes there is identity of function; but we do believe that there should be equality of right; and therefore we favor woman suffrage. Surely, if women could vote, they would strengthen the hands of those who are endeavoring to deal in efficient fashion with evils such as the white-slave traffic; evils which can in part be dealt with nation-ally, but which in large part can be reached only by determined local action, such as insisting on the wide-spread publication of the names of the owners, the landlords, of houses used for immoral purposes.<br /><br />*********************************************************<br /><br />Bismark in Germany and Social Legislation in England<br /><br />***********************************************************<br /><br />As said in the previous paragraphs, Teddy was an admirer of the Social Legislation of Otto von Bismark ( The Iron Chancellor ) in Germany.<br /><br />Here you find beautiful information about that :<br /><br />The Huffington Post<br />By Paul A. London<br />November 3, 2008<br /><br />Finally, Health Insurance 90 Years Late<br /><br />http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-a-london/finally-health-insurance_b_139666.html<br /><br />Some excerpts :<br /><br />The story starts in Germany in 1883. Count Otto von Bismarck, the "Iron Chancellor," championed government-sponsored social insurance including "sickness insurance" to win working class voters away from the Socialists. It was not a socialist program. It was an anti-socialist program. Bismarck rammed it through and enlarged it over the years, overriding opposition from his own conservative allies and from the Socialists who knew the program was aimed at weakening them.<br /><br /><b>Youth, Minorities, Politics :</b><br /><br /><a href="http://milenials.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow"><strong>Milenials.com</strong></a><br /><br />Vicente DuqueDefensores de Democraciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01990488344886411353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548695401579410439.post-49297461744199729122010-02-22T12:24:24.668-06:002010-02-22T12:24:24.668-06:00I agree with what you propose regarding job out-so...I agree with what you propose regarding job out-sourceing and even closer scrutiny of big Pharma and Health insurers.<br /><br />What I disagree with is your incessant blaming of Republicans for all the ills in society. Republican do not represent some sort of monolith that share only one singular view of the world and what is needed to fix its ills if that can be done without sacrificing all of our freedoms. We have to keep in mind that every step we take down the road of government control is a step toward communism.<br /><br />You think that tax cuts for the rich is a bad thing and it probably is for some. Howeve, if it is a tax cut for businesses that results in more jobs and a more competitive position vis a vis foreign companies, that is not a bad thing even though some rich folks may benefit.<br /><br />Let see who was it that was in charge when NAFTA was enacted resulting in the proliferation of maquiladoras just across the border and the jump in out-sourcing in jobs? Must have been Pawlenty!!!ultimahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13624967903736347171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548695401579410439.post-82199441176583998392010-02-22T12:11:43.052-06:002010-02-22T12:11:43.052-06:00Dee wrote, "Cut back on the profits of the Ph...Dee wrote, "Cut back on the profits of the Pharmas and Healthcare carriers"<br /><br />I'm not sure how this would improve the solvency of Social Security. I defend the profits of Pharmas only to the extent necessary to keep investors engaged and continue their very expensive research and development programs. Every private business is entitled to a fair return on its products. What a fair return is is certainly negotiable.<br /><br />With regard insurance companies, the same rational applies. I think they had a bad case of dumb when some of them announced huge increases in premiums at this critical juncture in the health care debate. I agree that there is room for improvement in Pharma and Health Insurance regulation but I don't see how that will cure the current unfunded obligations of Medicare and SS. That is the most immediate problem and I don't think Pharma and Insurance Companies are the answer. A reduction in prices might slow the rate of increase in the unfunded obligations but will not liquidate them.ultimahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13624967903736347171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548695401579410439.post-51405242754429630132010-02-22T12:02:35.767-06:002010-02-22T12:02:35.767-06:00Dee wrote, "I say to Pawlenty or any other Re...Dee wrote, "I say to Pawlenty or any other Republican recommending stopping SS/Medicare".<br /><br />What do you say to Democrat Gov. Rendell of PA? Why heap all your rancor on the Republicans? I can see that you are really upset about your present situation. We all worry about this not only for ourselves but for our kids.<br />Social Security will never be done away with but something must be done to improve its solvency, hence my suggestions above.ultimahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13624967903736347171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548695401579410439.post-68023710288729989572010-02-22T11:59:22.324-06:002010-02-22T11:59:22.324-06:00Dee wrote, "If you seek privatization of futu...Dee wrote, "If you seek privatization of future Social Security/Medicare then Offer a Cash Buyout to all of us who have contributed to this ponzi scheme. "<br /><br />No where did I suggest privatization of future Social Security/Medicare. But asking for a buyout is tantamount to agreement with Bush's idea for private savings accounts. There are some people who could manage their Social Security kitty but many would simply spend it and depend on welfare during their retirement years. For any buyout I say you would be entitled to all of your contributions plus those of your employer plus interest. The government has no claim on any part of it.ultimahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13624967903736347171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548695401579410439.post-804227939195542382010-02-22T11:51:57.627-06:002010-02-22T11:51:57.627-06:00Dee wrote, "I find it interesting that your o...Dee wrote, "I find it interesting that your only suggestions have to do with the medicare recipients doing with less or finding an alternative."<br /><br />I admit I failed to proof read my post but the above statement is clearly erroneous. I suggested:<br />1. Remove the cap on taxable income for social security purpose so that the affluent pay the same percentage of their income into the system as the rest of us do. (This would require a matching contribution by employers.)<br />2. Freeze the maximum social security benefit at the present level as adjusted annually for inflation.(This would cause the affluent to pay a lot more with no commensurate increase in their benefits leaving more for the benefits of the less affluent.)<br />3. I suggested doubling the Medicare tax on both the employer and the employee. (Obviously there only two ways to improve the solvency of both Medicare and Social Security: increase revenues or reduce benefits(expense). My Social Security proposal does both it increases the revenue by applying the tax rate to all income and, on the benefits or expense side,by freezing the maximum benefit at the present level as adjusted for inflation.)<br />4. I also suggested that the feds contribute from the general revenues of the government whatever amount is appropriate to make up for the years of neglect and underfunding of both programs.<br />5. I reminded everyone that both Republicans and Democrats agree that something must be done about entitlement programs if we are to save them from insolvency.<br />6. Finally, I suggested a de-politicized way to make sure the rates and bases are adjusted annually based on demographic, actuarial, and other statistical data and that an independent board be set up to initiate and implement the necessary changes.<br /><br />There are some other changes that I have suggested in the past such as a means test once the employer/employee contributions plus interest have been exhausted. Not many people like the idea of a means test, even after they have recovered all of their and their employers' contributions plus interest. I understand that position. It's like life insurance or annuity. If you live to 100 with a paid up policy or contract, the net take will not be as good as in the case of someone who dies the day after the policy goes into effect. In the case of Social Security, if you pay into it all your working years but die the day after you begin receiving benefits most of your contributions will be used to be pay the social security of the guy who lives to 100. That is the nature of insurance of all kinds.<br /><br />Dee, your erroneous kneejerk reaction is understandable given your present situation but you really should read more carefully before you comment. The list above is far different from what you say in your opening quote.ultimahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13624967903736347171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548695401579410439.post-86813309478588022982010-02-21T19:54:45.046-06:002010-02-21T19:54:45.046-06:00I say to Pawlenty or any other Republican recommen...I say to Pawlenty or any other Republican recommending stopping SS/Medicare: Don't even think about it unless you buy me out!Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09583438645860375661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548695401579410439.post-41411691193179536332010-02-21T19:52:48.298-06:002010-02-21T19:52:48.298-06:00Beyond SS/Medicare, let's look at jobs. Stop b...Beyond SS/Medicare, let's look at jobs. Stop business from outsourcing. This will save the MOST middle/high income jobs in America. Why not consider this??Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09583438645860375661noreply@blogger.com