Submitted by Lawrence Rafferty-Guest Blogger
It is probably just me, but it seems that every time we hear about a proposed deal to extend the debt limit and avert a government shutdown and a debt default, the plan does nothing more than cut the taxes on the wealthiest Americans and Corporations. The latest proposal by the so-called Gang of Six is just one more example of Congress attacking the Middle Class.
“The cuts in the Gang of Six plan aren’t minor, either. It proposes a chained CPI adjustment to Social Security, which may not be a bad idea when combined with other measures to boost benefits and strengthen the program, but on its own is tantamount to a $1,300 cut each year for recipients over their lifetimes. Strengthen Social Security co-chair and former Obama adviser Nancy Altman has denounced the idea as an overly harsh cut. “The chained-CPI is poor policy, and given that seniors vote in disproportionately high numbers, it is equally poor politics,” she said.” Think Progress This latest attempt by both sides of Congress to claim victory over the imaginary debt crisis just seems to be another attempt to please their corporate masters.
Does it bother anyone else that a group of Senators from both sides of the aisle would call themselves the “Gang of Six”? These Senators are doing their best to terrorize the Middle Class so maybe the moniker is appropriate. While some of the details of this proposed plan have not been agreed upon, what we do know troubles someone like myself who may be utilizing Medicare and Social Security in the next few years. “These tentative changes include repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax and establishing three simple tax brackets for individuals, while cutting “tax expenditures” and adjusting the corporate tax rate to between 23 percent and 29 percent.” Business Insider How can a tax rate be lowered for major corporations who pay no taxes now?
The proposed cuts to Social Security retirees is especially disturbing. “Lawmakers and the Obama administration are reportedly considering switching to a “chained” Consumer Price Index. According to the advocacy group Strengthen Social Security, the chained-CPI could lead to annual Social Security benefit cuts of $560 for those aged 75, $984 for those aged 85 and $1,392 for those aged 95. “The proposal to shift to the chained-CPI is actually a stealth attack on Social Security,” said Joan Entmacher, director of family economic security at the National Women’s Law Center, during a Friday conference call with reporters.” Huffington Post Is anyone surprised that the Congressional terrorists would be considering reducing payments to Seniors and reducing corporate tax rates? Just why is Social Security being discussed when it has no impact on the Deficit?
I have a novel, Gang of America idea to suggest that would actually reduce the deficit and protect Social Security. Actually, it is not my idea, but the idea of the vast majority of Americans who are repeatedly telling Congress to tax the wealthy and Corporations and to leave Social Security alone. I realize my Gang does not have much lobbying power, but we have millions of votes. Congress, it is time to get on board with the Gang of America’s ideas and you just might save the economy and your jobs. Let’s hear your ideas to “fix” the imaginary debt crisis.
Respectfully submitted by Lawrence Rafferty-Guest Blogger
I’m just conforming to the norms of this crowd. It’s smug arrogance 24/7. It gets old fast, but apparently it’s expected.
Of course, if I were getting paid to do this by some ideological foe, don’t you think I’d be arguing with Prof Turley’s views instead of the nutty views of small-minded commentors like you.
Kderosa-
No, I meant infer. I gather from your humorless reply that jocular banter is neither permitted nor included in the Koch Brothers talking points which you are sworn on the Holy Bible to disseminate on your assigned left wing blog. It’s too bad, because your incessant sneering is becoming boring as hell.
HenMan, I think you mean imply. And, no I didn’t imply you were a nazi. Though it is an establish fact that many American Progressives favored the fascism of Mussolini and Hitler until it all went pear shaped. Then instead of abandoning those crazy views they merely shifted a little to the left and flushed the fascismphila down the memory hole.
Kderosa-
You infer that I’m a Nazi. I’ll have you know that I fought the Nazis in WWII. I worked tirelessly, day and night, filling my diapers with valuable American poop. My poop and the poop of other patriots was then gathered by the famous defense contractor, Dy-Dee-Wash and shipped to Army Air Corps bases all over England. In daring daylight raids on Berlin, Dresden, Cologne, Hamburg, and other abodes of the wicked, millions of tons of our poop rained down upon Hitler’s evil minions. And, by God, we made them holler “Uncle!”.
Elaine,
you and your husband should be commended, but the fact that the medical and dental benefits were part of the compensation package is what kept those good employees in the “family”. They are not give-aways, but a true part of the compensation that the employee is paid. I worked for a company years ago while going to college and after for 7 years before and during law school and their benefits attracted and retained many good people. Today, the medical benefits alone are enough to attract workers as long as the pay is competitive.
rafflaw,
“Employers don’t have to provide insurance to employees, but the good ones recognize that in order to retain good employees, it is a good benefit that is part of the full compensation package.”
It cost my husband’s companies a lot of money–but he felt it was a moral obligation. The majority of his employees were women–many of whom took jobs with my husband’s companies because of the excellent medical and dental benefits. He respected his employees and treated them well. They, in turn, respected him and worked hard.
Kdpanzee,
You defend Bush…So you must still be looking to validate his claim….and cheneys as well…
@AY, i’m glad we got that out. See doesn’t it feel better now with that weight lifted. Being a god memorizer isn’t so bad, just stay away from trying to pretend you can think logically. What did the DNC tell you to think about WMD and affordable housing legislation?
kderosa,
a gentlemen never tells.
Kdpanzee,
Apparently I am good a it…now you…I am sure none worth their salt has ever take you as a client…I am sure you have had you share of court appointed attorneys in your life….but that is not really what we are talking about…You are like a Bush…in that you duck and evade answers to questions that you know are not true….Tell me did they ever find the WMD? Are you still looking for them?
i’m just amazed. All the lawyers I know are able to reach a minimum level of argumentation that you can’t seem to reach. And I can’t figure out how that can possibly be if you passed the bar. Are you a good memorizer?
Kdpanzee,
I do not see how this is any of your business…but one attempt…You should be so lucky….Now answer the questions you ignored….
@AY, amazing after how many attempts?
Kdpanzee,
Please do tell us when the bad legislation passed…I’ll give you a hint….It is in the Son of Flubber book….The GOP strangulated the entire US….come on tell us…I bet its not in your basic troll cheat sheet is it….How many classes of trolldom do you have to go through to advance through the troll ranks….do they give you shinny stars?
Kdpanzee,
Yes I did…
@AY, look at you not knowing how many votes it takes to control the senate and when the bad legislation was actually passed.
I also see you are back to just spewing personal insults. Good for you. It suits your limited intellect better. Btw, did you ever pass the bar?
Kdpanzee,
March 3, 2003 article:
“[W]e can profit from the collapse of the credit bubble and the subsequent stock market divestment [(decline)]. However, real estate has not yet joined in a decline of prices fed by selling (and foreclosing). Unless you have a very specific reason to believe that real estate will outperform all other investments for several years, you may deem this prime time to liquidate investment property (for use in more lucrative markets).”
Take a look at this in economist viewpoints….
http://www.housingbubblebust.com/Fed/GDPvsHSG.html
Also the Republicans controlled the House and Senate for the first term of Bush…..hmm….seems a little Hypocritical to blame the Democrats for the trouble that Bush created….
kderosa
1, July 24, 2011 at 11:18 am
@AY, you are way too much of a dolt to understand that once government “help” has been forced upon you, and by that I jmean your tax dollars have been taken to obtain that “help” you can then use the “benefits” that you paid for.
Employers should not be in the busines of providing health insurance, it’s that simple. The expenses being paid for health insurance should go to the employee as salary and then the employee should buy his own health insurance. Kind of like how the life insurance market works. Unfortunately, our health insurance system has been screwed up by excessive government interference
I doubt you clean up very well. Though perhaps you think you do.
*****************
And some think that the Government should not be in the business of providing the frame work for the network(s) to work….see Kdpanzee….you chose and select what you want government there for……In for a penny in for a pound buffoonboy….
As to the insurance market being screwed up….exactly how….not enough so called private insurance carriers that had to rely on government bailouts to make the market work…..Clown college worked for some…apparently not for you….
@rafflaw, so did you suspect that the elderly weren’t the wealthiest group or were you looking for a particular response and which one?
The Bush admin was certainly responsible for the latest recession, since he went along with the Democratic policy of increasing home ownership by any means possible. The Obama admin is also complicit for failing to have the economic sense to get us out of it.
Elaine,
Well challenged! A lot of people lost a lot of money in this Depression and the 15 million jobless have less of an opportunity to be able to afford the free market insurance. Especially us more mature people.
Employers don’t have to provide insurance to employees, but the good ones recognize that in order to retain good employees, it is a good benefit that is part of the full compensation package.