Day: April 15, 2009

The Old ‘Bait And Hook” Ploy

Did I miss something?  Apparently, when I fell asleep the whole country got a lot more stupid while I slept.  I am talking about the Teabag protests that is being called for on April 15th.

The likes of the Newt, Dickey Armey, and their lobbyists buds are leading a new tax protest.  Basically they want to protest the increase of taxes, but the taxes they are protesting are the taxes of GW and the increases of the Obama Admin on the wealthy are still 10% lower than those of the Reagan years.

The impotent GOP and its dark minions have failed miserably to punch holes in the Obama plan for the economy, so they have reverted back to an age old ploy, the bait and hook, and are using the tired subject of taxes as the bait.  This could very well bite them in the ass just as the 11th hour personal attacks on Obama did in the last election.  The hook is the misinformation that the leaders of this organized spontaneity are spreading hoping that guest speakers like Joe da Plumber will help push.

We will see just how successful the GOP “grassroots envy” is and if the dinosaurs pushing it can use their new found resources properly.

But Social Security Will Be Bankrupt

Have you heard this piece of manure coming from the conservatives?  Especially when they talk about the ways to save the program, namely privatization.  Let us look at a little truth here:

Social Security will officially be bankrupt in 2042. By 2017 a majority of the “baby boomers” will be receiving social security benefits and due to the population and labor force growth slowing down the Social Security Administration will be paying out more than they are receiving in through taxes and other means. Currently there is a 16-member commission to strengthen social security.

Then, the above by no means something is bankrupt. It simply means that the amount of money coming in will be less than that going out. This happens all the time in many businesses in many different economies and industries. Over collections in current, or future years, or years past 2042, can make up for this, as well as many other things (like other government support, program changes, a war or such lowering the number of beneficiaries, etc., etc., etc.).

The trust fund now has about $1.7 trillion and is expected to hit a peak of about $3.7 trillion in 2020; it should have enough money to handle Social Security obligations until at least 2042, according to the Social Security trustees, or even 2052, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Some economists even think the money might hold out indefinitely.

It would even be highly questionable IF a part of the US (or any government using the full force and faith of it’s powers – which include printing the money in the money supply), could go bankrupt and not pay it’s bills.

Just the facts……and the program would be able to pay 3/4 benefits through 2082.  Gee, you think that the decline in tax revenues has anything to do with the situation?

The problem is that as the government has been taking in wads of cash from the Social Security trustees who buy its bonds, it has turned right around and spent the money as part of the federal budget.  There is the REAL problem..your government has been LOOTING the fund….so stop blaming the Boomers for retiring!

Is there anyone stupid enough to think that if you eliminate revenue that you can continue to fund needed programs?  So why do the Repubs continue to push privatization?  It is a matter of ideology, not economics. It falls within the conservative fervor for free markets. It’s what the Bush-ites labeled to  “build an ownership society.”

And if they had gotten their way, there would be a lot more people homeless and broke because of the economic situation and their lame ass ideology.

New York Moves Into The Gay Marriage Fray

Gov. David A. Paterson plans to introduce legislation on Thursday to make marriage between same-sex couples legal in New York, advancing his push for greater rights for gay men and lesbians, at a time when other states have done so.

But it is also something of a political gamble, because the legislation faces an uphill climb in the State Senate. Democrats acknowledge that they do not have enough votes there to get the measure approved, meaning that its chances could rest in the hands of a few Republicans.

The governor also risks alienating socially conservative voters at a time when he can least afford to drive away any more support.

Some same-sex-marriage supporters said they hoped that by introducing the measure now, when it is likely to receive plenty of attention after the Iowa Supreme Court’s decision this month overturning a ban on same-sex marriage and the Vermont Legislature’s vote last week to override a veto of a bill allowing gay couples to marry, the governor would create momentum for the bill.

Paterson is facing an uphill battle if he wants to be re-elected as governor……this is just looking for support wherever he can find it……but beyond the game…..it is a promising sign, but as written, a very very long shot in the state legislature.