Perry’s scorn for Social Security won’t be issue in GOP primary
In his 2010 book “Fed Up,”, Texas Gov. Rick Perry didn’t hold back in expressing his scorn for Social Security and Medicare.
Social Security, he wrote, is a “Ponzi scheme,” “a crumbling monument to the failure of the New Deal” created “at the expense of respect for the Constitution and limited government.”
It’s going to be fascinating to see how that language plays out politically. In a recent CNN poll, 64 percent of Americans said they oppose making “major changes in Social Security and Medicare” as a means of addressing the debt problem, while only 35 percent supported the idea. Those numbers suggest that Perry’s statements could become a serious problem in a general election.
(A Wall Street Journal/NBC poll released in March produced similar numbers. Only 18 percent said Medicare cuts were necessary to “significantly reduce” the deficit, while 54 percent said they were not. Just 22 percent said cuts to Social Security were needed, while 49 percent said they weren’t.)
At first glance, you might think that Perry’s position would be a liability in the GOP primary as well. According to the CNN poll, only 42 percent of GOP voters say they would support major changes in Social Security and Medicare, while a large majority of 57 percent reject the idea.
Theoretically, that should open up a two-pronged attack against Perry for somebody like Mitt Romney. By defending Medicare and Social Security against major cuts, Romney could align with a majority within his own party. It would also allow him to make the case that Perry’s extreme position might cost him the general election against Barack Obama.
But Romney hasn’t taken that course, and I don’t think he ever will. Here’s why.
It gets down to the difference between music and lyrics. Lyrics provide the words, but the music is what makes people get up and dance. It’s true in entertainment, and it’s true in politics as well.
If Romney criticizes Perry for taking an extreme view on Social Security and Medicare, he’d be getting the lyrics politically right. However, the music that GOP primary voters would hear is there goes RINO Romney, defending government entitlement programs. It is not a tenable position. It would be like standing in front of the GOP convention and singing “My Country T’is of Thee” to a hiphop beat.
It’s the music that matters.
– Jay Bookman
UPDATE: I should also point out that in the CNN poll, 80 percent of those identifying themselves as tea-party supporters say they support major cuts in domestic programs as a way to cut the deficit.
However, only 47 percent of tea-party supporters back major cuts in Social Security and Medicare; 52 percent oppose it.
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426 comments Add your comment
kayaker 71
August 26th, 2011
10:17 am
Brochephus, 10:12
Your last paragraph is spot on.
jm
August 26th, 2011
10:19 am
40% of people receiving social security don’t need it.
http://www.pgpf.org/~/media/PGPF/Media/PDF/2011/07/20/PR-SS%20percent%20of%20income_2011_07_20.ashx?pid={4791AB7D-47FF-46FC-9709-38B119414614}
Savings. Boom.
Bosch
August 26th, 2011
10:19 am
“go back to those charts and tell me how you’re going to fix the problem caused 85% by ballooning Medicare and Social Security costs. And tell me how you’re going to do it on the backs of someone other than the rich”
A single payer health care system.
This has been another episode of simple answers to stupid questions.
Brosephus
August 26th, 2011
10:19 am
USinner from downstairs
I usually know the type of plane all the way down to the series number and seating arrangement. Old work habit.
Just Another Anonymous One
August 26th, 2011
10:19 am
“Remove the wage base limit for Social Security” = tax the rich and moderately rich (those making over $100k/person)
Actually it means tax 100% of a larger portion of the population.
Zedd
August 26th, 2011
10:19 am
Fair enough Bosch, I’ll admit my comments while dyslexic were wildly open to a number of speculations especially when interpreted by the likes of you whose self appointed job is to sit on here all day and try issue beat downs to anyone’s opinion you disagree with. Maybe I simply meant that I thought that another fours years of Obama would bring further troubles to our country, you know with those flash mobs and all. But hey I’ll go sit in the corner, keep my mouth shut and wear the dunce cap for the rest of the day if it makes you happy just because you’re you!
Joe the Plutocrat
August 26th, 2011
10:20 am
I tried to explain this to jm the other night, while he was throwing rocks at Ron Paul. since we moved to a central bank (Federal Reserve) system and eventually abandoned the gold standard (commodities backed securities or sound money policy), our entire public enterprise (that means “government” for those who want our government to be “run like a business”) is a Ponzi scheme. from 1791 through 1913 we “taxed and spent”. the first taxes levied by the new republic were used to pay of the debts incurred during the revolutionary war. but once the Federal Reserve was formed, it realized it could “borrow and spend”. this rapidly (within 60 years) devalued the dollars that were backed by gold, to the point where Nixon basically created a new dollar (not backed by gold), and that was the first charge on our current $14.8 tab. a Ponzi scheme basically “creates wealth” by sleight of hand (think of a shell game) and the Fed/government is running the game, and we The People keep foolishly “betting” we know where the pea is located (by electing and re-electing folks like Perry). as I said, it’s a rigged game, and it ain’t never going to be”un-rigged” (just ask the folks who are about to get walloped by “investing” in gold). the Federal Reserve basically “created” the bubble, bust, bailout cyclical economy we now call “home” and as I said, the Fed is running the Ponzi scheme, and we the People are running out of $ (even the “producers” who are not named Warren Buffet).
getalife
August 26th, 2011
10:21 am
Do you cons have the room and money to support your parents health and drug costs when you end these programs?
Or will you toss them on the streets to fend for themselves?
ragnar danneskjold
August 26th, 2011
10:21 am
I think our host has generally embraced a broad truth. The current regime has so devastated the economy that sentient beings will consider different ideas, just for hope and change. So long as Gov. Perry promises to make our national economy less like that of Illinois and more like that of Texas – presumably laws and governance philosophy do have economic effects – I suspect the populace will be receptive.
jm
August 26th, 2011
10:21 am
“A single payer health care system. ”
Also means an immediate recession as healthcare shrinkage causes a 6% reduction of GDP without knockon effects. Multiplier means a 8-10% reduction in GDP.
Moral of the story: Dems love recessions.
md
August 26th, 2011
10:22 am
“People, especially businessmen, need to wake the f**k up and realize that there’s no such monster as everlasting profits.”
And I’d counter that some know that quite well………hence a possible reason they are sitting on their cash. They do know that profits are not guaranteed, and some have the sense to stockpile reserves.
A good finance manager will have several plans spanning several years………and withing those periods, they will also do bestcase and worstcase scenarios…………we are currently in one of those worst case scenarios………the non-planners are already gone…………
Bosch
August 26th, 2011
10:22 am
” and try issue beat downs to anyone’s opinion you disagree with.”
Poor Zedd, he and GLL need to form a support group of “Bookman Bloggers picked on my mean old Liberals”
USinUK
August 26th, 2011
10:22 am
SoCoBro –
you and the mister would get a long like a house on fire! he knows who makes them, when, how old, all the stuff I really don’t care about.
Bosch
August 26th, 2011
10:23 am
jm,
Life is full of tough choices, huh?
No, it actually means that Medicare disappears and costs are more controlled by the single payer that pays.
jm-the one eyed man
August 26th, 2011
10:24 am
Gotta go. Good luck on figuring this out liberals.
Brosephus
August 26th, 2011
10:26 am
kayaker
Thanks. I’m just tired of people making excused for anything and everything. We need to just man up and do what’s gotta be done. There will be painful decisions that have to be made, but we don’t need to inflict unnecessary pain just to push ideologies.
kayaker 71
August 26th, 2011
10:28 am
Any of you liberals have any doubt what conservatives stand for in this country should watch Marco Rubio’s speech at the Reagan Library. This guy should be our next president.
Generation$crewed
August 26th, 2011
10:28 am
Who cares what their view on SS is?
Unless serious reform is done to the program I will not see any of the money I have put into it, nor will anyone my age or younger. Shyte even a couple of years older than me won’t see any of it.
Unless tough decisions are made and my generation accepts the facts that we will not get an even trade on our SS investment.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
August 26th, 2011
10:28 am
Bosch, I thought support groups are just another crutch for those without “personal responsibility.”
getalife
August 26th, 2011
10:28 am
Lets try an experiment.
End Medicare and SS for the cons parents to force their con children to pay for their parents to live.
Personal responsibility.
Bosch
August 26th, 2011
10:29 am
“Unless serious reform is done to the program I will not see any of the money I have put into it, nor will anyone my age or younger.”
Funny. I used to hear my dad say the same thing when I was his age, and now he gets his SS very timely deposited every month.
Mary Elizabeth
August 26th, 2011
10:29 am
From a historical perspective, those who have opposed FDR’s 2nd Bill of Rights for America’s citizens have increasingly become more sophisticated in hiding the fact that agenda has been the dismantling of public government programs for decades. (Few are denying the need for budget cutting because of the high deficit – that began in the last decade – but the cutting should be across the board, not just for entitlements, although entitlements need adjustment.)
The music referred to, above, can be equated to the rhythm in the hearts of those who are blindly following that propelling propaganda. But, reason comes back to remind them that they will be hurt, personally, by supporting severe change to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Thus, the paradox in the poll results.
So which, in the end, will prevail in the minds of America’s common people – their reason or their passion?
————————————————–
More words from Thomas Jefferson, from Padover’s book, “Jefferson’:
“Preach, my dear Sir, a crusade against ignorance; establish and improve the law for educating the common people. . .the tax which will be paid for this purpose is not more than. . .what will be paid to kings, priests, and nobles, who will rise up among us if we leave the people in ignorance.”
Bosch
August 26th, 2011
10:30 am
Keep,
Everytime I think of support groups, I think of the movie “Fight Club” and get all creeped out.
That movie — you could just SMELL the gross. Ewww, but I loved it.
Bosch
August 26th, 2011
10:30 am
“Lets try an experiment.
End Medicare and SS for the cons parents to force their con children to pay for their parents to live.
Personal responsibility.”
Exactly getalife. Just think of the savings!!!
AmVet
August 26th, 2011
10:31 am
Guy and FrankLee, good selections. Albeit, that second one was really strange.
Good peeps, relax. Yosemite Rick has a snowball’s chance in ____ of ever living at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
One completely incompetent Texas governor in DC per lifetime is plenty.
This one would have been great last night following the soon to be famous Overheated Sessions…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loRE25Sc4ec&feature=list_related&playnext=1&list=PL32D0F80A0E686A3F
Joe the Plutocrat
August 26th, 2011
10:31 am
ragnar, since your premise is flawed, your conclusion is “flaweder”
Keep Up the Good Fight!
August 26th, 2011
10:31 am
Sanders announced that he will introduce legislation that would strengthen Social Security without cutting benefits to any of its beneficiaries. Sanders’ legislation would eliminate the income cap that currently exists in the payroll tax that does not tax income above $106,800:
To keep Social Security strong for another 75 years, Sanders’ legislation would apply the same payroll tax already paid by more than nine out of 10 Americans to those with incomes over $250,000 a year. [...] Under Sanders’ legislation, Social Security benefits would be untouched. The system would be fully funded by making the wealthiest Americans pay the same payroll tax already assessed on those with incomes up to $106,800 a year.
______________________
There are definitely days when I wish Sanders were President and Congress had a lot more Sanders.
Generation$crewed
August 26th, 2011
10:31 am
Bosch
August 26th, 2011
10:29 am
Your dad was either born before or is a baby boomer most likely.
They are the ones who will be draining most of the money. You know this. But if you want to refuse and ignore reality be my guest.
Thomas
August 26th, 2011
10:31 am
I would encourage all folks to google/read up on David Walker- ex comptroller general of the US. The issue will never be solved by one side saying “get rid of it” and the other side saying “keep it as is”. Folks, it is all fun and games until the money runs out. We need an administration exhibiting leadership and working towards the next century of economic advancement. Paygo only works in a growing economy.
getalife
August 26th, 2011
10:33 am
Bosch,
These cons would dump their parents on the street.
They have no personal responsibility.
It is all about them. The me generation.
They need a wake up call .
Adam
August 26th, 2011
10:33 am
I should also point out that in the CNN poll, 80 percent of those identifying themselves as tea-party supporters say they support major cuts in domestic programs as a way to cut the deficit.
However, only 47 percent of tea-party supporters back major cuts in Social Security and Medicare; 52 percent oppose it.
That’s because the Religious Right doesn’t know what the so called “entitlement” programs are. They just see the word “entitlement” and think it probably means welfare or something. You know, stuff they hate.
Bosch
August 26th, 2011
10:33 am
GS,
I’m not ignoring reality, I know that the contractural agreements to the Baby Boomers made by the federal government will probably be the largest in our nations history, I also know it’s a temporary problem that can be fixed with a few twinks instead of a complete dismantling of one of the most efficient retirement systems ever created by mankind.
Brosephus
August 26th, 2011
10:34 am
USinner
Occupational hazzard for me. I can clear one pretty quick if there are threats on board too.
ty webb
August 26th, 2011
10:34 am
Bosch,
dang it…you just broke the first rule of fight club.
Generation$crewed
August 26th, 2011
10:35 am
Bosch
August 26th, 2011
10:30 am
getalife
August 26th, 2011
10:28 am
My family has been doing it for 3 generations that I was personally around for. Don’t see it stopping with the next generation or anytime soon.
Do you not love your parents enough to take care of them in their late years?
They took care of you as a child, why can you not return the favor or why do you think someone else should pay for it?
Guess we should all be happy that our parents put our lives and well being above their personal finances huh?
md
August 26th, 2011
10:36 am
soco,
And I would also point to Japan over the last decade………think they didn’t want their recession to end?
Part of the problem we are now experiencing is due to “projections”……..spending based on imaginary income…………..
In the real world, those jobs you speak of are basically the same thing…….imaginary….for now.
What happens if they never materialize………..Japan?
USinUK
August 26th, 2011
10:36 am
kayaker – we liberals KNOW what conservatives stand for – we don’t know need see a video
but thanks
USinUK
August 26th, 2011
10:37 am
SoCoBro – are you still going to cuff me as I get off the plane in a few weeks??
Joe the Plutocrat
August 26th, 2011
10:37 am
jm, c’mon son, you gotta bring more to the game thanl “dems love a recession”? can you read? since the inception of the Federal Reserve Bank, we have lived in an economy that is designed to produce recessions, which are also known as ’short sale opportunities for oligarchs’. you spent like an hour slapping Ron Paul – who HATES the Federal Reserve and HATES “recessions” and yet, you claim the a very plausible, viable solution (single payer system) is not viable because it will produce an “immediate recession”. let me share something with you; we have had several “recessions” and one “Great Depression” since 1913, and to my knowledge, the “single payer system” has yet to leave the drawing board. one more thing; the current healthcare system is a Ponzi scheme.
Generation$crewed
August 26th, 2011
10:38 am
Bosch
August 26th, 2011
10:33 am
Never called for dismantling the program said major reforms.
I understand teh need to take care of those who cannot take care of themselves. But I also see a whole lotta folks being taken care of who could in fact do it themselves just fine or could have their family do it just fine.
USinUK
August 26th, 2011
10:39 am
Bosch – 10:30 – but it’s still one of the best movies I’ve seen in AGES
Generation$crewed
August 26th, 2011
10:39 am
USinUK
August 26th, 2011
10:36 am
I consider myself conservative. So what do i stand for?
kayaker 71
August 26th, 2011
10:39 am
It is not the average guy’s fault that SS is threatened. He/she has paid into the system involuntarily for all of their working career and expect something in return for their contribution. Now when those who screwed the system say that they can’t pay up, we are supposed to like it or figure out some other kind of scheme to fix it, like taxing the rich, reducing benefits or raising the cap. We are doing these things because someone screwed the pooch and spent all of those involuntarily contributed dollars to something other than SS. When are we going to stop making excuses for all of these people who “manage our money”?
Gordon
August 26th, 2011
10:40 am
In the same way that Perry mumbles “Ponzi scheme” when talking about Social Security, liberals like Bosch mumble “single payer health care system” and thinks that solves the financial issues with Medicare and Medicaid. The part of our health care system that we have already turned over to the government is broke, so he wants to turn the rest over to it. Great idea.
The simple fact of the matter is that there must me major structural changes to all 3 of the major entitlement programs or they will not survive long term. Eliminating the Bush tax cuts or other revenue changes will not come close to solving the problem. The unfunded liability of Medicare alone is $100 trillion. It will be changed, one way or another.
Stevie Ray
August 26th, 2011
10:41 am
Jay, if history remains a credible indicator, any of these guys as well as Obama will say anything to get elected. If that means this guy reserves the right to sing a different tune if the polls or key money backers want same…It’s his full blown subscription to his imaginary friends that scares me the most.
kayaker 71
August 26th, 2011
10:41 am
USinUK, 10:36
You should watch it, if nothing more, than to know your enemy better. Education is a wonderful thing.
getalife
August 26th, 2011
10:41 am
kay,
Your party spent like there was no tomorrow.
Hypocrites.
You had a chance to stop it when you had power but you collapsed the economy instead.
Brosephus
August 26th, 2011
10:42 am
md
As Japan and others have already proven, we will NOT get back to 5% unemployment within this decade. If people actually paid attention to history, what they would be doing is working on educating and training the workforce to be ready when things get better. It’s gonna be a long, slow process for us because we don’t have much industry here to jumpstart anything.
Instead, we have people hoarding in a consumption-based economy. That does nothing for GDP. Hoarding money in the stock market benefits those who are able to do so, but the rest of the country is suffering. If the private sector is not willing to put forth the capital that’s needed to jumpstart the economy, the government is the only other viable entity. There’s not enough money in the hands of everyday citizens to create the demand necessary to put people back to work.
It’s either gonna be the private sector taking short term losses for long term gains, or the government increasing it’s deficit spending to create demand. The longer we wait for a decision, the worse off we’ll be.
Jay
August 26th, 2011
10:42 am
Ragnar writes:
“So long as Gov. Perry promises to make our national economy less like that of Illinois and more like that of Texas – presumably laws and governance philosophy do have economic effects – I suspect the populace will be receptive.”
Median income for household of four
Texas: $64,400
Illinois: $79,800
Joe the Plutocrat
August 26th, 2011
10:42 am
kayaker71, there are only two answers: 1 – when we vote for/elect responsible stewards, or 2 – NEVER becaue we the People don’t elect politicians, oligarchs do and they like things “as is”.
Talking Head
August 26th, 2011
10:42 am
” also know it’s a temporary problem that can be fixed with a few twinks instead of a complete dismantling of one of the most efficient retirement systems ever created by mankind.”
seriously? how much money is wasted in fraud and abuse each year from social security? billions? i wouldn’t exactly call that one of the most efficient retirement systems ever created
USinUK
August 26th, 2011
10:42 am
kayaker – 10:41 – unlike you, I don’t see you as the enemy … the opposition, yes, but not the enemy.
Brosephus
August 26th, 2011
10:43 am
SoCoBro – are you still going to cuff me as I get off the plane in a few weeks??
Hmmmm…..
You’ll have to wait and find out…..
USinUK
August 26th, 2011
10:43 am
Screwed – If you espouse the GOP platform, you’re against a woman’s right to chose, you’re for federal money supporting private schools, you’re against clean air and water and your for unsafe workplaces.
there.
did that help?
Bosch
August 26th, 2011
10:44 am
GS,
“or could have their family do it just fine”
I’ve been caring for elderly relatives for 10 plus years now, so don’t lecture me.
I’ve cleaned up more old people shyt and other various body fluids than I did with three kids in diapers. And now with two dogs who think my living room is just one big toilet, I clean up even more!
The thing is, I have the house space, and the resources to do it, and the iron clad stomach of a Gladiator (although lets not get into the puppy eating the trash and the aftermath thereof because that caused compromise even my steel stomach) — most people do not.
TruthBe
August 26th, 2011
10:45 am
Jay, Again your are nothing but a mouthpiece for the corrupt liars of the democrat party. You took Mr.Perry’s words completely out of it’s full statement and point that he was trying to say. Copy and Paste the entire statements not just a few choice sentences. ALL of you media people have forgotten about your true job as journalists. You have ALL become one party are the other parties blow horns. Jay you have lose all respect as a fair and balanced journalist. You are a bias liberal liar for the democrat party. Shame on you Jay.
stands for decibels
August 26th, 2011
10:45 am
It requires a continuous stream of new participants to fund the payouts for older participants.
oh noes!
JC on a pogo stick, the trolls are pathetic. Speaking of which–means testing, jm? really? that’s your big idea?
why don’t you tell us what kinda massssssive savings we’d realize from that?
good god.
USinUK
August 26th, 2011
10:46 am
Bosch – 10:44 – and that’s just one of the innumerable reasons you are MY HERO.
(not to mention, the shared sense of humor)
kayaker 71
August 26th, 2011
10:47 am
USinUK, 10:42
You coulda’ fooled me.
stands for decibels
August 26th, 2011
10:47 am
If you espouse the GOP platform, you’re against a woman’s right to chose, you’re for federal money supporting private schools, you’re against clean air and water and your for unsafe workplaces.
or, as previously stated–the GOP is FUBAR.
Donovan
August 26th, 2011
10:47 am
You can forget about all the polls that JB throws your way. First off, CNN will always play the poll results to suite their liberal views. As far as WSJ/NBC…I do believe that NBC is another liberal soap box that coincidentally has left wing MSNBC within its stable.
I will cast my “polled” vote as a Tea Party member in favor of major cuts to Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid. Perry casts no illusion to the problem and is not afraid to let people know what the problem is and what is needed to fix the problem.
People in this country are naive to think that doing nothing to rectify the problems of these failed entitlement programs will be ok and the U.S. will hum on as usual.
History has shown us that FDR’s Santa Clause Party won immense acceptance with the creation of these entitlements. These programs generated untapped votes for the Democrat Party. Democrats know full well that entitlements are almost impossible to take away after they have become law. Democrats also know full well that such a socialized program invites malfeasance and the opportunity for looting. These same Democrat politicians know that these type of programs provide an ideal vehicle for sustained politicaql power when eradication or reform is mentioned. Who gets blamed for changing these failed, blood sucking program(s)? Let’s see…the GOP? The Tea Party? Conservative politicians? I think you get the picture to their scam.
Once you mess around with something to fund extraneous spending programs other than the original one, you’ve got problems. Once again, history has shown us that Democrats love to spend. Their congressional mismanagement of Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid over decades of borrowing from Peter to pay Paul is now in our faces.
Rick Perry is like the doctor warning the patient that in order to fix the problem he has to administer some bitter medicine. Mitt Romney is like the patient that knows there is a problem, but is afraid to take the medicine.
What JB gives us is nothing more than the Democrat rhetoric of trying to destroy another GOP candidate for the presidency. He and his political party want to stay in power, but do nothing to save this country’s economic woes. They created this monster, but they are content to let this monster pillage and loot the very foundations of this nation.
Joe the Plutocrat
August 26th, 2011
10:48 am
and JB, if one of those four in TX happens to be a teenage girl, she has to get a shot so she won’t get cervical cancer. so, rangar, where; pray tell in the US Constitution, or the Texas Constitution does it say the gubmint is responsible for “healthcare”? answer, it doesn’t, but it does in the Merck playbook, and since Perry’s former Chief of Staff went on to become a lobbyist for Merck, I think maybe Perry is not long for this race, and if by chance he does get the GOP nod; you’d better brace yourself for 4 more years of the Illinois economy. you know, to his credit (and I mean, Karl Rove) Bush really didn’t start releasing the brain farts until AFTER the election. Perry is a tougher sell. the GOP needs to go back to the lab and build a better candidate. if you guys really want “change” you’d better bring your A game and Perry as we know is like “C” game at best.
Adam
August 26th, 2011
10:49 am
Stevie Ray: If that means this guy reserves the right to sing a different tune if the polls or key money backers want same
Well, Romney is pretty good at saying something new all the time, or being silent. Perry is good at ALMOST saying things, not so good at cashing in on plausible deniability (instead, he lets the pundits give him the benefit of the doubt)
Just Another Anonymous One
August 26th, 2011
10:49 am
Eliminating the Bush tax cuts or other revenue changes will not come close to solving the problem.
Since those cuts are so inconsequential, you should not mind undoing them especially since there were no offsetting spending cuts imposed to pay for them in the first place.
The unfunded liability of Medicare alone is $100 trillion.
Yep. That’s the number I come up with, for the year 3030 if we don’t do something about it NOW!
Generation$crewed
August 26th, 2011
10:50 am
USinUK
August 26th, 2011
10:43 am
That may be your problem.
You feel a need to group people based on your own perception. I said i consider myself conservative. You took that and then put me in line with GOP policies.
I am sorry that you are unable to identify that there is a difference between GOP and conservative. You do know every democrat is not a liberal right?
So basically your earlier statement is false, u do not know what conservatives think, just what you have been told the GOP thinks.
Adam
August 26th, 2011
10:50 am
Talking Head: i wouldn’t exactly call that one of the most efficient retirement systems ever created
Boil down who gets paid how much per person in the end, and compare that to ANY retirement system per person, and tell me what you come up with.
USinUK
August 26th, 2011
10:51 am
kayaker – 10:47 – considering my dad and a few of the people I consider my nearest and dearest are GOP, I don’t see them as the enemy
we disagree on policy
but they’re not the enemy
you might try it sometime.
carlosgvv
August 26th, 2011
10:51 am
Guy Incognito
So you think Social Security is a ponzi scheme? Well, let’ see. Social Security started under FDR. After he died, Truman became president. Did Republicans call it a ponze scheme under Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Bush (1), Clinton or Bush(2)? But now comes the brillant Perry who sees what Republicans under all these former Presidents could not see? And you actually believe that?
Adam
August 26th, 2011
10:51 am
Eliminating the Bush tax cuts or other revenue changes will not come close to solving the problem.
Utter nonsense. If Congress doesn’t do ANYTHING for the next ten years, and that includes not extending any tax cuts, then our budget problems get solved at the end of those ten years. Real numbers.
md
August 26th, 2011
10:51 am
soco,
Can’t argue too much with any of that, except it is a cycle of one based on another…….for everything the gov’t spends, the private sector must produce…….I understand that gov’t spending is sometimes needed to jumpstart the economy……in theory.Jjapan showed what happens when the gov’t tried…..and it failed…….leaving the private sector too burdened to pull out of it. that is the gamble being taken when the gov’t spends…….and it can backfire.
Think about it……..the Fed has already used just about everything in it’s bag of tricks……and we are on the verge of a double-dip recession………….there isn’t anything left to pull us out of it.
I can’t blame the corps going into self-preservation mode………they are trying to save the 90% that ARE employed……………….
Bosch
August 26th, 2011
10:52 am
“but it’s still one of the best movies I’ve seen in AGES”
I’ve always put that movie in my top 10 — it’s one of those movies that you know you shouldn’t be watching, that it’s just so gross, but you can’t pull yourself away from it and you really, really want to be a part of it (on a deep down crazy emotional primal animal level). I WANT to make soap out from fat ass women and sell their fat asses right back to them!!! I want to!!!
Just Another Anonymous One
August 26th, 2011
10:52 am
I will cast my “polled” vote as a Tea Party member in favor of major cuts to Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid.
So you will cancel out the vote of a fellow tea party member that will vote to leave their social security and medicare alone. Big deal.
USinUK
August 26th, 2011
10:53 am
Screwed – “IF you espouse the GOP platform …” … IF IF IF … what part of IF do you not quite understand.
Generation$crewed
August 26th, 2011
10:53 am
“The thing is, I have the house space, and the resources to do it, and the iron clad stomach of a Gladiator (although lets not get into the puppy eating the trash and the aftermath thereof because that caused compromise even my steel stomach) — most people do not”
Whats sad is in my experience most people do have the space and resources (with minimal sacrafice) but do not have the stomach or the unselfishness.
Sorry if it seemed as if I was lecturing but from the tone of yours and getalife comments about it one would assume that you saw taking care of ones elders as a punishment and not a reward. I commend you for returning the favor of care to yours or others parents.
Stevie Ray
August 26th, 2011
10:54 am
Gee, everyday I read this column and 95% of what I read is the same everyday…Obama is a socialist Jimmy Carter and Bush was a idiotic war monger who is to blame for all of our current woes. No matter what the topic, it’s the same blather daily as any column is twisted to this end. My thought is that anyone who wants that job is suspect and the position itself has much less influence on current events than credit is given.
Bosch
August 26th, 2011
10:54 am
And ty,
Sorry, I got carried away.
Please don’t call Tyler.
USinUK
August 26th, 2011
10:54 am
Bosch – 10:52 – werd.
getalife
August 26th, 2011
10:54 am
If you vote gop, you should have a plan to move your parents into your house and care for them like Bosch.
TruthBe
August 26th, 2011
10:56 am
Jay you are nothing but a mouthpiece for the corrupt lying democrat party. Obama can say anything and you sissies of the lamestreet media will give Obama a pass. Also because of your shameful “whiteguilt complex” that you media sissies have Obama and gang are free to say and do anything without be called out for their corruption and lies. Examples all the campaign lies and misdirections that this disgrace of a president said. And the outright racism of his attorney general Eric Holder that no one of you media sissies have said a thing about. Obama is not only the “Foodstamp President” but his administration is the most corrupt in all American history. Clinton, Bush, and Nixon are all saints compared to this liar Obama.
Bosch
August 26th, 2011
10:56 am
GS,
Can’t speak for getalife, but for me, if my tone seemed weird, I have a really good defense mechanism of making fun of myself and the life that is Bosch.
“but do not have the stomach or the unselfishness”
I have found that to be the biggest obstacle for most — body fluids are not for the weak. Humans stink, and can sometimes stink very bad.
joe
August 26th, 2011
10:56 am
Anyone who thinks we can continue spending as we have over the past 10 years needs a brain transplant…and you can add to that Obama’s spending over the past 3 years equals what was spent during the previous administration. His socialist policies don’t fit our capitalist system at all. If you are in need of a job, or a better job than the one you have now, you have zero reason to re-elect Obama, because under his watch, NOTHING will improve. Simple as that…
Joe the Plutocrat
August 26th, 2011
10:57 am
JAA), Roger – Wilco. If $100 trillion is the number we fear, well, we might as well shut ‘er down right now and go back to the gold standard (and all the wailing, gnashing of teeth and “medieval” stuff that will come with it). again, here’s what the enablers don’t realize; if we do get to a point where we are $100 trillion in debt “Medicare alone” we’ll be like $500 or $600 trillion in debt over all. I can see it now, a televised debate on should we “raise the debt ceiling to $602 trillion, or make some tough spending choices, so we can once and for all retire this debt…” That’s not a debt ceiling, that is the debt cosmos. Frankly, $15 trillion in 2011 scares me a whole lot more than $100 trillion in 3030 – of course in 3030 we’ll be able to go to the Avatar planet, take all their resources and wipe out the $100 trillion, lickidy split. Where’s Redneck C, I need a beer NOW!
Truth
August 26th, 2011
10:57 am
Jay:
Doesn’t matter, Obama is a one term President
USinUK
August 26th, 2011
10:58 am
“His socialist policies don’t fit our capitalist system at all.”
please go away
feel free to return once you understand the meaning of the word “socialist” because you obviously don’t know the first thing about it.
thank you.
TruthBe
August 26th, 2011
10:58 am
getalife, It’s better than throwing then out in the streets and under the bus like what happens in obamacare. You liberals are so full of yourselves.
Generation$crewed
August 26th, 2011
10:58 am
USinUK
August 26th, 2011
10:53 am
-That was your immediate response to me asking you what I believe. You claimed to know!
See…”
USinUK
August 26th, 2011
10:36 am
kayaker – we liberals KNOW what conservatives stand for – we don’t know need see a video
but thanks”
-So why would you need to include “If” unless you were using it in a rhetorical manor?
And you even shouted “KNOW” with the all caps!
Stevie Ray
August 26th, 2011
10:59 am
Adam, my point is all elected officials change positions and say virtually anything to get elected. Neither party has a corner on this market by far. Social Security and Medicare have become programs of FIRST choice for most relative to retirement and post-retirement medical. Not what originally intended. Would you agree that an independent audit would identify at least 15% administrative and fraud related waste?
getalife
August 26th, 2011
10:59 am
tb,
Will you move your parents in your house and take care of them or toss them in streets?
Joe the Plutocrat
August 26th, 2011
11:00 am
carlos, what, were you asleep from 2001-2009 (Bush years)? we were suppose to phase out the old Ponzi scheme and replace it with a de-regulated Ponzi scheme (stock market). what’s wrong with you?
Talking Head
August 26th, 2011
11:00 am
“Boil down who gets paid how much per person in the end, and compare that to ANY retirement system per person, and tell me what you come up with.”
if i were able to put the same % amount taken out of my paycheck it put it into the s&p, nasdaq, or dow jones…i guarantee you my retirement would be at least twice as much than what the government would have for me
Generation$crewed
August 26th, 2011
11:01 am
Bosch
“I have found that to be the biggest obstacle for most — body fluids are not for the weak. Humans stink, and can sometimes stink very bad.”
My point exactly! How sad is it that so many feel it is the role of others (gov’t through taxation) to pay for the care of their parents? Nevermind the fact that our parents didn’t seem to mind our stink and fluids when they raised us. Guess its a good thing they didn’t ship us off to homes for someone else to take care of us all.
Gordon
August 26th, 2011
11:01 am
JAAO at 10:49,
Go ahead and eliminate the Bush tax cuts. I don’t care. We both know liberals will be back at the trough wanting more almost immediately, but go ahead. It won’t solve the problem.
Your 3030 statement shows your ignorance. Just spend 5 minutes and look it up. You might be surprised.
Joe the Plutocrat
August 26th, 2011
11:02 am
Truth, yep, and as I said, if yoy wags on the right don’t trot out a better horse, he’s gonna be a 2 term president.
Bosch
August 26th, 2011
11:02 am
Oh and GS, part of the resources people have in order to do what we do is from Medicare – - without it, we couldn’t do it. If it weren’t for me and the OB, they would be out on the street with n’er a pot to piss in. In other words, there is no pensions, no trust funds, no savings to fall back on for their care from their end, and if it were up to us to pay for it, we’d be wiped out financially in less than six months.
getalife
August 26th, 2011
11:02 am
th,
If they did not bail them out, your retirement would be zero.
Then, you would toss your parents out on the streets when your party defaults.
Adam
August 26th, 2011
11:03 am
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Thomas
August 26th, 2011
11:03 am
Cheney: I urged Bush to bomb Syria’s nuclear reactor, but he refused
He followed up with I also urged Bush to bomb New York as they are a blue state.
More to follow…….
Realist
August 26th, 2011
11:03 am
All this talk on SS & Medicare & health care in general is just leading to one thing: population control. If you ain’t rich with Daddy’s oil or drug money, you’re SOL. The illegals will take over being the servants of the rich and then what’s left of American will be taken over by China…..
Midori
August 26th, 2011
11:04 am
Gordon — about those tax cuts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN5cdoSEDkU
USinUK
August 26th, 2011
11:04 am
“And you even shouted “KNOW” with the all caps!”
oh. heavens! all caps!!! call out the poutrage police!!!
like I said, IF you’re a conservative who espouses the GOP platform (which, considering that’s what kayaker was talking about, since he was saying Rubio should be a GOP presidential candidate), then that is what you think.