Comments on: U.S. Heading For Financial Trouble?

Comptroller Says Medicare Program Endangers Financial Stability

[gulfwarvet2]

Social Security taxes are regressive: Currently, all earnings up to $90,000 are taxed at 12.4% to fund Social Security. Each dollar earned over and above this cap is completely exempt from Social Security taxes.

That means that a person earning $180,000 a year only has half of his income subject to Social Security taxes, while a person earning $50,000 has all of it subject to taxes.

This is unfair and foolish.

Studies have shown that if you eliminate the income cap on Social Security taxes, THE FUNDING GAP VIRTUALLY DISAPPEARS. If you also make the rates progressive, so that people with higher incomes pay a higher percentage of their incomes into the fund, THE FUNDING GAP DOES DISAPPEAR.

Why can't we talk about raising taxes on the rich in this country? Why is that discussion forbidden? Warren Buffet recently lamented that his effective tax rate is lower than that of his secretary's. Why can't we talk about that?

[toldyouso21]

A government committee could stabilize inflation easily, right now it is a hidden tax as our dollars buy less every year, and manipulated intentionally. This is just common sense, but somehow, it will never be fixed. It is the most obvious thing in the world, but no one will even dare mention it in a public forum.
Posted by gmcnally2 at 04:32 PM : Jul 09, 2007


Are you suggesting that to fight inflation, the government simply print more money? You do understand the concept of money and why we have inflation right? This reminds me of WWII Germany, where after the war, it took a Wheelbarrow of money just to buy a loaf of bread.

It is not as simple as the printing or the reserve board, any/ all money inherently has NO value, save the one agreed upon by everyone playing the game at the time. I suggest with the current scenario running rife, stock up on all kinds of goods and learn to barter--such a system may come back if people lose faith in the government. Barter skills and items. In the event of any large calamity what will be of value is what is tangible not implied or theoretically agreed upon.

[l8c6]

gmcnally2, Yes, like the stock exchange, insider trading and corrupt deals are made in these two private entities that guise themselves behind the image of U.S. nationalism but in reality are multinational private interests that pull the puppet strings on governments around the world. How else is it that the "U.S. government" has funded right wing dictators around the world? It is because these private enterprises do not represent the interests of people who identify with our fascade of being a moral democratic nation of laws. They operate in the shadows allowing religion to be the opiate of the lemmings who vote these sociopathic devils into office. Cheney's daughter is a lesbian who used a turkey baster to get pregnant but never a word from the fundamentalist nazi preachers..nope, their pimped off hypocrits.

Frankly, I don't care if Cheney's daughter is gay and has a baby. What I find beyond disgusting is these people who used "moral values" as their platform. These right wing "christian" moral values condemned gay people. Gee, remember Jimmy Swaggart and the his right wing praises and condemnations of the "liberals"? Live a lie, die a lie fundies.

[whatdoiknow5]

What about the lives that endanger if they give birth? Are you saying that a new life is worth one old? That is still murder dont you think. Abortion is someones choice or are you going to make laws on *** and marriage as well or define how many children a single or couple family may concieve? Then what about the the day after pill, someone voted it in. Who are these people who speak for us, who are the ones taking surveys for us, its not me. IS it you? The real question is how long will people still listen to the Government til they run us in the gorund? Why are the people who used to be apart of the government non-existent? Why does my opinion get overlooked? I will tell you why because the people who voted before me made it this way. And now I must suffer from the consequeces from those before me. They have a plan and they still get paid and have medical care, not to mention the big pension you pay for. How many abortion centers do they fund for votes, this is not publicized to the public, why, they need votes.

[gulfwarvet2]

Walker is using scare tactics in an attempt to gut social programs that benefit the working class and poor people of America.

There's no solution to our fiscal crisis?

Sure there is:

1. Cut the military budget in half. That should save $150 billion a year. That will pay for a lot of Social Security checks.

2. Raise taxes on the rich and make big corporations like Halliburton pay their fair share of taxes.

Of course, Walker doesn't want you to think about those two solutions--he wants you to think the real problem is not fat cat military contractors but grannies getting rich off Social Security.

[toldyouso21]

So one generation is getting funded by another, this is fact. Look it up. As well, wether or not abortion is the rue cause of something who knows, but what we do know is that 3million illegals were given a pass in 1981 and refugees from Africa are being brought to our country and we are rebuilding democracies for others. We spend too much American time in other countries and ignoring our own problems here at home, our counntry is falling apart while we rebuild the others. - FACT
Posted by whatdoiknow5 at 04:28 PM : Jul 09, 2007


Yes. But the government has been saying for the past 7 years, that the ones that will be left to fund the boomers will NOT get anything but will still have to contribute to pay for the boomers. That is why Bush wants the IRAs for workers. The idea is to make them responsible for their own future retirement. But the fact is, he still wants them to pay for all that came before and still has no answer to what becomes of them if they invest unwisely like about 80% of all investors do? Who bails out those made to bail us out?

This is why I said they will turn on us.Why should they invest or pay in a program where they say the funds will run out in 2025 and that everyone not old enough is SOL?

[bequialife]

to: whatdoiknownow...

Exactly. We take care of everyone else, at the expense of the handy middle class, and this county is falling apart.

[toldyouso21]

Posted by bsrasmus at 04:24 PM : Jul 09, 2007

actually, the bible warns that the mouth and tongue are like a double edged sword and can harm or caress. Now here is wisdom:

Truth: a thing that is, whether it is told or not.....Knowledge: revelations from God revealed through your spirit, the ability to understand the import and meaning of of scripture and Jesus's teachings, not just see the words.....

Wisdom: knowing when to apply knowledge and truth and when to hold your peace.

God does indeed change hearts, but the wrong words or words said at the wrong time can harden a heart. If you say to God that you only did what he told you to do--He may answer that you only listened to half the message.
The reason Jesus spoke in parables was not to relentlessly intone law--but to make the laws clearer. He spoke in a way to let people hear AND receive.

When you say a truth, it can be delivered in a way that people not only hear it (and get what you are saying) but they also RECEIVE it...which is just as important as hearing. A thirsty man is never satisfied just by lying in a pool of water, he must drink (receive)

In that way, you are responsible for what you say, how you say it and when you say it and with wisdom you get a clear way of knowing when to apply each. To know when to bring the water and not just throw it at a person's face, but to ensure they get it to their lips, and that they are thirsty--and then they will drink.

[gmcnally2]

The solution is simple. Get rid of the Federal Reserve. It is not a government entity, It is a private bank so-named to deliberately mislead. Jackson killed it, Lincoln fought it and lost. It only serves to enrich a select few international bankers with the interest on the National Debt. (Google Video 'Money Masters'). This is not a disputed fact. A government that can issue a $1 bond can certainly issue a $1 bill, the only difference would be the $927 Billion in interest could be saved the American Taxpayer. (ANNUALLY). The Fed has historically caused recession and depression to enrich it's own members. A government committee could stabilize inflation easily, right now it is a hidden tax as our dollars buy less every year, and manipulated intentionally. This is just common sense, but somehow, it will never be fixed. It is the most obvious thing in the world, but no one will even dare mention it in a public forum.

[gmcnally2]

The solution is simple. Get rid of the Federal Reserve. It is not a government entity, It is a private bank so-named to deliberately mislead. Jackson killed it, Lincoln fought it and lost. It only serves to enrich a select few international bankers with the interest on the National Debt. (Google Video 'Money Masters'). This is not a disputed fact. A government that can issue a $1 bond can certainly issue a $1 bill, the only difference would be the $927 Billion in interest could be saved the American Taxpayer. (ANNUALLY). The Fed has historically caused recession and depression to enrich it's own members. A government committee could stabilize inflation easily, right now it is a hidden tax as our dollars buy less every year, and manipulated intentionally. This is just common sense, but somehow, it will never be fixed. It is the most obvious thing in the world, but no one will even dare mention it in a public forum.

[whatdoiknow5]

The ones before us are paying the ones who are recieving funds now. One must remember it is like starting a job for the first time, remember when your first check was witheld, ok , same concept different level. Whoever started the funds did not recieve them until down the line after so many other started. So one generation is getting funded by another, this is fact. Look it up. As well, wether or not abortion is the rue cause of something who knows, but what we do know is that 3million illegals were given a pass in 1981 and refugees from Africa are being brought to our country and we are rebuilding democracies for others. We spend too much American time in other countries and ignoring our own problems here at home, our counntry is falling apart while we rebuild the others. - FACT

[bequialife]

a cell to me is not tragic.

[toldyouso21]

This reminds me of the story of the Rich man who went to hell and was confronted by Jesus who asked him why had he harmed him? The rich man replied he would never have harmed Jesus and was sure if he had seen him he would have acted accordingly. That is when Jesus shared a very salient point: When you ignored the beggar on the street--you were ignoring me, when you harmed the least of them, so you persecuted me...

Poor bsrasmus, what ever shall you do if you stand before God and He shows you the long line of people you helped and says: "These are the people your deeds and words brought to me but showed you an even longer line of those who he says "your deeds and words turned against me"

What ever shall you say? Oops? you meant well. The road to hell is paved with good intentions or in biblical terms: "let not your good be evil spoken of" try resting a minute.

[bequialife]

uh, brasmus,
It is the illegal mexicans that are ruining costing this country! Thank god for all the abortions we have had over the decades. Can you imagine the overcrowding we would have? Yes, it is evil, but not if it is done within the first month. Quite frankly, I don't know why people are still having abortions when birth control is so prevalent, and less expensive.

[antoniof123]

What does babies have to do with this story. What is wrong with the stupid neo cons haven't they done enough damage go back to the other blogs and stop messing this one up. Morons....

[toldyouso21]

toldyouso21,

I'm sure that there are a number of people there that "get" the argument that I'm making, but just don't like what it means to them personally. Posted by bsrasmus at 04:04 PM : Jul 09, 2007

You may be right, unfortunately I don't think your motive is for people to "get" your arguement (which means to understand it) but to influence and change minds --and THAT is a different beast all together. Honey can be used to sweeten a food and salt can be used to sharpen its savor. But too much of either of those condiments can render a dish inedible.

The fact is, how many that are pregnant right now, and on the verge of a "choice" will you convince to not kill their baby and how many will be so turned off with your litany, that the fact of the life in them pales with the rage of having a stranger trying to dictate morality, their and their child's lives and what they do with something their body is growing? How many will in short, abort--because your point made over and over no matter what was like a grating record that alienated not resonated? I think you want to resonate, but I would hazard that you have a tendency to beat a dead horse. But beat on, you appear to have a one track mentality.

[junel1025]

I am sick and tired of hearing that the baby boomers are the cause of all the fiscal problems in the United States!

We are the ones who have worked and paid into the system for the last 40+ years and now it's our fault we are expecting to get what we have worked so hard for.

The cost of war, the cost of outsourcing jobs, the outrageous salary and perks paid to government officials. What about the illegal aliens who have never paid taxes but are benefiting from our generous programs?

If this is all you can find, Mr. Walker, I would have to say we are paying you too much!

[toldyouso21]

Posted by bsrasmus at 03:40 PM : Jul 09, 2007

Yes, and if I had only won the lottery everytime I played it, I would have won over a billion dollars by now....You really must get over the 45 million or 296 trillion gazillion dead babies you are trying to carry around. Very few on these boards or even in real life are going to feel your arguement. The fact is, those that want babies and feel strongly about this are already pro life and those who do not want babies or at least do not want every baby they are impregnated with or....do not want strangers trying to make them have their babies for any reason...are going to just ignore you and no amount of money, graphic pictures, etc will change that. Are you for the war in Iraq? Because if you are, how often have images of them dying or stories about the orphanages or other issues changed your mind? You keep going on and on about the 45 million babies. What is your point? At what juncture do you imagine that all women who aborted babies can reach waaaaay up in their ***** and pull that fetus back out for you? And if that is not your point--are you even capable of moving on?--because time is linear and those who have gone can not be gone back and retrieved.

I won't tell you to get over it--but if you don't get another angle--you will find your conversion rate to remain solidly in low numbers. Sad but true.

[bequialife]

At the rate the birth rate is going, the only grandchildren we will have will be the poor mexicans. Productive, educated people are not breeding the way they used to; only the poor, illegal mexican, or white trash on welfare are breeding. Yes, I see a sub-sahara Africa in a few decades here in the U.S. Thank god I will be gone

[lfitts1]

Mr. Walker says and I believe that there is a huge crisis when it comes to debt, personal and governmental--let's focus on the issue and forget god, jesus, the 10 commandments and purgatory--FOCUS ON THE QUESTION !!!

The answer to this is not published in the bible--it comes from focusing on the issue and facing reality--not from praying !!!