The Biden White House has tried since President Joe Biden’s inauguration to move past the Trump years and to focus instead on strengthening democracy by rebuilding the American middle class and by renewing our alliances and friendships with democratic allies.
‘’Old-Age (retirement), Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI)—popularly referred to as Social Security—provides monthly benefits to an eligible worker and family members when the worker elects to start receiving retirement benefits or when the worker dies or becomes disabled. A worker's lifetime covered earnings largely determine the amount of benefits received.’’
4,840,275 Floridians receive OASDI benefits as of 2020.
If I had a nickel for everytime I heard a senior say , "they won't really do that", I would't have to lay awake at night wondering how I will survive when it will be taken away.
Exactly. It's how so many bad things happen... because good people cannot fathom things being taken away that have "always" been, so they dismiss the notion.
My guess is that Republican racism is deeply entrenched among white, wealthier retirees. They are trying to hold back a big tide of Latino and Caribbean immigrants, to say nothing of an already significant number of Black people. It's a gut reaction to vote Republican, as in "Hold onto your wealth, they're coming for it." Nothing else matters very much.
P.S. I thought it was strange that post-hurricane news interviews were almost exclusively with white retirees. POC, younger families, who may have suffered more, were overlooked.
The GOP likely won't cut the program altogether or all at once. They'd likely privatize the program in order to feed that money continually to Wall Street. All in the name of allowing citizens to control their own investments. When markets crash Wall Street would be bailed out again and citizens world suffer their losses again.
Once the Republicans move OUR social security money over into Wall Street accounts, watch how much their buying of stocks increase. All that inside information PLUS control over our money - just who do you think will benefit? It sure as hell won't be us. It never is when Republicans are in control. Democrats invest in the country and its people. Republican politicians invest in what makes them and their corporate owners wealthier.
Oh, they'd be after raising the percentage to line their pockets...or their sponsors pockets. I still wish politicians had to wear suits like race car drivers showing just who owns them.
Even if you're right, that extra bump would simply encourage providers to raise their prices, just as has happened with all the stimulus money that's sloshing through the economy. Since most of the means of production are ultimately in the hands of the very wealthy (that's how they got that way), the money that is now either metered out across the population (SSN) or used solely for medical care (Medicare) would instead simply flow upward to the rich, yet again, after getting a brief, one-time use to a month's rent or a week's groceries.
Well, there is some truth to what you say, of course. But part of the problem is scarcity from supply disruptions and shipping difficulties, post Covid. Part is due to the fossil fuel industry and Putin's war. I like to think that the oil oligarchs are suffering death throes and raising their prices because the change to sustainable energy is "handwriting on the wall." Factor in a return to manufacturing in the US, as opposed to China, and a decent salary for those workers, well, there you have reasons for increases. Once again, I am tightening my belt because I want better wages for our workers.
I'm right with you there, I'm very concerned with increasing the stardard of living and security of our working/middle class. But instead of looking only at wages, I'm inclined to look more globally at what our workers receive as a benefits "package." That package not only includes wages and other benefits an employer may give, but also what the worker receives in return for taxes paid to their local, state and federal governments.
Wouldn't it be nice if worker's didn't have to spend so much of their income on insecure, substandard private childcare/schools because their society instead provided top-notch, safe public options for those who want to work and pay taxes? Wouldn't it be lovely if workers knew that, in exhange for their taxes, they didn't have to worry about health problems either impoverishing their families or preventing them from holding a job?
In many respects, I'm in in the rosier situation right now. I happen to live in a relatively wealthy locale that provides safe neighborhoods, my healthcare is covered by Medicare, I have safe and secure utilities, my garbage/sewage is whisked away, and I'm even attending a major public university, all in exchange for cheerfully paying my taxes. With these benefits, I can spend my income on more discretionary items, items that improve my standard of living above survival.
Your social security account is built with BOTH your money and the contributions of your employer. If social security goes away, your employer no longer has to help you build that retirement. If you think that little bit of an increase will benefit you in your old age, ask yourself how likely it is that you will spend it the same month you see it in your paycheck. Then figure out how much there will be available for you when you retire or are unabe to work. Zilch, darlin'. Zilch.
You don't really understand what Social Security is, do you? I am, however, touched by your naive belief that the money that now goes into the SS insurance system would appear on your paycheck.
They'd need to build free housing and provide food and medical care for the people who collect Social Security and receive Medicare, unless they want to deal with mass deaths all over the country.
Crater it, the same way it would the national economy. Which the fascists will then blame on the rest of us. And their base will believe it. Remember: chaos benefits would-be dictators. It is therefore in their interest to make life for most of us as miserable as possible.
Once you understand this, the entire "Republican" agenda is entirely consistent.
You are on target. The Republicans focus in building the fear, focusing on issues that have been in existence under several administrations of both political parties which they always blame on the Democrats. But the ONE THING the Republicans never do is propose a solution, especially one that costs them as much money as they are committed to have anyone but their corporate donors pay for.
You are on target. The Republicans focus in building the fear, focusing on issues that have been in existence under several administrations of both political parties which they always blame on the Democrats. But the ONE THING the Republicans never do is propose a solution, especially one that costs them as much money as they are committed to have anyone but their corporate donors pay for.
Here in Massachusetts we get all the TV ads for New Hampshire, and I can tell you that they’re going after the Republican candidates for the Senate and House (all nutcases) strongly and directly.
I rarely hear a word about it, the blather about democracy being in peril Is drowned out by a 90 decibel chorus of Democrats taking away America’s freedom. This is screamed by the old crones who likely depend on Medicare and SD. Be careful what you wish for, MAGAts
They'd be shot full of holes by someone's semi-automatics? Some states are restricting billboards, too. I know our state does, but I don't know about Florida.
When the GOP talking points include the fact that SS will soon be insolvent, it infuriates me. All that would be necessary would be to raise the cap on SS tax so that the very wealthy would have to pay in fairly.
Zero impact on those currently receiving SS. Just like when the retirement age was increased in 1983.
“The 1983 Amendments phased in a gradual increase in the age for collecting full Social Security retirement benefits. The retirement age will increase from 65 to 67 over a 22-year period, with an 11-year hiatus at which the retirement age will remain at 66.”
Except that the plan also calls for stopping benefits at 90. And, of course, forcing Congress to re-authorize it every five years. You might want to look at the actual proposals more carefully. Also you might want to read up on the whole purpose of the SS program. Hint: it's a form of insurance.
I'll tell you one thing. Without Social Security I couldn't pay my rent. I am 73 and still working because even with Social Security I need to supplement my income. I don't have family who could help, so I would have to try to get into government housing which, in New York at least, is terrible. Vermin, few repairs, elevators often out of order, etc.
Not where you would want to spend your later years. And that's if you're "lucky" enough to get in!
With Social Security, I can maintain a decent apartment where I have lived 25 years, among a variety of neighbors, many of whom I also know. That is no small thing when you live alone!
Social Security is a godsend! AND we paid for it! Where do thes thieves get off trying to steal it from us?!
You’re right, Cheryl, you and many others would be caught up in this mess. That’s why we have to fight back very very hard to make certain these evildoers don’t bowl us over. My very best to you, to all of all of us!
I am SOOO tired of the sh&t show that is the Republican group/cult. They are comparable to a Mark Burnett reality show. The various ones who are most often in the news, you know the loudmouths I mean, are doing absolutely NOTHING to positively impact the lives of their constituents. They just want attention. Something to consider: since he lost in the primary, Madison Cawthorn has been pretty quiet. When these people have no camera on them constantly, their influence decreases.
The Dems need to speak up to the Dem Voters. The repubs either lie to their constituents who will lose out or are so wealthy they don’t care if it ends yesterday.
A lot of them unless they are lucky enough to have a retirement plan, an annuity, or something else to help. Before social security many, many seniors lived in abject property. This is so disgraceful for a wealthy country like ours to try to undercut help for those we are supposed to honor: our elders. And then there is all the blather about caring for children which is another lie.
The way the Repubs are gerrymandering and suppressing the vote, they don't need to care about the popularity of SS because voters will have no power to stop them. THAT'S the problem!
Seniors in Florida and throughout US need to know what Rick Scott ( the wealthiest member of Congress) and Rubio are proposing.” It will never happen” some seniors say. My response…..”And I thought it would never happen that a victim of rape who has an abortion could be charged with felony murder.”
...and let's not forget that Rick Scott was CEO ofColumbia/HCA, which was fined $1.7 Billion for Medicare fraud. Why would we ever trust him regarding money?
On this little red island near the Georgia line, Republicans continually state that everyone misunderstands what these proposals by the Right really mean. I can point out all day that Their Social Security checks will end, but they say it isn't true, that only the next generation won't get their SS payments. Somehow, they think it makes it ok if someone else loses the monies they paid most of their lives.
I truly do not understand the mindset of "it's ok as long as it happens to someone else," but do they ever scream when they perceive a threat to their guns!
Peoples' interests and values are interesting. They are information. It is likely we are too polarized right now to hear each other. Surely these people care about the future? But, as conservatives, they may think only the past matters. Hard to speak for them.
I think our problem is the paying of attention to staying alive. For those who are not older, Social Security and Medicare do not exist yet. They may have older family and friends, but are these people's food, medicine, or home security of importance to them? Do the young make enough money to take care of elders when the time comes? Have those elders made enough money in their lifetimes to do without Social Security or Medicare? In our money-obsessed society, we should have done so or whatever happens to us afterward is considered okay. I have met people who truly believe this. These are the people we have to address and we have to assume we won't convince all of them with respect to voting Demo in 2022, but we might get through to enough of them to keep the House and Senate.
I pointed out Scott’s plan to a republican on social security and I was told that they won’t really do that because it’s too popular. How do you fight that? 🤯
Our rights can disappear in moments of we're not watching, and it's obvious those in charge won't step up to defend our citizens from power plays.
I'm very grateful for our current president and the safeguards set up to keep him from overstepping, but we are paying for it in the inability to shut down a poisoned well.
Well, it's odd to me that republican politicians in Florida and states with high senior populations would dedicate themselves to killing the monthly income of a fair number of their senior population. It makes no sense.
The professor writes about it but read the mudsill speech by Sen John Hammond 3 months before the "house divided" speech as not only the basis for slavery but why they can cajole people to vote against not just self interest but their own good.
Today, the Social Security and Medicare Trustees released their annual reports on the long-term financial state of the Social Security and Medicare programs. The latest Social Security projections show the program is quickly headed toward insolvency and highlight the need for trust fund solutions sooner rather than later to prevent across-the-board benefit cuts or abrupt changes to tax or benefit levels. The Social Security Trustees found:
Social Security is only 13 years from insolvency. Social Security cannot currently guarantee full benefits to current retirees. The Trustees project the Social Security Old-Age & Survivors Insurance (OASI) trust fund will deplete its reserves by 2034. And though the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) trust fund is in strong financial shape, the theoretically combined trust funds will exhaust their reserves by 2035, when today’s 54-year-olds reach the full retirement age and today’s youngest retirees turn 75. Upon insolvency, all beneficiaries will face a 20 percent across-the-board benefit cut.
Raise the cap on contributions. Why should the best paid people pay what is effectively a lower rate of SSDI tax than those with smaller paychecks? Why not have everyone pay into the fund at the same percentage of their pay?
Personally, I'd prefer some honest arguments. For example: "legislators could close three-quarters of the long-term deficit by immediately abolishing the maximum taxable wage base (currently $147,000), thus subjecting all wages to taxation. Or they could raise the full retirement age to 68. This would close one-seventh of the long-term actuarial deficit.
Legislators could also change the way benefits are adjusted for inflation. They are currently adjusted with the consumer price index. Some economists think this index overstates inflation. They suggest using an alternative index called the chained price index. If you switch to that index, you would solve one-fifth of the long-term deficit."
If there were no such thing as age discrimination in hiring, more people would agree with you. The laws against it do not really work. Fifty is too old in many fields. Forty is pretty old in tech.
We are always talking about pain. In the abstract. For other people.
Except that this has already been repeatedly done. And, in any case, "Republicans" are being remarkably vague about what, exactly, they intend to do. Various members of The Party at various levels have floated everything from privatization to tax increases to benefit cuts to shutting off benefits entirely after age 90 to forcing a reauthorization every five years. Mostly the "Republicans" who would actually be responsible for drafting any legislation prefer not to talk about what, exactly, they would do.
Which is the same tactic they used with health care. Attack everything the Democrats propose but make no concrete proposals of their own. Unless, of course, you include "cut taxes for the rich," which is their solution for everything.
I agree with Carol below, and while extending the retirement age sounds like a good plan, what happens to those who are unable to work that long? At 66, I am retired but I have a handful of friends who were forced to retire early due to illness. We currently have a male friend, engineer, who lost his job due to restructuring. He is 65 and needs to work another year and a half. What do you think his chances of locating a job are? I have another friend, female upper=management who lost her VP position at 62. Went on interview after interview, never got another offer, but at least was able to support herself with her savings until she could collect.
Even in his early 50s, when my husband lost his middle management job, he faced age discrimination. It was infuriating as he had a dozen/15 years to go, and in many positions people jump jobs after about 3-5 years! So why did his age matter?
Here’s a solution that doesn’t include paying taxes
SS at age 65 was based on actuarial charts. People didn’t live to be 77 years old
The money taxed paid for the system (before the government “borrowed huge sums). The problem is not taxes, its longevity. You should demand people die sooner. Problem solved. Volunteers?
Since "Republicans" are also attacking programs that provide health care for us seniors (like Medicare and Medicaid), I'd say they have the "die sooner" part figured out as well.
It is illegal to die by any means but natural cell death on this planet at this time. Fix that so people can leave when they are ready. That can help. Some people will leave when or before they are 65. But, if you want society to help you out regardless of your age or amount of medical expenses, like now, you are stuck. It is imperative to realize medical expenses for people go up around the age of 65. Way up. That extra longevity is expensive for everyone. As long as we fight death like we fight wars, drugs, or crime, we are on our own as a species and we will pay for it. Stop taking money from SS by the government. That can help. Let people say no to SS taxes. They are on their own. That can help.
I didn't mention how we should dispose of a human body. There are many ways. I did have to look up using a human body as compost. It apparently depends on the extraneous chemicals in the body due to medical treatments: https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/now-you-can-compost-human-bodies-too. Some people are for this some against, as one might expect of such a complicated process.
Here’s what I want for myself. Yes, I would be able to nurture the soil and have a tree planted on top of me! I have already informed my daughters of this.
Taxes make people uncomfortable. They are an expense that funds society, and there is no way out of that. You can increase expenses on the individual, make them smaller, or cut them out altogether. As a buyer, which is what I am as a voter and US citizen who pays taxes, I want bang for my buck. Most of us who think about the expense end of life think that way. We have no choice really. We can ask what we get for our buck with respect to all taxes, and Social Security and Medicare in particular. There are payroll taxes we are liable for (as is our employer) with respect to these two taxes. Now we hit the wall of planning for the future. If we believe we make enough money to finance our lives after we retire, can we forgo SS and/or Medicare taxes up front from the time we start working until we retire? This assumes it is possible to control employment, and living and healthcare expenses over our lifetime, and if we don't, it is entirely our fault. This may be true or not. Should society chip in through taxes, expenses up front, to hedge our bets against the vagaries of chance during our lives? Some of us have already said yes to this via taxes. Some of us have said no. Do we have the option of saying no, and should we? I believe we should be able to say no up front and that is something to work for. The question does remain in terms of what we do with people who are older or injured but haven't got the money to pay for either and they haven't paid taxes on these issues up front. Should society help them out? Some of us say yes, some say no and that affects everyone's expenses (if they pay taxes...some don't). However, unless we get rid of all taxes and what they pay for, we will have to deal with the question of individual expenses as operationalized through taxes.
Teresa, you make some good points but I would take it a notch further. If you open the possibility of "opting out" on social welfare programs, I would propose that the non-welfare tax-paying-citizen extract herself from every benefit afforded by living in a communal environment. My god this would include giving up your car, your access to relatively affordable food, electricity, health care .... the list goes on.... unless your roll of the dice yielded sufficient wealth when you reach your dotage to pay for these luxuries in spades. Looking back on your own life, would you have had the wisdom to make such a decision when you were twenty? And if, at forty or fifty, it had become clear that wealth was not in the cards for you, would you have had the heart to keep your shoulder to the wheel?
I was only talking about social security and Medicare taxes. But, if you talk about all taxes, that is a huge matter. That means you opt out of everything taxes pay for, and as you note, that is quite a lot. I don't think that could be done realistically, and actually I am for taxes because of what they provide to us all. I agree with you that the wisdom to understand our lives when we are twenty is likely not there, especially since neuroscience shows we don't finish growing our brains into our frontal lobes until the mid or late twenties. I mention the vagaries of chance because I am a person who doesn't believe we can foresee everything, hence social security and Medicare. All other taxes for the good of all seem important to me because the good of all matters to me. Does it matter to every voter? Hard to say. I am not sure it does, but we do ask all to care. Since we are all in this life together, it seems reasonable to care in general.
Jon Stewart questioned people in a Scandinavian country where they pay way more taxes than Americans, but they seemed more satisfied with quality health care, sick leave, childcare, education and other services their tax dollars helped make their quality of life better.
The republicans began pillaging the fund thanks to reagan and so far they have take more than 3 trillion dollars of the $$ not needed for current costs
Of course. Borrow and spend. Borrow and spend. I forget which Republican said deficits don’t matter, and left them for a Democratic president to deal with, which he did.
Actually, no, that's not what the article says. It merely says that there is no proposed plan by the "Republican" Party to terminate SS and Medicare, at least in those words (although some prominent party members have already said as much). Partly because "Republican" leadership refuses, as usual, to offer a specific legislative agenda on anything at all, preferring to concentrate on lying about Democrats and whipping up the faithful into a frenzy about transsexuals, drag shows, "Critical Race Theory" (which translates as "admitting racism and slavery were bad") and, of course, crime. Except for the crimes they commit, of course, as we just saw in the case of Pelosi's husband.
The Party has not has a presidential platform in years. They refuse to set forth an agenda so they can use plausible deniability articles like the one you cited. They are not interested in solutions to any of the problems we face, only in exacerbating them and exploiting them to get and keep power.
Been reading HCR almost since the inception, and never commented before... what could I add after all, to her sterling scholarship, but considering the importance of this new month...
I must say, although I am sure you are all lovely people, and finding a group of like minded souls who share both my bottomless love for this country as well as an abiding anxiety over the current precarious state of affairs is refreshing...
I must say I so rarely read the comments. There is simply so much - too much - catastrophizing, especially over the last few days. Hey, no judgement, I do it too; it's the downside to being a person who cares a lot about things that actually matter.
I have a suspicion that I, at 27, am a bit younger than the median reader of this newsletter. I mention it only because this is the point at which a youthful perspective might be valuable. It seems to me that many readers seem to have spent the post-'16 years undergoing a sort of continuous processing of trauma, experiencing an essential sense of safety and assurance ripped away and a deep injury inflicted. For someone of my age, though, this sense of assurance - the experience of America as a continuously improving and prosperous superpower, the experience of an expectation of comfort in the future, the assumption that the neighbors around you are fundamentally caring - all of this couldn't be ripped away because it never was there to begin with.
From kindergarten on, we have lived in the shadow of terrorism, from middle school on the stark reality of the housing crash, from high school on the age of information overload and the creeping knowledge of a burning atmosphere. All of those years marked by at least one instance of some screen blaring something for a few days reminding you you were lucky to not be shot before you got home like those kids in that other state, only to be interrupted by overhearing a comment that the real problem with the kids today is they can't get off those darn screens.
But here's the thing. We aren't bemoaning how the forces of evil are encroaching again, to leave a certainly doomed planet to our children. We are those children. We are alive for a while yet, and I'll be damned if the rest of my days will be lived on a dying planet surrounded by encroaching forces of evil. It is not an acceptable outcome for my life. It isn't something I asked for or deserved. It isn't something I will let happen.
Don't apologize to me for how the world was messed up by the time I showed up on the scene. Help me un-mess it, please. Don't proclaim how my generation and the one after are so impressive and will help save us all. Help us save us. Now, please.
Look, next week's elections could equally and plausibly cover a range of outcomes from total catastrophe to total triumph (For Democrats, that is. I'm assuming you all are Democratically-minded). Anyone who says they know what will happen is lying or clueless. There has simply never been a midterm where *both* parties were engaged to such a high degree. That poll aggregate that shows us down by 0.9%? Don't despair, for it is truly useless... polls are always off slightly, and that's way within any margin of error. We could lose even bigger, or end up flipping the script enitrely. That aggregate that said we were up by 0.8%? Don't be cheerful, same thing applies. Early voting and special elections are making us look on the good side of all right. Election Day could wash it away or build upon it further. You can be an optimist or a pessimist; but how you position yourself on that spectrum won't change the outcome, whatever it is.
If the neo-fascists creep close to the door again because the idiotic dandelions that pass themselves off as "independents" can't elevate human rights for one second over grumpiness about egg prices, that's not going to stop me from getting the future I need and deserve. A setback, no matter how severe, is not the apocalypse. This country isn't over, because I need to live here for awhile and I refuse for that to happen.
And if the newly awakened and activated post-'16 liberal cohort manages to drag this great government of ours across the finish line by force of will, that's not going to get me to rest. A victory, no matter how heartening, is not the end of the movie. We are never out of the woods, and there is work for us yet regardless.
All right, I'm done. Gotta get rest before my Christy Smith phonebank. G'night all.
Will, I hear you. I've been surrounded by young people all my life (I've been a history professor for close to 40 years) and I spend a lot of time navigating the shifting emotional sands of people aged 18 to 40. And most of my colleagues these days are also in the under-55 age group and I know that their experiences are very different from mine. It might seem that this comments portion of HCR's page is merely a whingefest but it isn't. Lots of information passes through this page on a daily basis. I agree: we are all anxious but that is because those of us of a certain age lived through the Nixon years and we fear that what the Ghastly Oligarch Party has in store is going to make that era look like a universal love-in. In addition, those of us whose parents lived through the Great Depression and WW2 are reliving some of the trauma and anxiety our parents and grandparents experienced as we see the forces of fascism gain energy here. I don't believe that history is cyclical, but I do believe that humans have a tendency to seek extremes rather than the middle--because the middle requires a lot of deep thought, empathy, and a willingness to feel uncomfortable. Humanity is not engineered to be amenable to those three things without a lot of training and experience.
Thank you for jumping into the comments section today! Please continue to add your voice and perspective in the future. I think many of us here on the comments section have had the privilege to live through an era of history when we could somewhat believe the USA would bend that Arc of Justice towards Freedom kinda on momentum from the 1960’s fights. So the last seven years have ripped the rose colored glasses off. Your perspective today really gives me a lift. And your involvement heartens me. Come Nov 9, we roll out of bed and continue the fight in whatever form it needs us to take.
Well done. I was 27 once too. You have leadership potential. Use it. As you have pointed out, correctly, most of us on this blog are aged out for war. We’ll be the old people tramping down the street with a haversack holding the last of our belongings. You and your generation will be in the trenches. We believe in you. Please don’t abandon us at the side of the road. and may God Speed you in The fight ahead.
Well said! I think I can say that most of the commenters here do not simply write to wring our hands but also put our collective shoulders to the wheel to push as much as we each can, whether with donations, post-card writing, phone-banking, door-to-door canvassing and as poll workers.
I'm a 77-year old Bubby with six teenage grandkids. I worry incessantly about the world I'll leave them. I'm trying to do everything I can to make it better for them. I hear you!
Thank you for checking in from the "other end of the age spectrum". My nephew is 33, and in your cohort. It was from him that I first heard "eat the rich". I am learning why that is a thing in watching the political stage. His comment "I cannot lose that which I never had" rings so true for me.
Will, thank you. I hope to hear more from you. You are probably right. The election is over, the minds are made up, and the cast-counting is all that awaits. I think your point to us (I'm on the other end of the age spectrum) is "what are we going to do, regardless of the counting? The time is to move on, to achieve what we are bemoaning and supporting each other over." I'm guilty of doing that. What do you want or see we must do to straighten out the mess we are leaving to you while telling you you sure can fix it? I'm asking because all the letter writing, talking, the career choices we made, the energy and lessons we share don't seem to have slowed what seems an inexorable curves of decline in the quality of this planet and the options open to your generation. How can we help you, for surely, your generation will be engaged in a fight for life, the planet, justice, and future. Your thoughts?
Wow, set us straight, youth of the country. As Churchill said (I paraphrase). Yes, I’m an optimist, what good is it to be anything else. Been a closet optimist, I’m afraid. Dems are a challenge, but the time is now.
The best line of this "don't apologize". My children are your peers, and the absolute worst thing I could do is leave the world in worse shape than I found it. My parents were survivors of the Great Depression, my grandparents became adults during WWI, and they all grew up with the attitude that it is each generation's responsibility to improve the world we leave to our children, not just monetarily but in all ways. Fix pollution, help the needy, clothe the naked. Treat the Earth as our home and our children's home, and our children's children, through the future generations. I wish more people believed that and most importantly, acted on it.
I am another who wants to thank you for your comments here. What else can we do to help those of your age and understanding write the next scenes in this movie?
Republican hypocrisy is as infinite as the stars above. They want to cut financial benefits that the vast majority of American want and depend on, all in the name of taming the debt. Yet they're the ones who run up the debt when in power by cutting taxes for the rich, and then Democrats always reduce it - just as the Biden administration has done.
With so much noise and conflicting signals now, a week from Election Day, will the Democrats' powerful economic message break through? It absolutely must.
Fifty-plus years of draining funds from public education combined with eliminating the fairness doctrine have taken their toll. Modern Republicans/Oligarchs have strived to make their subjects (everyone but wealthy, mostly white, landowners) dumber. They have succeeded. Just look at who they managed to elect as POTUS in 2016!
I think tfg was "installed", not elected. He lost the popular vote. Check out who installed bannon, conway and manafort as soon as the re-thugs realized trump could actually destroy democracy for them with his ability to lie. Funding by, conspiratorial monies, such as that of robert and rebekah mercer. Cambridge analytica wealth added to and used by russia, for one, to data mine, troll and brainwash the vulnerables. Middle East terrorists are laughing at how easy this was to destroy our democracy without bombs, but using American home grown terrorists and the internet, tv, the pandemic and fascist rallies by a reality tv celebrity, fake-haired, fake tanned twit and propaganda machines with very clear targets.
You’re correct, Pensa. He was installed by Putin who more than likely educated himself about US Civil War tactics and, of course, Hitler. He planted agents here to disrupt our country and boy, did he do w good job or what??
No, he was elected, just not by a majority of citizens. The Electoral College system is what put that pathetic creature in office for four years. Unlike the "Republicans," the rest of us can accept the fact that his election was legal. When Clinton lost we were mightily mad, but we didn't spend the next three years (so far) denying that she lost and that there was widespread election fraud. We didn't hire crackpot lawyers to create a load of fake "evidence" which was immediately thrown out of court. And Obama didn't spend his last months in office trying to coerce state political leadership to fake vote totals and commit other acts of fraud.
Oh, yeah: he also didn't send an army of goons to trash the Capitol.
Now, how much hostile foreign powers like Russia helped get him those electoral votes is another matter.
Okay, more eloquently accurate in how we allowed and conceded like normal democracies. Nothing normal about thuglicans and elections nowadays. Well stated, Stephen!
I think it will "get through" Michael, as most SSA recepients are now acutely aware of SSA's coming cost-of-living-increase (COLA) timely determined last month to be coming in around 8.7%.
Showing my ignorance, but I can’t figure out why corporations continue to fund the republicans. If financial resources are taken away from millions of people, or costs added by medical services and medicines no longer covered with the elimination (or even reduction) of Social Security and Medicare, who will buy their products and services? What good will tax breaks do them if there’s no revenue? If there are economists in the room, can you explain to me?
You have too many critical thinking skills, DE! I applaud your thoughts! No taxes and that corporations have the rights of citizens is why. They only think in short term profits. We can destroy them, if we choose to. Boycott.
Particularly the products advertised on the twiting bird. Musk is sharply aware of the building backlash against him. Elon is market testing monthly "Blue Check" fees ... how about $20/MONTH? No? How about $8? $5? OK, make it a donation for the care of a maniacal, malignant narcissist, richest man in the World. 'Fxxx Off' said 2 major Twitter users.
Thank you Kathy good article that demonstrates a multitude of macro & micro Econ matters. I am definitely not a fan of the Citigroup CEO nor American Express corp policies. More valuable to me is the Hilton & McDonalds data with vast exposure to worldwide economic conditions. Wyndham & Jet Blue are closely connected to USA conditions. As a hopefully alert consumer, I monitor seasonal markets like Honeycrisp & Fuji apples seasonally down to 1.99/lb. On gas I purchase from a massive whosale buyer in CA with up to $1 OFF per gallon in "Grocery Rewards" with another 3% OFF using my BofA card which I pay as I buy. Local micromarket farm growers a very good deal as well. Happy inflation fighting.
Yesterday I went to buy gas at a station from my grocery rewards. It was $.50 higher than the station around the corner. I really detest these companies.
Can be infuriating; but, my big grocer in CA (Safeway) has a massive fleet of trucks located just off Interstate 5 for distribution in all directions. Safeway makes huge gasoline purchases which gets them a below retail price for gas, then I use the "Reward" duscount up to a dollar, then my 3% card discount. I still support neighborhood markets for fresh greens & fruits. :)
Thanks for the article, Kathy. Just can’t wait to hear my kids complain even more so about how they can’t afford anything. Hell, I am feeling that pinch too! The wealthy will always survive while “normal” folks try to find ways to be creative to live and thrive.
Dems are to blame if it doesn’t. I have been waiting, and waiting, and waiting. They blather about everything else when the republicans gave them an issue they could win on. WTH
The Republicans either don't understand how Social Security and Medicare are funded, or they are deliberately misrepresenting the truth. Senator RoJo (Ron Johnson) was on a Sunday morning talk show years ago, with economist Paul Krugman and others. RoJo insisted that US Treasury instruments are not worth the paper they are printed on. Krugman's jaw dropped. He offered an articulate rebuttal but RoJo would not back down and was vehement in his insistence that US Treasury bonds are worthless. The "Full Ron Johnson" was on display then, and he continues to display his ignorance at every opportunity. People who understand how the system works, such as Robert Reich, argue that Social Security and Medicare can be fully funded far into the future by an act of Congress. If anything, it would help a great many people if the Social Security "stipend" would be increased, and the age of eligibility for Medicare were lowered significantly. SS and Medicare were created as non-discretionary budget items for good reasons: so that politicians such as RoJo and his ilk could not easily dismantle the system when the discretionary budget is debated periodically. RoJo lies easily and often; or else he's just ignorant.
“The Republicans either don't understand how Social Security and Medicare are funded, or they are deliberately misrepresenting the truth.” It’s the latter. I used to think RJ was too dumb to tie his shoes, but now I think he understands that there is no penalty for telling the stupidest lies as long as they appeal to the conservative base who only want to vandalize all things liberal.
"...there is no penalty for telling the stupidest lies as long as they appeal to the conservative base..." I agree. I try to be polite in my public utterances. RoJo is worse than useless. We have a smart progressive candidate running against him -- if there is any justice in this world, our guy will beat rojo.
Learned long ago (working at jr. High, actually) that smart can also be stupid. Smart can be a splinter skill, while stupid seems to be a general trait. Wish it were the reverse..
I would certainly not go head to head trying to discredit Paul Krugman. Think of the future without these supports from government and consider all who are suffering from long-covid, especially the young people and what their needs will be in the future. Rojo can't think beyond his nose. We have paid into the system all our working lives, for social security, and it is not for the GOP to remove it. Though they will certainly try.
We wonder what they think will happen if the maga crowd succeeds in dismantling Social Security and Medicare. As our American Bard wrote, "When you've got nothing, you've got nothing to lose." If they made it effective immediately, then a large number of people would be left with nothing. Chaos would surely ensue.
Rojo needs to do some time in the Pokey. Hopefully he’ll get some consideration on the fitment of the orange jumpsuit, given his high standing in society.
I also think Biden should make a point of talking about long-covid and the future needs of younger people, the children of some of the MAGA crowd. Do you think it would make a difference???
Once upon a time, the media covered most of a president’s public statements. Lately they seem to minimize our current president and prioritize the voice of the former president.
Where are the journalists asking for details of the Republican plan to beat inflation? Would it show liberal bias to inquire just what they would do about inflation besides complain and pin it on Biden?
“Today, in front of an audience in Florida, Biden read directly from Scott’s plan to sunset laws, quoted Johnson’s plan to make Social Security discretionary, and said ‘Who in the hell do they think they are?’”
Morning, Rowshan! If I were writing his speeches, after reading the R plan, I would say to the audience words to the effect of "You are being asked to choose between direct payments from Social Security that you have already earned or money going to corporations where you more than likely will not see an economic reward. Look, folks, I know you all are too smart to fall for that!"
Or, more plain speak: "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. You can choose to vote for a Democrat who will defend your earned Social Security and Medicare benefits or rely on the kindness of corporations who will surely reward their shareholders instead when the Republican agenda awards them tax cuts."
They think they are "special", as royalty refers to itself, and don't have to pay for anything..They think the world owes them a living just because they grace our planet.
And another thing! SIMPLY, REPETETIVELY remind EVERYONE you know over the next few days of these few fun facts about the economy and cost of living (obviously the most important thing in all the world all the time), and **INSIST** that they SIMPLY, REPETITIVELY tell everyone THEY know about these few fun facts:
Under Democrats:
1) The GDP - the entire economy of America - grew last quarter, and grew big. We can measure this. Feelings aren't facts. Saying we have a recession coming now is like saying you need bigger pants because you lost weight... it's the opposite of how numbers work.
2) We have the most jobs added in over half a century - over 10 million.
3) Wage growth is the highest in decades. - America got a 7% raise.
4) A record number of small business openings and applications (reminder: how many closed in 2020 forever)
5) We have LOWER inflation for four months straight.
6) Inflation is a problem around the world, and ours is LOWER than most major countries. Conservative-led Britain might not get through the winter.
7) The Inflation Reduction Act lowered drug costs and saves families hundreds to thousands a year in healthcare costs.
8) The Inflation Reduction Act saves families hundreds to thousands a year in utility costs.
9) Gas prices are down almost a dollar and a half since summer.
10) The national deficit has been cut by ~1.5 TRILLION dollars.
11) The dollar is the strongest around the world in years.
12) Billions in manufacturing has already - finally - come back to America.
13) The stock market is 2000 points higher.
14) Homes are worth more across the country.
15) Savings accounts are fuller.
16) Child poverty was cut in half.
17) All this while not a penny in taxes raised on those making under $400k.
18) Most importantly, EVERY SINGLE ONE of these things received NOT A SINGLE Republican vote. We want to stop big corporations price gouging to pay for universal pre-K, affordable childcare, paid leave, and more. They want to slash Social Security and default on our debt. If you ACTUALLY care about prices and the economy, put up or shut up. Vote Democrat.
So, so done with people critiquing the Democrat's messaging, and the hand-wringing over whether any of the higher-ups have failed to discover the correct magic words delivered at the right time and frequency to make a sufficient number of stupid people un-stupid in order to save us all. What are they supposed to do, use a crystal ball to connect with those three magic counties in Ohio and Nebraska and send a deeper understanding of economics to them through mind control or something?
That's OUR job. Saving democracy is OUR job. Biden and Obama help us out, not the other way around. People vote on the info they have. It's just that they stumble across info rather than actually search it out to see if it's correct. Frustrating, I know. SO LET US HELP.
Comment if y'all actually shared this with someone. I'm serious. I'm-a post this every damn day.
No hand-wringing. Just REPEAT SIMPLE FACTS. To EVERYONE.
I've got about half the list you've shared here, I shall add the rest.
I am either young old or old young (64) and a retired cop. Many of the people that I have in my "circle" are current or retired cops. I will continue to bludgeon them with the facts herein listed. I will either succeed or kill them with information that makes their heads explode.
You are the age of my first 2nd-grade class, public school. I would hazard a guess that a few teachers in your audience have an extra beat in their heart and spring in their step to see the fruits of our collective efforts at work.
P.S. Just sent this to LA Times, crediting you, of course.
"that it is important to continue cutting taxes on the wealthy in order to free up capital for them to reinvest in the economy. This has been Republicans’ argument since 1980, but it has never produced either the economic growth or the tax revenue its supporters promised."
Billionaires got way, way richer and own a far greater portions of all of America's assets than ever before. Are workers and consumers more secure than before 1980? Are average American's better off for all the mergers, "downsizing" of staff, offshoring, "gig" hiring, and extinction of defined benefit pensions that have characterized our society since. Are schools better funded? Higher education more affordable? Do our alabaster cities and their infrastructure gleam as never before? It's been some great decades for billionaires, but where is the evidence that this has been benefiting us? Stock buybacks are great if you own a lot of that stock; but what if you don't? What did Main Street get out of this perseverating "GOP" formula?
I don't think he was the first to think of it as it kind of reminds me of how lords of huge estates assured themselves that they were the indispensable benefactors of all of society, but in typical right wing style he delivered his snappy snake-oil spheels with a feigned air of authority, though bereft of supporting logic or evidence. And the press fell in love.
@JL, Their greed and self-serving impulses aside, Republicans, in my view, indeed recognize that putting money into the pockets of low-income consumers strengthens consumer spending, helping businesses’ bottom-line and growing the economy, not to mention increasing worker productivity and reducing turnover. They’ll just never admit it.
When taxes are cut for the rich , there is a strong tendency for them to buy more and bigger yachts. Creating jobs is not on their agenda. ( most yachts are made in Asia these days)
Admittedly, not a direct reply to the Professor’s analysis, a week out from the midterm election, I’ve noted that the closing argument for Democrats, aside from punctuating democracy, abortion care, and a record of accomplishments, increasingly has focused on Republican threats to default on the U.S. national debt as pretext for extracting concessions on protections, including Social Security, Medicare, Veterans benefits, funding for Ukraine, and more. While a befitting closing argument, the case, in my view, is insufficient unless Democrats also call out record corporate profits (a 54% increase) as the biggest driver of inflation.
Considering the American people in poll after poll report the economy and inflation as their two major issues, barring an occasional word from President Biden calling out corporate gouging or the occasional Congressional hearing unearthing data confirming that the biggest driver of inflation is corporate pricing, I am troubled that Democrats, overall, have declined to enact a united, laser-focused effort to expose how corporate profits account for over half of the increased prices people are paying.
While some might defend a party’s reluctance to bite the hand that feeds it, I believe the benefits of pinning corporate pricing as the biggest driver of inflation would outweigh the costs. I further contend, with 60% of the people in this country living paycheck to paycheck and millions working for starvation wages, not only should Democrats not ignore this biggest driver of inflation; they should make it clear to working families throughout this country, many of whom are prepared to vote Republican, that if they vote Republican, the Party that has been silent on this issue, their vote will run counter to their interests and concerns. In a word, we need Democratic leadership to be focused and disciplined and not to allow Republican deceptions and distortions related to the state of the economy to go unanswered.
“While some might defend a party’s reluctance to bite the hand that feeds it, I believe the benefits of pinning corporate pricing as the biggest driver of inflation would outweigh the costs.
Kathy, I hadn’t seen the piece. Thanks so much for sending it. Frankly, I fear, if Dems don’t perform well next week, the principal cause will be the mounting anger over inflation, for which the Biden Administration will be blamed. I regret Dems are not exposing the handful of corporations that dominate the market, control the supply, and use the current inflation as cover to jack up their prices.
Indeed you may Barbara. You've hit many nails on the head. The Dem. leadership has deeply disappointed me again, for one. I think we all knew the media wasn't going to be of any value, which begs the question, what were they thinking (the Dem., Dim leadership) ? The further tragedy is that one can't seem to help them, as they seem to think they know best; I've tried to help.
What a relief to hear Biden educate the public about the Republican plan to cut Medicare and Social Security. These are programs we contribute to. As long as the likes of Ron Johnson and the Republican cohorts has their pockets lined screw the rest. The lack of compassion and empathy for the people who live in poverty is astounding. How can you be a Senator and be ignorant of the inhumane conditions people live in? It was such a relief to learn from our Swedish exchange student that there is not the poverty we tolerate. Healthcare housing food education are valued in Sweden. Low income people are integrated into regular housing.
In Sweden a hard-right group founded by neo-Nazis and skinheads won the second highest number of seats in Parliament in elections earlier this year. Is anywhere safe these days?
No. When hate gets oxygen as on social media, it’s like an activation switch is turned on. It seeps in at first, then saturates when it’s not stopped. We are now living in the sea-level-rise of Hate. And there is no Planet B.
I think our "reptile" brain stem gets a lot of veto power over logic and compassion as a last ditch strategy for survival, as in war. But it's been the bane of humanity throughout history, and may be the very thing the eventually snuffs our species out. The devil isn't spooky guy with goat horns, it's run-away malignant human narcissism, and the unalloyed capture of the will by hate, fear, greed and hubris. We all. of necessity, have self-interest, but if that's all that we have we can becomes monsters.
" The term sociopath refers to someone living with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) — as does the term psychopath.
The most recent edition of the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” (DSM-5), which mental health professionals use to diagnose mental health conditions, defines ASPD as a consistent disregard for rules and social norms and repeated violation of other people’s rights.
People with the condition might seem charming and charismatic at first, at least on the surface, but they generally find it difficult to understand other people’s feelings. They often:
break rules or laws
behave aggressively or impulsively
feel little guilt for harm they cause others
use manipulation, deceit, and controlling behavior " - Healthline
In April 2020, the nonprofit Center for Responsive Politics examined the personal finances of senators and representatives in Washington and calculated their estimated net worth. “Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) is the wealthiest lawmaker with nearly $260 million in net assets.
The sale (of shares of) Valterra..... will certainly spike Scott’s net worth. For example, the senator’s most recent annual financial disclosure form listed Ann Scott’s twin Valterra holdings as being worth only “over $1 million” apiece. Last week’s sale notice raised the total value of those holdings to between $10 million and $50 million.
Sen. Scott’s annual report for 2019, filed in August 2020, shows that Valterra also paid handsome dividends. The senator reported receiving between $100,000 and $1 million in dividends that year. - The Florida Bulldog.
Anyone with a lick of sense would wonder who he is referring to when he mentions Americans. Perhaps he really only means "some" Americans, those who have inherited enough to not have to work at jobs that require paying into Social Security.
Like Rachel Bitecofer said today on Jill Wine-Banks' podcast:
"When Republicans win, you lose."
This has only been true every election since 1932, but it's good that Democrats have finally realized the fact and are using it even if it is almost too late.
Senator Ron Johnson called. He asked if we might have dinner in DC, then NYC when I declined DC. The senator seeks advice, wants to control deficits and shame Democrats. Our founders worried about parties and party politics. The best investors worry about what happened in Germany c. 1922-32 and in ‘29 to ‘38 here. Well they should.
Congress should work with, not against, the president we have. TFG was an unmitigated disaster. WJC was a genius. BHO tried.
President Biden’s approach is fine. But the Fed cannot do it all. We need the House to cooperate. Inflation is not a problem compared with deflation.
Covid-19 caused global economic trouble. We reacted under Biden - just in time. That was good.
President Biden knows how and he would be greatly helped if the House was Democrat by a decent margin.
No. No. RJ is: a Waste of time. Prejudiced, Black hating snob, in love with his blue eyes and white hair, a sad weak white male narcissist legacy brat with no clue.. sucks up to money.. looks down at virtue and intellectuals, looks down at those that work with their hands.. teachers and unions.
President Biden’s approach is healthy. The GOP is destructive. We are the world’s reserve currency and economy. A sound dollar is vital. Deficits are a constant. Ours is reducing. The GOP should close down and reform with help from the Democrats and The Lincoln Project’s founders. Not staff.
The Republican Party is a worse plague than Dengue Fever, Kyasanur Forest Virus, The Machupo Virus, The Crimea-Congo Fever, Junin Virus, Lassa Virus, Bird-Flu Virus, Hanta Virus, Ebola and Marburg Virus rolled all into one. They were bred is some Lab and got loose on our population and they are infecting many people with unhealthy decision making that can lead to death. Biden has his hands full trying to contain this one. On top of that we have Twitter and Tictoc releasing Bot viral warfare from China, Iran and Russia to make the illness of these victims even greater. The corruption in the Republican party is so great and being reported so much that it boggles my mind that people are not bothered by it. It seems instead that the virus has them thinking as long as their super corrupt team wins, it does not matter what the outcome or effects. These same people don't get vaccines or wear masks, so they can be undone by this virus. ---An example of the gross virus is that [In]Justice Thomas is blocking Trump's tax returns from being shown. This is a case for some super hacker to come in and release them to the press! Or better yet, Tweet them. Then we can see how well Elon Musk's censor policy works. In fact, where are these super hackers when you need them? We have a governor in Arizona building a wall of shipping containers to keep Immigrants from entering Arizona illegally, when they wall they are supporting is flimsy. All of this to make a point that he is anti-immigration of non-White people. Where is that wall against Canadians coming to the USA? How about stopping planes from flying into the USA because they are bringing plenty of people who stay here illegally. Doug Ducey gets my V.I. award that is Voll-idiot (pronounced Fuuhl, id-e-oat in German, meaning complete and total idiot) award! I think Chicago, New York and California should start paying for bus fare for people who have Crystal meth addiction to go live in Texas, Florida and Arizona in equal numbers to the immigrants they are sending to us. Also, I think we should keep a tally of who has the most immigrants, because New York outdoes Florida, and at the rate they are going, Illinois will too. California has the most immigrants of all, so for a state like Florida or Texas to send them to California when they have more does not make the point these VI want to make. They all have better climates for people living in tent cities anyway.
Some highly placed IRS executive with a conscience must have the code to open the vault securing trumps tax returns from the general public. We need that person. Now. it’s very very difficult for the Department of Justice to walk away from a clear tax fraud case. Especially when the public has access to the evidence.
How can the Chief Justice over-ride all the other courts - TEMPORARILY? right now? just until the day of the elections? How? No reason is given, that I can see.
I guess that he has decided that he will do crooked things like he has always done until someone stops him. That would require people to vote Democrats into the majority in both the Senate and the House so that they could start to impeach these judges that are violating ethics. We shall see if this country can get to work and fix the problems that are in great need of fixing. I hope so! Justice for Justices would be one of those problems.
I'm curious to know how many Floridians currently collecting social security are paying attention to what Rick Scott and Ron Johnson are proposing.
‘’Old-Age (retirement), Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI)—popularly referred to as Social Security—provides monthly benefits to an eligible worker and family members when the worker elects to start receiving retirement benefits or when the worker dies or becomes disabled. A worker's lifetime covered earnings largely determine the amount of benefits received.’’
4,840,275 Floridians receive OASDI benefits as of 2020.
Source: https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/factsheets/cong_stats/2020/fl.html
Not sure how many of them are paying attention.
If I had a nickel for everytime I heard a senior say , "they won't really do that", I would't have to lay awake at night wondering how I will survive when it will be taken away.
Repubs haven’t been as silent about their plans as Dems have. Unf**kingbelievable
Some of it is not being loud enough. But the other side of the coin is irresponsibility of contemporary journalism. It prefers loud clowns.
Jeri, I completely agree. They have been very clear.
Right. Look what the Stench Bench has already done and is on its way to do again. Take nothing for granted with MAGAt/Fascists at the helm.
Exactly. It's how so many bad things happen... because good people cannot fathom things being taken away that have "always" been, so they dismiss the notion.
Wonder what cutting/eliminating SSN would do to the Florida economy?
Almost 5 million folks that would cut or curtail their spending in local economies around Florida. How will that work for you Scott and Ron?
But how loud and long have Democrats been saying that in Florida?
Very loudly...for 7 years..to rolling eyes and blank stares.
Floridiots
Don’t know. Florida is an enigma.
My guess is that Republican racism is deeply entrenched among white, wealthier retirees. They are trying to hold back a big tide of Latino and Caribbean immigrants, to say nothing of an already significant number of Black people. It's a gut reaction to vote Republican, as in "Hold onto your wealth, they're coming for it." Nothing else matters very much.
P.S. I thought it was strange that post-hurricane news interviews were almost exclusively with white retirees. POC, younger families, who may have suffered more, were overlooked.
The GOP likely won't cut the program altogether or all at once. They'd likely privatize the program in order to feed that money continually to Wall Street. All in the name of allowing citizens to control their own investments. When markets crash Wall Street would be bailed out again and citizens world suffer their losses again.
Yes. It's all about privatization... like the "Medicare Advantage" scams that are signing up thousands of unsuspecting Medicare beneficiaries.
Once the Republicans move OUR social security money over into Wall Street accounts, watch how much their buying of stocks increase. All that inside information PLUS control over our money - just who do you think will benefit? It sure as hell won't be us. It never is when Republicans are in control. Democrats invest in the country and its people. Republican politicians invest in what makes them and their corporate owners wealthier.
Not to mention the fact that we would get that money in our paychecks because we would no longer have to pay into it!!!!
Oh, they'd be after raising the percentage to line their pockets...or their sponsors pockets. I still wish politicians had to wear suits like race car drivers showing just who owns them.
OMG, the visuals! Showing a bunch of other stuff, too 😱
Even if you're right, that extra bump would simply encourage providers to raise their prices, just as has happened with all the stimulus money that's sloshing through the economy. Since most of the means of production are ultimately in the hands of the very wealthy (that's how they got that way), the money that is now either metered out across the population (SSN) or used solely for medical care (Medicare) would instead simply flow upward to the rich, yet again, after getting a brief, one-time use to a month's rent or a week's groceries.
Well, there is some truth to what you say, of course. But part of the problem is scarcity from supply disruptions and shipping difficulties, post Covid. Part is due to the fossil fuel industry and Putin's war. I like to think that the oil oligarchs are suffering death throes and raising their prices because the change to sustainable energy is "handwriting on the wall." Factor in a return to manufacturing in the US, as opposed to China, and a decent salary for those workers, well, there you have reasons for increases. Once again, I am tightening my belt because I want better wages for our workers.
I'm right with you there, I'm very concerned with increasing the stardard of living and security of our working/middle class. But instead of looking only at wages, I'm inclined to look more globally at what our workers receive as a benefits "package." That package not only includes wages and other benefits an employer may give, but also what the worker receives in return for taxes paid to their local, state and federal governments.
Wouldn't it be nice if worker's didn't have to spend so much of their income on insecure, substandard private childcare/schools because their society instead provided top-notch, safe public options for those who want to work and pay taxes? Wouldn't it be lovely if workers knew that, in exhange for their taxes, they didn't have to worry about health problems either impoverishing their families or preventing them from holding a job?
In many respects, I'm in in the rosier situation right now. I happen to live in a relatively wealthy locale that provides safe neighborhoods, my healthcare is covered by Medicare, I have safe and secure utilities, my garbage/sewage is whisked away, and I'm even attending a major public university, all in exchange for cheerfully paying my taxes. With these benefits, I can spend my income on more discretionary items, items that improve my standard of living above survival.
Your social security account is built with BOTH your money and the contributions of your employer. If social security goes away, your employer no longer has to help you build that retirement. If you think that little bit of an increase will benefit you in your old age, ask yourself how likely it is that you will spend it the same month you see it in your paycheck. Then figure out how much there will be available for you when you retire or are unabe to work. Zilch, darlin'. Zilch.
?
And good luck to you if you think you should spend that realized gain in disposable income. Your outlook for discretionary income would suffer
You don't really understand what Social Security is, do you? I am, however, touched by your naive belief that the money that now goes into the SS insurance system would appear on your paycheck.
The five million already on Social Security in Florida? Don’t understand your reply.
They'd need to build free housing and provide food and medical care for the people who collect Social Security and receive Medicare, unless they want to deal with mass deaths all over the country.
Crater it, the same way it would the national economy. Which the fascists will then blame on the rest of us. And their base will believe it. Remember: chaos benefits would-be dictators. It is therefore in their interest to make life for most of us as miserable as possible.
Once you understand this, the entire "Republican" agenda is entirely consistent.
You are on target. The Republicans focus in building the fear, focusing on issues that have been in existence under several administrations of both political parties which they always blame on the Democrats. But the ONE THING the Republicans never do is propose a solution, especially one that costs them as much money as they are committed to have anyone but their corporate donors pay for.
You are on target. The Republicans focus in building the fear, focusing on issues that have been in existence under several administrations of both political parties which they always blame on the Democrats. But the ONE THING the Republicans never do is propose a solution, especially one that costs them as much money as they are committed to have anyone but their corporate donors pay for.
Wil Dems tell, likely not. WTH
Here in Massachusetts we get all the TV ads for New Hampshire, and I can tell you that they’re going after the Republican candidates for the Senate and House (all nutcases) strongly and directly.
Yes we are! I live in NH and do NOT want these wingnuts "representing" us.
I hope you're working to prevent that. This morning I heard a poll, I think from WSJ, that had Bolduc a point ahead of Hassan. VERY hard to believe.
Sure would impact the number of seniors moving to Florida - or being capabale of living there.
I rarely hear a word about it, the blather about democracy being in peril Is drowned out by a 90 decibel chorus of Democrats taking away America’s freedom. This is screamed by the old crones who likely depend on Medicare and SD. Be careful what you wish for, MAGAts
The looming demise of democracy is not "blather."
R Dooley,
Many of them are paying attention to Fox News and some of the older Cubans are listening to AM radio.
So, they are only aware that Biden is Satan and the Democrats are all hellbound.
And who tells them different, only Joe, yesterday…. But will MSM.
Jeri. A lot too late in my opinion.
Exactly
I wish there was a way to jam up the airwaves so no one could get their daily dose of right-wing BS!
Why are the Dems not putting this on billboards in Florida?
They'd be shot full of holes by someone's semi-automatics? Some states are restricting billboards, too. I know our state does, but I don't know about Florida.
Lack of resources? Lack of brains?
When the GOP talking points include the fact that SS will soon be insolvent, it infuriates me. All that would be necessary would be to raise the cap on SS tax so that the very wealthy would have to pay in fairly.
Zero impact on those currently receiving SS. Just like when the retirement age was increased in 1983.
“The 1983 Amendments phased in a gradual increase in the age for collecting full Social Security retirement benefits. The retirement age will increase from 65 to 67 over a 22-year period, with an 11-year hiatus at which the retirement age will remain at 66.”
Except that the plan also calls for stopping benefits at 90. And, of course, forcing Congress to re-authorize it every five years. You might want to look at the actual proposals more carefully. Also you might want to read up on the whole purpose of the SS program. Hint: it's a form of insurance.
Perhaps 40,275. If we are lucky, 440, 275.
How many seniors across the country counting on their social security--and their families who'd be burdened with it!
I'll tell you one thing. Without Social Security I couldn't pay my rent. I am 73 and still working because even with Social Security I need to supplement my income. I don't have family who could help, so I would have to try to get into government housing which, in New York at least, is terrible. Vermin, few repairs, elevators often out of order, etc.
Not where you would want to spend your later years. And that's if you're "lucky" enough to get in!
With Social Security, I can maintain a decent apartment where I have lived 25 years, among a variety of neighbors, many of whom I also know. That is no small thing when you live alone!
Social Security is a godsend! AND we paid for it! Where do thes thieves get off trying to steal it from us?!
You’re right, Cheryl, you and many others would be caught up in this mess. That’s why we have to fight back very very hard to make certain these evildoers don’t bowl us over. My very best to you, to all of all of us!
Amen, sister! We are all in this together ❤️
A Tree Grows In Brooklyn. The Jungle. This was when America was great, right?
If only Dems had been telling this tale, the MSM heard the Republican plans and have been silent as a mouse. Dems fatal mistake. When will “we” learn.
When can we count on journalism again and not media obsession with the clown show that is the republicans. Soooo tired of it.
I am SOOO tired of the sh&t show that is the Republican group/cult. They are comparable to a Mark Burnett reality show. The various ones who are most often in the news, you know the loudmouths I mean, are doing absolutely NOTHING to positively impact the lives of their constituents. They just want attention. Something to consider: since he lost in the primary, Madison Cawthorn has been pretty quiet. When these people have no camera on them constantly, their influence decreases.
Sure is a pleasure not to hear that little kid spout his lis. Now let’s go after Jim Jordan before he goes after us!
Oh yes, Madison. A man without a grift.
Later than we think…
The Dems need to speak up to the Dem Voters. The repubs either lie to their constituents who will lose out or are so wealthy they don’t care if it ends yesterday.
A lot of them unless they are lucky enough to have a retirement plan, an annuity, or something else to help. Before social security many, many seniors lived in abject property. This is so disgraceful for a wealthy country like ours to try to undercut help for those we are supposed to honor: our elders. And then there is all the blather about caring for children which is another lie.
Yes!
SS is not disappearing. It’s too popular in both Red and Blue states. The funding deficit just needs to be sorted out.
It will.
The way the Repubs are gerrymandering and suppressing the vote, they don't need to care about the popularity of SS because voters will have no power to stop them. THAT'S the problem!
Seniors in Florida and throughout US need to know what Rick Scott ( the wealthiest member of Congress) and Rubio are proposing.” It will never happen” some seniors say. My response…..”And I thought it would never happen that a victim of rape who has an abortion could be charged with felony murder.”
Or that a deranged criminal would occupy the WH and lead an attempted coup to overthrow a presidential election!
...and let's not forget that Rick Scott was CEO ofColumbia/HCA, which was fined $1.7 Billion for Medicare fraud. Why would we ever trust him regarding money?
Rick Scott = Skeletor
On this little red island near the Georgia line, Republicans continually state that everyone misunderstands what these proposals by the Right really mean. I can point out all day that Their Social Security checks will end, but they say it isn't true, that only the next generation won't get their SS payments. Somehow, they think it makes it ok if someone else loses the monies they paid most of their lives.
I truly do not understand the mindset of "it's ok as long as it happens to someone else," but do they ever scream when they perceive a threat to their guns!
So sad that people can be so short-sighted and blind to justice for others.😪
Peoples' interests and values are interesting. They are information. It is likely we are too polarized right now to hear each other. Surely these people care about the future? But, as conservatives, they may think only the past matters. Hard to speak for them.
Fox News doesn’t report that, so none of them know
Not many, Daria. That would assume that republican voters possess free thought.
But they sure know how to spread lies, just come to the assisted living dining hall.
I think our problem is the paying of attention to staying alive. For those who are not older, Social Security and Medicare do not exist yet. They may have older family and friends, but are these people's food, medicine, or home security of importance to them? Do the young make enough money to take care of elders when the time comes? Have those elders made enough money in their lifetimes to do without Social Security or Medicare? In our money-obsessed society, we should have done so or whatever happens to us afterward is considered okay. I have met people who truly believe this. These are the people we have to address and we have to assume we won't convince all of them with respect to voting Demo in 2022, but we might get through to enough of them to keep the House and Senate.
Or in any other state! That's why it's so important for Biden to say this!
Every Dem candidate in EVERY state should be shouting this from the rooftops!
Those who inherited enough wealth to retire to Floridah, never paid into Social Security, so they won't miss to those few pennies.
1 out of 10 of my acquaintances.
I pointed out Scott’s plan to a republican on social security and I was told that they won’t really do that because it’s too popular. How do you fight that? 🤯
Johnelle, Unbelievable as it is, you simply can't fight that depth of brainwashing.
Like Roe V Wade was too popular?
Our rights can disappear in moments of we're not watching, and it's obvious those in charge won't step up to defend our citizens from power plays.
I'm very grateful for our current president and the safeguards set up to keep him from overstepping, but we are paying for it in the inability to shut down a poisoned well.
Zip
Yeah really - makes you go "hmmmm".
Well, it's odd to me that republican politicians in Florida and states with high senior populations would dedicate themselves to killing the monthly income of a fair number of their senior population. It makes no sense.
The professor writes about it but read the mudsill speech by Sen John Hammond 3 months before the "house divided" speech as not only the basis for slavery but why they can cajole people to vote against not just self interest but their own good.
Hi Daria! Yes, that boggles my mind too! Talk about people who live with blinders on...
I’m also curious if Democrats have ever have a solution to funding SS that doesn’t include raising taxes on people.
Cutting expenses, perhaps?
Adjusting the retirement age over 20, or so, years?
Tax and spend. Tax and spend.
Surely there must be ideas other than more taxes
SS is financed via dedicated payroll taxes not via a general federal tax pool.
https://www.ssa.gov/news/press/factsheets/HowAreSocialSecurity.htm#:~:text=Social%20Security%20is%20financed%20through,self%2Demployed%20pay%2012.4%20percent
Payroll tax, General tax, sales tax.
A tax is a tax no matter what you call the tax.
Today, the Social Security and Medicare Trustees released their annual reports on the long-term financial state of the Social Security and Medicare programs. The latest Social Security projections show the program is quickly headed toward insolvency and highlight the need for trust fund solutions sooner rather than later to prevent across-the-board benefit cuts or abrupt changes to tax or benefit levels. The Social Security Trustees found:
Social Security is only 13 years from insolvency. Social Security cannot currently guarantee full benefits to current retirees. The Trustees project the Social Security Old-Age & Survivors Insurance (OASI) trust fund will deplete its reserves by 2034. And though the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) trust fund is in strong financial shape, the theoretically combined trust funds will exhaust their reserves by 2035, when today’s 54-year-olds reach the full retirement age and today’s youngest retirees turn 75. Upon insolvency, all beneficiaries will face a 20 percent across-the-board benefit cut.
https://www.crfb.org/papers/analysis-2022-social-security-trustees-report
Higher SS taxes or reduced benefits or delayed retirement. Those are the choices.
Which do Democrats prefer?
Pay back the 3 trillion they skimmed from the fund for the last 40 years
Exactly.
When Democrats like Clinton and Obama controlled it all, what did they do to shore up SS?
Nothing. That’s what they did.
Nothing.
Now a solution has been defaulted to the Republicans.
Inaction is an action. Shame on the Democrats.
Raise the cap on contributions. Why should the best paid people pay what is effectively a lower rate of SSDI tax than those with smaller paychecks? Why not have everyone pay into the fund at the same percentage of their pay?
Agreed, Carol. So many Americans, who pay into the SS system the entire year ,aren’t even aware the cap exists.
Why didn’t Clinton or Obama or Biden think of that?
Personally, I'd prefer some honest arguments. For example: "legislators could close three-quarters of the long-term deficit by immediately abolishing the maximum taxable wage base (currently $147,000), thus subjecting all wages to taxation. Or they could raise the full retirement age to 68. This would close one-seventh of the long-term actuarial deficit.
Legislators could also change the way benefits are adjusted for inflation. They are currently adjusted with the consumer price index. Some economists think this index overstates inflation. They suggest using an alternative index called the chained price index. If you switch to that index, you would solve one-fifth of the long-term deficit."
https://www.princeton.edu/news/2022/05/02/how-fix-social-security-its-political-it-can-be-done Prof. Arnold acknowledges the problem but understands that their are solutions that don't fit your excluded middle fallacy.
But that wouldn't suit your agenda, I imagine. Just as honestly describing the actual "Republican" proposals would not suit it.
What do you prefer?
Extend the retirement age for a few more years.
Seems like the least painful and politically achievable way to go.
If there were no such thing as age discrimination in hiring, more people would agree with you. The laws against it do not really work. Fifty is too old in many fields. Forty is pretty old in tech.
We are always talking about pain. In the abstract. For other people.
Except that this has already been repeatedly done. And, in any case, "Republicans" are being remarkably vague about what, exactly, they intend to do. Various members of The Party at various levels have floated everything from privatization to tax increases to benefit cuts to shutting off benefits entirely after age 90 to forcing a reauthorization every five years. Mostly the "Republicans" who would actually be responsible for drafting any legislation prefer not to talk about what, exactly, they would do.
Which is the same tactic they used with health care. Attack everything the Democrats propose but make no concrete proposals of their own. Unless, of course, you include "cut taxes for the rich," which is their solution for everything.
I agree with Carol below, and while extending the retirement age sounds like a good plan, what happens to those who are unable to work that long? At 66, I am retired but I have a handful of friends who were forced to retire early due to illness. We currently have a male friend, engineer, who lost his job due to restructuring. He is 65 and needs to work another year and a half. What do you think his chances of locating a job are? I have another friend, female upper=management who lost her VP position at 62. Went on interview after interview, never got another offer, but at least was able to support herself with her savings until she could collect.
Even in his early 50s, when my husband lost his middle management job, he faced age discrimination. It was infuriating as he had a dozen/15 years to go, and in many positions people jump jobs after about 3-5 years! So why did his age matter?
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/15/what-democrats-call-for-social-security-reform-means-for-benefits.html
Simple solution to strengthen SS. Tax all wages, not just first $137,700 !
Here’s a solution that doesn’t include paying taxes
SS at age 65 was based on actuarial charts. People didn’t live to be 77 years old
The money taxed paid for the system (before the government “borrowed huge sums). The problem is not taxes, its longevity. You should demand people die sooner. Problem solved. Volunteers?
Since "Republicans" are also attacking programs that provide health care for us seniors (like Medicare and Medicaid), I'd say they have the "die sooner" part figured out as well.
Only if i could afford to be placed in a cryonics tank and come back as Superwoman to bash some Pro-Rape Party’s heads in!
It is illegal to die by any means but natural cell death on this planet at this time. Fix that so people can leave when they are ready. That can help. Some people will leave when or before they are 65. But, if you want society to help you out regardless of your age or amount of medical expenses, like now, you are stuck. It is imperative to realize medical expenses for people go up around the age of 65. Way up. That extra longevity is expensive for everyone. As long as we fight death like we fight wars, drugs, or crime, we are on our own as a species and we will pay for it. Stop taking money from SS by the government. That can help. Let people say no to SS taxes. They are on their own. That can help.
In Colorado, dead people can now be turned into compost.
Human compost just can’t be used to grow veggies. The organic food crowd insisted on that exclusive.
I didn't mention how we should dispose of a human body. There are many ways. I did have to look up using a human body as compost. It apparently depends on the extraneous chemicals in the body due to medical treatments: https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/now-you-can-compost-human-bodies-too. Some people are for this some against, as one might expect of such a complicated process.
Whew, ooookay
Soylent Green?
Not a bit. We all die. How do we wish to be sent back to where ever it is we come from? We can choose in these United States.
Here’s what I want for myself. Yes, I would be able to nurture the soil and have a tree planted on top of me! I have already informed my daughters of this.
https://8billiontrees.com/eco-friendly-natural-products/tree-pod-burial/
That is great. You have planned and communicated well.
Thanks! I really think this will be a great way to cut ridiculous costs for coffins and ceremonies.
Taxes make people uncomfortable. They are an expense that funds society, and there is no way out of that. You can increase expenses on the individual, make them smaller, or cut them out altogether. As a buyer, which is what I am as a voter and US citizen who pays taxes, I want bang for my buck. Most of us who think about the expense end of life think that way. We have no choice really. We can ask what we get for our buck with respect to all taxes, and Social Security and Medicare in particular. There are payroll taxes we are liable for (as is our employer) with respect to these two taxes. Now we hit the wall of planning for the future. If we believe we make enough money to finance our lives after we retire, can we forgo SS and/or Medicare taxes up front from the time we start working until we retire? This assumes it is possible to control employment, and living and healthcare expenses over our lifetime, and if we don't, it is entirely our fault. This may be true or not. Should society chip in through taxes, expenses up front, to hedge our bets against the vagaries of chance during our lives? Some of us have already said yes to this via taxes. Some of us have said no. Do we have the option of saying no, and should we? I believe we should be able to say no up front and that is something to work for. The question does remain in terms of what we do with people who are older or injured but haven't got the money to pay for either and they haven't paid taxes on these issues up front. Should society help them out? Some of us say yes, some say no and that affects everyone's expenses (if they pay taxes...some don't). However, unless we get rid of all taxes and what they pay for, we will have to deal with the question of individual expenses as operationalized through taxes.
Teresa, you make some good points but I would take it a notch further. If you open the possibility of "opting out" on social welfare programs, I would propose that the non-welfare tax-paying-citizen extract herself from every benefit afforded by living in a communal environment. My god this would include giving up your car, your access to relatively affordable food, electricity, health care .... the list goes on.... unless your roll of the dice yielded sufficient wealth when you reach your dotage to pay for these luxuries in spades. Looking back on your own life, would you have had the wisdom to make such a decision when you were twenty? And if, at forty or fifty, it had become clear that wealth was not in the cards for you, would you have had the heart to keep your shoulder to the wheel?
I was only talking about social security and Medicare taxes. But, if you talk about all taxes, that is a huge matter. That means you opt out of everything taxes pay for, and as you note, that is quite a lot. I don't think that could be done realistically, and actually I am for taxes because of what they provide to us all. I agree with you that the wisdom to understand our lives when we are twenty is likely not there, especially since neuroscience shows we don't finish growing our brains into our frontal lobes until the mid or late twenties. I mention the vagaries of chance because I am a person who doesn't believe we can foresee everything, hence social security and Medicare. All other taxes for the good of all seem important to me because the good of all matters to me. Does it matter to every voter? Hard to say. I am not sure it does, but we do ask all to care. Since we are all in this life together, it seems reasonable to care in general.
Jon Stewart questioned people in a Scandinavian country where they pay way more taxes than Americans, but they seemed more satisfied with quality health care, sick leave, childcare, education and other services their tax dollars helped make their quality of life better.
The republicans began pillaging the fund thanks to reagan and so far they have take more than 3 trillion dollars of the $$ not needed for current costs
That is interesting information.
Of course. Borrow and spend. Borrow and spend. I forget which Republican said deficits don’t matter, and left them for a Democratic president to deal with, which he did.
That is true.
The WashPost says this story about ending SS is a hoax:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/09/27/false-claim-that-senate-republicans-plan-end-social-security-medicare/
Actually, no, that's not what the article says. It merely says that there is no proposed plan by the "Republican" Party to terminate SS and Medicare, at least in those words (although some prominent party members have already said as much). Partly because "Republican" leadership refuses, as usual, to offer a specific legislative agenda on anything at all, preferring to concentrate on lying about Democrats and whipping up the faithful into a frenzy about transsexuals, drag shows, "Critical Race Theory" (which translates as "admitting racism and slavery were bad") and, of course, crime. Except for the crimes they commit, of course, as we just saw in the case of Pelosi's husband.
The Party has not has a presidential platform in years. They refuse to set forth an agenda so they can use plausible deniability articles like the one you cited. They are not interested in solutions to any of the problems we face, only in exacerbating them and exploiting them to get and keep power.
Not enough.
Don't forget Rubio's "proposal".
Been reading HCR almost since the inception, and never commented before... what could I add after all, to her sterling scholarship, but considering the importance of this new month...
I must say, although I am sure you are all lovely people, and finding a group of like minded souls who share both my bottomless love for this country as well as an abiding anxiety over the current precarious state of affairs is refreshing...
I must say I so rarely read the comments. There is simply so much - too much - catastrophizing, especially over the last few days. Hey, no judgement, I do it too; it's the downside to being a person who cares a lot about things that actually matter.
I have a suspicion that I, at 27, am a bit younger than the median reader of this newsletter. I mention it only because this is the point at which a youthful perspective might be valuable. It seems to me that many readers seem to have spent the post-'16 years undergoing a sort of continuous processing of trauma, experiencing an essential sense of safety and assurance ripped away and a deep injury inflicted. For someone of my age, though, this sense of assurance - the experience of America as a continuously improving and prosperous superpower, the experience of an expectation of comfort in the future, the assumption that the neighbors around you are fundamentally caring - all of this couldn't be ripped away because it never was there to begin with.
From kindergarten on, we have lived in the shadow of terrorism, from middle school on the stark reality of the housing crash, from high school on the age of information overload and the creeping knowledge of a burning atmosphere. All of those years marked by at least one instance of some screen blaring something for a few days reminding you you were lucky to not be shot before you got home like those kids in that other state, only to be interrupted by overhearing a comment that the real problem with the kids today is they can't get off those darn screens.
But here's the thing. We aren't bemoaning how the forces of evil are encroaching again, to leave a certainly doomed planet to our children. We are those children. We are alive for a while yet, and I'll be damned if the rest of my days will be lived on a dying planet surrounded by encroaching forces of evil. It is not an acceptable outcome for my life. It isn't something I asked for or deserved. It isn't something I will let happen.
Don't apologize to me for how the world was messed up by the time I showed up on the scene. Help me un-mess it, please. Don't proclaim how my generation and the one after are so impressive and will help save us all. Help us save us. Now, please.
Look, next week's elections could equally and plausibly cover a range of outcomes from total catastrophe to total triumph (For Democrats, that is. I'm assuming you all are Democratically-minded). Anyone who says they know what will happen is lying or clueless. There has simply never been a midterm where *both* parties were engaged to such a high degree. That poll aggregate that shows us down by 0.9%? Don't despair, for it is truly useless... polls are always off slightly, and that's way within any margin of error. We could lose even bigger, or end up flipping the script enitrely. That aggregate that said we were up by 0.8%? Don't be cheerful, same thing applies. Early voting and special elections are making us look on the good side of all right. Election Day could wash it away or build upon it further. You can be an optimist or a pessimist; but how you position yourself on that spectrum won't change the outcome, whatever it is.
If the neo-fascists creep close to the door again because the idiotic dandelions that pass themselves off as "independents" can't elevate human rights for one second over grumpiness about egg prices, that's not going to stop me from getting the future I need and deserve. A setback, no matter how severe, is not the apocalypse. This country isn't over, because I need to live here for awhile and I refuse for that to happen.
And if the newly awakened and activated post-'16 liberal cohort manages to drag this great government of ours across the finish line by force of will, that's not going to get me to rest. A victory, no matter how heartening, is not the end of the movie. We are never out of the woods, and there is work for us yet regardless.
All right, I'm done. Gotta get rest before my Christy Smith phonebank. G'night all.
Will, I hear you. I've been surrounded by young people all my life (I've been a history professor for close to 40 years) and I spend a lot of time navigating the shifting emotional sands of people aged 18 to 40. And most of my colleagues these days are also in the under-55 age group and I know that their experiences are very different from mine. It might seem that this comments portion of HCR's page is merely a whingefest but it isn't. Lots of information passes through this page on a daily basis. I agree: we are all anxious but that is because those of us of a certain age lived through the Nixon years and we fear that what the Ghastly Oligarch Party has in store is going to make that era look like a universal love-in. In addition, those of us whose parents lived through the Great Depression and WW2 are reliving some of the trauma and anxiety our parents and grandparents experienced as we see the forces of fascism gain energy here. I don't believe that history is cyclical, but I do believe that humans have a tendency to seek extremes rather than the middle--because the middle requires a lot of deep thought, empathy, and a willingness to feel uncomfortable. Humanity is not engineered to be amenable to those three things without a lot of training and experience.
I stole your last 2 sentences to post elsewhere - on point!
Thank you for jumping into the comments section today! Please continue to add your voice and perspective in the future. I think many of us here on the comments section have had the privilege to live through an era of history when we could somewhat believe the USA would bend that Arc of Justice towards Freedom kinda on momentum from the 1960’s fights. So the last seven years have ripped the rose colored glasses off. Your perspective today really gives me a lift. And your involvement heartens me. Come Nov 9, we roll out of bed and continue the fight in whatever form it needs us to take.
Well done. I was 27 once too. You have leadership potential. Use it. As you have pointed out, correctly, most of us on this blog are aged out for war. We’ll be the old people tramping down the street with a haversack holding the last of our belongings. You and your generation will be in the trenches. We believe in you. Please don’t abandon us at the side of the road. and may God Speed you in The fight ahead.
Well said! I think I can say that most of the commenters here do not simply write to wring our hands but also put our collective shoulders to the wheel to push as much as we each can, whether with donations, post-card writing, phone-banking, door-to-door canvassing and as poll workers.
I'm a 77-year old Bubby with six teenage grandkids. I worry incessantly about the world I'll leave them. I'm trying to do everything I can to make it better for them. I hear you!
Thank you for checking in from the "other end of the age spectrum". My nephew is 33, and in your cohort. It was from him that I first heard "eat the rich". I am learning why that is a thing in watching the political stage. His comment "I cannot lose that which I never had" rings so true for me.
Thanks for your perspective!
Good luck with Christy Smith - she is terrific!
Will, thank you. I hope to hear more from you. You are probably right. The election is over, the minds are made up, and the cast-counting is all that awaits. I think your point to us (I'm on the other end of the age spectrum) is "what are we going to do, regardless of the counting? The time is to move on, to achieve what we are bemoaning and supporting each other over." I'm guilty of doing that. What do you want or see we must do to straighten out the mess we are leaving to you while telling you you sure can fix it? I'm asking because all the letter writing, talking, the career choices we made, the energy and lessons we share don't seem to have slowed what seems an inexorable curves of decline in the quality of this planet and the options open to your generation. How can we help you, for surely, your generation will be engaged in a fight for life, the planet, justice, and future. Your thoughts?
Will, I needed to read your words!! Thank you! You’re a star!
Same here, Rowshan!
Thanks for your thoughtful post. I hope you’ll come back often!
Wow, set us straight, youth of the country. As Churchill said (I paraphrase). Yes, I’m an optimist, what good is it to be anything else. Been a closet optimist, I’m afraid. Dems are a challenge, but the time is now.
Why don’t 27 year olds vote?
I kinda think Will does. And that he will/does encourage his cohorts to, too.
Love your youthful, determined perspective! It’s good to know you’re out there workin’ the lines! God Speed!
The best line of this "don't apologize". My children are your peers, and the absolute worst thing I could do is leave the world in worse shape than I found it. My parents were survivors of the Great Depression, my grandparents became adults during WWI, and they all grew up with the attitude that it is each generation's responsibility to improve the world we leave to our children, not just monetarily but in all ways. Fix pollution, help the needy, clothe the naked. Treat the Earth as our home and our children's home, and our children's children, through the future generations. I wish more people believed that and most importantly, acted on it.
Please keep talking to all of us, Will. We needed to know there are people like you.
I am another who wants to thank you for your comments here. What else can we do to help those of your age and understanding write the next scenes in this movie?
Republican hypocrisy is as infinite as the stars above. They want to cut financial benefits that the vast majority of American want and depend on, all in the name of taming the debt. Yet they're the ones who run up the debt when in power by cutting taxes for the rich, and then Democrats always reduce it - just as the Biden administration has done.
With so much noise and conflicting signals now, a week from Election Day, will the Democrats' powerful economic message break through? It absolutely must.
Fifty-plus years of draining funds from public education combined with eliminating the fairness doctrine have taken their toll. Modern Republicans/Oligarchs have strived to make their subjects (everyone but wealthy, mostly white, landowners) dumber. They have succeeded. Just look at who they managed to elect as POTUS in 2016!
I think tfg was "installed", not elected. He lost the popular vote. Check out who installed bannon, conway and manafort as soon as the re-thugs realized trump could actually destroy democracy for them with his ability to lie. Funding by, conspiratorial monies, such as that of robert and rebekah mercer. Cambridge analytica wealth added to and used by russia, for one, to data mine, troll and brainwash the vulnerables. Middle East terrorists are laughing at how easy this was to destroy our democracy without bombs, but using American home grown terrorists and the internet, tv, the pandemic and fascist rallies by a reality tv celebrity, fake-haired, fake tanned twit and propaganda machines with very clear targets.
You’re correct, Pensa. He was installed by Putin who more than likely educated himself about US Civil War tactics and, of course, Hitler. He planted agents here to disrupt our country and boy, did he do w good job or what??
I think you’re right!
No, he was elected, just not by a majority of citizens. The Electoral College system is what put that pathetic creature in office for four years. Unlike the "Republicans," the rest of us can accept the fact that his election was legal. When Clinton lost we were mightily mad, but we didn't spend the next three years (so far) denying that she lost and that there was widespread election fraud. We didn't hire crackpot lawyers to create a load of fake "evidence" which was immediately thrown out of court. And Obama didn't spend his last months in office trying to coerce state political leadership to fake vote totals and commit other acts of fraud.
Oh, yeah: he also didn't send an army of goons to trash the Capitol.
Now, how much hostile foreign powers like Russia helped get him those electoral votes is another matter.
Okay, more eloquently accurate in how we allowed and conceded like normal democracies. Nothing normal about thuglicans and elections nowadays. Well stated, Stephen!
I think it will "get through" Michael, as most SSA recepients are now acutely aware of SSA's coming cost-of-living-increase (COLA) timely determined last month to be coming in around 8.7%.
But will they know where it comes from, and that the program is at risk. Nah. Fox won’t tell…
Or worse, give credit to the RepubliQans.
Ugh
Showing my ignorance, but I can’t figure out why corporations continue to fund the republicans. If financial resources are taken away from millions of people, or costs added by medical services and medicines no longer covered with the elimination (or even reduction) of Social Security and Medicare, who will buy their products and services? What good will tax breaks do them if there’s no revenue? If there are economists in the room, can you explain to me?
You have too many critical thinking skills, DE! I applaud your thoughts! No taxes and that corporations have the rights of citizens is why. They only think in short term profits. We can destroy them, if we choose to. Boycott.
Particularly the products advertised on the twiting bird. Musk is sharply aware of the building backlash against him. Elon is market testing monthly "Blue Check" fees ... how about $20/MONTH? No? How about $8? $5? OK, make it a donation for the care of a maniacal, malignant narcissist, richest man in the World. 'Fxxx Off' said 2 major Twitter users.
I will not pay for free speech!
DE, I’m not an economist but this could help explain. The wealthy will continue to buy more…
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/01/business/economy/fed-rates-company-earnings.html?unlocked_article_code=oYRPYnzr6RSDAZnkjUAzk8qqcWkb5wf-DMgODah8Qr1s5voe9lPEQ5vBrpVkldVb5b5KHnWNL31Lqv1gJbJPGCzUGAyschllnd9FOSpDJhNRXBYNScDTwSuiL6jqidkf7g7iyzo6QgItvAVNrRbBPmPp0Gq0tf1x9FJoC2agvKBhIVYUwf--K1PAxmOx2JNeYjm11VNh2cXltHa6WsNTjTFZ1lJV34OllmLZDa0Pac7wZTKy_zcEJeWh3tMYemiFC15Yn6eP2MtdopzXRVR8N0O6UPgBdOgI_F4zDWPYAfWQesijKiMqx1f6MCYA9LxBmgBtxL3ZAD6KjtM9H3d2Ww-kuBLmqdlD-dRnSYw&smid=share-url
Thank you Kathy good article that demonstrates a multitude of macro & micro Econ matters. I am definitely not a fan of the Citigroup CEO nor American Express corp policies. More valuable to me is the Hilton & McDonalds data with vast exposure to worldwide economic conditions. Wyndham & Jet Blue are closely connected to USA conditions. As a hopefully alert consumer, I monitor seasonal markets like Honeycrisp & Fuji apples seasonally down to 1.99/lb. On gas I purchase from a massive whosale buyer in CA with up to $1 OFF per gallon in "Grocery Rewards" with another 3% OFF using my BofA card which I pay as I buy. Local micromarket farm growers a very good deal as well. Happy inflation fighting.
Yesterday I went to buy gas at a station from my grocery rewards. It was $.50 higher than the station around the corner. I really detest these companies.
Can be infuriating; but, my big grocer in CA (Safeway) has a massive fleet of trucks located just off Interstate 5 for distribution in all directions. Safeway makes huge gasoline purchases which gets them a below retail price for gas, then I use the "Reward" duscount up to a dollar, then my 3% card discount. I still support neighborhood markets for fresh greens & fruits. :)
Thanks for the article, Kathy. Just can’t wait to hear my kids complain even more so about how they can’t afford anything. Hell, I am feeling that pinch too! The wealthy will always survive while “normal” folks try to find ways to be creative to live and thrive.
Thx! (darn thing wouldn’t let me like)
There is a Professor, PK, at the NYT.
Dems are to blame if it doesn’t. I have been waiting, and waiting, and waiting. They blather about everything else when the republicans gave them an issue they could win on. WTH
The Republicans either don't understand how Social Security and Medicare are funded, or they are deliberately misrepresenting the truth. Senator RoJo (Ron Johnson) was on a Sunday morning talk show years ago, with economist Paul Krugman and others. RoJo insisted that US Treasury instruments are not worth the paper they are printed on. Krugman's jaw dropped. He offered an articulate rebuttal but RoJo would not back down and was vehement in his insistence that US Treasury bonds are worthless. The "Full Ron Johnson" was on display then, and he continues to display his ignorance at every opportunity. People who understand how the system works, such as Robert Reich, argue that Social Security and Medicare can be fully funded far into the future by an act of Congress. If anything, it would help a great many people if the Social Security "stipend" would be increased, and the age of eligibility for Medicare were lowered significantly. SS and Medicare were created as non-discretionary budget items for good reasons: so that politicians such as RoJo and his ilk could not easily dismantle the system when the discretionary budget is debated periodically. RoJo lies easily and often; or else he's just ignorant.
“The Republicans either don't understand how Social Security and Medicare are funded, or they are deliberately misrepresenting the truth.” It’s the latter. I used to think RJ was too dumb to tie his shoes, but now I think he understands that there is no penalty for telling the stupidest lies as long as they appeal to the conservative base who only want to vandalize all things liberal.
"...there is no penalty for telling the stupidest lies as long as they appeal to the conservative base..." I agree. I try to be polite in my public utterances. RoJo is worse than useless. We have a smart progressive candidate running against him -- if there is any justice in this world, our guy will beat rojo.
He's dumber than a rock. Actually, that's an insult to rocks.
Learned long ago (working at jr. High, actually) that smart can also be stupid. Smart can be a splinter skill, while stupid seems to be a general trait. Wish it were the reverse..
Oh yeah, exactly true.
Indeed. I know some magnificent rocks, but none of them has any capacity for thought, critical or otherwise.
Or it is you who don't have the capacity to listen to their deep wisdom. They say only one syllable in a hundred years.
And they accuse President Biden of not being vocal enough..! Well, I'm not a hundred yet, and I love those rocks. I can wait.
I accuse him of being late. A dangerous failing. One all Dems share.
Only good for decoration, I know them well and love to look at them. But conversation, not so much.
"The Republicans either don't understand how Social Security and Medicare are funded, or they are deliberately misrepresenting the truth."
Ummm.......door number 2??
DELIBERATELY MISREPRESENTING THE TRUTH
And then straight to room 101.
The lies are meant to hide his ignorance from the ignorant.
I would certainly not go head to head trying to discredit Paul Krugman. Think of the future without these supports from government and consider all who are suffering from long-covid, especially the young people and what their needs will be in the future. Rojo can't think beyond his nose. We have paid into the system all our working lives, for social security, and it is not for the GOP to remove it. Though they will certainly try.
And they will, come Jan if they have the power.
We wonder what they think will happen if the maga crowd succeeds in dismantling Social Security and Medicare. As our American Bard wrote, "When you've got nothing, you've got nothing to lose." If they made it effective immediately, then a large number of people would be left with nothing. Chaos would surely ensue.
Rojo needs to do some time in the Pokey. Hopefully he’ll get some consideration on the fitment of the orange jumpsuit, given his high standing in society.
When they fit little donny johnny with his orange coveralls will he be allowed a girdle?
I also think Biden should make a point of talking about long-covid and the future needs of younger people, the children of some of the MAGA crowd. Do you think it would make a difference???
Joanna it may have made a difference if he hadn't waited until this late to say something substantial.
Exactly
Once upon a time, the media covered most of a president’s public statements. Lately they seem to minimize our current president and prioritize the voice of the former president.
Where are the journalists asking for details of the Republican plan to beat inflation? Would it show liberal bias to inquire just what they would do about inflation besides complain and pin it on Biden?
Spot on!!
Republicans understand, that’s why their lies work so well. And the sheep BAA
More than ignorant ... yes, stupid but, looking for the appropriate Orwellian adjective or November 2022 metaphor.
Deliberately ignorant, stupid, and Machiavellian
Both, I imagine.
“Today, in front of an audience in Florida, Biden read directly from Scott’s plan to sunset laws, quoted Johnson’s plan to make Social Security discretionary, and said ‘Who in the hell do they think they are?’”
Hear, hear!!!! Who DO they think they are?
Morning, Rowshan! If I were writing his speeches, after reading the R plan, I would say to the audience words to the effect of "You are being asked to choose between direct payments from Social Security that you have already earned or money going to corporations where you more than likely will not see an economic reward. Look, folks, I know you all are too smart to fall for that!"
Or, more plain speak: "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. You can choose to vote for a Democrat who will defend your earned Social Security and Medicare benefits or rely on the kindness of corporations who will surely reward their shareholders instead when the Republican agenda awards them tax cuts."
And the shareholders will share with you, hahahaha
More like “Keepholders”! Ha!
But they aren’t, propaganda has them “cultified.”
Morning, Lynell! You should apply to become one of his speech writers!! Rs need to know what’s what and not fall for lies and campaign jargon!
They think they are "special", as royalty refers to itself, and don't have to pay for anything..They think the world owes them a living just because they grace our planet.
How sad!
Go Joe, late but hope somebody listens.
And another thing! SIMPLY, REPETETIVELY remind EVERYONE you know over the next few days of these few fun facts about the economy and cost of living (obviously the most important thing in all the world all the time), and **INSIST** that they SIMPLY, REPETITIVELY tell everyone THEY know about these few fun facts:
Under Democrats:
1) The GDP - the entire economy of America - grew last quarter, and grew big. We can measure this. Feelings aren't facts. Saying we have a recession coming now is like saying you need bigger pants because you lost weight... it's the opposite of how numbers work.
2) We have the most jobs added in over half a century - over 10 million.
3) Wage growth is the highest in decades. - America got a 7% raise.
4) A record number of small business openings and applications (reminder: how many closed in 2020 forever)
5) We have LOWER inflation for four months straight.
6) Inflation is a problem around the world, and ours is LOWER than most major countries. Conservative-led Britain might not get through the winter.
7) The Inflation Reduction Act lowered drug costs and saves families hundreds to thousands a year in healthcare costs.
8) The Inflation Reduction Act saves families hundreds to thousands a year in utility costs.
9) Gas prices are down almost a dollar and a half since summer.
10) The national deficit has been cut by ~1.5 TRILLION dollars.
11) The dollar is the strongest around the world in years.
12) Billions in manufacturing has already - finally - come back to America.
13) The stock market is 2000 points higher.
14) Homes are worth more across the country.
15) Savings accounts are fuller.
16) Child poverty was cut in half.
17) All this while not a penny in taxes raised on those making under $400k.
18) Most importantly, EVERY SINGLE ONE of these things received NOT A SINGLE Republican vote. We want to stop big corporations price gouging to pay for universal pre-K, affordable childcare, paid leave, and more. They want to slash Social Security and default on our debt. If you ACTUALLY care about prices and the economy, put up or shut up. Vote Democrat.
So, so done with people critiquing the Democrat's messaging, and the hand-wringing over whether any of the higher-ups have failed to discover the correct magic words delivered at the right time and frequency to make a sufficient number of stupid people un-stupid in order to save us all. What are they supposed to do, use a crystal ball to connect with those three magic counties in Ohio and Nebraska and send a deeper understanding of economics to them through mind control or something?
That's OUR job. Saving democracy is OUR job. Biden and Obama help us out, not the other way around. People vote on the info they have. It's just that they stumble across info rather than actually search it out to see if it's correct. Frustrating, I know. SO LET US HELP.
Comment if y'all actually shared this with someone. I'm serious. I'm-a post this every damn day.
No hand-wringing. Just REPEAT SIMPLE FACTS. To EVERYONE.
I've got about half the list you've shared here, I shall add the rest.
I am either young old or old young (64) and a retired cop. Many of the people that I have in my "circle" are current or retired cops. I will continue to bludgeon them with the facts herein listed. I will either succeed or kill them with information that makes their heads explode.
I forwarded "Under the Democrats" to some newspaper comment sections (some editing) and added:
UNDER THE REPUBLICANS
1) Block all legislation/policies of a democratic majority.
2) A political party with no policies or ability to govern.
3) Decrease taxes on wealthy and corporations. No, "trickle down" does not work and is not a viable economic plan.
4) Criminalize women’s health choices.
5) Propose slashing Social Security and every safety net/social service program.
6) Constantly putting the country at risk for defaulting on our debt.
7) Cult following of a criminal mad man.
8) Some of the most vile and inept people running for Congress.
9) Some of the most vile and inept people to serve on the Supreme Court
10) Support of a violent attempt to overthrow the U.S. government - complicit in their silence.
👏👏👏👏 Will, from Cal. Once you started, you gushed. I knew we were in the good hands of the ‘young-uns’ as my MIL called ‘em.
“Ask NOT what your country can do for You, ask what YOU CAN DO for YOUR country!”
And this is a good list to start with. Thank you, Will, from Cal.
You are the age of my first 2nd-grade class, public school. I would hazard a guess that a few teachers in your audience have an extra beat in their heart and spring in their step to see the fruits of our collective efforts at work.
P.S. Just sent this to LA Times, crediting you, of course.
Well said Will, from Cal !!
Couldn't agree more!
Write on, Will!
Done on FB, Will. Headed over to Twitter now.
Exactly 👊🏻
"that it is important to continue cutting taxes on the wealthy in order to free up capital for them to reinvest in the economy. This has been Republicans’ argument since 1980, but it has never produced either the economic growth or the tax revenue its supporters promised."
Billionaires got way, way richer and own a far greater portions of all of America's assets than ever before. Are workers and consumers more secure than before 1980? Are average American's better off for all the mergers, "downsizing" of staff, offshoring, "gig" hiring, and extinction of defined benefit pensions that have characterized our society since. Are schools better funded? Higher education more affordable? Do our alabaster cities and their infrastructure gleam as never before? It's been some great decades for billionaires, but where is the evidence that this has been benefiting us? Stock buybacks are great if you own a lot of that stock; but what if you don't? What did Main Street get out of this perseverating "GOP" formula?
And the homeless population keeps growing thanks to the ridiculous trickle down economics that began with Reagan.
I don't think he was the first to think of it as it kind of reminds me of how lords of huge estates assured themselves that they were the indispensable benefactors of all of society, but in typical right wing style he delivered his snappy snake-oil spheels with a feigned air of authority, though bereft of supporting logic or evidence. And the press fell in love.
@JL, Their greed and self-serving impulses aside, Republicans, in my view, indeed recognize that putting money into the pockets of low-income consumers strengthens consumer spending, helping businesses’ bottom-line and growing the economy, not to mention increasing worker productivity and reducing turnover. They’ll just never admit it.
And they will argue til hell freezes over that it’s a pack of lies.
“ It's been some great decades for billionaires, but where is the evidence that this has been benefiting us? “. J.L Graham, that was so well put!!!
Damn, a bit of reality. Don’t go to work for Fox.
When taxes are cut for the rich , there is a strong tendency for them to buy more and bigger yachts. Creating jobs is not on their agenda. ( most yachts are made in Asia these days)
Who doesn’t know that
The MAGAts. They don't "believe" it. Facts do not matter to them, only their "sincerely held beliefs."
Admittedly, not a direct reply to the Professor’s analysis, a week out from the midterm election, I’ve noted that the closing argument for Democrats, aside from punctuating democracy, abortion care, and a record of accomplishments, increasingly has focused on Republican threats to default on the U.S. national debt as pretext for extracting concessions on protections, including Social Security, Medicare, Veterans benefits, funding for Ukraine, and more. While a befitting closing argument, the case, in my view, is insufficient unless Democrats also call out record corporate profits (a 54% increase) as the biggest driver of inflation.
Considering the American people in poll after poll report the economy and inflation as their two major issues, barring an occasional word from President Biden calling out corporate gouging or the occasional Congressional hearing unearthing data confirming that the biggest driver of inflation is corporate pricing, I am troubled that Democrats, overall, have declined to enact a united, laser-focused effort to expose how corporate profits account for over half of the increased prices people are paying.
While some might defend a party’s reluctance to bite the hand that feeds it, I believe the benefits of pinning corporate pricing as the biggest driver of inflation would outweigh the costs. I further contend, with 60% of the people in this country living paycheck to paycheck and millions working for starvation wages, not only should Democrats not ignore this biggest driver of inflation; they should make it clear to working families throughout this country, many of whom are prepared to vote Republican, that if they vote Republican, the Party that has been silent on this issue, their vote will run counter to their interests and concerns. In a word, we need Democratic leadership to be focused and disciplined and not to allow Republican deceptions and distortions related to the state of the economy to go unanswered.
"unless Democrats also call out record corporate profits (a 54% increase) as the biggest driver of inflation."
Yup. That's not just inflated currency, that's more real money passing from one pocket to another for the same stuff.
@JL, Precisely!
This :⬇️⬇️
“While some might defend a party’s reluctance to bite the hand that feeds it, I believe the benefits of pinning corporate pricing as the biggest driver of inflation would outweigh the costs.
Kathy, Because I don’t know what point you’re making, I don’t know how to reply.
I’m agreeing with you, Barbara !
Kathy, Thank you for the clarification.
Did you see this NYT article yesterday ? Should be headline news.
Always appreciate your posts!
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/01/business/economy/fed-rates-company-earnings.html?unlocked_article_code=oYRPYnzr6RSDAZnkjUAzk8qqcWkb5wf-DMgODah8Qr1s5voe9lPEQ5vBrpVkldVb5b5KHnWNL31Lqv1gJbJPGCzUGAyschllnd9FOSpDJhNRXBYNScDTwSuiL6jqidkf7g7iyzo6QgItvAVNrRbBPmPp0Gq0tf1x9FJoC2agvKBhIVYUwf--K1PAxmOx2JNeYjm11VNh2cXltHa6WsNTjTFZ1lJV34OllmLZDa0Pac7wZTKy_zcEJeWh3tMYemiFC15Yn6eP2MtdopzXRVR8N0O6UPgBdOgI_F4zDWPYAfWQesijKiMqx1f6MCYA9LxBmgBtxL3ZAD6KjtM9H3d2Ww-kuBLmqdlD-dRnSYw&smid=share-url
Kathy, I hadn’t seen the piece. Thanks so much for sending it. Frankly, I fear, if Dems don’t perform well next week, the principal cause will be the mounting anger over inflation, for which the Biden Administration will be blamed. I regret Dems are not exposing the handful of corporations that dominate the market, control the supply, and use the current inflation as cover to jack up their prices.
Yep.
@D4N, May I infer your affirmation is all-inclusive?
Indeed you may Barbara. You've hit many nails on the head. The Dem. leadership has deeply disappointed me again, for one. I think we all knew the media wasn't going to be of any value, which begs the question, what were they thinking (the Dem., Dim leadership) ? The further tragedy is that one can't seem to help them, as they seem to think they know best; I've tried to help.
@D4N, Seeing I, too, repeatedly write to House and Senate leadership, committee Chairs, the White House…, I greatly appreciate your affirming reply.
What a relief to hear Biden educate the public about the Republican plan to cut Medicare and Social Security. These are programs we contribute to. As long as the likes of Ron Johnson and the Republican cohorts has their pockets lined screw the rest. The lack of compassion and empathy for the people who live in poverty is astounding. How can you be a Senator and be ignorant of the inhumane conditions people live in? It was such a relief to learn from our Swedish exchange student that there is not the poverty we tolerate. Healthcare housing food education are valued in Sweden. Low income people are integrated into regular housing.
In Sweden a hard-right group founded by neo-Nazis and skinheads won the second highest number of seats in Parliament in elections earlier this year. Is anywhere safe these days?
hate is popular.
directing another's hate is much easier than coming up with a viable policy.
Directing hate, the republican platform.
Provoking, rewarding and directing hate. I can see where stories of summoning the devil come from. That and trading ones soul for unaccountable power.
Our species' most tragic flaw.
Apparently not, sadly. Netanyahu and the far right just won again in Israel. Go figure.
No. When hate gets oxygen as on social media, it’s like an activation switch is turned on. It seeps in at first, then saturates when it’s not stopped. We are now living in the sea-level-rise of Hate. And there is no Planet B.
I think our "reptile" brain stem gets a lot of veto power over logic and compassion as a last ditch strategy for survival, as in war. But it's been the bane of humanity throughout history, and may be the very thing the eventually snuffs our species out. The devil isn't spooky guy with goat horns, it's run-away malignant human narcissism, and the unalloyed capture of the will by hate, fear, greed and hubris. We all. of necessity, have self-interest, but if that's all that we have we can becomes monsters.
" The term sociopath refers to someone living with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) — as does the term psychopath.
The most recent edition of the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” (DSM-5), which mental health professionals use to diagnose mental health conditions, defines ASPD as a consistent disregard for rules and social norms and repeated violation of other people’s rights.
People with the condition might seem charming and charismatic at first, at least on the surface, but they generally find it difficult to understand other people’s feelings. They often:
break rules or laws
behave aggressively or impulsively
feel little guilt for harm they cause others
use manipulation, deceit, and controlling behavior " - Healthline
All they can do is attack and appeal to the lowest common denominator. Democrats are consistently better at actual economic policy.
In April 2020, the nonprofit Center for Responsive Politics examined the personal finances of senators and representatives in Washington and calculated their estimated net worth. “Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) is the wealthiest lawmaker with nearly $260 million in net assets.
The sale (of shares of) Valterra..... will certainly spike Scott’s net worth. For example, the senator’s most recent annual financial disclosure form listed Ann Scott’s twin Valterra holdings as being worth only “over $1 million” apiece. Last week’s sale notice raised the total value of those holdings to between $10 million and $50 million.
Sen. Scott’s annual report for 2019, filed in August 2020, shows that Valterra also paid handsome dividends. The senator reported receiving between $100,000 and $1 million in dividends that year. - The Florida Bulldog.
Anyone with a lick of sense would wonder who he is referring to when he mentions Americans. Perhaps he really only means "some" Americans, those who have inherited enough to not have to work at jobs that require paying into Social Security.
Like Rachel Bitecofer said today on Jill Wine-Banks' podcast:
"When Republicans win, you lose."
This has only been true every election since 1932, but it's good that Democrats have finally realized the fact and are using it even if it is almost too late.
Sad fact TC, (that it is too late). I don't see the win coming that most certainly should.
Senator Ron Johnson called. He asked if we might have dinner in DC, then NYC when I declined DC. The senator seeks advice, wants to control deficits and shame Democrats. Our founders worried about parties and party politics. The best investors worry about what happened in Germany c. 1922-32 and in ‘29 to ‘38 here. Well they should.
Congress should work with, not against, the president we have. TFG was an unmitigated disaster. WJC was a genius. BHO tried.
President Biden’s approach is fine. But the Fed cannot do it all. We need the House to cooperate. Inflation is not a problem compared with deflation.
Covid-19 caused global economic trouble. We reacted under Biden - just in time. That was good.
President Biden knows how and he would be greatly helped if the House was Democrat by a decent margin.
RJ called for advice, Lordy, damn, give him some
No. No. RJ is: a Waste of time. Prejudiced, Black hating snob, in love with his blue eyes and white hair, a sad weak white male narcissist legacy brat with no clue.. sucks up to money.. looks down at virtue and intellectuals, looks down at those that work with their hands.. teachers and unions.
But Sandy, you could’ve brought your stun gun to dinner with you! Opportunity missed...
Both barrels.
President Biden’s approach is healthy. The GOP is destructive. We are the world’s reserve currency and economy. A sound dollar is vital. Deficits are a constant. Ours is reducing. The GOP should close down and reform with help from the Democrats and The Lincoln Project’s founders. Not staff.
The Republican Party is a worse plague than Dengue Fever, Kyasanur Forest Virus, The Machupo Virus, The Crimea-Congo Fever, Junin Virus, Lassa Virus, Bird-Flu Virus, Hanta Virus, Ebola and Marburg Virus rolled all into one. They were bred is some Lab and got loose on our population and they are infecting many people with unhealthy decision making that can lead to death. Biden has his hands full trying to contain this one. On top of that we have Twitter and Tictoc releasing Bot viral warfare from China, Iran and Russia to make the illness of these victims even greater. The corruption in the Republican party is so great and being reported so much that it boggles my mind that people are not bothered by it. It seems instead that the virus has them thinking as long as their super corrupt team wins, it does not matter what the outcome or effects. These same people don't get vaccines or wear masks, so they can be undone by this virus. ---An example of the gross virus is that [In]Justice Thomas is blocking Trump's tax returns from being shown. This is a case for some super hacker to come in and release them to the press! Or better yet, Tweet them. Then we can see how well Elon Musk's censor policy works. In fact, where are these super hackers when you need them? We have a governor in Arizona building a wall of shipping containers to keep Immigrants from entering Arizona illegally, when they wall they are supporting is flimsy. All of this to make a point that he is anti-immigration of non-White people. Where is that wall against Canadians coming to the USA? How about stopping planes from flying into the USA because they are bringing plenty of people who stay here illegally. Doug Ducey gets my V.I. award that is Voll-idiot (pronounced Fuuhl, id-e-oat in German, meaning complete and total idiot) award! I think Chicago, New York and California should start paying for bus fare for people who have Crystal meth addiction to go live in Texas, Florida and Arizona in equal numbers to the immigrants they are sending to us. Also, I think we should keep a tally of who has the most immigrants, because New York outdoes Florida, and at the rate they are going, Illinois will too. California has the most immigrants of all, so for a state like Florida or Texas to send them to California when they have more does not make the point these VI want to make. They all have better climates for people living in tent cities anyway.
Some highly placed IRS executive with a conscience must have the code to open the vault securing trumps tax returns from the general public. We need that person. Now. it’s very very difficult for the Department of Justice to walk away from a clear tax fraud case. Especially when the public has access to the evidence.
The time to leak is now!
How can the Chief Justice over-ride all the other courts - TEMPORARILY? right now? just until the day of the elections? How? No reason is given, that I can see.
I guess that he has decided that he will do crooked things like he has always done until someone stops him. That would require people to vote Democrats into the majority in both the Senate and the House so that they could start to impeach these judges that are violating ethics. We shall see if this country can get to work and fix the problems that are in great need of fixing. I hope so! Justice for Justices would be one of those problems.
The next book could be called "Murder on Fifth Avenue".
Brilliant, Linda. Unhealthy decision-making that can lead to death.