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Forum Post: "Social Security is Strong" : by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)

Posted 11 years ago on April 25, 2012, 5:54 p.m. EST by shadz66 (19985)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement

''Social Security is Strong''

by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)

A new report today by Social Security trustees showed the program's trust fund has $2.7 trillion in reserves and will grow to $3.06 trillion by 2021, enough to maintain the unbroken record of paying every nickel owed to every beneficiary in full for another two decades.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has introduced legislation to strengthen Social Security and guarantee benefits for 75 years by extending the payroll tax that most Americans already pay to those who earn above $250,000 a year.

"The most effective way to strengthen Social Security for the next 75 years is to eliminate the cap on the payroll tax on income above $250,000. Right now, someone who earns $110,100 pays the same amount of money into Social Security as a billionaire. That makes no sense," said Sanders, the chairman of the Defending Social Security Caucus. He also chairs the Senate aging subcommittee.

Under the proposed legislation, the wealthiest Americans would pay the same payroll tax rate already assessed on those with incomes up to $110,100 a year. Social Security officials have calculated that the simple change would keep the retirement program strong for another 75 years. The legislation also follows through on a proposal that President Barack Obama made in 2008 when he was running for president.

The Keeping Our Social Security Promises Act is cosponsored by Sens. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), Barbara Mikulski, (D-Md.), Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D- R.I.).

Since it was signed into law 76 years ago, Social Security has kept millions of senior citizens, widows, widowers, orphans, and the disabled out of poverty. Before Social Security, about half of senior citizens lived in poverty. Today, less than 10 percent do.

"I strongly disagree with some of my colleagues who want to balance the budget by cutting Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and other programs that are of enormous importance to seniors and the working families of our country. There are ways to address the deficit crisis without attacking some of the most vulnerable members of our society. As chairman of the Defending Social Security Caucus, I will do everything in my power to make sure that the promises made to seniors will be kept."

Social Security provides support for 55 million people, including 38 million retired workers, 6 million widows, widowers and orphans, and 11 million disabled workers. The most successful government program in our nation's history has not contributed one dime to the federal deficit.

~

fiat lux ...

~

[Item copied verbatim under "Fair Use" from : http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article31164.htm ]

181 Comments

181 Comments


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[-] 7 points by Puzzlin (2898) 11 years ago

This is the truth that is found scarcely. Bernie Sanders is one of the very few that really speak for the middle class but gets little air play. This message needs to get out there. If the Republicans (GOP) abolish Social Security which is what they intend we will begin a life in a country that no longer gives a good crap about anybody but the super rich. These greedy rich fat cats are trying to buy our democracy right out from underneath us. We MUST stem this tide or we will lose our way.

The Repugnant Party wants our country to FAIL, it's their strategy to reclaim the presidency, senate, and house. AND then hand it over to the rich by permanently enshrining their tyranny into law.

We can not let the GOP slide here. Their intention is to gut the hell out of SS by underfunding it by Blaming it for our deficit which is an outright LIE. Once gutted it will surely die and then we will return to much earlier days here in America when the Robber Barons ruled the landscape with their $$$$$. If you weren't making it then, your best bet would be to find a good ditch to lay down in and die. Life was crap and living takes on a different dimension. Maybe this is why history repeats, we never learn, so we keep going back to end of the line just before reaching the front. The lemming nature of humanity.

GET THIS MESSAGE OUT. We need stand the line on SS!

The Puzzler

[-] 3 points by shadz66 (19985) 11 years ago

That "Social Security Is Strong" is absolutely NOT a "Puzzlin'' matter but Corporate MSM won't ever say so and therefore Sen. Sanders is very important. Thus :

crede quod habes, et habes ...

[-] 4 points by Puzzlin (2898) 11 years ago

Excellent point. Social Security is plagued with mythology that is perpetuated by most people who discuss it. I can only hope more people become educated about it soon before it becomes targeted for cuts that will further decline the middle class in this country. The wealthy "pay for play crowd" want more rewards for their wallets as they support the right wing nut jobs to further reduce their tax burden as their government cuts the social safety net out from underneath tens of millions hard working average middle class Americans. We can become a nation that no longer gives a care. Social Darwinism played at high stakes, winner takes all. If we let it. History does repeat, it can now...

The Puzzler

[-] 1 points by beautifulworld (23769) 4 years ago

Social Security is only source of income for approximately 1/3 of retirees.

43% of single retirees live on SS alone. 23% of married retirees do so.

https://www.rothira.com/retire-social-security-alone

https://www.ssa.gov/news/press/factsheets/basicfact-alt.pdf

Trump, talking about and planning to cut Social Security is deleterious and careless and that will harm the 99% beyond comprehension.

[-] 1 points by ImNotMe (1488) 4 years ago

''I'm coming after your Social Security and your Medicare'' is what Wall Street Pete (the cheat!) is effectively saying! ... from:

caveat emptor!

[-] 1 points by beautifulworld (23769) 4 years ago

Sanders will expand Social Security. Read his plan here:

https://berniesanders.com/en/issues/expand-social-security/

Expanding Social Security

At a time when about half of American households over the age of 55 have no retirement savings and one out of five seniors are trying to live on less than $13,500 a year, our job is not to cut Social Security. Our job is to expand Social Security so that everyone in this country can retire with the dignity they have earned and everyone with a disability can live with the security they need.

Social Security is the most successful government program in our nation’s history. Before Social Security was signed into law, nearly half of seniors lived in poverty. Today, while much too high, the poverty rate for seniors is down to 9.2 percent. Through good times and bad, Social Security has paid every nickel owed to every eligible American – on time and without delay. That is an extraordinary accomplishment.

Despite what you may have heard from those who want to cut back on Social Security, let’s be clear: Social Security is not “going broke.” Social Security has a $2.9 trillion surplus and can pay every benefit owed to every eligible American for the next 16 years.

Although Social Security’s finances are strong, Congress must strengthen and expand it for generations to come. How do we do that? Simple.

At a time of massive income and wealth inequality, the wealthiest Americans in this country must pay their fair share into the system. Today, a billionaire pays the same amount of money into Social Security as someone who makes $132,900 a year because the Social Security payroll tax is capped.

Bernie’s Social Security plan would lift this cap and apply the payroll tax on all income over $250,000 in order to accomplish four things.

First, we will make sure that Social Security will pay every benefit owed to every eligible American for the next 52 years.

Second, we will expand benefits across-the-board including a $1,300 a year benefit increase for seniors with incomes of $16,000 a year or less.

Third, we will lift millions of seniors out of poverty by increasing the minimum benefits paid to low-income workers when they retire.

Fourth, we will increase cost-of-living adjustments to keep up with the rising cost of health care and prescription drugs by establishing a Consumer Price Index for the Elderly.

[-] 1 points by ImNotMe (1488) 4 years ago

Biden on Social Security "could say “I was wrong to support Social Security cuts.” He could say “I’ve changed my position.”

''Instead, he and his campaign are going with total disinformation, insisting he never even tried to cut Social Security, when we all know he did.'' - from ...

Btw & fyi, they know that Biden will lose & are setting up who to blame it on...

respice; adspice; prospice ... et caveat!

[-] 1 points by beautifulworld (23769) 3 years ago

Joe Biden will lose to Trump. He's also just simply not a good candidate and the Democrats should not be pushing him because he is not for the people, he is a corporate Dem, so of course, that is why they do push him.

From https://www.currentaffairs.org/2020/03/democrats-you-really-do-not-want-to-nominate-joe-biden/, a description of who Joe Biden really is:

"The reason many of us are so turned off by Joe Biden is that, over the course of a many-decade career in Washington, he has let us down on the key issues when it matters most. Joe Biden has shown himself to be fundamentally weak, unreliable, and dishonest. He gets taken advantage of by Republicans, and he seems more interested in making friends than advancing Democratic ideals. Biden, ultimately, is truly “just another politician”: a guy who will give you a warm smile and then sell you out behind closed doors, a person who will make terrible decisions and grubby deals and then cover them up with lies. He adopts a “middle class” image but sucks up to the rich and powerful, and has contempt for ordinary voters and their concerns. He’s a man with little integrity or moral character, whose choices in office have caused a lot of people a lot of harm.

These are serious charges. I will fully substantiate them. First, let’s look at two of the most important issues a president will have influence on and needs to be trusted to handle well: war and the social safety net.

Let’s start with Social Security: Biden has reacted angrily to Bernie Sanders’ suggestion that Biden tried to cut Social Security, accusing Sanders of engaging in “dishonest smears.” “I’ve been fighting to protect—and expand—Social Security for my whole career. Any suggestion otherwise is just flat-out wrong,” Biden said. But Biden is lying when he says he never tried to cut Social Security benefits for the elderly. You can even watch him brag about it. Biden has proposed raising the retirement age and eliminating cost of living increases, and has said of Medicare and Social Security that “you’ve got to put all of it on the table.”

"Then there’s Iraq. In 2003, Biden was “a senator bullish about the push to war [in Iraq] who helped sell the Bush administration’s pitch to the American public,” who “voted for—and helped advance—the Bush agenda.” He was the war’s “most crucial” senate supporter. Biden repeated the myth that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction, saying that “these weapons must be dislodged from Saddam Hussein, or Saddam Hussein must be dislodged from power.” The resulting war was one of the most deadly catastrophes in the history of U.S. foreign policy—the Iraqi death toll was in the hundreds of thousands or possibly even the millions, and 4,500 American troops died. And that’s just the dead: countless more were left permanently maimed, to suffer with PTSD for the rest of their lives."

[-] 1 points by ImNotMe (1488) 4 years ago

''43% of single retirees live on SS alone. 23% of married retirees do so.'' Ergo ... please consider:

ad abuntandiam!

[-] 1 points by beautifulworld (23769) 4 years ago

Social Security was never put in place to simply "reduce" poverty as Republicans would like us to think. Social Security exists to replace income/wages so that people, all people, can live comfortably in retirement. It is not an entitlement in the negative sense of that word where someone is getting something for nothing. It is an earned benefit paid for throughout a lifelong career.

[-] 1 points by ImNotMe (1488) 4 years ago

YES, ''Social Security exists to replace income/wages so that people, all people, can live comfortably in retirement. It is NOT an entitlement .... where someone is getting something for nothing. It is an earned benefit paid for throughout a lifelong career'' ... BUT Repugnants & RW GOPlite Dems want to diminish, denude & destroy it!!! The abject venality of the Wall Street parasites is off the fkn scale for most people, who do not realize that Wall St. is desperate to get its hands on the US SS Trust Fund!! WTFU America! And meanwhile ...

fiat justitia...

[-] 1 points by beautifulworld (23769) 4 years ago

Social Security and Medicare are the bedrock of American life.

How can we grow old without these two things?

There are 330 million or so Americans. Maybe 30 million of them are well enough off to not need Social Security but I can bet you they'd still want their Medicare.

For the rest of the 300 million, Social Security is a vital part, many times, the biggest part of having any kind of economic security in old age.

IF the gov't wants to denude us of Social Security then are they going to require corporations, both large and small to provide pensions?

WTF do they expect people to do? What should an elderly person live on if they do not have a private pension?

Here are the stats: "Typically in any year only half of workers participate in a retirement plan at work."

http://www.pensionrights.org/publications/statistic/how-many-american-workers-participate-workplace-retirement-plans

I do wonder sometimes if this rampant disrespect for Social Security and Medicare has something to do with our society's rampant disrespect for aging in general.

[-] 1 points by ImNotMe (1488) 1 year ago

"Sanders Pushes Biden to Embrace Social Security Expansion"! by Brett Wilkins:

"It is not enough to point out the reactionary, anti-worker vision of the Republican Party," the democratic socialist senator stressed. "We have to present a positive, pro-worker alternative."

"In a previously unreported discussion, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders urged President Joe Biden, to ensure that US' Social Security - is fully funded through the end of the century by increasing taxes on wealthier Americans, according to a report published Thursday.

"During the hourlong meeting on January 25—which took place before Biden and Sanders (I-Vt.) shot a video together about Student Debt — the Democratic Socialist Senator pushed the president to expand payroll taxes on high-income Americans,The Washington Post reports. Currently, only the first $160,000 in earnings is subject to payroll tax.

"Sanders reportedly asked Joe Biden to support his plan—which is highly unlikely to gain congressional approval to expand Social Security benefits by $2,400 annually, for each recipient. President Biden was noncommittal, according to the senator."

Cave Josephus - anguis in herba!

[-] 1 points by beautifulworld (23769) 1 year ago

GOP base is against cuts to Social Security that Republicans want.

https://truthout.org/articles/gop-plan-to-cut-social-security-and-medicare-is-disliked-among-republican-voters/

Kudos to Bernie Sanders for continuing to fight for the expansion of those benefits which are NOT "entitlements" but something that Americans pay dearly from their own paychecks for.

In fact workers pay 6.2% of every single paycheck over their entire lifetime for those "benefits" plus an additional 1.45% of every paycheck for the sub-standard "health insurance" you get in retirement through Medicare.

Social Security is a right, it is something you pay for, it is not an "entitlement." That is b.s. talk from right wingers.

[-] 1 points by ImNotMe (1488) 1 year ago

"Social Security is a right, it is something you pay for, it is not an "entitlement." That is b.s. talk from

right wingers." - as it warrants repeating & please further consider this interesting, dot joining article:

respice; adspice; prospice . . .

[-] 1 points by ImNotMe (1488) 11 months ago

"Social Security - Proposal for $2,400 Extra in Checks Expanded and Reintroduced in Congress Story"! by Selena Fragassi:

Note: "On Feb. 13, Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vt.) - formally reintroduced The Social Security Expansion Act to Congress, and this time ... he had a lot more support from his fellow lawmakers pushing the initiative."

prospice - et spero meliora!

[-] 1 points by ImNotMe (1488) 9 months ago

McCarthy Warns That Social Security and Medicare Are the GOP’s Next Target! Human Hating GOP!

CAVEAT!

[Removed]

[-] 1 points by ImNotMe (1488) 1 year ago

"'Social Security Not Going Broke' - Sanders Says The Program Can and Should Be Expanded"! by Julia Conley:

From which - "While the GOP repeat the false and intentionally misleading claim of insolvency, Sanders says the popular program can be expanded simply by making the rich "pay their fair share." + Note this:

fiat lux et fiat justitia!

[-] 1 points by ImNotMe (1488) 1 year ago

Re. Social Security: "There's nothing complicated about fixing (it), according to R. Douglas Arnold, the William Church Osborn Professor of Public Affairs, Emeritus, and professor of politics and public affairs, emeritus, at Princeton University. Legislators could simply raise taxes or they could cut benefits, by just raising the retirement age, for example. What remains really complicated are the politics of fixing Social Security, Arnold argues in a new book published by Princeton University Press." - from your link:

multum in parvo!

[-] 1 points by beautifulworld (23769) 1 year ago

Republicans want to destroy Social Security.

About 40% of older people live solely on Social Security.

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/10/some-retirees-live-on-social-security-experts-disagree-on-how-many.html

https://prospect.org/politics/how-gop-could-win-long-war-against-social-security/

"...Why? Why would Republicans pursue such a major and unpopular change in the social contract? Why would they want to cut or privatize Social Security? Because they’ve wanted to do it for 87 years. Because, despite its unpopularity, their ideology and self-interest demand it. And because, as Republican judges, governors, and presidents have demonstrated, the party has no interest in preserving democratic norms.

The GOP disregard for democracy has a pretty long history, too. In 2003, well before the rise of Trump, historian Gould wrote that many Republicans seek “complete electoral dominance,” motivated by “the ingrained Republican sense of entitlement as the natural governing party.”

[-] 1 points by ImNotMe (1488) 1 year ago

Repugnants think People Of Color are the only people receiving "Social Security" - and many see SS as "Welfare", as opposed to 'Pensions'!!!

Remember how racist Trump had to be reminded that[ White People ALSO receive Welfare and SS by a Democratic Congresswoman of color?! Whereas most of the recipients Of Welfare -- Are White!! FACT!!!

There is an actual RW racist political policy on the very matter .. Lee Atwater's "Southern Strategy"! See:

THIS IS EXACTLY HOW WHITE PEOPLE'S RACISM IS ACTUALLY USED AGAINST THEM & POC TO DEPRIVE EVERYONE OF THE RIGHTS OF CITIZENSHIP .. IN AN ADVANCED MODERN SOCIETY!!!

respice; adspice; prospice - et per ardua ad astra!!!

[-] 1 points by beautifulworld (23769) 1 year ago

People should align by economics, not race if they want to fight for their own interests. Aligning by skin color IS the goal of the elite as they can then get people to accept crumbs. White people need to wake up to this reality.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/how-wealthy-americans-divided-and-conquered-the-poor-to-create-the-concept-of-race/2016/04/19/2cab6e38-0643-11e6-b283-e79d81c63c1b_story.html

"...racism is still being used keep poor and working-class blacks and whites fighting over crumbs, while the top 1 percent takes the cake. Echoes can be seen in Donald Trump’s outreach to poor and working-class whites by castigating immigrants as those people who are taking their jobs." TRUTH.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/race-human/Race-as-a-mechanism-of-social-division

[-] 1 points by ImNotMe (1488) 2 years ago

"‘I can’t live on $709 a month’: Americans on social security push for its expansion" ... by

Michael Sainato:

"Calls for reform include increasing benefits in line with cost of living as employers provide fewer retirement pensions."

respice et prospice ...

[-] 1 points by ImNotMe (1488) 4 years ago

Yes "Social Security & Medicare" are the bedrock of American life" .. so how can Americans continue to ignore and undermine such self evident truths?! Now perhaps try to consider this link:

fiat lux!

[-] 1 points by beautifulworld (23769) 4 years ago

Propaganda is what gets people to vote against their own interests.

Be aware of propaganda. From Bernays:

“It has been found possible so to mold the mind of the masses that they will throw their newly gained strength in the desired direction.” (Propaganda)

"The invisible government tends to be concentrated in the hands of the few because of the expense of manipulating the social machinery which controls the opinions and habits of the masses. To advertise on a scale which will reach fifty million persons is expensive. To reach and persuade the group leaders who dictate the public's thoughts and actions is likewise expensive. For this reason there is an increasing tendency to concentrate the functions of propaganda in the hands of the propaganda specialist. This specialist is more and more assuming a distinct place and function in our national life. New activities call for new nomenclature. The propagandist who specializes in interpreting enterprises and ideas to the public, and in interpreting the public to promulgators of new enterprises and ideas, has come to be known by the name of "public relations counsel.” (Propaganda)

[-] 1 points by ImNotMe (1488) 4 years ago

''Edward Bernays and Group Psychology: Manipulating the Masses":

because it bears repeating!

[-] 1 points by beautifulworld (23769) 4 years ago

British propaganda in UK election propped up a brutal capitalistic economic system.

https://www.counterpunch.org/2019/12/02/uk-election-how-propaganda-props-up-britains-particularly-extreme-form-of-capitalism/

"Professor Mayer of the British Academy says that the neoliberal—or “capitalist” system, as he and his colleagues call it—“has failed to deliver benefit beyond shareholders, to its stakeholders and its wider community.” Failed is the wrong word. The system was designed by the ruling classes for the ruling classes. Mayer adds: “Most ownership in the UK is in the hands of a large number of institutional investors, none of which have a significant controlling shareholding in our largest companies.” He concludes: “That is quite unlike virtually any other country in the world, including the United States,” where even small-time employers and employees can at least pretend to be market players by owning stocks and shares.

With an election campaign underway, the ruling Tory party has published its manifesto. The shadow of “extreme capitalism” looms over the manifesto. The manifesto promises more of the same. It is notable for its lack of social care policy for the elderly. Nigel Edwards, the Chief Executive of the UK’s semi-privatized health service, the Nuffield Trust, issued a statement in response: “I was bitterly disappointed to see yet more unnecessary delay on social care, without even a policy proposal as a starting point for serious reform.” Edwards concludes that “There is already a cross party consensus that action must be taken, and we don’t need more contemplation of options that are perfectly clear: we need action.” But unless privatized, social care doesn’t serve “extreme capitalism,” quite the contrary."

[-] 1 points by ImNotMe (1488) 4 years ago

"How Economists Tricked Us Into Thinking Capitalism Works'', by Robert R. Raymond:

Just like the "British propaganda in UK election propped up a brutal capitalistic economic system", experience shows that the Mind Management of Americans to remain 'Boiling Frogs' - while being manipulated in Stockholm Syndrome - over & above the 'Alienation' and atomization - eroding our modern, individuized societies - where we are continuously divided & ruled. Solidarity for 2020 bw.

et fiat lux!

[-] 1 points by beautifulworld (23769) 3 years ago

"Market capitalism has been imposed onto us, often at the point of a gun, and as a result, we’ve been forced to internalize the idea that we are a selfish, competitive and greedy species. Well, that’s just human nature, we’ll acquiesce when we hear about the profiteering of pharmaceutical companies or the greed of investment bankers. But the thing this, that’s not human nature — it’s just what we’ve been coerced into thinking by an unfeeling economic system that dominates every facet of our life. And in many ways, Homo economicus is a self-fulfilling prophecy."

"When faced with the overwhelming evidence that Homo economicus — and thus the whole neoclassical economic project — is nonsense, the defenders of the status quo tend to rely on another myth: that there is no alternative. Margaret Thatcher famously uttered those words over 30 years ago, paving the way for an age of neoliberalism that has seen the dismantling of the social safety net, the stagnation of wages and the rise of extreme inequality.

But the thing is, there are alternative ways of organizing society that reflect the human capacity for reciprocity, selflessness and cooperation."

From: https://truthout.org/articles/how-economists-tricked-us-into-thinking-capitalism-works/

And, since this thread is on Social Security - Has anyone else received their annual statement with the caveat that 15 years from now only 79% of benefits will be available due to lack of funding? I was pretty outraged when I got my statement.

Better start listening to Bernie Sanders if we want to turn this country around!

[-] 1 points by ImNotMe (1488) 3 years ago

"Under Biden, We’ll Still Need to Protect Social Security" by Ms. Sasha Abramsky:

"While Biden’s Social Security proposals are encouraging, his potential centrist cabinet

picks are cause for concern." This should be of Huge Concern to everyone in the USA!

caveat!

[-] 6 points by GypsyKing (8708) 11 years ago

Yeah, I just heard a scare piece about this on CBS awhile ago, saying that social security was running out of money. In the piece, if I recall correctly, they referred to it as an "entitlement." Man, that made my blood boil. Both of those things are a complete lie.

[-] 3 points by 99nproud (2697) 9 years ago

Social Security expansion update

http://www.nationaljournal.com/library/165911

FYI

[-] 5 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

Thanks for posting this. As everyone benefits from the work that is done the rich getting a lions share of that benefit - I see no reason for a cap to contributions at all.

Gotta love Bernie Sanders.

[-] 2 points by shadz66 (19985) 10 years ago

''A nation will not survive morally or economically when so few have so much, while so many have so little. It is simply not acceptable that the top 1 percent owns 38 percent of the financial wealth of the nation, while the bottom 60 percent owns all of 2.3 percent. We need to establish a progressive tax system which asks the wealthy to start paying their fair share of taxes, and which ends the outrageous loopholes that enable one out of four corporations to pay nothing in federal taxes.'' ;

''At a time when only one in five workers in the private sector have a defined benefit pension plan; half of Americans have less than $10,000 in savings; and two-thirds of seniors rely on Social Security for more than half of their income, we must expand and protect Social Security so that every American can retire with dignity.'' &

''During the financial crisis, huge Wall Street banks received more than $700 billion in financial aid from the Treasury Department and more than $16 trillion from the Federal Reserve because they were "too big to fail." Yet today, the largest banks in this country are much bigger than they were before taxpayers bailed them out. It's time to break up these behemoths so that they cannot cause another recession that could wreck the global economy.'' from :

''Gotta love Bernie Sanders'' !!!

respice, adspice, prospice ...

[-] 1 points by factsrfun (8310) from Phoenix, AZ 8 years ago

Yep you gotta love that Bernie Sanders!

[-] 2 points by ImNotMe (1488) 8 years ago

Yep and re. Social Security in The USA, consider:

fiat lux ...

[-] 1 points by MattHolck0 (3867) 8 years ago

i wont be getting any seems a hardly ever had a job

[-] 3 points by ImNotMe (1488) 8 years ago

Irrespective of the reasons for that & especially after you're 60 you should still get SS & BI before that!

pax ...

[-] 2 points by ImNotMe (1488) 8 years ago

So what do you think of - ''Universal Basic Income''?

fiat lux ...

[-] 3 points by MattHolck0 (3867) 8 years ago

Basic Universal Income puts money into peoples' hands

so they may participate in choosing what work will be done for their money.

[-] 2 points by ImNotMe (1488) 8 years ago

Democratize Resource Allocation?!!! That is a very deep second point!! Profound implications, imo!

e tenebris, lux ...

[-] 4 points by Nevada1 (5843) 11 years ago

Hi shadz66, Thank you for this post. It says so much. Best Regards

[-] 1 points by shadz66 (19985) 11 years ago

Thanx 'Nev1' and I'm drawing your attention to the essential but disturbing documentary that I've linked to in my reply to 'GirlFriday' as well as the links below.

pax, amor et lux ...

[-] 3 points by Nevada1 (5843) 11 years ago

Thank You

[-] 3 points by ImNotMe (1488) 7 years ago

Re. Social Security in tRUMPland USA ...

caveat ...

[-] 2 points by Nevada1 (5843) 7 years ago

Some struggles go on and on.

[-] 2 points by ImNotMe (1488) 7 years ago

BERNIE ... ''Despair Is Not An Option''

multum in parvo ...

[-] 2 points by ImNotMe (1488) 7 years ago

''Social Security is easy to fix as Bernie Sanders describes:

Courtesy of bw & frankly, essential info & arguments in these times of 0.01% Oligarchy assault on what li'l democracy there was left in U$A! Here's some crucial info as to the roots of what's going on right now in tRUMP-land USA:

Final fact = IF USA was really a democracy .. Bernie would've beaten HRC & then tRUMp - period! Ergo tho' it's going to get worse before it gets better .. hope is NOT dead & The 99% can get its shit together!

at spes non fracta ...

[Removed]

[-] 2 points by beautifulworld (23769) 7 years ago

Social Security is easy to fix as Bernie Sanders describes:

https://berniesanders.com/issues/strengthen-and-expand-social-security/

It's such a farce that there is anything to "save" with regard to Social Security. It's bait and switch to keep people nervous and anxious and worried and FEARFUL. It's fear mongering. Wake up people!

[-] 2 points by grapes (5232) 7 years ago

True indeed. Congress and the U.S. public were tricked into merging social security trust fund with the general fund. The money collected for social security was to be invested in the safest possible form of investment there was and it was the U.S. Treasury Obligations.

The late Senator Patrick Moynihan (D NY) realized what a grave and stupid mistake it was and tried to turn social security into being funded by the general revenue rather than overcollecting social security taxes and moving the money to the U.S. Treauries to make the U.S. budget deficits look much better.

For a long long time, there were even no paper treasury notes and bonds issued for the social security trust fund until people had started asking questions. There's really NO separate trust fund. When the need for payouts arises, the U.S. government must divert money from the general fund to pay the social security benefits. All of the so-called excess social security money has already been spent on so many military bases, aircraft carriers (sinkable and unsinkable ones), interventions, ..., to paper clips.

The current hoopla is an attempt to deny promised benefits to the working stiffs who paid into the "trust" fund. The hoped-for result by the GOOP is to increase social security taxes to "save" social security or rendering part of the promised benefits null-and-void. The real problem is that the U.S. government is starting to feel a budget crunch with interest rates being normalized.

Who owes the most money on planet Earth since money and lending have been invented? The U.S. government. Who gets hurt the most when interest rates start to go higher? The U.S. government. "Now let's keep the working stiffs working longer and pay them less in benefits. Isn't work what they have been clamoring for?"

Oh yeah, MOAR work is coming for the working stiffs, how about age 69 instead of 67? 69 is far sexier and novel for the stiffeneders.

[-] 1 points by ImNotMe (1488) 7 years ago

https://berniesanders.com/issues/strengthen-and-expand-social-security/ I=I=I

Essential Information for the battles that are coming! Thanx bw. Never Give Up!

respice, adspice, prospice ...

[-] 2 points by 99nproud (2697) 9 years ago

Petition! Expand Social Security!

https://www.dailykos.com/campaigns/600?tag=052814splash6

Bump for the 1st good thread I found on Social Security.

[-] 4 points by shadz66 (19985) 9 years ago

''Social Security Under Attack - Elizabeth Warren on Social Security: “It’s Values, Not Math” :

''Stealing from Social Security to Pay for Wars and Bailouts'', by Dr. Paul Craig Roberts :

fiat justitia...

[-] 4 points by 99nproud (2697) 9 years ago

Oooooh, I twinkled you for that one.

Great articles.

Expanding social security will be a boost to the economy while more importantly giving our elderly a deserved improved life with dignity.

Solidarity!

[-] 4 points by shadz66 (19985) 9 years ago

Errrmmm, thanx for your twinkle and kind comment and as per your reply and points, fyi - also do see :

''Why Cuts Are Being Proposed - Three words: Wall Street + taxes.''

fiat lux ...

[-] 4 points by 99nproud (2697) 9 years ago

Action to Expand Social Security

http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/6405/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=9976

We're not broke, end austerity, Support our elderly!

[-] 4 points by shadz66 (19985) 9 years ago
[-] 3 points by 99nproud (2697) 9 years ago

Time to expand Social security!!

End the payroll contribution cap, & cut contribution ate for lower income levels.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/j-david-cox-sr/social-security-changes_b_5493191.html

Stay informed,spread the word!

[-] 4 points by shadz66 (19985) 9 years ago

''Self-service checkout may work at grocery stores, but it's not the right model for an agency tasked with determining complex retirement and disability benefits for tens of millions of Americans each year. Do they really expect grandpa to hop on his iPad Mini to apply for benefits and get all his questions answered?

''Most of the individuals contacting SSA for help are elderly, disabled or indigent. Many others are active seniors who simply are overwhelmed by the complicated maze of laws, regulations and policies pertaining to retirement benefits. They deserve and expect face-to-face interaction with skilled employees who can ensure they receive all the benefits they are owed.'' - excerpted from your important link, from I also extracted the following salient links :

fiat justitia ...

[-] 3 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 9 years ago

''Self-service checkout may work at grocery stores, but it's not the right model for an agency tasked with determining complex retirement and disability benefits for tens of millions of Americans each year. Do they really expect grandpa to hop on his iPad Mini to apply for benefits and get all his questions answered?

Good point - also the web sites are all too often ( always ) less than helpful. Much to read with no real informational content or links to take one to the actual topic/issue page to continue or even initiate registration for aid = all text with no possibility of initiating actual action.

Example ( 1 ) - say a person is already collecting SS but now they need to find affordable housing that they qualify for so that they can keep a roof over their head and continue to eat on a somewhat regular basis. Going to the SS web site is likely gonna be one hell of a frustrating experience if one is looking for help ( trying to initiate an immediate action process ) with this issue = affordable or subsidized housing.

[-] 5 points by shadz66 (19985) 9 years ago

Banksters, Corporations and Wall Street can't wait to get their hands on Social Security and Public Sector Pension Pots & re. the ''Dark Money'' employed to try to secure this :

caveat ...

[-] 2 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 9 years ago

Banksters, Corporations and Wall Street can't wait to get their hands on Social Security and Public Sector Pension Pots

Last untouched reserves of the body of society - open those gates - and see the death of society greatly increased in speed. Pouring out societies life's blood on the ground just like the 85 billion per month that is currently being poured out onto the ground.

[-] 4 points by shadz66 (19985) 9 years ago

The $85B / month is true !!! And utterly fkn mind-blowing !! ''Quantitative Easing'' = 'Queasing' ... ie. that which is certain to make you vomit and wretch IF you truly see it for what it is ! So also consider :

radix omnium malorum est cupiditas ...

[-] 4 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 9 years ago

QE should ( SHOULD ) have been shit canned the 1st time it was mentioned and replaced with QI ( quantitative improvements ) a clean energy and industry and infrastructure Public Works program to boost employment ( with a real minimum "LIVING" wage ) - to rebuild the engine and transmission ( drive train ) of the economy put on fresh positive traction wheels & fill ( to be self sustaining ) the economy's Fuel Tank for real healthy stability.

I mean really - why pour 85 billion a month - for YEARS - out onto the ground = QE ( quantitative easing ) ? Wall street is "NOT" the economy - "IT" at Best is JUST A REFLECTION OF THE ECONOMY. So the 85 Billion a month ( for years ) never came near the economy - it was poured onto a reflection - and so = straight onto the ground!!!

Please see an excellent explanation of QE ( link provided by shadz ) : http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article26818.htm

[-] 5 points by shadz66 (19985) 9 years ago

''Quantitative Easing Explained'' (Video) :

Also do see the 'Comments Section' after ;-)

fiat justitia ruat caelum ...

[-] 4 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 9 years ago

Loved that so much that I had to copy the link you provided edit a comment of mine and then tweet it.

[-] 3 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 9 years ago

[ EDIT ] aaaAAAHAHAHAAAHahahahaaaaahahaaaaaa - so good it HURTS

That should go VIRAL and be adopted by the educational system ( by force if necessary ) to be shown quarterly from pre-school straight through K-12 and every level and discipline of Higher Education.

EDIT -> Surviving Generations to refer to the teaching as = The GR8 No Brain-er Lesson or the HOW COULD THIS NOT HAVE BEEN SEEN IMMEDIATELY - conundrum.

Likely to late for many of the already processed/programmed - But? - then again - who knows?

[-] 2 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 9 years ago

I didn't open the link - but - by chance is it a visual ? a picture? say perhaps of someone sitting on the toilet?

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 9 years ago

Just had ta Edit ( again ) and tweet that comment:

DKAtoday @DKAtoday · now

QE - quantitative easing

REALLY ?

Why not QI - quantitative improvements ???

A program that would work.

https://occupywallst.org/forum/social-security-is-strong-by-sen-bernie-sanders/#comment-1036054

[-] 1 points by shadz66 (19985) 9 years ago

Open The 'QE' Link !!! Humorous & Instructive !! Comments ok too ;-) ! Here's another in a similar vein :

verum ex absurdo ...

[-] 3 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 9 years ago

Also funny and Sad - but got down to the bare basics right enough.

[-] 2 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

Boy did you see all of the republican signatures in support?

Wow I AM ABSOLUTELY STUNNED BY THE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

See? Now this is an issue that everyone can support.

[-] 3 points by shadz66 (19985) 11 years ago

Appreciating your acerbic sarcasm there 'DKAt' :-)

Older voters tend to vote and have memories and even Replicants should have known which side their bread is buttered when it comes to the imminent elections ... you'd think so anyway !!!

multum in parvo ...

[-] 4 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

This is something that every official should be aware of. There are a lot of us older voters too.

[-] 4 points by shadz66 (19985) 11 years ago

High time to mobilise all The Grey Radicals and get them to ally and inspire the younglings !!!

dum spiro, spero ...

[-] 4 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

I would love to see an outreach to AARP and a similar response from them. This I believe would be a healthy relationship.

[-] 2 points by GirlFriday (17435) 11 years ago

Yes. Lift the cap.

[-] 2 points by shadz66 (19985) 11 years ago

Consider, Sen. Sanders' possession of a pair of testicles is coded in (I-Vt.) !!!

Why don't more American States return Independents to Congress ?!!

Or more Demoblican/Replublocrat demoCRAZY deMOCKERYcy ?!

ad iudicium ...

[-] 2 points by GirlFriday (17435) 11 years ago

In many states, the independent is someone that didn't get in with the Republicans. In my area, they are Tea Party people.

[-] 3 points by GypsyKing (8708) 11 years ago

Yeah, I think it's premature to try to switch to Independent. In fact I think that would be a disaster before the upcoming election.

[-] 3 points by GirlFriday (17435) 11 years ago

I am independent. It has become increasingly difficult to find people that run as Independents that are not Republicans or Tea Party in my area. Well, let me be clear. I have been here 10 years. In that 10 years- that is what I have been seen.

[-] 4 points by shadz66 (19985) 11 years ago

Hate (and a bit scared!) to bore you but so again :

  • "Occupy The 'Independent' Option On The Ballot" !!!

  • "Bring Back Hand Counted Paper Ballots" !!

ad iudicium ...

[-] 4 points by GirlFriday (17435) 11 years ago

You never bore me, Shadz! :D

[-] 0 points by shadz66 (19985) 11 years ago

Thanx :-) & thus on the paltry matter of voting, something to bend your brain more than a bit, so please do strap in and try to set an hour of time aside for :

Audio kicks in at 1min 30 secs + This film is also viewable on 'YouTube' in six parts.

pax et lux ...

[-] 1 points by shadz66 (19985) 11 years ago

I see and agree with your line of thought in the short term up to November (as I always have done) but thereafter 'nose-holding and voting' just won't do !! The Duopolistic Faux-Contest betwixt 'Tweedledumb and Tweedledumbass' has to be fractured once and for all or else it'll again continue to be a case of 'plus ca change plus c'est la meme chose' !!!

respice ; adspice ; prospice ...

[-] 4 points by GypsyKing (8708) 11 years ago

Well, we are in complete agreement then. This two party - one party system has to go. How exactly, I don't know, but it has to go.

[-] 2 points by shadz66 (19985) 11 years ago

"Occupy" The 'Independent' Option On The Ballot !!!

Bring Back Hand Counted Paper Ballots !!

Back To The Future !

per aspera ad astra .

[-] 1 points by beautifulworld (23769) 8 years ago

Go Bernie. The time is now.

[-] 4 points by east (110) 8 years ago

I don't think Bernie's run for President would be happening - had there be been no OWS! Now I dare you to try to watch this very short video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u79hDi6XBwQ ... without hurling!

[-] 2 points by beautifulworld (23769) 8 years ago

Ok, couldn't finish that video, it made me so angry. Good, let 'em laugh. See if they're laughing after Sanders and Corbyn take over the Western World. Fuck 'em and their beloved inequality. The "Milken" Institute. More like the "Milk 'Em" Institute.

Just sickening behavior. And, yes, I absolutely agree that though Bernie Sanders is completely authentic and has been saying what he's saying for years and even before Occupy, without Occupy, he wouldn't have the platform he has today.

They can take down the tents but they simply cannot take down the ideas. The time for the 99% is coming....

[-] 3 points by east (110) 8 years ago

''The Milk 'Em Institute" LOL! My significant other once worked in his office at Drexel Burn'em & Lambert in NYC and she didn't have a good word for Michael Milk'Em either, lol. Sorry if that short video was a bit barf inducing but I absolutely had to post it here for all to see the levels of disdain the 0.01% have for us.

However, much more pleasingly and on the matter of Bernie --- http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/sep/11/the-outsider-how-bernie-sanders-is-winning-over-democrat-voters Solidarity to O.W.S., who (and I very strongly believe this) sowed the seeds for Bernie + much else besides.

[-] 4 points by beautifulworld (23769) 8 years ago

Why we Occupy Wall Street:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u79hDi6XBwQ

3 Treasury Secretaries, Timothy Geithner, Henry Paulson & Robert Rubin along with Sheryl Sandberg LAUGHTING it up over INCOME INEQUALITY!

A video that EVERY AMERICAN should see. What the people who control our economy really think of you, your family, your struggles and your problems.

Bernie Sanders 2016. Nothing we are living with is necessary or inevitable. We can have an economic system that works for all people we just need to fight for it.

[-] 2 points by east (110) 8 years ago

''Nothing we are living with is necessary or inevitable. We can have an economic system that works for all people we just need to fight for it.'' Ditto + ''Bernie Sanders' Secret Recipe to His Surge in the Polls: Standing for What the People Want'' - http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/bernie-sanders-secret-recipe-his-surge-polls-standing-what-people-want - Also I agree about that video .. EVERY AMERICAN needs to see it. Leona Helmsley came to my mind when watching the collective hubris at Milk'Em Inst.

[-] 1 points by turbocharger (1756) 8 years ago

The establishement has a long history of parading out sheepdog candidates when the brand loyalty is low. Same shit, just a different election.

I mean, the guy said he'll endorse Hillary. A fuckin war criminal!! Really? This is the radical change leader?

Honestly I liked Bernie before, but think about what would be happening without him right now?

No one would be out for Hillary, and the thoughts of options and alternatives would be swirling in every activist circle in every city throughout the nation.

Instead its back to campaigning for a Democrat. Very sad.

[-] 1 points by ImNotMe (1488) 8 years ago

Just occasionally ''the establishment'' do NOT get to have Everything Their Own Way!!! FDR proved that when TPTB wanted Gen Smedley Butler to over throw him in a fkn coup & maybe JFK/RFK proved that too!! Your point re. Hitlary & Sanders saying what you say he said is strong, but I recall answering that or a similar point at least once before - in that maybe it isn't quite politic to instantly alienate HRC fans!

For my more substantive replies to you on this and similar matters, please again see our exchange here

IF The Corporate Donkey DNC & Hitlary stitch Sanders up in April'16 - he SHOULD ABSOLUTELY RUN AS AN INDEPENDENT & ditto for Trump so both could / should / would .. deal a perhaps mortal blow to The Utterly Undemocratic US Duopoly, itself for all intents & purposes a (s)election, after an ultimatum!!!

So Fuck The DNC and fuck ''the democratic party''!!! At this juncture - it is really ALL about Bernie!! THE completely clearly closest to Occupy Wall Street/The 99%'s ideals POTUS Candidate in over 50 years!!

respice; adspice; prospice ...

[-] 3 points by ImNotMe (1488) 8 years ago

Apparently, ''Socialism is a good idea, but alas allegedly ...

  • a) it doesn't work in practice. ...

  • b) human beings are too greedy for it to succeed & ..

  • c) the rich and powerful will never allow it.

''Most of us have heard one of these declarations in school, on television or .. around the dinner table. Whatever the specific reason, the lesson we are all meant to take away is that socialism ain't gonna happen. Interestingly, the argument always begins with the reluctant concession that socialism is,in fact, a good idea.

''There's even a rightwing bumper sticker that goes a step further than good and reads: "Socialism ... A Great Idea until You Run Out of Other People's Money." I realize that the guy with this message on his vehicle alongside Confederate flags and various other .. "I'm an asshole" signifiers, doesn't mean it as a compliment. But it says something that even the most hostile opponents of socialism often start out by admitting that it sure sounds nice.

''Those of us criticizing capitalism should be able to make fun of ourselves as well. Politicians can dress up every two-bit proposal about corporate tax breaks with big ideas about freedom and liberty - let those radicals who actually have big ideas ... put them out with a humility and humor befitting all those whose dreams still far outpace our accomplishments.

''Jokes are also a safety precaution against the relentless negativity ... that is an occupational hazard for activists who spend their lives organizing against war, poverty, and other horrors, that most people try to avoid contemplating for too long. We are looking for a positive path for humanity, not just trying to add to the chorus of news cranks and internet trolls. So later to the haters. Socialism is for The Lovers.'' - from:

ad iudicium ...

[-] 4 points by Viking (417) 8 years ago

Capitalism has served many of us well, but it required us to keep a blind eye to the the devastating inequities and the debasement that it brought on other people, and on our planet.

An economic system that requires an unlimited amount of resources on a finite planet.... a World that is already suffering greatly from the degradations brought on by this scurrilous system... and then combine that with the fact it thrives on inhumane sacrifice... going forward, that system is untenable; is totally unworkable, and it is unacceptable. Socialism, where people and our environment are the priority is the only system that can save us.

[-] 4 points by ImNotMe (1488) 8 years ago

Yes and Socialism is a ''Broad Church'' and a well spring for many very good ideas ... both old and new!

fiat lux ...

[-] 5 points by Viking (417) 8 years ago

Although Sweden, a socialist country has lurched to the right in recent years, like most other countries have, it is still considered one of the most equal countries (maybe still the most) in the World. And innovation has flourished there.

The 11 Most Equal Countries In The World

http://www.businessinsider.com/the-11-most-equal-countries-in-the-world-2011-10

INNOVATION IN SWEDEN

https://sweden.se/business/innovation-in-sweden/

There does not have to be a good reason for either party to abandon candidates of their own party, other than them being a perceived threat to upset the corrupt apple-cart. To a far lesser degree, I saw that with a young lady who happens to be a distant relative, in my home state. When she ran for state senator, she bucked the party's wishes, and filled out a VOTE SMART form. Support dried up, and she was hung out to dry. She was disgusted by it, me too.

[-] 2 points by ImNotMe (1488) 8 years ago

What is a ''VOTE SMART'' form?! How do you do that, for a Corporate Ass / Corporate Elephant?!! What can we now expect from a Corrupt, Conniving, Corporate Con-Trolled Duopoly racket?!!! Is Bernie better?

Why did DNC & Debbie WasteO'Space Shillz .. try to stop Sanders' access to ''Registered Dem. Voter'' Data?! A 24 hour shit storm that revealed much, imo!! Conclusion: Hitlary Rancid Clinton is a fkn snake, whose personal ambition, serves Only The 0.01%, the 1% but above all else - herself ... NOT The 99%!!!

Thanx for Sweden related links.They dug in & got shit done back in the day. Solidarity to you and yours.

ad iudicium ...

[-] 2 points by Viking (417) 8 years ago

WOW, lots of questions for me! Let's start with (and maybe end with..:) what was originally called Project Vote Smart, now just Vote Smart. It began in Corvallis,OR (on the Oregon State Uni.. campus) in 1999, and has since moved to Phillupsburg, MT. I remember back in the dinosaur days, before my semi-literate computer days..:), getting a cool pamphlet that I requested from them on candidates running for office. I also remember getting info on line of a state senator who IMO was guilty of a conflict of interest. Anyway VS is staffed with mostly volunteers, many of whom have backgrounds in political science. The mostly young people serve internships taking calls, doing research on political candidates (and more) who are either in office or running for office. The main objective of this nonpartisan, good government (very altruistic IMO) group is to give voters the resources so that they can make an informed decision before voting. If you were to sit home, not know anything about a person who was running for state or federal office, and instead just looked at their stuff, you could make a very informed decision, maybe even find what they call your political "soul mate."

One of the other things they do is, they send out forms, 'questionnaires' actually (as they did to my distant cousin and friend who was running for state Senate), or what they call Political Courage Tests to candidates running for office. The parties (both of whom are corrupt) discourage their candidates from answering these though because it gives their opponents a better chance of making negative attack ads against them. The parties (corrupt) like when their candidates can obfuscate the issues with double speak, MO.

Their web site has been really up graded since when I first joined in the early 2000's. Notice the cool rotating accolades on the top right, and in particular, "Vote Smart is a bright light in an often desultory civic culture."... Bill Moyers. Try navigating the site. If you wanted to make a quick decision, yet informed (better than most people, probably) you could just click on "Ratings."

http://votesmart.org/

Although I can't stand all the bullshit in the political spectacle (corrupt:), I do like fireworks, so I will probably make some popcorn, and watch the debate tonight. Hey... do you think Sanders will lash out at the Democrats, and run as an Independent?! Now, that development might reinvigorate my civic duty! :)

BTW, I want to read that ICH link, ".. Who Controls America" in its entirety. All these questions are backing me up.

The best to you and your loved ones.

[-] 2 points by ImNotMe (1488) 8 years ago

Most of them were rhetorical tbh, so as to aid others to my conclusion but I do appreciate your reply & link - both of which I'll peruse at length & revert. I am in a bit of a rush right now tho' ergo I'll get back to you but in the meantime, I will leave this article by a friend of yours for now:

''Millions are beginning to reject the rule of the billionaire class and increasingly looking to genuine ideas of socialism. Mass movements of working people will now be the critical factor in leading humanity away from a world ridden with war, poverty, refugee crises and climate disaster and, toward a society that can use the resources of this planet to deliver a sustainable & high standard of living for all.'' It Can Be Done!

per ardua ad astra ...

EDIT: I read your reply & found http://votesmart.org/ v.interesting but USA MUST Smash Duopoly - imo!! I get the desire for ''non-partisan'' and 'united' but truth be told; some mthrfkrs just Don't Want To Share!!! Need a li'l proof/insight into the Parasite Class? See - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u79hDi6XBwQ

Finally I believe that Voter Suppression; Vote Theft & Electoral Corruption are very big problems in USA so see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utOcIlb-D14 with Thom Hartmann for some very real insights.

fiat lux ...

[-] 1 points by MattHolck0 (3867) 8 years ago

post your vote ballot

[-] 1 points by ImNotMe (1488) 8 years ago

Matt in ''VOTE'' shock!!! Wtf?!! LOL! Ergo, for you dude:

fiat pax ...

[-] 1 points by turbocharger (1756) 8 years ago

Innovation is what will save the planet, if that is even possible.

[-] 3 points by Viking (417) 8 years ago

Agreed, "innovation" to improve our lives is not exclusive to capitalism though.

[-] 2 points by turbocharger (1756) 8 years ago

Its not, it just tends to happen the less the idiots in government mess with the people. Granted, things like funding are nice, but with funding comes expectations, just like government.

Our biggest obstacle to innovation at this point is the centralized schooling system, imo.

[-] 3 points by Viking (417) 8 years ago

When "... the idiots in government.." give a near free reign to their benefactors to bring about a near fascist world, as they have done now, I would consider that the major threat. There has to be accountability and justice built into any system that we implement. And I can appreciate what I think is your concern of having a system that takes into account the human condition, and does not stifle it. I also think that we have to realize that our collective consciousnesses have been warped by the system that we have today.

[-] 1 points by turbocharger (1756) 8 years ago

At the end of the day, the people are to blame.

[-] 2 points by Viking (417) 8 years ago

Re: "At the end of the day, the people are to blame." I agree to an extent and will twinkle you back up. I will accept my culpability for things having gotten so bad. But I will offer a defense, or maybe it's an excuse. Your choice.

I read the papers, and watched the evening news regularly, and I thought that I was fairly well informed like a lot of other people did at the time. I remember my kids used to call the evening news, the snooze because of my habit of catching a nap sometimes towards the end of what were usually very busy days. Most of my generation's energies went to keeping the roofs over our family's heads, food on the table, paying the mortgage, picking up the kids at the Brownies, etc., and most importantly in teaching our kids right from wrong.

Admittedly I did not need to have swilled as much beer as I did, and we did not need to have all those informal get-togethers. I should have awakened and realized how my mind was manipulated by the corrupt elite, including the corporate owned media. My mistake, and my apologies. I'm here so that it doesn't happen again, and to make amends.

Walk a mile in my shoes...unknown

[-] 2 points by turbocharger (1756) 8 years ago

That is an incredible post. I am as guilty as the next. Literally brought a tear to my eye, friend.

[-] 1 points by ImNotMe (1488) 8 years ago

No they are NOT!!! Because IF they are .. then nothing is anyone's fault and blame is equally distributed right?!! No fkn way - I blame The Wolves & Farmers for the sheeple's plight!!! So baa-aack to the drawing board to formulate real 'soulutions' for Rapid-Evolution but let's get a good look at the predator/parasites:

fiat justitia ruat caelum ...

[-] 1 points by Viking (417) 8 years ago

We are not the wicked perpetrators, but we do bare responsibility for having taking our eye off the ball.

Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.... arguably attributed to abolitionist Wendall Phillips.

[-] 2 points by ImNotMe (1488) 8 years ago

Yes, we are both responsible for action and inaction, but the danger is that people reject engagement with a political process IF they are pilloried for its myriad inadequacies!!! Yes, ''Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty'' - AND ... ''Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people" (John Adams) also!! We here who are desperate to seed the change we wished we saw before - can't afford complacency or ennui - so we plod on regardless! Happy Yule/Xmas and Merry Mularkey & fyi..

pax vobis. ...

[-] 1 points by MattHolck0 (3867) 8 years ago

i feel far too much like a toy to want to play guessing games

[-] 1 points by ImNotMe (1488) 8 years ago
[-] 2 points by MattHolck0 (3867) 8 years ago

divide us and win politics like

ISIS must be destroyed

[-] 2 points by ImNotMe (1488) 8 years ago

Right!! It is the ... ''Carthago Delenda Est'', of our times!!!

respice; adspice; prospice ...

[-] -1 points by turbocharger (1756) 8 years ago

We have the solutions already. Everyone knows them. Dont like the policy? Stop electing the policy makers. Very simple.

[-] 1 points by ImNotMe (1488) 8 years ago

This is also the dubious logic of Extremist Jihadi types! They claim that because we allegedly live in ''democracies'' in 'The West'' - then any and all asshole activity allegedly conducted on our behalf, by Western 1% Govts., is our fault & responsibility!! Thus we can all be made equally culpable and held accountable and so be punished for, the War Crimes of fkn RWNJ Neoliberal / Neocon, Neo-Colonial, Paleo-Imperialist - greedy, venal psycho-loons!!!

No fkn way!!! But I get your arguments and the old adages: ''Don't Vote - It Only Encourages Them'' & ''Whoever you vote for .. The Government Gets In''!! BUT like Jeremy Corbyn, who is now leading UK's Labour Party ... Bernie Sanders is a person of integrity, intelligence & intuition who deserves our and OWS' support in the short term .. although we do NOT stop Mobilising Mass Movements of The 99%, as that's the main longer term objective! Merry Xmas and Happy Holidays dude & do remember that if

pax, amor et lux ...

[-] 2 points by MattHolck0 (3867) 8 years ago

inequality is not enforceable without violence

his open platform on war is peace

starts decrying violence is the only way when necessary

[-] 1 points by ImNotMe (1488) 8 years ago

So, do you think that there is some kind or Magic Wand to wave or a Magic Switch to flick .. so as to make everything bright and beautiful over night?!!! ''War Is Peace'' is the U$A's ''open platform''and has been for at least 70 (tho' I could argue 100+!) years!! Don't denigrate the small, electoral, conventional steps before you get all bedazzled by bigger, long term Revolutionary Prizes 'cause we'll need BOTH!

Happy Holidays to you & yours & maybe we all need to re-discover a ''Love Affair With Everyday Living''

pax ...

[-] 0 points by MattHolck0 (3867) 8 years ago

It's never too late choose non-violence

[-] 1 points by ImNotMe (1488) 8 years ago

Just "Work For Peace" :

By Gil Scott-Heron [RIP]

pacem in terris ...

[-] 1 points by grapes (5232) 8 years ago

I surely hope that we can break up the centralized schooling of our children and grandchildren because schools are germ factories. I remember how I got H1N1 flu during mega-Wiener's so-called administration.

With children being herded together like chickens in a chicken coop, imagine how bad things can get once we get communal spread of untreatable deadly diseases. Those cutie little hands that run everywhere curiously can give touches of death and the angelic faces may turn stone-cold.

[-] -1 points by MattHolck0 (3867) 8 years ago

modern practices of hygiene really have stopped most plagues

i'm sorry global warming won't destroy all life on earth

[-] 1 points by grapes (5232) 8 years ago

Due to global warming, people horde containers to hold the unreliable rainwater to create numerous niches for mosquitoes which spread Zika virus.

Isn't the spread of Zika virus causing microcephaly in neonates a bad enough consequence of anthropogenic climate change? Destroying new brains is very bad! Not all life may be destroyed but creating more of our own Retardicons by mosqu-itoes is very disheartening.

[-] 1 points by beautifulworld (23769) 8 years ago

Bernie Sanders is hoping to capture Trump followers who, really angry with their economic situation, wrongly have been convinced it is the fault of Mexicans, refugees, African Americans and the poor. Bernie plans to show them that their poor economic situation is in fact the fault of greedy corporations, oligarchs, plutocrats, bought and corrupt politicians and banksters. This whole thing is more fixable than we think and it can be done with love in mind, love spurring from democratic socialism.

I've seen a terrific cartoon that I can't find again. It showed Hillary and Jeb Bush with no followers behind them, Trump holding a sign that says "Hate" with a few followers behind him and Sanders holding a sign that says "Love" with a long long column of followers behind him. :).

[-] 0 points by ImNotMe (1488) 8 years ago

Like Turkeys Voting For Thanksgiving .. of course a large portion of Trump's supporters can be won over by Bernie Sanders' great arguments IF only the low-info, low-education yet highly reactionary/prejudiced politically mis-educated by both school & corporate MSM - can hear his message!!! There hasn't been a 99% POTUS candidate like Bernie Sanders [ https://berniesanders.com/issues/ ] since FDR!! It NEVER fails to astound and amaze me ... as to just how The US 99%, has hitherto been successfully spun and scared into voting for The 1%/0.01%/Corporations' Best Interests - but people, especially the young, are now waking up to actually identify with their own collective/class interests - and not a moment too soon!

ad iudicium ...

[-] 2 points by beautifulworld (23769) 8 years ago

"Declaration of the Occupation of New York City"

"As we gather together in solidarity to express a feeling of mass injustice, we must not lose sight of what brought us together. We write so that all people who feel wronged by the corporate forces of the world can know that we are your allies.

As one people, united, we acknowledge the reality: that the future of the human race requires the cooperation of its members; that our system must protect our rights, and upon corruption of that system, it is up to the individuals to protect their own rights, and those of their neighbors; that a democratic government derives its just power from the people, but corporations do not seek consent to extract wealth from the people and the Earth; and that no true democracy is attainable when the process is determined by economic power. We come to you at a time when corporations, which place profit over people, self-interest over justice, and oppression over equality, run our governments. We have peaceably assembled here, as is our right, to let these facts be known.

They have taken our houses through an illegal foreclosure process, despite not having the original mortgage.

They have taken bailouts from taxpayers with impunity, and continue to give Executives exorbitant bonuses.

They have perpetuated inequality and discrimination in the workplace based on age, the color of one's skin, sex, gender identity and sexual orientation.

They have poisoned the food supply through negligence, and undermined the farming system through monopolization.

They have profited off of the torture, confinement, and cruel treatment of countless nonhuman animals, and actively hide these practices.

They have continuously sought to strip employees of the right to negotiate for better pay and safer working conditions.

They have held students hostage with tens of thousands of dollars of debt on education, which is itself a human right.

They have consistently outsourced labor and used that outsourcing as leverage to cut workers’ healthcare and pay.

They have influenced the courts to achieve the same rights as people, with none of the culpability or responsibility.

They have spent millions of dollars on legal teams that look for ways to get them out of contracts in regards to health insurance.

They have sold our privacy as a commodity.

They have used the military and police force to prevent freedom of the press.

They have deliberately declined to recall faulty products endangering lives in pursuit of profit.

They determine economic policy, despite the catastrophic failures their policies have produced and continue to produce.

They have donated large sums of money to politicians supposed to be regulating them.

They continue to block alternate forms of energy to keep us dependent on oil.

They continue to block generic forms of medicine that could save people’s lives in order to protect investments that have already turned a substantive profit.

They have purposely covered up oil spills, accidents, faulty bookkeeping, and inactive ingredients in pursuit of profit.

They purposefully keep people misinformed and fearful through their control of the media.

They have accepted private contracts to murder prisoners even when presented with serious doubts about their guilt.

They have perpetuated colonialism at home and abroad.

They have participated in the torture and murder of innocent civilians overseas.

They continue to create weapons of mass destruction in order to receive government contracts.†

To the people of the world,

We, the New York City General Assembly occupying Wall Street in Liberty Square, urge you to assert your power.

Exercise your right to peaceably assemble; occupy public space; create a process to address the problems we face, and generate solutions accessible to everyone.

To all communities that take action and form groups in the spirit of direct democracy, we offer support, documentation, and all of the resources at our disposal.

Join us and make your voices heard!

These grievances are not all-inclusive."

[-] 3 points by ImNotMe (1488) 8 years ago

''How Debt Conquered America'', by Jada Thacker:

''Special Report: America presents itself to the world as “the land of the free” but – for the vast majority – it is a place of enslaving indebtedness, a reality for much of “The 99%” - that has deep historical roots hidden or “lost” from our history.''

This article is an amazing read and (hopefully) is in compliment of your excellent and timely reply above. Any and all OWS supporters should try to read that beautiful declaration again - to recharge their minds.

Finally bw, I should also add in the light of my having to repeat my reply to you & your words above that it would be a nearly criminal shame to allow trivial personal problems to detract from this still vital forum, despite past problems .. especially at this critical time for Bernie Sanders - the de facto OWS POTUS!!

radix omnium malorum est cupiditas et per ardua ad astra ...

[-] 3 points by beautifulworld (23769) 8 years ago

"Strengthen and Expand Social Security

Social Security is the most successful government program in our nation’s history. Before it was signed into law, nearly half of senior citizens lived in poverty. Today, the elderly poverty rate is 10 percent. Although still much too high, that’s a dramatic improvement.

Through good times and bad, Social Security has paid every nickel owed to every eligible American – on time and without delay. As corporations destroyed the retirement dreams of millions over the past 30 years by eliminating defined benefit pension plans, Social Security was right there paying full benefits. As millions of Americans lost their life savings after Wall Street’s recklessness crashed the economy in 2008, Social Security was right there paying full benefits.

Today, Social Security is more important than ever. Over half of workers between the ages of 55-64 have no retirement savings. More than a third of senior citizens depend on Social Security for virtually all of their income. One out of every five senior citizens is trying to scrape by on an average income of just $8,300 a year.

Given these facts, our job cannot be to cut Social Security. Our job must be to expand it so that every American can retire with dignity and respect.

Virtually every Republican candidate for president disagrees. Many of them claim Social Security is “going broke,” that it’s causing the deficit to explode, and its trust fund is full of IOUs.

They want the American people to believe Social Security is in crisis and must be cut.

They are dead wrong.

Here are the facts:

Social Security has a $2.8 trillion surplus. It can pay every benefit owed to every eligible American for the next 19 years (and more than three-quarters after that).

Social Security’s assets aren’t “just paper,” as conservatives sometimes put it. Social Security invests in U.S Treasury bonds, the safest interest-bearing securities in the world. These are the same bonds wealthy investors have purchased, along with China and other foreign countries. These bonds are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, which in our long history has never defaulted on its debt obligations.

Right now a billionaire pays the same amount of money into Social Security as someone who makes $118,500 a year. That’s because there is a cap on taxable income that goes into the Social Security system.

Sen. Sanders has introduced legislation to end this absurdity, by lifting this cap so that everyone who makes over $250,000 a year pays the same percentage of their income into Social Security as the middle class and working families.

This would not only extend the solvency of Social Security for the next 50 years, but also bring in enough revenue to expand benefits by an average of $65 a month; increase cost-of-living-adjustments; and lift more seniors out of poverty by increasing the minimum benefits paid to low-income seniors.

Not only is this the right thing to do from a moral perspective, it is also what the vast majority of the American people want us to do. 61 percent of the American people support expanding Social Security benefits by lifting the cap on taxable income, according to an NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll earlier this year.

At a time when millions of Americans are working longer hours for lower wages, even as virtually all of the new income in this country is going to the top one percent, Sen. Sanders’ legislation will begin to reduce the obscene level of income inequality in America.

It’s time to expand Social Security to make sure that everyone in this country can retire with the dignity and respect they deserve."

From: https://berniesanders.com/issues/strengthen-and-expand-social-security/

[-] 4 points by ImNotMe (1488) 8 years ago

''The Populist Revolution: Bernie and Beyond'', by (The Ever Excellent) Ellen Brown:

''...Occupy Wall Street revived the populist challenge, armed this time with the Internet and mass media to spread the word. The Occupy movement shined a spotlight on the corrupt culture of greed unleashed by deregulating Wall Street, so widening the yawning gap between the 1% and the 99% and destroying jobs, households and the economy.''

Many thanx for an extensive excerpt & link re. Bernie Sanders and Social Security. RAISE THE CAP!!!

ad iudicium ...

[-] 2 points by MattHolck0 (3867) 8 years ago

we don't need a centralized money system

people can be given a share daily

to choose how they will employ others

willing to work for it to fill their needs

[-] 1 points by ImNotMe (1488) 8 years ago

So - "Which Side Are You On?!'' .. [covered by Ms. Natalie Merchant]

multum in parvo ...

[-] 1 points by MattHolck0 (3867) 8 years ago

don't scab for the bosses

[-] 1 points by MattHolck0 (3867) 8 years ago

human

[-] 1 points by ImNotMe (1488) 8 years ago

Good for you .. and maybe also consider this old beauty:

et pacem in terris ...

[-] 1 points by grapes (5232) 8 years ago

According to the 1983 definition of "high-income" senior citizens, many seniors will discover that they have become "high-income" in 2015 and be subject to up to 50% tax. See: http://www.fool.com/retirement/general/2016/02/14/why-an-unpleasant-social-security-surprise-awaits.aspx?source=eogyholnk0000001&utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=article

For all of those people who say inflation is good for my people, ask them after they have filed their 2015 income tax returns whether they like the 50% social security tax reserved for 1983 "high-income" senior citizens. If you love inflation, Venezuela being so close to the U.S. geographically is the inflationary heaven waiting for you. People say that all travellers should carry a roll of good old American toilet tissue paper. Es importante!

[-] 1 points by grapes (5232) 8 years ago

Social security assets are really intergenerational promises. They are "just paper" to some conservatives because these conservatives have little intention to fulfill the promises. How much they are worth will depend on our future generations' willingness and ability to honor their promises. The social security tax money has already been SPENT, on the War on Terror, if you will (because money is fungible).

I know cultures in which even a promisory paper is not required. That was how the U.S. government had been treating the social security trust fund until people asked to visit it. Now there are cabinets of treasury securities that we can actually visit. True enough, they are just fancy pieces of paper with the promise "full faith and credit of the U.S. government" printed on them.

What I do worry about is how our younger generations are going to honor these promises because we do NOT collect any social security taxes from the algorithmic automata which are acceleratingly taking over the jobs done by many human beings. Our human children may be willing but still be lacking the ability (no job, no tax). As one of our wiser ;) "mind children" may well put it (jokingly, gasp!), "The wine is great but the meat is rotten."

[-] 1 points by beautifulworld (23769) 8 years ago

Good points, but I think the first thing Americans should do is demand that we stop funding useless wars that enrich the wealthy and corporations and start funding the needs of human beings. Healthcare. Retirement. Education. Infrastructure.

It's really not that difficult to figure out. Tax Wall Street. End the wars.

[-] 2 points by grapes (5232) 8 years ago

Absolutely. The U.S. has many now-grown-up allies worldwide who are fully capable of doing chores and keeping their neighborhoods clean and livable. The U.S. is not their parent who has to fumigate our allies' bedrooms everytime a cockroach or rat is found there. We should be their Big Brother, ever watchful of pest infestation in their bedrooms and to alert them as needed. End our wars, indeed.

The Big Government must reign in Wall Street because it did not, have not, and will not behave reasonably. Like overgrown underbrush that caught fire again and again and nearly burning down the whole world's house, we must cut it back, chop it up, pull it out, burn it down, if need be, to eradicate the systemic threat.

[Removed]

[Removed]

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[-] 1 points by StillModestCapitalist (343) 9 years ago

It's a token proposal. They all know that it will never become law. And if it ever did, they would find a way to compensate for it. For nothing, I mean NOTHING will ever compel the most corrupt generation of 'leaders' in American history to do right by the middle class or the lower majority. Not when it's all said and done. I still prefer Democrats over Republicans in general but only because they are under slightly more pressure to act on behalf of the little guy. Sorry but we lose. We'll get our shot at true reform when a comet smashes into the Earth and not one moment sooner.

[-] 4 points by shadz66 (19985) 9 years ago

''I still prefer Democrats over Republicans in general but only because they are under slightly more pressure to act on behalf of the little guy.'' !!! Hmmm !! Interesting SMC ! Also re. 'SS', fyi - see ...

nihil illegitimi carborundum ...

[-] 3 points by 99nproud (2697) 9 years ago

Never say never. Any & all Social Sec expansion proposals WILL succeed at exciting more middle class people. Just as all our (& other like minded groups) protests, succeed at adding to the national debate on the issue.

The more proposals/protests we generate, the more likely our positions in the debate can dominate the marketplace of ideas and inevitably pass progressive change that benefits the 99%.

All these actions (& others) are critical for growing a mass movement to bring maximum pressure on all pols (whatever party) to implement policies we support.

No comet required. Don't you prefer a non comet solution?

[-] 2 points by StillModestCapitalist (343) 9 years ago

By the way, I didn't mark your comment down. I marked it back up.

[-] 2 points by StillModestCapitalist (343) 9 years ago

Excellent reply. Well said. However, I still believe that this proposal is a token. I find it near impossible to believe that any of it's sponsors give it a snow ball's chance in hell of becoming law. It's far too noble and logical. It would cost the most rich and powerful significantly therefore, it will not happen. I also believe that all members of both major parties understand the concentration of wealth much better than they let on. They almost never acknowledge it but their actions related to it have become incredibly predictable. Every time they say or do something to make it seem as if the issue will be addressed, they turn right around and say or do something to make it even worse.

There is no point in citing any Republican rhetoric or proposals. We all know that they run their mouths about the rich 'producers' and how lucky we are to have them every damn day. Their sold-out talk radio goons harp on that crap like it's gospel straight from the bible.

But the Democrats aren't much better. For example, they pretend as if they want more 'equality' but for every relevant proposal, most of which are tokens, they turn right around and do more PR and money favors for Wal-Mart, GE, Warren Buffet, Hollywood, Beyonce, Tiger Woods, Brad Pitt, Oprah Winfrey, Ellen Degeneres, the health care industry, the music industry, and lately, Wall Street in general with the 85 billion per month.

The 85 billion per month in particular would have been the real world equivalent of a miracle for the lower majority if it had been spent on a public works program instead. There are thousands of neglected communities which need the attention not to mention our crumbling infrastructure. Those government sponsored jobs alone would have reduced the concentration of wealth by two or three percent within a year. But FXXX NO. IT GOES TO WALL STREET INSTEAD. Gxx dxxx disgusting hypocrite PIGS. Damn near every one of them.

Also, the masses are beyond reach. They will never realize or even care just how much power they have within their wallets, their bank accounts, and under their mattresses. For if they would alter their spending habits significantly, they could EASILY reduce the concentration of wealth by 10% or more within a few years. But FXXX NO. Instead, they continue to buy more over-priced wealth concentrating CRAP like their very lives depend on it. The vast overwhelming majority do so with no regard whatsoever for the C.O.W. or anything else. So the pigs get even richer, the lower majority end up with an even lower net worth, and more wealth is concentrated by region resulting in more neglected communities, more cuts in city services, more racial tension, more red tape, and the bankruptcy of Detroit. Meanwhile, the more recently developed cities thrive on concentrated wealth. It's all related. The lines are easy to draw but the masses are impossible to reach.

I'm all out of ideas which don't involve a web page, a dozen phone calls to the press and my body going off the roof of a skyscraper along with 10,000 copies of a manifesto explaining all of the above in detail.

This movement is still worth supporting but it's not having an overall effect. For every one positive achievement attributed to this movement, there is a more significant development which results in more concentrated wealth, power, and influence. We are losing in a big way.

[-] 3 points by 99nproud (2697) 9 years ago

I concur with much of your description of the overwhelming problems we face. I disagree with your excessive pessimism on our efforts/prospects.

We face the most powerful force against the 99% in all history (corporatist oligarchs). The battle will take many years, but we will persevere, & succeed. We have only begun to create momentum for change.

One of our most difficult challenges is eliminating apathy, paralyzing pessimism, hopelessness at the seemingly impossible task.

So many uninvolved middle class people don't feel threatened by our current destructive economic inequity.

The popular (amongst middle class!) Social Security system is an excellent way to somehow get those middle class people involved and supportive of our progressive agenda for change that benefits us all.

Social Security expansion is only one effort to improve the lives of the 99%, excite/involve more people, grow the movement/pressure all pols to pass policies that benefit the 99%

We (you?) just can't give up. Do not submit to the despair our reality suggests.

You must "still rise"

Be strong. We need each other.

Solidarity

[-] 3 points by StillModestCapitalist (343) 9 years ago

I appreciate your opinion. We'll just have to disagree about our odds of success. Sometimes I slow down and take breaks but I never give up. I've been at this for 9 years. I don't expect to reverse our loss to the pigs. I only hope to make it slightly less severe and to be a thorn in the side of a few pigs.

[-] 2 points by 99nproud (2697) 9 years ago

More power to you. I spend very little time worrying about the insurmountable odds.

I will be a thorn as well, but will also acknowledge & mitigate the damage of the self destructiveness of apathy, & extreme crippling pessimism.

Growing the movement means persuading people they have a stake in the fight, & that we can succeed.

Why fight otherwise.?

And in the end, we MUST believe that the power of the people IS greater than the people (corporatist oligarchs controlling the peoples govt) in power.

"Arc of justice.." and all that jazz remember?

[-] 2 points by StillModestCapitalist (343) 9 years ago

I have mixed feelings about optimism. Years ago, when I used to spend my days off and most afternoons at the library posting rants all over the web, I used to show up there filled with glee. I really got a kick out of ripping on those 1% pigs. I expected to make a difference. But I noticed again and again and again and again that if not for my relentless efforts, the TOTAL search results for all of the relevant phrases posted within the previous 24 hours would drop significantly. Then, this movement really took off. It looked promising. Then, it faded significantly within two years. It's still a great site for sharing similar views but it's primarily the same half dozen excellent and very committed users sharing those views with each other.

All of this is very frustrating. I wasn't kidding about the skyscraper. I've seriously considered it many times over the past 7 or 8 years.

I no longer function on optimism. Never again. If it works for others, that's fine. For me, justified hatred is a much more powerful motive. I have truck loads of it. Fortunately, for the pigs, I also have truck loads of self-discipline. Otherwise, I would have made the news in a big way years ago. If I ever do resort to anything drastic, it will be me and only me going off the roof of that sky scraper. I would never give those pigs the opportunity to label me a criminal or a murderer or anything like that. I would never discredit this cause with a criminal act any worse than sneaking my way to that roof top.

[-] 2 points by 99nproud (2697) 9 years ago

Well, glad to know you don't wanna hurt anyone. Of course I would be remiss if I did not urge you to forego the skyscraper or any self destructive actions.

Anger is natural, and useful. Certainly our dire situation justifies all levels of anger. But as in all things, too much is bad. Too much winds up backfiring and hurting yourself, & your own cause.

The 'pigs' want us to let anger get the better of us (& so your "self-discipline" is necessary). It is part of the plan, in their manual.

The other extreme of naïve optimism is also ineffective. Some balance is required.

Keep fighting, but don't hurt yourself, & don't let anger consume you.

Peace

[-] 2 points by StillModestCapitalist (343) 9 years ago

Thank you. I'll be fine.

[-] 2 points by flip (7101) 9 years ago

how about the fed loaning social security money at zero percent (like they do for the banks!!) so that we could INCREASE benefits by 30% - that would cause many of us older folks to retire and open jobs for the youth of today! or better yet drop the age of full benefits to 55 and see what that does. do you think that would get the votes of the millionaires in the senate??

[-] 2 points by StillModestCapitalist (343) 9 years ago

That second proposal would be very good for retirees but also very expensive. Our sold-out leaders would never vote for that or anything else that shifts the distribution of wealth in that direction. They are not on our side. Not even the Democrats. They never will be.

[-] 3 points by flip (7101) 9 years ago

i don't think it would be expensive at all. almost every dollar given out by the fed would be spent (unlike the money given to the banks!) making the economy grow. but you are right - our politicians will not do something so simple and good for the majority. we need another populist movement to get us off the "cross of gold"

[-] 2 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 9 years ago

Too expensive - huh - looking at the excerpt below - and not taking into consideration the games being played to discredit SS - well hell - there is no problem at all - we just 85 billion a month QE Social Security for a couple of years and - well HELL - HUGE SURPLUS - Heh. But nah I guess that it is better for all to just pour that 85 billion a month onto the ground ummm wall street ummmm yeah onto the ground like I 1st said.

2010 Annual Report

Today's economy has had a negative impact on Social Security, creating a situation whereby 2010's expenditures exceeded income before interest for the first time since 1983. The 2010 Social Security Trust Fund deficit stands at $49 billion, while the projected deficit for 2011 stands at $46 billion.

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/info_8661735_estimated-payout-social-security-recipients.html

[-] 2 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 9 years ago

That's why there is a subsidized housing ( they would prefer no such thing but ) program - is not enough - but they can say they care - because there "is" a program - which fortunately pays out to "some" rental property owners - ooo dare I say it? - investment properties.

OH - sorry you probably meant flip's 2nd proposal.

As I guess mine would have been proper caps and taxing of the wealthy - which would by the way help fund flip's 2nd suggestion.

[-] 2 points by StillModestCapitalist (343) 9 years ago

A progressive tax scale from very low for 4 figures of annual income to very high for 7 or more figures of annual income would do wonders for the lower majority and economic stability. Caps on bottom line wealth would do even more. But neither will ever happen. There will be no reasonable distribution of income or bottom line wealth and no relatively strong middle class until after the comet strikes.

By the way, you do well in this forum. I've been keeping track of you and a few others. Please tell me you post somewhere else as well. This one alone isn't reaching enough people.

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 9 years ago

By the way, you do well in this forum. I've been keeping track of you and a few others. Please tell me you post somewhere else as well.

Moi ?!??!??!

Gawrsh heh-huh shucks thanks.

No nowhere else unless you count twitter - which would be stuff I copy over or paste a link to from stuff here.

[-] 1 points by StillModestCapitalist (343) 9 years ago

Craigslist has a 'politics' forum in every major city and a bunch of smaller ones. You should be posting there as well. Sometimes, when an event makes the news that I want to comment on, I'll go to the CL location most relevant and post an entry. I've made a lot of users angry there. I've even had my life threatened a few times. That should tell you something. When someone tries desperately to make you shut up, there is a good chance that you're doing something right. Don't worry. It's anonymous. My views are as controversial as anything out there and nobody has found out my identity. Anyway, there are Federal laws protecting our anonymity.

Blogspot.com is another good one. I used to go to the library and sit there for hours posting copies of my rants all over the web. I had it down to a science. Well over 60 copies per hour.

You should be all over Craigslist and Blogspot. I guess facebook also but I hate facebook. I created a fake account with a fake name there a while back because a bunch of websites would not let me post without a facebook account. But I have no intention of creating a real account there ever.

You should be all over the web and talk radio as well.

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 9 years ago

Anyway, there are Federal laws protecting our anonymity.

( edit ) LOL to jest perchance to laugh heeheheheeeheeeehah ha ha hahahahaaa ( edit ) sorry . . . ummmm errrr lets see . . . ah - To Sleep Perchance To Dream .......................... Yorik a fellow of infinite jest . . . now a guest of DHS...................alas . . . poor Yorik I new Him well now he rests in a cell................... oh Horatio

I tried facebook - thought it sucked - it went public - and as it was heading in that direction - I cancelled my account.

You should be all over the web and talk radio as well.

Well thanks - but - well - perhaps CL or Blogspot - I don't know I'll have 2 thimk on it.

[-] 2 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 9 years ago

Also consider - in expanding ( increasing ) SS benefits - another major problem can be addressed/alleviated = Affordable Housing. There is not enough affordable housing for low income ( below the poverty line ) SS recipients let alone for all of the minimum wage ( requiring public assistance ) workers. By increasing SS benefit amounts more of the housing market would be open to them. OH and not to forget = no government inspection programs required to see that subsidized housing is livable - if people can afford to live elsewhere = They Will !!!

But hey like you said elsewhere - It likely will take an act of God to see this issue (s) properly addressed.

ALSO:

No increases - not in benefits and not in a minimum wage will do any lasting good without proper caps ( and proper taxes ) on income of the 1% as the need will keep spiraling upward along with the greed fueled inflation.

[-] 1 points by 99nproud (2697) 9 years ago

Grow this protest! & Vote for candidates who support expanding benefits for our deserving elderly.

For decades progressives have been satisfied defending against conservative efforts to cut/eliminate benefits for our elderly.

Protests have begun (Thankyou Elizabeth) to demand expanding benefits.

OWS & other likeminded progressive groups get credit for encouraging this change in the national dialogue, and for showing the potential for protests.

Sign petitions, tweet, speak up, march, and vote for candidates who support expanding benefits for our elderly.

http://boldprogressives.org/campaign/expand-social-security/

FYI,

Peace

[-] 2 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 9 years ago

Might not have to wait for the comet - if fracking goes on around Yellow Stone and ends up popping the caldera.

[-] 1 points by flip (7101) 9 years ago

While I mostly agree I would like. You to keep this point in mind. Nobody saw the rebellion of 1968 and 69 coming in 1966. No demonstrations no student strikes and no black men going in the front door of the diner in north carolina

[-] 1 points by StillModestCapitalist (343) 9 years ago

That's a good point but we don't seem to have the same passion when it comes to economics.

[-] 0 points by flip (7101) 9 years ago

not sure what you mean - like we need a freedom summer for the 99% or a levitating of the fed?

[-] -1 points by 99nproud (2697) 9 years ago

Another Dem pushing expanding Social Security

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2014/03/13/push-to-expand-social-security-not-cut-it-gets-another-boost/

Pressure ALL pols to support expansion of benefits for the elderly!!

Vote 'em out if they don't!!

Don't be modest. don't be shy. Be daring! Be boisterous! Protest loud, Vote with confidence.

Solidarity

[-] 1 points by penguento (362) 11 years ago

The only problem is that there isn't any such thing as the social security trust fund -- it's an accounting fraud. The money that's collected is turned over to the treasury and immediately spent. The treasury then issues an IOU in the form of a treasury bill, that can only be paid off by collecting more taxes from the same people they taxed the first time around. There isn't a real, actual dime set aside anywhere. The only thing they have is a very large pile of T-bills payable with future revenues (e.g., taxes)

It's exactly the same as if you had a hundred dollars, wrote yourself an IOU for a hundred dollars, spent the money, and then claimed you had a hundred dollars in "investments." You go to jail for that sort of thing if you're not the government.

[-] 2 points by shadz66 (19985) 11 years ago

Your point holds water but by that standard the entirety of The Federal Budget is "an accounting fraud" and more pertinently "High Finance Kaputalism" is a Giant Ponzi Scheme and a clear 'busted flush' !!!

Thus :

ad iudicium ...

[-] 2 points by penguento (362) 11 years ago

I quite agree - the rest of the federal budget is calculated in a similarly fictitious manner, as are many state and local government budgets. It also happens in business a lot too. The difference in those cases is that none of these other folks can do it with impunity like the feds can. Sooner or later the ponzi scheme goes bust when the money runs out. That's what happens to businesses, and that's what's happened to some cities recently. Someday it'll happen to the federal government too, just like it happened to Greece, it'll just take longer.

[-] 1 points by shadz66 (19985) 11 years ago

A useful pie-chart for you :

pax et lux ...

[-] -1 points by NationalSocialist (-3) from San Francisco, CA 11 years ago

A true relief that it is very solvent.

[-] 2 points by shadz66 (19985) 11 years ago

Yep, but a very strange moniker there, dude !!!

temet nosce ...