Register for free to join our community of investors and share your ideas. You will also get access to streaming quotes, interactive charts, trades, portfolio, live options flow and more tools.
Register for free to join our community of investors and share your ideas. You will also get access to streaming quotes, interactive charts, trades, portfolio, live options flow and more tools.
Welcome back, Mags. What did you bring me? eom
Interesting........
Many of us have paid into FICA for years and are now receiving a Social
Security check every month -- and then finding that we are getting taxed
on 85% of the money we paid to the federal government to "put away," you may be interested in the following:
Q: Which party took Social Security from an independent fund and put it in
the general fund so that Congress could spend it?
A: It was Lyndon Johnson
and the Democrat-controlled House and Senate.
Q: Which party put a tax on Social Security?
A: The Democrat party.
Q: Which party increased the tax on Social Security?
A: The Democrat Party with Al Gore casting the deciding vote.
Q: Which party decided to give money to immigrants?
A: That's right, immigrants moved into this country and at 65 got SSI Social Security. The Democrat Party gave that to them although they never paid a dime into it. Then, after doing all this, the Democrats turn around and tell you the Republicans want to take your Social Security.
And the worst part about it is, people believe it!
2004 Election Issue This must be an issue in "04". Perhaps we are asking
the wrong questions during election years. Our Senators and Congress men &
women do not pay into Social Security and, of course, they do not collect from it.
You see, Social Security benefits were not suitable for persons of their rare
elevation in society. They felt they should have a special plan for themselves.
So, many years ago they voted in their own benefit plan. In more recent
years, no congressperson has felt the need to change it. After all, it is a great plan. For all practical purposes their plan works like this: When they retire, they continue to draw the same pay until they die, except it may increase from time to time for cost of living adjustments. For example, former Senator Byrd and Congressman White and their wives may expect to draw $7,800,000.00 (that's Seven Million, Eight-Hundred Thousand Dollars), with their wives drawing $275,000.00 during the last years of their lives. This is calculated on an average life span for each.
Their cost for this excellent plan is $00.00. Nada. Zilch. This little perk they voted for themselves is free to them. You and I pick up the tab for this plan. The funds for this fine retirement plan come directly from the General
Funds-our tax dollars at work!
From our own Social Security Plan, which you and I pay (or have paid)
into-every payday until we retire (which amount is matched by our employer)
--we can expect to get an average $1,000 per month after retirement. Or,
in other words, we would have to collect our average of $1,000. monthly
benefits for 68 years and one (1) month to equal Senator Bill Bradley's benefits!
Social Security could be very good if only one small change were made. That
change would be to jerk the Golden Fleece Retirement Plan from under the
Senators and Congressmen. Put them into the Social Security plan with the rest of us then sit back and watch how fast they would fix it. If enough people receive this, maybe a seed of awareness will be planted and maybe good changes will evolve.
BnB...
Much as it pains me to say this, I have to admit this law, enacted under Slick, was/is making a difference in the lives of the less fortunate. I don't know if the law was extended, but I think it has been.
Daily Policy Digest
Welfare Issues
Wednesday, August 22, 2001
Five years ago today, then-President Clinton signed the landmark welfare reform bill. By almost any standard, it has been an overwhelming success. Welfare rolls have been halved. The number of families living in poverty is down. And the number of two-parent families is up.
The number of welfare-collecting families dropped from 4.4 million in 1996 to 2.2 million last year.
The number of female-headed families living in poverty has declined from 3.8 million to 3.1 million.
Despite all the good news, however, some of those who opposed welfare reform in 1996 still refuse to recognize its success -- or credit other factors for the improvements in the lives of former welfare dependents.
Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) says he still opposes the reforms "because it absolutely ends any legal responsibility that the United States government has to the poor...."
Former Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-N.Y.), who in 1996 predicted that reform proponents "will take this disgrace to their graves," today declines to comment on the matter.
Donna Shalala, secretary of Health and Human Services in the Clinton administration, who advised him to veto the bill in 1996, now credits the economic boom for moving people off welfare.
Similarly, Children's Defense Fund president Marian Wright Edelman, who in 1996 called Clinton's signature on the bill "a mockery of his pledge not to hurt children," now credits "the good economy" for the fact that more people are in the labor force.
The welfare law expires Sept. 30, 2002, and new legislation will be needed to extend it.
Source: Kathy Kiely and William M. Welch, "Welfare Reform's Success Isn't Unquestioned," USA Today, August 22, 2001.
excel...
Well, all I can say is....that ain't Texas, and I'll be mighty interested in their reception here.
Okay, sarals..
Then I shall re-phrase....
Your world view is exceedingly naive.
Better?
Oh, Bull...
Let's not go there, okay? Or we'll have to drag the Slick Willie/Enron iron back out and put it in the fire.
So, let's let sleeping dogs lie, shall we?
sarals...
I believe you have me confused with someone else.
I was simply making an observation. You can agree (doubtful) or disagree. It's my opinion of your world view, and the reason I think you see things the way they do.
As for ammo, I've yet to see any from you. Anything useful anyway. Therefore, I've not had to use any of my own.
I believe Castle explained it yesterday, but it comes down to "giving comfort to the enemy".
A technicality? Probably, and nothing will come of it, except there's a pretty big state that's awful unhappy with the Chick(s).
sarals..
It wasn't an argument, hon, it was an observation of your world view, based on my conclusions after reading your postings.
sarals...
Until the Halliburton deal is thoroughly investigated, I can't say if their actions were treason.
The Chicks, on the other hand, are easy.
I hate to have to say this, sarals, but you are one naive pup. eom
Sara...
Halliburton was wrong -if this info turns out to be true - , the Chicks were treasonous (or at least Maines was), and nothing will come of either breach.
Probably, derf. eom
Derf...
Yep, hubby called and told me to stay put till they pass. Big storms just formed right on top of us. Looks like it's starting to clear, think I'll head home.
HEY! Derf! I was just trying to keep the peace, man!
Nope, didn't know that, nyc...I got it from a board here. Funny stuff, man...a classic.
Hiya nyc...
Where have you been hiding?
OHHHMMMMMMMM OHMMMMMMMMMMMM
LOL, Castle...
One can only hope....and pray..
Matt...
When you do change the rules, where will one be able to read about the changes?
TIA
Thank you, Castle...
Always there for me, aren't you? Folks, this girl is just about the best friend I've ever had.
I said Maines' statement was treason. So were the antics of one Hanoi Jane in the 60's. Neither would be prosecuted, but their actions carry great weight.
Low blow, BnB...thought you better than that. eom
Okay, okay, I'm going, I'm going......
BnB.....yes, it does. eom
Sox...
Sigh.......sometimes, you give me such a headache.
She used a stage to protest her gov't. on foreign soil.
That IS treason. Period.
BnB....
She said it on foreign soil, check the law.
Sox,
She said she was "ashamed". And that, my friend, is an act of treason. Or don't you think it was a protest of her gov't.?
Yeah, well I love to here how high MY Presiden't approval ratings are. Looks like he's doing something right. And, this is one Texan that's mighty proud of him.
Another thing that just makes me nearly giddy is the liberals case of "foot-in-mouth" disease. I can't turn on my radio or television without hearing some liberal goofball spouting his or her bizarre ideas. Yep, looks like it may be terminal, and IMO (of course), a liberal - especially a Democrat - may well be put on the endangered species list in my lifetime.
Sox,
Good place to take this.
I thought you were referring to the hearings, which is where the McCarthyism got its start. Nevertheless, with the backing of many in government the "Black List" grew and was, rightfully, feared by many.
The only regulations, for radio, are that they must provide a public service and there's that "7 words you can't say on radio/t.v./in church" rule. Other than that, the content is protected by the same first amendment that Maines has wrapped herself in.
Again, why is it okay for her to commit treason and it's not okay to refuse to buy/listen to her music?
And, before you go saying she didn't commit an act of treason you might want to research the law. To protest, and don't tell me she wasn't protesting, against your country on foreign soil, is an act of treason. But, hell, we elected to President the last most famous S.O.B. that protested on foreign soil so I guess that's okay now, huh?
Matt and Board...
Sorry for my part in this discussion. If Sox replies, I'll PM him instead.
Y'all have great day!
Sox..
You are drawing parallels where there aren't any.
Channel One is a PRIVATE enterprise, the McCarthyism you speak of was on organized GOVERNMENT endeavor - and yes, it was truly frightening.
The stations, in response to their listeners (read money base) have suspended the Chicks. It's their prerogative. They can play 14th century baroque IF their audience asks for it.
Like I said, Maines made her bed and she can lie in it. And, FYI, I was a HUGE fan before the stupid bimbo opened her mouth.
SoxFan...
Oh, I get it...
Let me see if I understand you.
The Dixie Chicks - specifically Natalie Maines - made an utterly idiotic statement, on a stage in England, about her opinion of President Bush.
No one arrested her/them. No one has violated her/their civil rights in anyway, correct?
Now, comes time to pay the piper, and you cry foul.
Hellloooooo!! Please, I beg of you, explain to me why it's okay to bash the President, but not okay to bash the Chicks??
So typical of the left, the old double-standard.
Sorry, Matt, if this is OT for the board.
CM......Bless you!!! I'm off to delete a few pests! eom
CM...
Filter? Please explain, I have a feeling I'd LOVE this feature.
TIA
AKvetch...
a) I've no idea. I'm not a founder of this board. However, that was what one of the other founders told me.
b) Yes, as far as being 'dead'. The "why" is anyone's guess.
There is something else, too. The dynamics of the individuals...it's a lot more complicated, and emotion-laden than you may realize.
Matt...
Re: the reason NOLIB has died...
"Or was it because they wnated to prove a point and they did, now they are back on the RANTS board?"
BINGO
SoxFan...
"...the recent flap about the Dixie Chicks and the organized effort to stifle their speech."
Say what??
excel...
Can't argue with that. I love that movie, and watch it every chance I get. In fact, I came this close to buying it the other day. I just couldn't bring myself to spend the $20...guess I'm a bit of a tightwad.
Another excellent "message" movie, IMO, is "The Family Man" with Nick Cage (uh-oh..where does he stand politically?) and Tea Leoni (anyone know her politics?). It's a fabulous story.
BnB...
Near my home, a new minor league ballpark opened this year. I think it holds 12K, and it's nearly always a sellout.
My son went to a game, and said it was like watching high school kids play - lots of errors, bad pitching, etc - but the tickets were $5, the hot dogs were $1, and beer was $1.50. Much more reasonable, and he said the crowd was almost entirely made up of families. He really had fun and plans to go again soon.
Congrats, Capt! eom
Damn straight, trkyhntr. eom
trkyhntr...you Commie!!!