tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4283072392763163737.post2887926667020798721..comments2024-02-27T12:41:35.811-08:00Comments on Coming to Terms...: The Last Word on Social Security (Maybe)Lisa :-]http://www.blogger.com/profile/02237889098638895390noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4283072392763163737.post-83678889465072356922005-03-11T06:11:00.000-08:002005-03-11T06:11:00.000-08:00Isn't it a pity, and revealing about the chara...Isn't it a pity, and revealing about the character of Americans, that we can focus our attention on Bush's hand in our pocket (the Social Security privatization fiasco) but we never looked closely at the Iraq war? We went to war against Iraq because the President lied to us about WMD that didn't exist. Either he lied or he is incompetent -- take your choice -- either way, we didn't impeach him, we re-elected him!<br><br>We are indifferent to the genocide in Darfur, we are indifferent to the scandal of Abu Ghraib, we are indifferent to so many things -- but try to screw us out of our Social Security and we wake up.<br><br>In Iraq, we count the American war dead, and seem to be okay with the numbers -- I think we are oddly okay with 1500 dead soldiers and marines. We rarely think about 10,000 seriously injured Americans. And we don't count the Iraqi's -- although estimates of Iraqi civilian deaths range between 15,000 and 100,000. An Italian killed at a checkpoint gets global attention -- how many Iraqi's have been killed in the same manner? Does anyone know? Does anyone care?<br><br>Sure, we responded to the tsunami -- an attention-riveting event of biblical proportions. We could hardly ignore it, but credit must be given. Too bad the genocide victims of Darfur are so far from shore -- they need a big wave to get some attention.<br><br>I'm glad that Bush has been pushed back on Social Security, but I think Americans should be ashamed for supporting the Bush agenda, and for being so complacent and apathetic.<br><br>As citizens of the great superpower, we ought to be more globally minded. As citizens of the wealthiest nation on the planet, we ought to be more compassionate, more concerned, more aware of our less-fortunate neighbors.<br><br>Americans need to open their eyes to see beyond the edge of their own pockets -- we have proved that we can resist Bush when we are awake and aware, now we need to apply that poweAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4283072392763163737.post-19990761854744171092005-03-11T10:43:00.000-08:002005-03-11T10:43:00.000-08:00The Rolling Stone had a great article a month or s...The Rolling Stone had a great article a month or so ago that hit some highlights on why this is not going to work. Also, they commented on the amount of commissions that the industry would make if this is put into action! ALso, I agree with you, it is deflecting the focus from the war.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4283072392763163737.post-18328922500012952522005-03-11T16:25:00.000-08:002005-03-11T16:25:00.000-08:00The LA Times ran an op ed peice a few days ago tha...The LA Times ran an op ed peice a few days ago that posited the idea that Bush and the Neocons simply hate government programs in principle, no matter whom they benefit. <br><br>Unless, of course, they are "faith based" or, more accurately, religious programs; then it's "by all means, fund 'em!" Otherwise, it's all about private, corporate institutions taking over the reins and reaping the reward.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4283072392763163737.post-47172495592527349492005-03-11T21:50:00.000-08:002005-03-11T21:50:00.000-08:00The support for privatization in the face of monst...The support for privatization in the face of monster deficits reminds me more of religious faith than reasoned decisions. It's the old I've made up my mind don't bother me with the facts routine. <br><br>The person who has really earned my contempt is Greenspan. He came out for the tax cuts because the surplus was too high and he doesn't have the guts to say he was wrong and come out against Bush's programs which wil push the deficits even further into the stratosphere. :-( @#$****%%^$#<br><br>Jackie<br><br><br><br>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4283072392763163737.post-560141826137068932005-03-12T19:17:00.000-08:002005-03-12T19:17:00.000-08:00Great essay on Social Security at www.bbhq.comThe ...Great essay on Social Security at www.bbhq.com<br><br>The privatization of social security is really quite simple. People who pay into their own retirement systems get to keep their principle to hand down to their heirs, while collecting the interest as their 'social security'. <br><br>And if social security is so good, why don't government employees pay into the system? They have their own system. <br><br>Think about that. <br><br>Also, the AARP slants a little to the left of the middle. <br><br>I don't believe people under 30 think this is an issue. I believe Bush underestimated those in their 70s and 80s (and 90s). Even though they won't be affected, they are crying the loudest for fear of their children and grandchildren. I'm the 'child' of an 86-year old. For the life of me, I can't explain to him the principles of savings, mutual funds, IRA's, etc., compound interest, and principle and interest. Perhaps financial security needs to be taught in schools, along with with the three R's and spelling. <br><br>Two sides to every issue. www.Townhall.com is another great website....a little to the right of the middle. Okay, maybe a lot to the right.<br><br>Remember: Balance AOL/CNN with FOX Cable News. Look at all sides carefully and with an open mind. <br>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4283072392763163737.post-890312921386279092005-03-12T19:23:00.000-08:002005-03-12T19:23:00.000-08:00I had one other comment. I like your journal, but ...I had one other comment. I like your journal, but as a person who is coming to grips with middle-age, I find it extremely hard to read your journal because the colors make it seems two dimensional, which would have been a nice 'trip' thirty years ago, but my eyesight ain't taking so kindly to it today. <br><br>MaggieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4283072392763163737.post-80566411698200219982005-03-12T21:10:00.000-08:002005-03-12T21:10:00.000-08:00There's great information on the SSI website i...There's great information on the SSI website itself. http://www.socialsecurity.gov/qa.htm<br><br>The Q&A's are straightforward. If the SSI says there's going to be a problem in the future, I'm rather inclined to believe there might be a problem.<br>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4283072392763163737.post-57031042423728832342005-03-14T05:43:00.000-08:002005-03-14T05:43:00.000-08:00I'm a so relieved to see that this isn't getting p...I'm a so relieved to see that this isn't getting pushed through like he hoped. It's my understanding that many Republicans in the Senate aren't exactly backing it either. He might not be worried about winning another term, but they are. <br>:-) ---RobbieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com