"That Will Never Happen In America!"
Steve McCullough
June 17, 2009
1. What if I had told you in October 2008, before the last
presidential election, that before Barack Obama's first 100 days in
office, the federal government would be in control of both the
mortgage and the banking industries? That 19 of America's largest banks
would be forced to undergo "stress tests" by the federal government
which would determine that they were "insufficiently capitalized" so
they must be supervised by the government? Would you have said, "C'mon,
that will never happen in America"?
2. What if I had told you that within Barack Obama's first 100 days
in office the federal government would be the largest shareholder in
the US Big Three automakers - Ford, GM, and Chrysler? That the
government would kick out the CEO's of these companies and appoint
hand-picked executives with zero experience in the auto industry and
that executive compensation would be determined not by a Board of
Directors but by the government? Would you have said, "C'mon, that will
never happen in America"?
3. What if I had told you that Barack Obama would appoint 21
"Czars", without congressional approval, accountable only to him - not
to the voters - who would have control over a wide range of US policy
decisions? That there would be a Stimulus Accountability Czar, an Urban
Czar, a Compensation Czar, an Iran Czar, an Auto Industry Czar, a Cyber
Security Czar, an Energy Czar, a Bank Bailout Czar, and more than a
dozen other government bureaucrats with unchecked regulatory powers
over US domestic and foreign policy? Would you have said, "C'mon, that
will never happen in America"?
4. What if I had told you that the federal deficit would be $915
billion in the first six months of the Obama presidency - with a
projected annual deficit of $1.75 trillion - triple the $454.8 billion
in 2008, for which the previous administration was highly criticized by
Obama and his fellow Democrats? That congress would pass Obama's $3.53
trillion federal budget for fiscal 2010? That the projected deficit
over the next ten years would be greater than $10 trillion? Would you
have said, "C'mon, that will never happen in America"?
5. What if I had told you that the Obama Justice Department would
order FBI agents to read Miranda rights to high-value detainees
captured on the battlefield and held at US military detention
facilities in Afghanistan? That Obama would order the closing of the
Guantanamo detention facility with no plan for the disposition of the
200-plus individuals held there? That several of the suspected
terrorists at Guantanamo would be sent to live in freedom in Bermuda at
the expense of the US government? Would you have said, "C'mon, that
will never happen in America"?
6. What if I had told you that the federal government would seek
powers to seize key companies whose failures could "jeopardize the
financial system"? That a new regulatory agency would be proposed by
Obama to control loans, credit cards, mortgage-backed securities, and
other financial products offered to the public? Would you have said,
"C'mon, that will never happen in America"?
7. What if I had told you that Obama would travel to the Middle
East, bow before the Saudi king, and repeatedly apologize for America's
past actions? That he would travel to Latin America where he would
warmly greet Venezuela's strongman Hugo Chavez and sit passively in the
audience while Nicaraguan Marxist thug Daniel Ortega charged America
with terrorist aggression in Central America? Would you have said,
"C'mon, that will never happen in America"?
8. Okay, now what if I were to tell you that Obama wants to
dismantle conservative talk radio through the imposition of a new
"Fairness Doctrine"? That he wants to curtail the First Amendment
rights of those who may disagree with his policies via internet blogs,
cable news networks, or advocacy ads? Would you say, "C'mon, that will
never happen in America"?
9. What if I were to tell you that the Obama Justice Department
wants to limit your Second Amendment rights to keep and bear arms? That
the federal government wants to reinstate the so-called "assault
weapons" ban which would prohibit the sale of any type of firearm that
requires the shooter to pull the trigger every time a round is fired?
That Obama's Attorney General wants to eliminate the sale of virtually
all handguns, which most citizens choose for self-defense? Would you
say, "C'mon, that will never happen in America"?
10. What if I were to tell you that the Obama plan is to eliminate
states' rights guaranteed by the Tenth Amendment and give the federal
government sweeping new powers over policies currently under the
province of local and state governments and voted on by the people?
That Obama plans to control the schools, energy production, the
environment, health care, and the wealth of every US citizen? Would you
say, "C'mon, that will never happen in America"?
11. What if I were to tell you that the president, the courts, and
the federal government have ignored the US Constitution and have seized
powers which the founders of our country fought to restrict? That our
last presidential election may have been our last truly free election
for some time to come? That our next presidential election may look
similar to the one recently held in Iran? I know, I know what you say,
"That will never happen in America".
---
A lot of these actually were initiated by Bush....
Give us your proof that "a lot of these were initiated by Bush" please.
Quote from: Anmar on June 23, 2009, 04:57:17 PM
A lot of these actually were initiated by Bush....
Which ones?
In the interest of fairness I would like to point out that obama did not start the so-called stimulus, bank bailouts, housing crisis, or Constitutional violations. I think that alot of folks were blinded to a degree when it comes to Bush because of 9/11 and his response. Bush did begin warrantless wire tapping, individual bank account tracking, pretty much ignoring our right to privacy and violating the 4th admendment.
My point is that the gov't as a whole is out of control. We the People have to put a stop to it. It has gotten to the point now that it is beyond laying blame at the feet of just obama. True, he does seem to be the worst of the bunch, however, we need to start looking at the bigger picture.
I will agree that government is out of control and I would be happier if my life had a lot less government in it. I don't feel I was blinded by Bush. I liked his handling of 9/11. I like the detainees at Gitmo. I will agree that he had flaws. No one is perfect. No President has EVER been perfect. It's just that Obama rubs me the wrong way. He's spending WAY too much money and I'm not seeing many results. Paragraph 4 of Frank's post is the one that jumps out at me as being just a little too frivolous with money we don't have. At this rate it won't just be the kids and the grandkids paying it back, but the greats and great greats paying too.
Don't get me wrong, I agree with you. I supported Bush on the War on Terror, and think he did a pretty good job. I just didn' t like his handling of the economy, but like you say, nobody is perfect.
I guess "blinded" was a wrong choice of word. I just get tired of hearing "Dem.s did this" or "Repub.s did that" when the truth is that neither party is worth a plug nickel.
http://coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Files.View&FileStore_id=59af3ebd-7bf9-4933-8279-8091b533464f
i was reading the above mentioned website about 100 Stimulus Projects: A Second Opinion by Tom Coburn. It was very interesting and very informative about how "well" our money is being spent across the country. If you have the time, please copy and paste the link then read through it!
Quote from: kshillbillys on June 23, 2009, 05:28:57 PM
Give us your proof that "a lot of these were initiated by Bush" please.
Obama has been in office for what, 6 months? You know a lot of these things, especially the bailout plans and civil liberty issues are much older than that. When congress rejected the bailout of the auto industry, it was Bush who decided to funnel the Tarp money to them. It was bush who decided to bail out the banks. Can't you remember the major issues from 8 months ago? Come on.
Yes, I remember the auto and bank bailouts...I wasn't fond of them then either!
I don't remember Bush EVER getting people in his administration that would help take my guns away. I don't remember Bush trying to get rid of Conservative talk radio. I don't remember Bush appointing 21 Czars. I DO remember Bush's deficit being criticized by the Democrats but I don't think Bush ended up tripling that. I don't remember Bush ever traveling to the Middle East to kiss their asses and APOLOGIZE for things that should NEVER be apologized for.
I don't have Alzheimer's YET so yes I CAN remember 8 months ago.
A lot of these problems didn't just come around, you're right about that. But I'm sorry, don't just blame Bush. You need to go back a little further to begin the Blame Game.
As i've said many times before, both parties are corrupt. And Bush did kiss up to the mid east allies, read about his dealing with the Saudi's post 9/11.
But....Bush is not the President..
So give it a rest.
and Obama ..as far as I can see..has only dug us into a hole so deep that we will never get out.
He could have NOT signed and pushed all he pushed through.. He didn't.. He not only pushed it through and got us in to one hell of a financial mess.. he continues to push for his socialistic agenda.
.
Bush currently isn't the president, you are correct. That doesn't mean we can't talk about him and his role in the bailouts.
Bush signed the first of the most recent Bailouts on October 8th 2008. Then, in december after congress decided not to bail out the auto industry, Bush gave them money too.
It's actually necessary to bring up Bush in this thread, because the Original Post attributes a lot of things that Frawin and many others consider wrong to Obama. This just isn't true. Obama may have continued some poor policies, but these policies were enacted by previous presidents, including Bush.
People keep talking about Obama's socialist Agenda. He doesn't have one. What we are seeing is a principle of Keynsian economics, which is based on capitalist theory. Some day i'll write something showing the differences, but look it up if you have the time. The economic advisers under Bush were also followers of Keynes, so really you are just seeing different stages of the same monetary and economic policy.
It's pretty bad when people's partisanship starts to affect their ability to see the truth.
Socialism (as defined by dictionary.com)- Any of various theories or systems of social organization in which the means of producing and distributing goods is owned collectively or by a centralized government that often plans and controls the economy.
How is obama not doing this???
Quote from: BillyakaVarmit on June 29, 2009, 08:01:42 PM
Socialism (as defined by dictionary.com)- Any of various theories or systems of social organization in which the means of producing and distributing goods is owned collectively or by a centralized government that often plans and controls the economy.
How is obama not doing this???
For starters, it was Bush, not Obama, that purchased stocks in the Auto and Banking industry.
Second, said ownership is temporary. In the case of Banking, the means of production and distribution are not being controlled by the government. Can't say the same about the Auto Industry, but it can be said that ownership and control is going to be very temporary. Thats not Socialism, that Keynsian economic theory.
Quote from: Anmar on June 30, 2009, 08:07:00 AM
Second, said ownership is temporary. In the case of Banking, the means of production and distribution are not being controlled by the government.
I'll believe that when i see the money repaid and the government relenquishes control of the banks. As for the auto industry, the govt should have never bailed them out. The truth be known if the auto industry would open their eyes and restructure and get with the times, I myself would put money into their stock. Now is the time to buy if we can get a idea if their going to possibly survive. i think stocks for the automakers is like around 2 bucks a share.
I think all of the bailouts were bad ideas. Bad companies should be allowed to fail. They are in the situation for a reason, they made bad decisions. Not all the auto companies are doing poorly, Ford is in reasonable shape. There are a lot of banks across the coutnry that are doing very well, because they didn't get into Credit Default Swaps. I completely agree on this point. But blaming Obama for the bailouts and claiming it's socialism is not really honest.
I thought it was funny that when Obama announced that there would be salaray caps for banks taking TARP money, many of the banks immediatly sold shares to try and pay back the government loans. Nothing makes a bank healther than telling them there are strings attached to TARP.
(http://lh6.ggpht.com/_qbT9lfmNQI0/SaNmTZExx7I/AAAAAAAABbM/4_DNReOvpNA/s800/obama15.jpg)
I love the smell of Socialism in the morning
with his added thoughts of:
You people stink, and I will cleanse you of your past and create a new world order. Just like Soros told me to do....Heil Obama!
The American people are getting just what they want. They want, our balance to be ruled over by people who have no integrity. They give them money, they work on their campaigns for, they defend them. The people who oppress us are empowered by us collectively.
Whenever a person accepts help in any way from a government,
they are surrendering their freedom and liberty.
How much freedom and liberty have you surrendered to government bureaucrats?
Seriously..... we all would have said that we knew that we were going to be in big Trouble, but I don't think we ever dreamed just how big that trouble would be.
Even paying attention, I would have said to a lot of that garbage (like taking over the auto industry)......That Will Never Happen In America.
Not anymore.
I will believe that in the next 4 years.. anything is possible.
we only have to stall the for another 18 months then vote their butts out.
Teresa, keep it up. You're telling like it right.
Keynsian economics is taught in the schools as
gov't policy. Sure both Democrats and Republicans
support Keynesian - their arguments and debates
ought to offer true American alternatives to Keynesian.
I went grocery shopping yesterday, I got 12 cans of tuna, 2 small boxes of raisin bran generic, 1 box of cheerios generic, 2 pints of blueberries, 2 pounds of cheddar, 4 bananas, 4 pounds bacon, 2 loaves bread, 2 pounds of smoked sausage, 1 pound of ham, 2 pounds of turkey, some scrubbies for the dishes, soap and a pack of sodas and ended up spending 84 dollars. :(
I can't eat a whole lot of stuff that is cheap as it is loaded with sugar or high carbs. But the groceries have gone out of sight on prices. I would say they have about doubled in the last two months.
Those rising prices are reflected in the latest Consumer Price Index releases, but they still have not increased enough to trigger a Social Security increase later this year.
NOTHING should Ever trigger a Social Security increase, this year or or any other!!! >:( >:( >:( If you can't afford groceries because you have a fixed income, heres an idea, quit paying for cable or satelitte, turn off your cellphone service, get off the damn internet and instead spend your money on things you need, not want.
Well, let me see. I live on a fixed income. This includes my pension, my social security, and a 401k payout monthly. I have cable TV which I enjoy, being somewhat (but not always) housebound. I have a cellphone so that I can keep in touch with my family when I need to or be able to dial 911 if I fall and can't get up. I have two computers, one desktop and a laptop which are both connected to the Internet. I love the Internet as it is a great source of news and information from around the world, and it helps keep me sane and I have heard is a deterrent to developing alzheimer's earlier than I normally would. I have family and friends who regularly post on their blogs and send e-mail. In this modern day and age I can communicate with my son who is traveling around the world in four different ways: by cellphone (free calling), using Skype on the computer (free calling), e-mail (Internet provider service fee--small amount) and contacting him on the blog that they have set up for their trip (included in the Internet service fee).
I realize that there are those who are on a fixed income that cannot afford all these wondrous items listed above. And, Billy, you are right in that they should budget themselves to needs rather than wants. But, they, like me, enjoy what luxuries we can and one of those luxuries is signing on to this forum to enjoy our friends and relatives.
Unfortunately, we have to put up with negative responses such as yours. But, then again it just makes the forum more fun.
Thanks, Billy, for contributing. By the way, I will give up my Social Security increase if you will give up your yearly raise.
Larryj
Excellent post, larryj!!!!!!!!!!! :laugh:
Quote from: BillyakaVarmit on July 04, 2009, 10:15:15 AM
NOTHING should Ever trigger a Social Security increase, this year or or any other!!! >:( >:( >:( If you can't afford groceries because you have a fixed income, here's an idea, quit paying for cable or satelitte, turn off your cellphone service, get off the damn internet and instead spend your money on things you need, not want.
I'll tell you what, I don't have a tv, nor cable nor satellite, or a cellphone. I have to have a phone for medical assistance when i need it and internet don't cost me but 10 bucks. Not going to make a difference in my grocery bill and I don't get food stamps or section 8 housing, or any of the other various welfare programs around.
But last of all, I get my social security because i PAID INTO my social security by force and i damn well am going to take what i paid for. Since i am stuck on a fixed income, and since the COLA rules allow for my social security retirement to be raised, then I expect it to be triggered by these rising prices.
It would be different if I was on welfare, i wouldn't expect a thing. But since i am not on welfare, then i expect them to hold up their end of the deal or give me my money back.
It sounds like two totally different people with the same name responded to my observation about a trigger.
The most recent figure (based on my computation for the June CPU figures released by the Department of Labor) has the COLA at -3.4%.
The Social Security website predicts zero for 2010 and .2% for 2011. Zero is probably accurate but the past predictions at that location have, otherwise, always been way off.
We had a larger than usual raise last year, so I am not going to complain if we don't get a raise this year. Besides, one of my daughters had to take a cut in pay so everyone could keep their jobs, another one took a cut in hours so no one would have to be laid off and a third daughter took a cut in overtime. Why should I expect a raise?
Thanks, Cat. You will be impressed that I said all that before the second cup.
Billy, don't get upset with me. I really do appreciate your posts and definitely agree with a lot of what you say. Some people look at SS as a savings plan. It is not. It is a "government pyramid scheme" with the exception that the top of the pyramid aren't getting all the money. Those of us who collect it, paid into it all of our lives. I am sure that I paid much more, way much more, into SS than I will ever be able to collect. My wife paid into it for about seven years a long time ago. She stayed home for a long time raising kids and went back to work after the last one graduated high school. Where she works now is a government agency and they do not pay into social security, therefore she will collect a very small amount earned from over 30 years ago.
A lot of us worked all of lives, some of us earning pensions, and paying into our 401k plans, as well as paying into Social Security and Medicare. I started working part time at age 14 and worked summers and after school and weekends and of course, full time. I retired at age 62. That makes 48 years of giving the government my money. So, now it is time for the government to give some back. I may live another year or ten years or twenty years if I am lucky, but I guarantee you I will never see all that money again. Don't get me wrong. I am happy with what I get.
Like I said in an earlier post to you on this subject some time back, pray that the system won't collapse before you can get your money back.
Larryj
Billy has good reason to make mention about SS and I'm in agreement with him.
LarryJ, you're right about it being a pyramid scheme and some day it will probbaly
be finished. It's good lesson that we ought to stay the course like the founding fathers
set this country in motion.
This is from Senior Living.
Today's Workers Fund Today's Retirees
In other words, the Social Security taxes paid by today's workers and their employers are used to pay the benefits for people who are currently retired, and for other beneficiaries such as workers who become disabled or the families of workers who die.
•Today, there are 3.3 workers paying into Social Security for every person who receives benefits, for a ratio of 3.3 to 1.
•By 2030, that ratio will be 2 to 1.
Part of the reason for the steep decline is that the oldest of the 79 million baby boomers will begin retiring in 2008. At the same time, birth rates are declining.
For now, Social Security is still taking in more money than it pays out in benefits. Any money that's left over goes into the Trust Funds.
•Currently, the Trust Funds have large reserves, but by 2018 those surpluses will start turning into deficits.
•The benefits owed will be more than the taxes collected, and Social Security will have to dip into the Trust Funds to pay benefits.
•In about 30 years, there will be nearly twice as many older Americans as there are today. Those changing demographics put Social Security benefits in jeopardy.
It appears from this article that SS willl be with us for a while yet.
Larryj
Larryj, you stated that SS is a ponzi scheme. And, there's more....
Where's the trust fund money? Huge reserves? The Fed's have
borrowed from the SS trust fund. Looks like the Fed's owe the
SS trust fund just like they owe China.
There's lots of info about this but you should take a look at this article:
http://www.heritage.org/research/socialsecurity/em940.cfm
So is the ponzi scheme looking any better?
Diane, don't get me started on life insurance! It was one of my many trades in the dark ages. I couldn't sell life insurance to a dying man.
Insurance companies collect the premiums and invest those premiums in high interest accounts. If you have a whole life account, then you will reap the benefit of a tiny bit of that interest which will be returned to you at such time that the policy matures and you haven't kicked the bucket. Therefore, the insurance companies have a ton of money to pay out in case they really have to. I only lasted a few months before I got disgusted and quit. "Excuse me, sir, but would you like to buy some insurance so that if, God forbid, you should keel over tomorrow, you could leave something for the wife and kids?" (Choke, Choke, gag, gag) No, thanks.
Red, thanks for the site. Very informative.
Larryj
Social Security would be much better off if Bush hadn't borrowed so much money from the program to help pay for the wars.
Anmar, it is possible that the money was borrowed from SS to pay for
other stuff - like for programs and grants. Afterall, Federal money is not
growing on trees like we'd like to think.
I spent some time this morning looking into SS history and predictions. I also read about borrowing. It was way too much information for me to process so early in the morning so I will go back. Suffice to say, Bush did propose borrowing from social security, but remember, Congress controls the purse strings. One of the sites I saw cited the Democrats saying they would not approve of any borrowing from social security, yet when the bill came to a vote, a majority of the democrats in Congress voted for borrowing.
Like I said, once I wake up a little more, I will read more.
Oh yeah, good morning, everyone.
Larryj
Yeah, the Democrats can say and debate what they want, but in the end, both the Democrats and Republicans
are in cahoots when it comes to the money. They're looking for creative financing you might say and they seem to
find a way when they really want to spend.
There has been mention of Social Security being a trust fund, and "I've paid into it so I should get it back". Let me ask ya'll something, just who do you suppose backs this trust fund? The gov't, right? And where do you suppose that backing comes from? Taxpayers. Now, if the gov't includes the taxes that are suppopsed to go towards S. S. into the general budget, and can tap into them whenever they feel like it to pay for programs such as Medicare and medicaid, both of which are unconsititutional, then it is no longer a "you get what you pay in" kind of deal. All it does is increase the burden that future generations will have to pay for. So the next time you get a raise your allowance or more coverage in programs, thank your grandchildren, they are the ones who will be paying for it.
By the way, I will not give up my yearly raise in my wages, that is money that I earned through my labor. What have you done to earn taking even more of taxpayer money?
Well said, Billy. I'm solidly opposed to such programs by the Fed's.
Our earliest Patriots would never have suggested SS. Further, it's a
losing deal in many ways including our freedoms.
Here's a quote somebody sent me:
"It's an unusual time when half of our country works for a living and half votes for a living."
That just about says it all for now..........
Quote from: BillyakaVarmit on July 06, 2009, 04:34:38 AM
Now, if the gov't includes the taxes that are suppopsed to go towards S. S. into the general budget, and can tap into them whenever they feel like it to pay for programs such as Medicare and medicaid, both of which are unconsititutional, then it is no longer a "you get what you pay in" kind of deal. All it does is increase the burden that future generations will have to pay for. So the next time you get a raise your allowance or more coverage in programs, thank your grandchildren, they are the ones who will be paying for it.
Then give me back my money that i paid in lump sum. The fact is i did pay into it by force, and i expect every dime i can get back. I worked hard and earned every dime paid into it. Doesn't matter if its unconstitutional program or not.
QuoteBy the way, I will not give up my yearly raise in my wages, that is money that I earned through my labor. What have you done to earn taking even more of taxpayer money?
Then don't expect any of us that are retired to give up our raises in social security. We earned every dime.
Perhaps you should do some research into the SS system and how it is supposed to work. Google "Social Security Trust Fund" and read up on that. I did until I got tired of reading. Suffice to say, the system is not perfect and its demise is projected later on in this century. In the meantime, it works because there are those like you that are working and pay into the system. When I was working, I was paying into the system to allow those in the generation before me to have an income to help them out. That is what you are doing. The generation that I was helping out also paid into the system to help the next generation out. And, guess what? WE ALL BITCHED AND MOANED ABOUT HOW CRUMMY THE SYSTEM WAS AND HOW IT WAS GOING TO FAIL!
I am not that familiar with the constitution, but I firmly believe the word Medicare is not in there anywhere.
Our earliest patriots did not call it social security. Provisions were made for those who could not support themselves to live with others in the community. Basically, it was like two families living together and working together to help each other out. An example would be: The man of the family dies and the surviving widow can't support herself and her kids. So the community sells off the assets of the family (farm, furniture, etc.) and makes arrangements with another family to take them in. The money from the sale of assets is given to the family and helps to support both families. Later on, poor houses were more widely accepted as an alternative. These were like retirement centers except that the community ponied up the money to pay for the housing and feeding of older person. This money came from taxes collected from the community. Social security? Not by name, but the idea was the same.
I do not have to thank my grandchildren for any increase in my income. I have to thank you because you are the one who is paying for it. You can thank my grandchildren as they will be paying yours!
Larryj
Frank.......18 months to vote them out?
With ACORN supplying more voters than a district has residents like in the Coleman/Franken race, and 20 million illegal aliens that the administration wants to amnesty an election doesn't amount to a "yellow urine" hole in the snow.
I'm simply resigned to the fact that the only way REAL Americans will ever get our country back is by hanging the Globalist Elite and as many of their minions as we can catch. And before you tell me I don't have any faith io my country... you couldn't be further from the truth!
I have plenty of faith in my COUNTRY, it's the leeches running it and the brainwashed buttheads who elect them I have no faith in. >:(
Yes, we may live in a country with more freedoms than any other, HOWEVER, we are no where NEAR as free as we were 30 or 40 years ago. You're going to enjoy "my second amendment rights", you mean the one that "SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED" ? As long as you have individual permission from the FBI anyway ? You are going to work where and when you please ? Good for you, the socialist b*#@!% of a President we have now has almost killed the manufacturing sector...so think about that IF you still have a job and are not one of the unemployed right now.
Speak freely ? Worship as you please ? Good deal, just don't let any one find out if your Pastor anounces anything that is not of the Liberal agenda..
I work with my representatives but not much is being changed as far as I can tell. .. So while we are working with our elected Representative remember this, no matter what party, no matter how he votes, no matter how moral he personally is, he is just as guilty as the scumbags who get caught, because he is allowing them to get away with their rotten practices. He came so cheap they didn't even need to make him rich, they just promise him Committee appointments.
I remember what America was like back when it really WAS a free Republic, that stood for certain morals and beliefs. I miss that country.
Two thoughts...one being that if you've never experienced certain freedoms, how can you miss them and two if you are in an isolated patch of the country,those people will be unaware of the evil if their range of information comes in from the outside via the mainstream media.
I remember when anyone could go down to the feed store and buy a case or two of dynamite to blast stumps or what not.
I remember when a kid could order a 22 from Sears mail order and have it delivered to home.
I remember when you could walk on a plane with a gun and they'd ask if there was a round in the chamber or not.
Back 40 years ago in major metropolitan areas, it was front page news in the Sunday paper if a woman got raped that week....and a big spread if it happened more than twice a month.
Years ago, a bad kid was one that chewed gum in class knowing good and well he wasn't supposed to.
Before there was this Great Society that Johnson foisted on us people took care of one another...and appreciated the help.
There was very little health insurance for anyone...then, as now, people aren't dying by the ten's of thousands without it.
Everyone knew if someone was in the country illegally they were a criminal.
People weren't scared to stand up for something....I guess a lot of the single parent mommy families have changed all of that...shame on the dads who failed to participate..
I remember when kids walked up and down the roads and streets carrying guns to go hunting and shooting....no silly scared old women or silly single parent mommy boys crying about a kid with a gun and calling the police on them because they are frightened.
I remember if a woman had a flat tire a guy would stop and change it and she never had to worry about being molested.
People were polite and generally didn't cut in line or anything....and chastised those who did and the men made the offender get in the back of the line....or leave (did that just the other day, by the way).
People would help the elderly, move out of their way in lines, load their groceries for them...whatever else...because it is the right thing to do.
You could vote for either party and not worry that the President would trash the country.
Boy, we have really improved things...all of this tolerance, diversity, illegal influx, enlightenment, personal affluence and satisfaction...sure has made this a better place to live....NOT.
Quote from: srkruzich on July 06, 2009, 06:27:32 AM
Then give me back my money that i paid in lump sum. The fact is i did pay into it by force, and i expect every dime i can get back. I worked hard and earned every dime paid into it. Doesn't matter if its unconstitutional program or not.
Then don't expect any of us that are retired to give up our raises in social security. We earned every dime.
Let me ask you this, have you ever recieved a tax return or credit, or use programs like medicare or medicaid? By the way how did you earn taking other peoples money??
Also, the Idea the founders had was nothing like we have today. In their time seniors were taken care of by the community on a volunteer basis, it was not a gov't run system of theft like we have today.
Quote from: BillyakaVarmit on July 06, 2009, 07:50:58 PM
Quote from: srkruzich on July 06, 2009, 06:27:32 AM
Then give me back my money that i paid in lump sum. The fact is i did pay into it by force, and i expect every dime i can get back. I worked hard and earned every dime paid into it. Doesn't matter if its unconstitutional program or not.
Then don't expect any of us that are retired to give up our raises in social security. We earned every dime.
QuoteLet me ask you this, have you ever recieved a tax return or credit, or use programs like medicare or medicaid?
Tax return? Hmm IF i overpaid my tax yeah. But usually i shelled out money to pay taxes. I am on social security dude. Medicare comes with it. I pay for it too. costs me 135 a month plus a couple hundred deductible every year and another 60 -80 a month for drug costs.
I Don't get medicaid thats welfare
QuoteBy the way how did you earn taking other peoples money??
? What are you talking about?
QuoteAlso, the Idea the founders had was nothing like we have today. In their time seniors were taken care of by the community on a volunteer basis, it was not a gov't run system of theft like we have today.
Well I don't disagree but since i spent 35 some odd years of uncle sam stealing my money to fund social ssecurity, i have no problem getting what i can back. :)
Tax return? Yeah, I got a refund for many years because I overpaid my taxes (keyword: overpaid) and now the wheel has slowly turned and my kids grew up, I lost the deductions, the interest I pay on my mortgage is lower as I have been in the house for a long time and I have been paying taxes for a lot of years. My son is a CPA and a very good one at that. He handles my financial life for me. Since I have been retired for over three years, I have paying more taxes than I did when I was working. Go figure! Might be somebody is raising the bar here. Can you see all the seniors who are Walmart greeters or doing other menial jobs to supplement their incomes. They are not out there doing that so they won't get bored, at least not all of them. If I was in better health, I would go get a job for the fun of it and take it away from someone who desperately needs it.
As I said earlier, I paid into SS for a long time and I want some back, whether its mine or yours or my grand-kids.
I am on Medicare even though I could have stayed on my wife's insurance from her employer. It costs me more in co-pays and lab work and other tests, but the feds are going to take $95 out of my SS check every month whether I use it or not. Just recently I dropped off my wife's insurance because it was too much of a hassle for the insurance company and medicare fighting over who was going to pay for my medical needs.
Only two times in my life have I used government money, both times when I was on disability for broken bones or an operation. And I paid into that too.
Larryj