It can't be excerpted, go read the entire article. Now. That is an order, not a request. Okay, one excerpt. Here's the close:
I'm in.
"Enough with the peas and the tea. What America needs at the present moment is a We the People Party -- a We Party. Instead of trying to dismantle the New Deal, like both the Tea Partyers and the Pea Partyers, the We Party would campaign to modernize and, where necessary, expand the system of middle-class social insurance on which most working families rely.
Instead of further slashing taxes on the rich, as the Tea Party proposes, or cutting benefits for the middle class, as the Pea Party proposes, the We Party would raise taxes on the rich substantially, before raising taxes on working families, if that should be necessary.
Rejecting the characterization of elderly Americans as "greedy geezers" enjoying a "subsidized vacation," the We Party would maintain or even increase Social Security benefit levels and avoid future shortfalls by means of slightly higher payroll taxes or an infusion of other tax revenue.
The We Party would demand that the federal government stand up to the medical-industrial complex and impose fee schedules on doctors, hospitals and drug companies in the U.S., in order to control medical costs the way other democratic nations do -- thereby eliminating the danger that Medicare and Medicaid budgets will wreck the federal budget.
Above all, a We Party that represented Main Street rather than Wall Street would reject the claim, made by Tea Party and Pea Party alike, that the greatest threat facing America is long-term budget deficits, instead of short-term unemployment and lack of growth. The We Party would focus on what should be the real priority of this moment in our national history: putting America back to work.
America doesn't need the Tea Party or the Pea Party. It needs the We Party."
I'm in.
I think carguy is right. I think Americans have intellectually checked out. They're ignorant and they're damn proud of their ignorance. They don't know jackshit and they will stand up and proclaim loudly that they don't know jackshit.
As I stated earlier, I've got visiting grands this week and don't have much time for arguing over the 'net. I'm making sure though that my grands know what is what.
Looks like the Gang of Six (the very fact that we have such groups named as this, in MY mind, PROVES it is anti-democracy - which, I can make a decent argument that today's republicans ARE anti-democracy and are nihilistic, only interested in tearing our government apart in the hopes one of their overlords will be made dicator) IAE, this Gang of Six may not survive. Too large of Dems are hating on it and too many Teas hate the revenue side (weak as it is).
We need straight up, raise the debt ceiling. Leave entitlement reform until after the next election. (SS is good for another 35 years or so and Obama's healthcare will kick in in a few years and we can redo health care when we elect a Democrat into office...strike that...when we elect a PROGRESSIVE into office.
If they don't start doing something about jobs, a MAJOR stimulus pretty quick, I'm afraid the US will be so far behind it will never be able to catch up again. Other countries see we are not investing in ourselves or our country and they are making THEIR moves and investing heavily in education, green energy, manufacturing, etc. It may be that England, Ireland, Greece and the US will all go into 3rd world status and the likes of China, Japan, Germany will take over our status.
We will lose out because the republican built monster is not controllable by any one.
Sorry. Grandkids visiting this week and we are about to walk out the door.
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2011/07/20/273830/gang-of-six-plan-reduces-social-security-benefits-by-1300-a-year-cuts-corporate-tax-rates/
No. I would rather have a Democrat look at taking the cap off which "fixes" Social Security into infinity. Where's the problem?
Medicare - opt in option for those who want to buy in and give it the ability to bargain for drugs. Again. It will bring the rising costs on medical care way down - (it isn't medicare costs that are rising, it is private medical costs, passed on to medicare. take profit out of the medical insurance side and you see tons of costs coming down. Public option and, again, costs are controlled. Why keep doing shit that doesn't work?)
By george, I believe you got it... :O)
I gotta be honest wit ya dude......... my sister-in-law has already been in contact with the aliens. They told her, after they probed her, of course, they wouldn't touch earth "with a 10 light year long pole." They got "space buoys" all around the "third rock" with warnings that say, (in alien of course) "WARNING - Lunatic species on threshold of destroying itself. Do not approach planet. Download all movies from HBO and Cinemax, music of FRank Sinatra and the Beatles, and photos of Faith Hill, and leave Solar System."
Yup. Even me. I understand. I see the need but I can not honestly tell you that I wish I paid more taxes.
I say it's better to give it to your Uncle who might at least leave some of it to you.
Simply put, the hatred of taxes is imbed into our national DNA. Sure, we could rearrange the way we spend money and alleviate some problems but the other nations don't have to fight the tax paranoia that has been the American story. People just don't see that they will pay one way or another. They'd rather give it to some rich bastard CEO (no offense Jefe) than Uncle Sam.
Hi RHM,
I'm not trying to argue with you because I certainly agree in principle with what you believe but:
It looks like the average cut would amount to about 750 dollars a year averaged over 25 years. I know that can be a substantial amount when someone is surviving at the subsistence level.
This represents a more substantial strain than is first apparent because what seniors need is MORE inflation adjustment rather than less.
One can only hope that because the most significant need for seniors is medical care that putting the smackdown to medical costs would have a significant beneficial effect on their bottom line.
I just saw this post...you're probably right AND that is a good vocal point to ask HOW that reduction will be counter-balanced?
Hi Loma,
They're here, man...they're here!
It's Intergalactic exopolitics that hamper them in their efforts to fix us...just can't get away from the rams of politics.
Managing our way out of personal, corporate, and secular greed is something that America is incapable of attaining, and therefore all bets are off concerning the imminent ruin of the nation. And we will take down the developed countries right along with us.
That will be our legacy as the aliens approach even nearer to our galaxy...
Hi RHM,
I think a farsighted look at the future of entitlement programs is a must.
I know that some of the arguments put forth say that those programs are good for at 'least' 30 years. As you have pointed out, America is aging, not reproducing, fighting for a zenophobic immigration policy, not innovating, not sharing, and just generally screwing up. Thirty years is a pretty short zone of comfort when placed in perspective against centuries or even millenia of existence.
Why not take a sensitive look at the real impacts of demographic changes since Roosevelt to see where we are and where we stand in the future?
Would you rather have a Repubtilian doing it?
He is doing what he does best, capitulating to the republicans.
"Must please republicans."
"Must please republicans."
"Must please republicans."
The indexing change will shave $1300 annually off of SS benes beginning 2014! There is NO raises in revenues through restoring taxes -- ONLY through "closing loopholes" -- supposedly they will "lower tax rates" but pay for it through the closing of the loopholes. The change in SS will "stabilize it for 75 years" but, of course, taking the caps off it, would make it good into infinity...None of these people seem to "get it". Cutting SS benes will devastate many many families; most need benes RAISED in order to make it with this economy. Of course, Obama has not yet explained why SS needs to be part of this deal since it has nothing to do with debt or deficits.
MSNBC is reporting that the senate (Gang of six)has a proposal of deficit reduction, spending reduction and revenue enhancement that has the president's approval. It will change the CPI indexing of SS. Rumor has it the repubtilians will kill it in the house unless Boehner can control his GOP legislaturds. Good luck with that pumpkinhead. I won't hold my breath.
Certainly, the next 7 days will tell a lot on what happens in 2012.
I think we're looking at Romney-Perry for the GOP. I guess we'll have to see WHICH Obama shows up. I just don't know if he can get re-elected, no matter what he does.
The way they are going - there might not be elections in 2012. If they cut SS and Medicare, guaranteed there will be no apathy.
Another Sederista? You go girl! Now I know why I like you so much. BTW...for RHM and anybody else, a really good internet radio program is Mikemalloy.com You have to hit the "listen" button. It's on from 8-11 p.m. central time. It's kind of hard core, so not meant for weak kneed Democrats.
Sam Seder can be found at www.majority.fm for podcasts, and he's live on itunes from roughly 10:30 A.M. to 12:00 p.m. M-F
It'll raise yer smarts level.
I am afraid that there are not nearly enough people willing to stand up and be counted on this. As I said, some just aren't aware of the problems we are facing with these legislaturds, both parties. Others are just too lazy. And, contrary to his prmises, we do not have a president whose prime focus is the middle class.
I don't see a way out. The democratic party is useless and clueless. Romney is gonna be our next president. And he surely won't help ME.
It is what we truly need, though. The powered/business status quo is killing our civilization.
Carguy, I'm not sure that is true...at least of last reading.
I like this idea. Honestly, it seems kind of 'pie in the sky'ish to me because I've been smacked around since birth by those in 'authority' - The context of 'authority' is all of its incarnations.
But, it makes sense.
Cliff Schecter and Sam Seder discuss the soon to be, absolutely no one will be able to hide, reveal
Fortunately, we still have large numbers of Americans who know this. Unfortunately, we are still stuck with the Teas and the Peas with a Pea leading the country. Bernie Sanders said it in the well of the Senate again, "Unless very large numbers of American citizens start making LOTS of LOUD and ANGRY noise - by letter, by phone, by telegraph, by demonstrations in the street - these people WILL cut SS and Medicare and make other austerity measures." (paraphrased)
It is indeed perplexing that other countries seem to be managing their problems much better than we are. I think we are screwed. And what's worse, I don't see a way out. Too many people don't have a clue. Too many people are stupid. And most of th rest, just plain complacent.