posted on August 31, 2001 07:53:21 PM new
thecritterconnection
So what do you propose that an elderly person do who has paid in to social security for many years and now relies on it to be able to pay the bills? Should we just give them a kick in the seat of the pants and say "GET A JOB, DEADBEAT!"?
[ edited by outoftheblue on Aug 31, 2001 07:54 PM ]
posted on August 31, 2001 08:30:57 PM new"Borillar, "
"I'll bite on your bait. How does the government funnel money to the rich and powerful?"
I wasn't setting out any bait, but I'll be happy to debate the idea with you.
I'm going to try to minimize the explanation as much as possible, so please do not think that this is the only way that it takes place.
First, one has to look at what is the best, most commonsense approach to good government. Let's start with Procurement. When you have someone who makes the highest-level decision to procure something for the government using taxpayer dollars, you want that person to be non-partisan and disinterested in any particular provider's welfare. That way, you help to ensure that the government receives the best quality goods at the best price.
Let's take an example. If the person who decides which chicken farmer supplies eggs for the cafeteria happens to be a chicken farmer him or herself, then is it surprising to discover that the chicken farmer selected to provide the eggs happens to be the same person who gets to decide who to purchase from? And would it also be a surprise to you that the price paid for each egg is three to four times the price of how much the next nearest chicken farmer would charge?
Now let's take some real life examples. Were you aware that Bush's cabinet is the richest in history? By that I mean, that each cabinet member is super-rich and either owns large corporation(s) or works for one. Is it so surprising then, that the new Trident Submarines forced onto the US Navy - who said they don't need anymore at this time, had them forced upon the Navy by a person in Bush's cabinet who in thick with General Dynamics? In case you weren't aware, General Dynamics is the one that builds all of the Navy's submarines, and now just this year, bought out their only competitor left and now General Dynamics builds EVERY Navy ship from on? A conflict of interest? You bet it is!
Now, that is only the tip of the iceberg. Cheney and Bush are stacking every piece of legislation and executive decision that they can get away with BILLIONS of taxpayer dollars that go straight to the pockets of the Oil Companies - namely, those owned by Cheney and Bush among others. A conflict of interest you say? What legislation is it that does that?
First I heard, earlier this year, Bush proposed that BILLIONS of taxpayer dollars get funneled to Enron and other energy concerns to build new Oil refineries for them. Lately, with his push into the Alaskan Wilderness, Bush has also proposed to give BILLIONS of taxpayer dollars to the Oil Companies to go search for oil there. What ever happened to Free Enterprise? Why should WE pay for the Oil Company's risks when THEY make all of the profit? If the Oil Companies were required to repay this taxpayer money - with appropriate interest, there might not be any alarm. But this is OUTRIGHT THEFT of taxpayer money! And because of it, money is being BORROWED to make up for the shortfall.
Now, Tex1, I could go on and on about Bush, the Republicans in Congress, and so forth so that it would be several long and boring books to tell you all about the ways in which the Republicans are STEALING taxpayer money and FUNNELING it to the Rich and Powerful, but I don't have all the time for that. And it's not as if this is just the current Congress and this Republican Administration only -- time after time after time, they do the same crimes every chance that they get into power. There are a gazillion books on how corrupt Republican administrations are, how money is ALWAYS funneled to the Rich and Powerful. If you want to know the truth, you have to be willing to open your eyes and go look for it.
That's the ambivalent verdict on the generation that is the most watched demographic to hit the workplace since its baby boomer parents showed up at the office in bell bottoms more than two decades ago. These workers in their early 20s, who are the leading edge of an 80 million-member generation known as echo boomers–aka millennials or generation "Y"–are beginning to take their place in America's factories and offices.
The echo boomers are the Baby boomers kids. Man there's a 'generation' for everyone I guess.
posted on September 2, 2001 09:42:50 PM new
Have been self employed for the last 12 years or so. For the last 4, get these informative notices from the SS of what I have paid into the social security system.
So What! I know that money will never be there when I reach retirement age.
Just wondering why they are sending this yearly notice. To encourage me to keep sending in my hard earned $ for self employment tax? (It is a hardship and a real pain in the butt) Wonder what would happen if I said, "Screw you--I will work until I am dead--don't need your frigging SS."
posted on September 2, 2001 11:45:56 PM new
thecc - well, well isn't that nice that you plan to work till the day you die. I wish I could be around when you're in your 60's or 70's and maybe not feeling as well as you do now. I'd like to see you leap out of bed and jog on to work then.
Evidently, you aren't one of your generation that has already seen their plan evaporate with the dotcoms. Lucky you!
Who do you think built this county working in factories and mines, or died in wars so you could be where you are now? Don't you think they also had a plan? Americans are hard workers, and most take pride in taking care of their own. However, as someone else posted, SS is the only thing they had to rely on and maybe a small pension from work, when they were too ill or tired to work any longer. You are privileged to have more choices in how to invest your money, and perhaps have a job that doesn't take a toll on your body like generations before you.
I wish you success with your plan, and hope you don't ever become ill before you get everything you want. I also hope you will become less selfish and more compassionate. That's something money doesn't buy. Remember that!
posted on September 3, 2001 11:23:47 PM new
thecc - I hope you've been reading about how Americans work longer hours, and have fewer vacation time than any other country, even Japan.
And, don't think it's only people your age. We are not a nation of slackers or free loaders.
