Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
If Jesus had been a Republican...
In Matthew 18:23 a leper does ask Jesus to help him and Jesus responds, "Fuck thee. For my money is mine own, and verily the LORD says that you have leprosy because you're lazy and poor, and thou shalt get the fuck out of my way lest I call a centurion and have thee arrested for panhandling."
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
The Republican Social Security Lie
From Sam Seder @ The Majority Report
Have you heard? There are reports that the Obama administration plans to drop a bombshell at the State of the Union next week: cutting Social Security is on the table. Make no mistake - if the President offers to cut Social Security by raising the minimum age for retirement benefits, it's not because of poor negotiating skills - it's simply a case of a creeping anti-middle class agenda. It's an agenda that I intend to fight, and I hope you'll join me.
Not only is it the most successful government program this country has ever known, Social Security contributes absolutely nothing to our deficit. It's a self funding program which we, our parents, and our grandparents have paid into to guarantee retirement insurance for all workers. Presently, Social Security is projected (conservatively) to remain capable of paying out full benefits until nearly 2040. And after thirty years, even if the economy remains anemic and the present cap on taxable wages remains the same, Social Security will pay out nearly 80% of benefits all the way until my five-year-old lives out her retirement.
So why would there be an agenda to cut it?
Simply put, when Bush came to office, we had projected surpluses. And then tax cuts for millionaires were instituted. So while non-war, government expenditures barely increased, the lack of revenue from tax cuts and a faltering economy created budget shortfalls. And those shortfalls were made up by actually borrowing from the Social Security trust fund. The SS trust fund, in return, was given interest-bearing promissory notes from the US Government.
Fast forward to today: now the super-wealthy and anti-government ideologues don't want the US Government to meet its obligation to workers - even though those same workers have funded Social Security for all these years. Instead, they want to destroy Social Security and avoid having to raise taxes on millionaires to pay off these notes.
Let me be crystal clear: the rich borrowed from the Social Security trust fund to pay for their tax cut, and now they want to refuse to pay the fund back. Who gets screwed? The middle class and the 60% of American retirees who rely on Social Security for more than half of their retirement income.
These right wingers love to claim that Social Security is broke. You've heard them: "there's no money in the trust fund - there's only IOU's!" But to say there is no "money" in the Social Security trust fund is akin to saying there's no money in our own private bank accounts. My bank doesn't have "my money"- that money has been loaned out - but they do have an accounting line that says they owe me that money should I choose to withdraw it. It's the same with Social Security. The Social Security trustees appointed by Obama and Bush all agree that Social Security is solvent.
Have you heard? There are reports that the Obama administration plans to drop a bombshell at the State of the Union next week: cutting Social Security is on the table. Make no mistake - if the President offers to cut Social Security by raising the minimum age for retirement benefits, it's not because of poor negotiating skills - it's simply a case of a creeping anti-middle class agenda. It's an agenda that I intend to fight, and I hope you'll join me.
Not only is it the most successful government program this country has ever known, Social Security contributes absolutely nothing to our deficit. It's a self funding program which we, our parents, and our grandparents have paid into to guarantee retirement insurance for all workers. Presently, Social Security is projected (conservatively) to remain capable of paying out full benefits until nearly 2040. And after thirty years, even if the economy remains anemic and the present cap on taxable wages remains the same, Social Security will pay out nearly 80% of benefits all the way until my five-year-old lives out her retirement.
So why would there be an agenda to cut it?
Simply put, when Bush came to office, we had projected surpluses. And then tax cuts for millionaires were instituted. So while non-war, government expenditures barely increased, the lack of revenue from tax cuts and a faltering economy created budget shortfalls. And those shortfalls were made up by actually borrowing from the Social Security trust fund. The SS trust fund, in return, was given interest-bearing promissory notes from the US Government.
Fast forward to today: now the super-wealthy and anti-government ideologues don't want the US Government to meet its obligation to workers - even though those same workers have funded Social Security for all these years. Instead, they want to destroy Social Security and avoid having to raise taxes on millionaires to pay off these notes.
Let me be crystal clear: the rich borrowed from the Social Security trust fund to pay for their tax cut, and now they want to refuse to pay the fund back. Who gets screwed? The middle class and the 60% of American retirees who rely on Social Security for more than half of their retirement income.
These right wingers love to claim that Social Security is broke. You've heard them: "there's no money in the trust fund - there's only IOU's!" But to say there is no "money" in the Social Security trust fund is akin to saying there's no money in our own private bank accounts. My bank doesn't have "my money"- that money has been loaned out - but they do have an accounting line that says they owe me that money should I choose to withdraw it. It's the same with Social Security. The Social Security trustees appointed by Obama and Bush all agree that Social Security is solvent.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Sunday's Almost Over
and a start to another week at work. Long week ahead. Got to try and get by Ski & Tennis station to see if they have anything I can wear for snow tubing that won't cost me $500. Going to wind up spending quite a bit for this trip.
I think it will be fun. I'd like to try tubing, but if I decide against it, I'm sure I'll still have a good time just relaxing and catching up on some reading. I did see that they have a spa there....
I think it will be fun. I'd like to try tubing, but if I decide against it, I'm sure I'll still have a good time just relaxing and catching up on some reading. I did see that they have a spa there....
Monday, January 10, 2011
Snow Today
Looks like we're getting some snow today. Still, I'm going into work. Don't know how long I'll be there but I doubt it will be all day, who knows? I'm hoping that we are able to close early. I have a long week and I'm thankful for anything that might shorten it. Wish me luck.
Sunday, January 09, 2011
Very Sad. What Happens When The Far Right Doesn't Get Their Way
From the Independent-
An initial portrait of the man accused of shooting Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in the head in an attack that also killed six people outside a Tucson grocery store slowly began to emerge, as authorities described a young man with a troubled past and neighbors recalled a 22-year-old who often kept to himself.
One former classmate said the accused gunman, Jared Loughner, often did his own thing. Another described him as a student who disrupted class with occasional outbursts.
More at the link above.
An initial portrait of the man accused of shooting Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in the head in an attack that also killed six people outside a Tucson grocery store slowly began to emerge, as authorities described a young man with a troubled past and neighbors recalled a 22-year-old who often kept to himself.
One former classmate said the accused gunman, Jared Loughner, often did his own thing. Another described him as a student who disrupted class with occasional outbursts.
More at the link above.
Saturday, January 08, 2011
Time for Sushi
Just off work and needed some real food. Hope sushi is good for me as my cholesterol is a bit on the high side. Need to get out more.
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Thursday, January 06, 2011
Tuesday, January 04, 2011
Finished Claymore
Yes, finished the series tonight. 26 episodes, 22 minutes long each. It's a good, entertaining series and I'd like to see more. It's based on a manga series and the series is still being published.
It's currently out on DVD and Blu Ray. It's also available for streaming on Netflix.
It's currently out on DVD and Blu Ray. It's also available for streaming on Netflix.
Monday, January 03, 2011
Busy Day at Work, then more Claymore
Been enjoying the series. Up to episode 18 and it's moving along nicely. Less whining and more plot and action.
Trying to finish Tom Hartmann's book. I'm about half way thru and looks like I may finish it this week. It's a quick, easy read with some very good points he makes about how to fix America. Well, off to work. Have a great day!
Trying to finish Tom Hartmann's book. I'm about half way thru and looks like I may finish it this week. It's a quick, easy read with some very good points he makes about how to fix America. Well, off to work. Have a great day!
Sunday, January 02, 2011
Claymore
You know, I'm watching this anime called Claymore and there are things I do like about it. Plot is pretty good, character development, animation.....however, there seem to be a number of whiny characters. Too much boo hoo ing going on. Still, I'm only on episode 6 so I have some hope of improvement.
Looks like my hopes have been answered. Up too episode 11 and it's getting much better with some character background as well as more information on the Yoma.
A Late Happy New Year, Everyone!
Sunday, the 2nd of January. I'm in for a lazy day of reading. Just got up and getting ready to make a pot of coffee and maybe some waffles. Looking forward to the new week like going to the dentist, but this too, shall pass.
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