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Politics : Formerly About Advanced Micro Devices -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Steve Dietrich who wrote (466832)	3/27/2009 1:18:00 PM
From: i-node	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 1575177

You're wrong. The SS Trustees report says it's 100% solvent until 2042 and then, with no changes, could pay 75% of benefits for the rest of the 75 year projection period. With modest changes, it's 100% solvent throughout the 75 years. Let's take a quote from the actual report: The projected actuarial deficit in the OASDI Trust Fund over the infinite future is 3.2 percent of taxable payroll (1.1 percent of GDP), or $13.6 trillion in present value terms. The system could be brought into actuarial balance over this time horizon with an immediate increase in payroll tax revenues of 26 percent (from 12.4 percent to 15.6 percent) or an immediate reduction in benefits of 20 percent, or some combination of the two. That pretty much tells the story. TODAY, just as I've said, there is an "actuarial deficit" (liability) of $13.6 Trillion. To fix this problem you either need a 26% increase in the PR tax or to cut benefits by 20%, neither of which can be done at this time, so the result is that by the time it IS done, the tax increase/benefit cut must be much bigger. So, I'm 100% correct and you, Al, and CJ are 100% wrong. We owe $13.6 Trillion that we don't have. Today. I don't know how many times I have make idiots of you people before you just STFU and start listening.

To: Steve Dietrich who wrote (466832)	3/27/2009 4:57:25 PM
From: tejek	Respond to of 1575177

I am beginning to understand why the average Republican is confused and out of the loop. THE RNC POLLS ITS SUPPORTERS.... The Republican National Committee emailed a survey to its supporters this morning. The questions are broken up into two categories: "Domestic and Social Issues" and "Homeland Security and Defense Issues." Of course, the wording a survey uses can have some influence on the results. Consider how the RNC worded some of their more notable questions. (thanks to readers GB and CR for the tip) * A recent national poll reported that nearly 25% of Americans want the government to pass more socialism. Do you agree or disagree? * Which do you believe creates more jobs for the American economy: Government Programs and Spending or The American Free Enterprise System? * Should Republicans unite to block new federal government bureaucracy and red tape that will crush future economic growth? * Should we do everything we can to block Democrats who are trying to shut down conservative talk radio with the so-called "fairness doctrine"? * Should we resist Barack Obama's proposal to spend billions of federal taxpayer dollars to pay "volunteers" who perform his chosen tasks? * Should bureaucrats in Washington, DC be in charge of making your health care choices instead of you and your doctor? * Do you think U.S. troops should have to serve under United Nations' commanders? These are actual questions from the survey, not paraphrases intended to make the RNC appear silly. Chances are, the RNC just sends out a survey like this to encourage supporters to send in a donation, and maybe to help bolster the mailing list. I suspect the party doesn't even bother to tally the data. But I'm trying to imagine the loyal Republican activist who got an email this morning from Michael Steele, and proceeded to sit down and answer all of the many questions in this obviously-bogus "survey." Scary thought. Post Script: Before getting into these specific issue areas, the survey asks respondents, "What are the weaknesses of the Republican Party?" There are five choices: "Bad Messaging," "Poor Response to Democrats, "Republicans who don't vote like Republicans," "Standing Up for Principles," and "Need to Lead in Congress." Respondents are encouraged to check all that apply, but there isn't a field for "other." washingtonmonthly.com