Monday, December 10, 2012

Social Security

Social Security and Medicare are not a budget item. I realize the Republicans would like to have them become budget items, but, they are not. So, the entire attack against these entitlements from either side of the aisle is not sincerely addressing the National Budget.

The fact of the matter is there is no way of knowing the income to the USA Treasury with an expanding economy. This is a new economy for the most part and it relies (as if others didn't) on Middle Class stability and income. It is as it should be.

If we had a fully recovered economy whereby the income to the treasury was somewhat fixed and the wealthy were paying their fair share, then examining the entitlements would be appropriate. I don't consider a budgetary crisis and national debt the crisis to base an examination of our entitlements unless it is to extend the fiscal solvency of Social Security Disability and Veteran's Disability. Now, that is pressing and is the only aspect of the entitlements that needs to be examined.

Why do I say this?

The 99% has been somewhat successful in their protests and urgency to address their problems. I suppose angry relatives helped as well. And then there was that Recovery Act and the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.
By Don Lee, Los Angeles Times
December 9, 2012

WASHINGTON — After riding out the tough economy (click here)  in their parents' basements, more young American adults are starting to break out on their own, pushing up the nation's mobility rate and giving an important boost to the housing market and the broader recovery.
Thanks to improving job prospects and super-low mortgage rates, adults in their 20s and early 30s are moving into their own apartments and buying homes in increasingly greater numbers, according to real estate experts and government statistics.
Census Bureau data show that the nation added more than 2 million households in the 12 months that ended March 31, about triple the annual average for the previous four years. Most of the gain came from baby boomers, but young adults are hitting the road as well....

We have an expanding economy, people! Were you working for it? Were you in revolt for it? It's working, don't stop now. My kids are great kids. Red blooded Americans through and through.

So, it is very "W"rong to adjust the entitlements 'in bargain' for a Republican Deal they can take home with pride to their extremist constituents. Minority Speaker Pelosi stated there is no bargain with the entitlements. The lady knows her stuff.

We are going through a process by one of the best Presidents this country has ever had. I mean that with all my heart. He knows this is a process and he is guiding the ship every step of the rough seas we are all facing. After all these years of counting on him, we are finally arriving. I don't consider 7.7% unemployment following the largest loss of economic vitality in modern history a severe issue. Actually, it is nothing short of a miracle.

The Republicans have sat on the sidelines the entire time and have done nothing but throw road blocks to the success of an economic path we can all be proud of. Re-electing President Obama and increasing the Democratic majorities in the House and Senate was very smart and it occurred in a very rigorous election season whereby corruption of the elections and the electorate was everywhere. We did really well. We will continue to do well.

The wealthy have to have tax increases, the Middle Class has to sustain its current tax rates and we need legislation to set up study groups to bring about sound fiscal policy for the entitlements. In the meantime, the disability monies for our disabled and veterans have to be shored up.

Overreaching by stating the current Congress can fix the entire economy forever is not appropriate. President Obama once stated, the previous administration have 'built in' budget expenditures that drives the budget into higher costs. That is overreaching. Each Congress should have solid footing for what needs to be done for the country and there should not be extended budget costs or cuts in taxes to cause the country to face a fiscal cliff.

Sundown provisions are important, but, what is more important is the fact the USA needs a dynamic economy that does not burden generations into the future. The '50s generation got very used to being lead by bartering away the future and for the most part the Republicans thought it was great to provide reassurances to Wall Street at the cost of the American worker. Wall Street could literally look down the road and see daylight forever without regard to the condition of the American economy. That has to stop and it needs to stop with this Congress.

As one of the activities of this Congress, the 'built in' budget expenses need to be examined for their drag on the economy and future generations and legislated to remove them.

Now.

The incoming Congress has a lot work to do and it won't be solved with wizardry of rhetoric. The Middle Class works hard for their quality of life and the Congress needs to do the same.

Oh, one other thing. I don't hate Republicans. I don't approve of their methodology in addressing the needs and priorities of the USA. That is true of the past two years, especially. Republicans can be good legislators. Democrats are often better at it, but, there is nothing wrong with being a Republican if they can FUNCTION as they should in providing the necessary movement for the country. I liked Reagan, but, I thought his attack on the natural world for Wall Street profits was grossly in error and you'll never change my mind, especially on a warming plant.

Republicans have to be willing to do the country's work. If they aren't, they don't belong in office.

"Good Night, Moon"

Waning Crescent

25.8 days old

15% lit

Why is the word "Boo" so scary? 

It is all in anticipation.

Published: Nov. 21, 2012 at 1:19 AM


QUEBEC CITY, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Contrary (click here) to popular opinion, there is no link between the phases of the moon and the incidence of psychological problems, Canadian researchers say.
The study's conclusions run contrary to what many believe, including 80 percent of nurses and 64 percent of doctors who are convinced the lunar cycle affects patients' mental health.
Professor Genevieve Belleville of Universite Laval's School of Psychology and colleagues examined 771 individuals who showed up at the emergency room with chest pains for which no medical cause could be determined.
Psychological evaluations revealed a sizeable number of these patients suffered from panic attacks, anxiety and mood disorders, or suicidal thoughts, Belleville said.
Using lunar calendars, the researchers determined the moon phase in which each of the emergency room visits occurred....