When will the liberals open their eyes?

[LakeAriel]

Why does everything need to be tied back to Iraq? Whether there is a war or not, SS is a disaster and needs to be scrapped..

The war in Iraq has cost 300 billion and growing. That has a lot to do with all other federal spending.

 

[salmoneous]

It's the institution that simply appears to be power hungry. There was no legitimate reason for them to oppose the proposal. I'm not saying that the proposal was good or bad, just that it was of no concern to the membership of the AARP.

Oh come on, the AARP's mission is a lot more than doing what is best for the people who happen to be members at this exact moment. Half a minute looking at their mission statements would tell you that. Shouldn't you have at least done that before attacking them?

 

[crcormier]

Note the tricky wording in the testimony. Medicaid and Medicare are in serious financial trouble. Social Security IS NOT. When people lump them together, they are confusing the issue. And when people use the troubles of Medicaid and Medicare as an excuse to gut Social Security, they are flat out being dishonest.

This needs to be repeated.

And my eyes are wide opened, thank you very much.

I don't (and AARP wouldn't) have any problem with a change to social security or medicaid/medicare that improved the system.

Bush's proposal did not improve it. It was an attempt to make lots of money for the major banks of America, who would have reaped billions in fees for managing these accounts.

 

[kangareaux]

AARP doesn't have a say in the matter, they are nothing but a lobby group.. QUOTE]



This is the funniest thing I have read in a LONG time. AARP is one of the biggest STRONGEST lobby group ion our country. To say that they have no say in the matter is rediculous. Politicians are controled by 2 things...VOTES and MONEY. AARP promises them BOTH.

I'm not saying I'm for or against AARP. It has its good and bad points. And they certainly deserve a place within the political realm. (they give a voice to those who might otherwise not be heard) But they most certainly DO have a say in the *what's and why's* of how our representatives make their decisiions. They are nothing but a Lobby Group? That means it's their job to try to sway opinion of those who are supposed to represent the majority's opinion. It's their job and they do it well.

Never think for a second that lobby groups don't have a say in how we are being represented in the Capital.

 

[DVC Sadie]

AARP doesn't have a say in the matter, they are nothing but a lobby group.. Washington needs to do whats right for this country, not continue to try to fund an entitlement program thats horrible..

I agree that our government needs to do whats right for the country but unfortunately AARP (yes, I know they are lobbyists) does have a huge impact on what legislation will be passed or not.

With the uncertainty of SS, I hope that everyone puts enough aside to fund their own retirement in the event that SS will not be around for them.

 

[TCPluto]

Saddest thing of all is that for what we are spending and have already spent in Iraq, the entire Social Security system could have been fully funded into the 22nd century.

Exactly.

And if we had done nothing in the war on terror, we would have a lot fewer people in this country to eventaully draw on social security, as the terorists became more emboldened and continued the attacks on Americans, on American soil.

This is so simple it's incredible. Take the money we spend in the war on terror, prop up social security and allow the mass murder of tens of thousands who will then never draw from the fund. Brilliant....

 

[Pigeon]

But as has been shown over and over again, the war in Iraq had nothing at all to do with the so-called war on terror.

Bush had one particular approach to destroying SS involving private accounts that was highly unpopular. He was totally unwilling to look at other, less destructive methods of fixing the system. Now that the political balance has shifted, it appears that he might be willing to show a little flexibility. To blame this on the "liberals" is absurd.

 

[LakeAriel]

But as has been shown over and over again, the war in Iraq had nothing at all to do with the so-called war on terror.

Bush had one particular approach to destroying SS involving private accounts that was highly unpopular. He was totally unwilling to look at other, less destructive methods of fixing the system. Now that the political balance has shifted, it appears that he might be willing to show a little flexibility. To blame this on the "liberals" is absurd.

exactly, but the party line over and over. The war on terror. Iraq had absolutely nothing to do with it!

 

[The Mayor]

Saddest thing of all is that for what we are spending and have already spent in Iraq, the entire Social Security system could have been fully funded into the 22nd century.

Yes, it's all the war in Iraq's fault that Social Security will run dry...you've got to be kidding me...how about WW1, WW2, Korea, Vietnam ...how about if we eliminated welfare and unemployment and put that money into social security.

 

[crcormier]

Exactly.

And if we had done nothing in the war on terror, we would have a lot fewer people in this country to eventaully draw on social security, as the terorists became more emboldened and continued the attacks on Americans, on American soil.

This is so simple it's incredible. Take the money we spend in the war on terror, prop up social security and allow the mass murder of tens of thousands who will then never draw from the fund. Brilliant....

And as the thread title states, when will you "open your eyes" that the Iraq war had nothing to do with the "war on terror".

Over 300 billion dollars and climbing.

 

[RickinNYC]

Exactly.

And if we had done nothing in the war on terror, we would have a lot fewer people in this country to eventaully draw on social security, as the terorists became more emboldened and continued the attacks on Americans, on American soil.

This is so simple it's incredible. Take the money we spend in the war on terror, prop up social security and allow the mass murder of tens of thousands who will then never draw from the fund. Brilliant....

Yet another lovely post that ends in eye rolling and lots of chuckles. I read this out loud to some co-workers and the laughter was deafening.

 

[Jon99]

Note the tricky wording in the testimony. Medicaid and Medicare are in serious financial trouble. Social Security IS NOT. When people lump them together, they are confusing the issue. And when people use the troubles of Medicaid and Medicare as an excuse to gut Social Security, they are flat out being dishonest.

Where did it say SS is not in trouble?????

 

[Jon99]

The war in Iraq has cost 300 billion and growing. That has a lot to do with all other federal spending.

So in my house, if we are overspending on vacations and car loans, its ok to cut out vacations and to keep overspending on car loans???

 

[Jon99]

AARP doesn't have a say in the matter, they are nothing but a lobby group.. QUOTE]



This is the funniest thing I have read in a LONG time. AARP is one of the biggest STRONGEST lobby group ion our country. To say that they have no say in the matter is rediculous. Politicians are controled by 2 things...VOTES and MONEY. AARP promises them BOTH.

I'm not saying I'm for or against AARP. It has its good and bad points. And they certainly deserve a place within the political realm. (they give a voice to those who might otherwise not be heard) But they most certainly DO have a say in the *what's and why's* of how our representatives make their decisiions. They are nothing but a Lobby Group? That means it's their job to try to sway opinion of those who are supposed to represent the majority's opinion. It's their job and they do it well.

Never think for a second that lobby groups don't have a say in how we are being represented in the Capital.

That was my point, we need changes in how Washington is ran so this country can be ran better.. Its amazing that if the GOP changes policy for big business its a bad thing, yet as soon as when the Democrats change things for the AARP its "for the betterment of the people"..

 

[Crankyshank]

You know, SS really does need to overhauled, but based on the erroneous and inflammatory title I really question whether or not the OP wants to have a legitimate discussion on the issue.

 

[salmoneous]

Where did it say SS is not in trouble?????

The article never taked about SS by itself. Just lumped all programs together and talked doom and gloom.

 

[Beca]

Why does everything need to be tied back to Iraq? Whether there is a war or not, SS is a disaster and needs to be scrapped..

What did I hear yesterday....20-30 BILLION dollars just "disappeared" in Iraq? Lucrative government contracts were awarded on a "no-bid" basis to strong Republican supporters.

Trust me, Liberals have their eyes WIDE open...we see MANY things.

 

[TheDoctor]

The piratization or privatization of social security proposed by bush was not the answer. It was a dumb idea at the time. The only good thing was that bush spent so much time pushing this idea that he had no political capital left for the 2006 mid terms.

 

[DISUNC]

"One change from 2005 is that the Democrats are now in the majority in Congress.

The Democrats still adamantly oppose President Bush's proposal to create "carve out" individual investment accounts, in which workers would divert some of their Social Security taxes to fund their accounts in exchange for lower Social Security benefits in retirement."

I agree with the DEMS on this big time. 401k's ARE NOT INSURED!
In all reality any 401k plan can go BUST today...and NUTIN you can do aout it!!!! Your $ is GONE!

Maybe the answer is CORPORATE Responsibility too their Long Term employees!!!!!!! They way it use to be and worked very well!

Or just keep $$$ in a old coffee can!

 

[Beca]

So in my house, if we are overspending on vacations and car loans, its ok to cut out vacations and to keep overspending on car loans???

It all depends on who is determing what is "overspending". You may think you are overspending on vacations and car loans, while your wife may think you are overspending on eating out (especially lunches while you are at work). You may want to trade in her car for a cheaper one, while she may argue that if you took your lunch everyday, the difference in the car payment could be made up each month.

That's just what we are talking about here....Republicans want to spend money in Iraq, Dems want to spend it at home (although, our debt was in MUCH better shape when Clinton was in office).

Social Security is in trouble for SOOO many reasons, one biggie of which is the declining birth rate when compared to the number of baby boomers. Another is how long people are living. I am fully aware that social security may not be around when I am old, but I am also fully aware that with the money spent on Iraq (your "vacation") could've gone a LONG way to solving the SS crisis (your car payment).