permafrost Loc: Minnesota

It seems the party of closed doors is Republican, even the attempt at trumpcare was fully behind closed doors. Not only the early planning but the full development of that failed robbery.

Now, once more the republicans want more closed door sessions as they go after what little money real Americans have left.. Social Security...

From a Quora posting..

According to Republican Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa, Social Security reform must be discussed behind closed doors. Why is this not talked about in open discussion?
Don Emerson
Don Emerson, studied at 95% of Economics Is Common Sense
Answered Nov 6
The “problem” with Social Security is the astonishing amount of ignorance associated with our general understanding of the program.

The Republican party has opposed Social Security for as long as I have been around (I’m 69 presently), and they have been trying to destroy it for all of that time. When any politician uses the word “reform” in conjunction with Social Security, they are really saying that they want to rob us by dismantling the program. And that is why any discussions on that topic must be held behind closed doors. They don’t want us to know what they are planning to do to us.

Here are the facts:

Social Security is not insolvent. There are enough funds available at present to keep the program healthy for another 20 or 30 years. What is happening is that the demographics are changing which will eventually put a strain on the ability of the program to pay out at current levels.

This is not an emergency (as the anti SS mob would have us believe). The answer is to raise the cap on earnings that can be taxed for the SS fund (FICA) tax. This has been done many times in the past. The anti-tax Republicans of course screech “no new taxes” whenever this obvious remedy is suggested, because only the fairly affluent would have to pay such a tax. Currently that cap is set at $132,900, so only earnings in excess of this amount would be taxed. Folks earning this kind of income can afford it
Social Security is not “bankrupt” Again, those anti-Social Security folks tell us the ridiculous lie that the “government” spent all of the money and it’s gone, and sadly there are some folks who swallow this lie. The reality is that the government has “borrowed” the money, and they have signed IOUs which are non-marketable TBills essentially, to repay the debt.

And this is just exactly precisely how the fund was set up to operate in the first place. US Government debt is literally the “gold standard” throughout the world for the safest “investment” possible. The government repays that borrowing, with interest, and contributes to the solvency and growth of the Social Security Trust Fund
Social Security has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with the National Debt. Social Security is a separate tax (FICA) which exists solely for the purpose of funding the retirement of those who contribute to it during their working careers. It is our money, the only obligation of the government is to repay it to us when we qualify to collect it back.
Bottom line: we should as a general rule, be highly suspicious of any discussions undertaken by our so called “representatives” in government, that must be conducted behind closed doors. What such discussions always entail, is some nefarious undertaking that is intended to c***t our citizens of what rightfully belongs to us.

Canuckus Deploracus Loc: North of the wall

I for one would want any discussions concerning my money held in the open...

For that matter...Unless something is of national security concern... I would want all government discussions in the open...

Spent hours watching the BC legislature on my last trip home.. Two hours of some i***t conplaining that he is disadvantaged because he only speaks English...

I can't believe that was one of the few issues they felt the need to convene for... 90%of the time they were on holiday....

Grrrrrr......

permafrost Loc: Minnesota

that is a stretch...

While I would like to say only the GOP does this, that is far from true.

Seem all parties (interests) use the closed meeting idea to reduce opposition..

Currently in my own state, wonderful Minnesota, they are trying to sort out a decades long problem over excess payments via the Health and Human Services operation..

and public is not invited..

In this case, I think so much blame, that all parties back the Jessie "the body" Ventura can be given a share..

Lonewolf

20 or 30 years baby boomers will be gone and the ssi will have a very healthy balance
They give themselves raises public meetings

bggamers Loc: georgia

Gee thanks wolf you not only threw baby boomers under the bus but made a profit doing it. Sorry but after we're gone ss will shrivel up and die the politicians have pilfered so much from ss that the younger generation is footing our checks. As of right now if they want they can pay me back everything I put in because when I die I won't even have touched the interest on what I put into it. Your queen and goddess Hillary said ss was a gift from our government fine then give me what I put in and keep your damn gift cause it doesn't pay the bills. That's why at 68 I still working a full-time job

hdjimv Loc: South Dakota

hdjimv Loc: South Dakota

Any and all meetings regarding SS need to be open and fully t***sparent. Way too many people that are affected adversely if they don't do the right thing. If they would stop giving it to people who haven't contributed into the fund, and stop putting the money into the general fund, there wouldn't be any issues with it. It's not just the Republicans wanting to privatize it that is the problem but the Democrats using it as a piggy bank for their tax and spend habit too.
Congratulations on your Vikings win yesterday Perma, Very exciting game especially at the end.

permafrost Loc: Minnesota

Well said Jim, While those who have not contributed can not get money, I suppose a clever con could do so..

It should be protected at all costs...

Yeepee for my heroic Vikings. However, at 20 to nothing I gave up and did not watch the fabulous come back.. I thought they had lost until I clicked past the Sunday night game and saw the results..

bggamers Loc: georgia

Pallets have many really good used I'm always surprised people just throw them in the garbage

permafrost Loc: Minnesota

This is true.. some years ago, I got a truck load of them from a near by mfg plant. all free for the hauling..

About gone now, they got used for every thing from garden gates, work tables, shop shelving, pallets and of course fire wood..

May try for more next summer..

permafrost Loc: Minnesota

I should add that back in the day, when I worked for a large trucking company, we occasionally got pallets from Asia which were made from what we consider high grade wood.. tropical..

A friend who worked on the dock and was a fine woodworker used some to make very nice projects, from furniture to show boxes..

hdjimv Loc: South Dakota

Canuckus Deploracus Loc: North of the wall

Cool...

China is buying crap lumber from Canada now.. Saddle quality of wood we get over here...

My wife's father in law owned a mill a couple decades ago... Still has all the contacts... We get great lumber at great prices

permafrost Loc: Minnesota

Cost of that good lumber is a problem.

Pick a project and then price the material and I could buy 3 similar ready made items for that much cost..

Last one to get never made was a nice wine rack serving area for my son and his wife.. Once stuff hit more then $1000, i gave it up..

truly like woodworking, wish I was better at it..

good morning to you CD, by my time..LOL

Canuckus Deploracus Loc: North of the wall

I hear you...

But the problem with that ready made stuff is quality...

It rarely lasts... Built to be replaced...

And a fine morning to you sir