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John Lott is a lot of B.S. with no real arguement.
If people were allowed to retire at 55 it wouldn't effect the work force or the economy.
He's saying that if you retire at 55. jobs won't instantly be filled.
Funny they don't seem to be concerned in instantly filling the jobs of those they fired.
They like to brag how expendable you are and how they have a whole pile of applications ready to replace any worker that has a problem with how they are being treated.
Just because some one retires doesn't mean he stops being productive or contributing financully to the system. They contribute through buying.
Letting people retire at 55 would open up jobs for the younger generation .with fresher minds who have been trained for the jobs of today and are more in shape for the stressful demands of the workforce today.
It also give those who paid their dues (working) to this society to do things with their life they wanted to do and didn't have time for then.
Like starting up their own small business with their SSI income to make a little extra on the side should they need it.
What amazes me about the uncertainty of the Affordable Care Acts insurance pricetag for each individual is this: Somehow those in Washington have the notion that most working Americans can actually afford to have their insurance costs increase. In Washington, those guys don't know what living on a budget is, or having a fixed income (either permanently through early retirement or ostensibly because, in this lousy Economy, there are scant opportunites for increasing income).
These are bad times, and adding more cost burdens to regular people (for the SOLE purpose of further enriching the Insurance Industry) should have been a no-no.
When FDR started Social Security and when Lyndon Johnson started Medicare, the Rich were taxed. But now we are starting Obamacare on the broken backs of a crushed working class in a depression that is called a recession. Starting this without any input$ from the Richest $egment of the population, just looks like an insane proposition to me that is doomed because the working class cannot bear this further burden.
Any failures of Obamacare will be used to try to "prove" that government-mandated healthcare-for-all is an impossibility in the USA. Too bad, since actually the only impossible thing was trying to implement changes without any taxing of the Richest Americans.
I think it is wishful thinking to expect this program to result in eventual implementation of single payer; the upper echelons just do not want the middleman insurance gravy train to end. And the chaos of out-of-control (unlimited/unconstrained) insurance cost burdens on working people will ruin people and put them in dire straits, once again without coverage in Limbo, just because they have a job or a car or a house rather than being destitute, another variation of medical claims denied -- and that will be in the states that are actually going to participate in attempt to get to healthcare-for-all.
My mom died of cancer when I was 13; the reason the costs of that did not force my family out of our home was Union insurance benefits. But today, it is a common thing for kids to lose not only a parent but also to lose their homes just because health care insurance and the resulting over-priced healthcare is a scam in this country. Even with healthcare policies, the DEBTS incurred through illness ruin lives. This messed up system is destroying the fiber of society and traumatizing our kids. The Affordable Care Act only rearranged the deck chairs on the sinking ship! The bankrupticies due to illness and death will continue. The destruction of lives and futures will continue. All because the profiteering insurance middleman were put first by Obama.
This plan only preserves the DEBT-based approach to healthcare that ruins the lives of sick and well alike.
I agree that it was a red flag when Obama postponed the requirement for companies with over 50 employees to provide group rate insurance coverage! If his priority was getting and keeping people covered AFFORDABLY, why leave the working class to become prey for the hungry insurers?
Their extreme policies are alienating not only women, but formerly moderate Republicans as well, who may either change sides, go independent, or not vote at all, which, along with alienating women, African-Americans, hispanics and various non-Christian religious sects, will skew any Gerrymandering efforts. Enough people are fed with up a do-nothing, sell-out Congress and extreme ideologies, that make the home of the free and the brave a home of the impoverished and starving, enough perhaps to turn the 2014 election into a liberal landslide. Media may be avoiding issues, but they can't hide higher costs for goods, homes still foreclosing, ripoff bank fees, outrageous student loan bills, people in food pantry lines, or simply less money in a person's wallet. There comes a time when people look at their own situations and figure it out, and a time when mainstream news loses touch with the real world as much as their sponsors have. I believe it was Abe Lincoln who said, "you can't fool all the people all the time."
trueblue313 ~ Oh wouldn't that be so wonderful if she ran. That would so simplify the voting process.
Most definitely. Even gerrymandering won't help them if they alienate Republican women. They're also alienating Hispans, LGBT's, blacks and all poor people. Eventually they will run out of people who support them and then no amount of money will buy them an election. Of course by then they'll have stacked the courts in their favor and taken over many of the States, so not sure they even care much anymore about national elections.
Only one thing to say...........
WARREN 2016 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thom:
I just wanted to let you know that you inspired and informed a Comic Book. I Wrote a set-up Issue for a series (hopefully) of Tarzan stories that have an Environmental and (somewhat) Political bent. It's called "The Once and Future Tarzan." There are a few quotes that I learned from listening to your show, that I researched and included in the storyline. In my story Tarzan is a bit of a "reader" having lived for so long... and he has an internal dialogue that reflects on Lao Tsu and Yeates, among other "philosophers."
The Artwork is by Thomas Yeates (no relation to W. B.), Story by moi. If you're interested, I can get you an "analog" hard copy or a digital copy (as long as you don't let it get around).
Let me know if you are interested.
http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/21-707/Tarzan-The-Once-and-Future-Tarzan...
~albabe (The Writer/Artist Formally Known As Al Gordon) http://www.facebook.com/albabe.Al.Gordon http://www.flickr.com/photos/albabe-algordon/ http://www.comicon.com/gordon/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Gordon (SueN told me to post here... apoligies for the unrelated content)...
I agree with Senator Warren, banking should be boring, in fact I miss my boring FDIC insured CD's, back when I could get 5-6%. That all went out the window with deregulation and the unholy union between the banksters, Bernanke, and the Wall Street fraudsters.
Wouldn't it be nice, like countries already practicing aspects of democratic socialism, we all could count on a cost of living govt. pension/retirement, making the worry of investing for retirement a non-issue. It used to be that way back when labor unions had a say, and the word pension was common. Now all that money ends up in offshore bank accounts reserved for a handful of families with names like Romney, Walton, DeVos, etc. We earn it and they piggishly take it and hoard it. We need labor unions, labor unions are people too, my friends.
Suze O ~ I'm sorry, no I can't. Not that Elizabeth Warren doesn't rock; but, "I just can't help myself!"
You see, I've been trying to get Palindromedary's response to this post all week and I must repost it again hoping he will see it sometime this weekend. Besides, it really is an important topic to the good fight and to all these blogs. By the way, I caught your post yesterday on the anti-Abortion movement and I must say it was well said and spot on. Very refreshing! Thank you!!
Palindromedary ~ Good point and an excellent question! Let me first assure everyone that I am not making an anti-Semitic remark. I have nothing but respect for the Jewish people. The term "Synagogue of Satan" is from the Judeo Christian Bible's Book of Revelations and is a direct quote from Jesus Christ himself addressing the modern day nation of Israel from antiquity.
Palindromedary ~ You are absolutely right in asking why not "Church of Satan" or "Mosque of Satan" or "Temple of Satan" or "Bank of Satan." All of these apply. To break down "Satan" worship so that anyone can understand, let "Satan" simply refer to a philosophy of placing self-importance above anything. When such an Ayn Rand type philosophy takes on a popular religious title, or any title of righteousness, and places love of money and self indulgence above love of God and serving humanity that philosophy becomes the epitome of hypocrisy. This holier than thou entity is an impostor of a true religious philosophy and embodies the ideals of the entity traditional religious doctrine associate with the evil character, Satan. The Ayn Rand philosophy is a candy coated name given to the philosophy of Satan. To simplify this association without offending any one group of innocent good people, I suggest that we refer to this phenomenon of group philosophy loosely as "CLUB SATAN" For as President Kennedy so eloquently stated,
One may also check out the expose done by Alex Jones on the "Skull and Bones" society to see that "CLUB SATAN" is not only an accurate description of the philosophy of these people; but, a literal definition of them as well:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpKdSvwYsrE
All members of the Bush family, many members of Congress and advisers to all recent Presidents all belong to this Satan Worshipping Secret Society and the posted video above proves that association.
As President Kennedy warned us this association is world wide. The first thing we have to do to remedy the situation is identify the problem. President Kennedy gave his life to do just that. Let us educate one another about the existence, agenda, and identity of the members of "CLUB SATAN". Just like comic book superheroes, revealing their identity destroys their power.
My friends this powerful group--"CLUB SATAN"--really exists. Whether or not their supernatural benefactor exists is up to your belief system. Nevertheless, what we have to deal with is a group mind that has power; and, enough influence and resources to maintain its power. It's only advantage is organization and invisibility. They are hopelessly outnumbered. We need to organize my friends. Organizing and educating ourselves is our only hope.
To anyone who believes, We the People will prevail. In many ways the victory has already been won. Our victory is already written in prophecy and cannot be changed. The only factor is how long it will take.
With the house that we have getting anything remotely such as this passed into law is almost nil. However, I believe that Elizabeth Warren is correct and this is exactly what should be done. This was the beginning of all of our problems. Banks should be banks and that is ALL. I worked in the banking industry for 10 years and when I first started it was a community bank which I loved. With each change and merger leading to interstate banking it became bigger and totally impersonal. No longer did I like coming to work and I left to go to work elsewhere. Banking has been on a downhill slide since then. Nothing but a huge money grubbing corporation where people do not matter anymore and it is all about the bottom line and nothing else.
I left the banks and now do all of my business with a federal credit union.
...Just how much of yours and my money did Mr. Kellehar of BetterMarkets.com say we "lent' the banks to bail them out? To help make 'em get bigger and richer? Hmm? Cheating however abounds everywhere like a cancerous plague! From the raping rental owner cheating on Schedula E, the sole proprietor cheating on the C, to good ol gramas across the land padding $ donations on Schedule A! If thats not bad enough? As a working class stiff paying for it all i think what really chaps my ass as much as the great heist is the welfare system! Yup! True dat, as the pudgy kid, one of four hollars across my fav 7-11, filling his giant slurpee, lays potatoe chips squeezed in hand, to his equally if not pudgier mom and asks, "HEY MOM CAN WE PAY FOR THIS WITH E.B.T.?" And we wonder why kids are so pudgy this day and age? i almost wanted to scream at the lady, "YOU SHOULD THANK EVRYONE OF US CASH PAYING HARD WORKIN S.O.B.s IN HERE FOR HELPING YOU SCAM THE SYSTEM!" Worst though? The cat the other day who got mad because his E.B.T. card was out of CASH!!! Hu, wha? They get cash too? So he gets pissed at the attendent and has to go out to his infiniti and bum some money off the girl he's riding with. Three days straight i've studied my fav 7-11. People buying garbage on "yours and my" dime! MEanwhile? The pigs of government stick another shaft to the working stiff, jacked up student loan rates, more tuition hikes and have yet to offer folks like maybe you and i one effin iotta of a break!!! you don't actually think all these kids in college pay thier own way do you? FYI? I'm sure now a days moms and pops like me help 'em, borrowing from retirement accounts or just plain old drawing from them and taking the tax shaft. What should i do? Pay the tax on an education distribution and take a shaft? Or take out student loans and take a shaft. We are so screwed! you and me, you know that ilk of folks payinig for it all. yes admittedly i am now just another pissed off angry, quickly becoming uncompassionate american. That my friend was never really my TAO!! by the way? the pudge clan? rolled out of 7-11, slurpees, chips, cookies and as usual climbed into a car a lot nicer then mine??
You can't gerrymander around sex.
If something,anything is ""too big to fail"" commen sense says ""its wrong"" and needs to be changed or it has an unnatural effect of the economy for its own interest ""without consequences"".
absolute power corrupts absolutly.
Senator Warren and any other elected public servant like her gets my vote,
The rest of the bums need a different job, so they can milk someone else.
Who needs gerrymandering when we have such widespread ignorance today? Indeed, we've watched (and celebrated) a right-wing campaign against education for decades, nurturing a low-info mainstrea culture. I think a good chunk of the population thinks of the two leading parties like football treams -- the issues are irrelevant, they just want their chosen team to win.
Can we keep the topic to Elizabeth Warren, please? She's good enough that she should get ALL the kudos here. What's with the advertising and these other suggestions?
You go, girl!
dear thom: for more legal analysis (currently on Trayvon/Zimmerman)get a podcast from Norman Goldman he comes on after your show and he already explained affirmative defense to us in fact I'd love you to go on his show and discuss your judicial monarchy feelings while he agrees with your sentiment he disagrees with your Marbury root of the problem many of your listeners have tries to wxplain it to him but we haven't done you justice enail him at Norm@normangoldman.com he answers all email
How many times do you have to have Bernie Sanders say it? We need a PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENT . We need a congress that is not dependent on donations from corportions! We need a people committed to a philosophy of inclusion and respect for the earth and mankind. THAT IS THE GREEN PARTY. It was made by US citizens who said this crap is unwinable we need to go at it another way. WITHOUT CORPORATE MONEY! Your party is dying BECAUSE OF YOU WE NEED YOU TO HOLD US UP. IF you go without corporate money GUESS WHAT??!!!! you need PEOPLE POWER!!! DON'T BE AFRAID. IT'S like getting arrested. It only works if we all do it. HURRY The corporations OWN EVERYTHING!!!!! http://gp.org
Warren is a rare legislator who puts the general population first. Yeah!! Send her money.
Thom, please say 'state or tax supported' not 'free' education. The conservative response of 'no free lunch' short circuits the argument with the non thinkers.
MMmmNACHOS ~ Thank you. I appreciate that! Kend, and many Americans, don't seem to understand why the founding fathers insisted on maintaining separation of church and state; and, banning any laws respecting any establishment of religion. The mere fact that anti-Abortion legislation is funded mainly by religious establishments should make any such laws immediately disqualified for any legislative deliberations. Imagine if we all could veto anything the government does that we object to on religious grounds. At first it might seem like a great idea--ie no more wars and capital punishment. However, eventually, almost every crackpot with a religious sounding group name can interject any notion they wish for any reason. Everything from the repeal of civil rights to the banning of 'killing' plants. After all, isn't all life sacred? Imagine if we banned slaughtering cows, picking lettuce, and harvesting wheat all for simply 'religious' reasons'; which, now--thanks to the wisdom of Kend and the right-wing "CLUB SATAN" "moral" majority--has become more important than the general welfare and basic needs of We the People.
The needs of the people must always take precedence over the wants of the people. Therefore, all religions must forever be banned from the affairs of state. To mingle them both is to ultimately destroy them both.
Furthermore, I can't speak for every religion; but, I can speak for every legitimate religion. Religion is defined as: The belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, esp. a personal God or gods
The definition of faith: Strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof
The extent of that control is the life of the person involved in the religion. In effect, if you don't believe it is right to have an abortion then don't have one. They have no business inflicting their beliefs on anyone else. They can voluntarily share their beliefs; but, inflicting a belief system on other people defeats the rationale of a personal faith. It also undermines the very concept of a belief in an omnipotent being.
It is the responsibility of the leaders of legitimate religions to focus the attention of its members inwardly to establish a personal relationship with the controlling entity. To focus the attention of the members outwardly toward the control of society is not only a blatant attempt to undermine the US Constitution, the goals and needs of the other members of society, and the authority of every other religion in society; but, it is also a disrespectful slap in the face to the controlling supernatural entity that is the main focus of their own religion. In essence it is a gesture to that God or gods saying, 'We are going to try to force others to do what they should do in your name because you can't do it yourself.'
What kind of faith is that, you might ask? That, my friends, is the typical modus operandi of blasphemy associated with the group we know as "CLUB SATAN".
You are absolutly spot on PHILLIP...And they are working hard to see that those, minorities, women, and ordinary citizens (I assume you mean least educated and/or poor working class), are kept from voting.
P.S. KEND,
Those Right Wingers you so love and honor...Ever notice how they are always able to find a few exta billion dollars to fund unnecessary and illegal wars...And are so proud to do so. Wars that kill hundreds of thosands/millions of innocent lives, as well as many of our own. All in the name of God and Capitalism!
Oh KEND you poor dumb animale!
Not only do right wingers - neocon's - not want to pay for abortions, they also don't want to pay wages that meet the standards of todays cost of living, afford school lunches, or allow for collective bargaining...Only to then turn around and complain about BIG government with its social programs to aid those that are in need.
Let them eat cake!
Or like "Raygun's" policy in the 80's..."Ketchup is a vegetable".
Every American's Right to choose should be protected. If a woman wants to have an abortion - for whatever reason - that should be protected. No person or Government should have the authority to say otherwise.
That being said I do agree with policy establishing humanity in regards to medical procedure.
I am also Pro-Human Euthanasia - mercy - for those who suffer from terminal illness. Again protect "Personal Choice".
You ain't kidden 2950-10k...Just a mass of sheep, and the Koch bros are the wolves in disguise...baahhh!
Poor stupid lambs! Can I get some mutton!?!?