Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Shorebaby does it again; I have also seen NO evidence of a willingness for substantial structural reforms to SS & Medicare from Obama & Co.
Their constant chattering for a trillion dollar tax hike, which will NEVER raise that much, or even HALF of that once the wealthy start buying more real estate, artwork, gold or whatever, brings a whole new meaning to the term 'one trick pony'.
If the Democratic playbook of nonstop tax increases is so effective and guaranteed to lift the nation out of its economic quicksand, then why are hellholes such as ILLINOIS,CA, IL, NY, NJ and other Democrat created hellholes drowning in debt instead of swimming in oceans of revenue?
Shorebaby does it again; I have also seen NO evidence of a willingness for substantial structural reforms to SS & Medicare from Obama & Co.
Their constant chattering for a trillion dollar tax hike, which will NEVER raise that much, or even HALF of that once the wealthy start buying more real estate, artwork, gold or whatever, brings a whole new meaning to the term 'one trick pony'.
If the Democratic playbook of nonstop tax increases is so effective and guaranteed to lift the nation out of its economic quicksand, then why are hellholes such as ILLINOIS,CA, IL, NY, NJ and other Democrat created hellholes drowning in debt instead of swimming in oceans of revenue?
Why are you talking about tax increases, which, by the way have not happened. The reality is they are taking about removing tax CUTS for the rich ONLY and to add the economy was doing fine before the Bush tax cuts and were not even a major issue with Americans when he rewared his owners with the cuts.
So you don't think that any possible change in any way to Medicare could ever be considered? Isn't that the same type of "line in the sand" thinking that the Republicans use for "not a more dollar of taxes"? How can anything ever get done to reduce the deficit if Medicare is untouchable?
And Social Security could certainly use some restructuring to make it stronger for those in the future. No one is talking about changing Social Security for current retirees or those nearing retirement age. But it would seem logical that changes need to be made to guarantee benefits for future retirees.
To use the tired but true phrase "Everything should be on the table".
There are lots of changes that can be made to lots of programs including Medicare but those changes should be made in a way that does not affect the quality of services the patient gets. For example, why is Medicare not allowed to negotiate drug prices? That was put in to only benefit the big pharma outfits. That is why you pay about 1/4th to 1/2 as much in Canada for the same drugs from the same pharma outfits. Health Canada negotiates prices for 30 million people. If Medicare could do likewise, it would save billions of dollars. But these are not the changes some politicians are talking about.
If it were up to me, this is what I would do:
1. Eliminate the Bush tax cuts for everybody
2. Eliminate all deductions except for charity contributions
3. Have 3 tax rates- 5%, 15% and 25% which everybody would pay.
4. Lower corporate tax rates to 23%
5. Treat capital gains and interest income as regular income subject to 5-15-25%
6. Social Security would be means tested. People on it would be allowed to earn no more than $24,000 per year working without penalties. It was designed as a retirement security program and not a "second income" program for people at age 65.
7. Medicare prices including drug prices would be negotiated. Co pays for more than 4 doctor office visits a year would be $50 (a waiver could be issued for those with chronic conditions). Medicare would not pay for transplants and other life extending treatments for those over 80 in most circumstances.
8. The military budget would be cut across the board except for special forces. Foreign bases would be cut by 1/2. All new weapons purchases would be put on hold and would have to be requested by the military and justified to a bi partisan committee.
9. The FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would be eliminated. The private sector should handle mortgages, not the government.
10. Farm subsidies would be eliminated. Farmers should grow what they want and earn a living competing in the private market.
Is there anybody I have not pissed off yet?
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
