Who will control Congress? Who cares is my main question. After all, no matter who controls Congress, either way nothing much will change. Why? All you have to do is listen to what the democrats are saying to know nothing much will change.
On the war in Iraq? Not even Nancy Pelosi is advocating "cut and run," and instead is suggesting "since we're there, we have a responsibility."
On Social Security reform? Do you really think ANYONE is going to do anything SUBSTANTIAL? I certainly don't think so, and if you do, could you tell me why? Who in their right mind is going to offer up means testing? Who in their right mind is going to raise the retirement age?
Who in their right mind is going to alter/diminish benefits in any meaningful way? Who in their right mind is going to allow even a small amount of money to be diverted to "private savings" accounts? Do you really think ANY democrat OR republican will do ANY of those things?
What about Medicare? Is someone/anyone going to come up with some magic formula to make Medicare solvent? If someone/anyone DOES have a plan, do you really think they could get it passed?
Taxes, immigration, whatever issue you care to mention, the status quo will remain, with only superficial "reform" around the fringes. Nothing really will change.
So you have to ask yourself, what does it matter who wins, what does it matter who controls Congress?
You have to ask yourself, WHY WON'T THINGS CHANGE?
There is really only one answer to that question, and we need look no further than the closest mirror to find the answer. That's right folks, nothing will change because we the people really won't allow things to change.
Go ahead, ask yourself, are you ready to get rid of Social Security? Are you ready to get rid of Medicare? Are you ready to repudiate the efforts of our brave men and women in the military?
The simple fact is, Americans are comfortable with their entitlement mentality. It's not for nothing they call these things the "third rail of politics."
So count the votes my friends, and cheer your for your favorite team. Either way, we're all losers, no matter who wins, and we're all losers because very few Americans are ready to make the hard choices. They'd rather point their fingers and place blame, rather than solve problems.
I am a direct beneficiary of both Social Security and Medicare, as an ESRD patient, receiving dialysis treatment under the disability umbrella in Social Security and Medicare. Richard Nixon gave renal failure patients special status under Medicare, and we are the only people that are able to receive benefits from Medicare before retirement age.
Even so, I am a strong proponent of abolishing both entitlement programs, as they are slowly destroying this great nation's economic health. When I tell people about this, they look at me as if I am insane, or they simply call me a hypocrite for exploiting the very programs I denounce.
They ask me, "who will take care of the old people?" They ask me "who will take care of the disabled?"
I tell them, I don't know, and I really don't care, it isn't the government's job to be a "safety net." It isn't the government's job to be paternalistic in nature, attempting to solve all of humanity's problems.
They suggest, "all of those people would die." I would suggest, no-- private charities, families themselves, someone WOULD STEP IN, where the government should not be in the first place.
So when you go vote today, feel smug and confident you've done your duty. The fact is, you really haven't done a thing except vote, and all that does is to maintain the status quo, no matter who's in office. Politicians are cowards, giving the electorate whatever they want, just so they can be re-elected.
It's time for a leader, it's time for someone to stand up and say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, we MUST get back to a smaller, leaner government, that isn't in the business of trying to save everyone's life, that isn't in the business of being the "safety net" for society's problems.
Most Americans have a greater debt to assets ratio than the federal government, and yet they whine whine whine about the federal deficits, even as they file for personal bankruptcy.
Look in the mirror my friends. Do as the freak Michael Jackson suggests, "if you want to make the world a better place take a look at yourself and make that change."
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Comments: 30
We have to have a social safety net in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle in this country. If you can't understand that - well - who would see to it that you had dialysis treatments? What of those who have no family? Where would we as a society get our sense of pride. Certainly - not if we go back to the robber baron days of the 1800s.
but, if the democrats get the majority on either the house or the senate, they won't be a rubber stamp for the president.
and the moderates are winning this election. they're the swing voters in congress.
I say we start by voting out all incimbents next time and also prohibit this horrible, wasteful, competitive campaign funding mess.
We have to start someowhere and why not there.
Throw the bums out- at least we don't shoot them as in some coups.
PtL
9/11 Mysteries (video)
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6708190071483512003
But here is the truth. These programs were started because the private charities and institutions were being overwhelmed, Because families couldn't cope..
These programs were not started because liberals and democrats got together and decided to party line vote these measures into place.
Enough republican/conservatives voted for them as well. Yes, hate liberals all you want. Hate them, but while your hating the nasty liberal you might want to reserve some hate for the republicans and conservatives that cast their votes for these programs as well.
I am amazed at the above responses to your statements Jack. All are fooling themselves if they think the Democratic party will not bring anything but higher taxes, a greater entitlement community and send us spiraling back into the recession that we so narrowly avoided.
I am not sure where Mr. troublemkr and Mr. Redd have been for the last 5 years? I am a "Repug"(sad that we have to retort to calling each other offending names, when I would like to consider us all as Americans) and I have seen little if any change in the overall direction the Government has headed since the Democrats were in power and we have taken over. There have been several world changing events which have been handled by the current administration. Have you forgotten 911, and the continuous terrorist threats? Have all of our Katrina neighbors been returned to their homes? There are ongoing major issues that, if the Democrats take power, I am not sure I will feel safe when I am walking down the street or secure in the knowledge that if my community were wiped out that they would do anything but point fingers and spout accusations about blame.
If anyone thinks they could have handled the threats that President Bush has been thrust into in a better way, I think that they have not truly considered all the circumstances and probably are not even being truthful to themselves.
Where is their plan? I have seen nothing but blame, accusations, hindsight, demoralization of our troops and non support of our soldiers who are risking their lives for our families and our future.
There are problems in this world and in our country! That is a given. The day everything is perfect, I am sure we will all figure something to complain about. I want to see a doable plan, and a party which has the courage to stand united behind our country and their plan to make it better. My party, the Republicans, have not been perfect by any means! I honestly believe that all the politicians need to look in the mirror and really ask themselves if they are doing what is best for their country, or are they voting based on what is best for the people and businesses who are lining their political coffers!
I think the only way to make true change is to begin with those who legislate that change and how they are influence and elected. Truth, honesty, integrity and a belief in the principles of ones party issues should be the basis on which someone is elected and how he/she votes. That person will not always represent every constituent in their own district or region on every issue, that is impossible. But decisions should be made due to necessity and the good of our country, not on the monetary promises and gifts from the lobbyists. That has to stop!
A difference of opinion is good! Our country is based on just that! Where we have gone astray is in what influences that opinion.
Yes, we need to take care of all Americans! Yes we need to defend Democracy around the world! Yes we need to protect our borders! Yes we need to insure the future of our aging population and our children! Yes everyone needs a good education! Yes we all need good paying jobs! We would be amazed on what all parties agree on. The difference is how we are going to achieve it and what we are willing to sacrifice to make it happen. The common ground is that we are ALL AMERICANS! Lets all work together and not politic! No name calling, no bashing, no mud slinging! I am tired of hearing it. Let us know what you stand for(no small print) and give us the respect we deserve to make election decisions on the whole truth, not some spin on it.
God Bless All Americans, Democrat, Republican, Independent and Undecided Alike!
Amen--- and I have nothing to say to anyone else. I'm so sick and tired of the self serving BS---
Cutting taxes INCREASES tax receipts to the Treasury, it doesn't diminish them.
We've made promises (our government) that cannot be kept. Plain and simple. There isn't enough money in the world to fund a welfare state in the richest country in the world, plain and simple.
I won't argue about it with anyone, as the numbers are self evident.
The entitlement mentality is the greatest threat facing our country. It really cannot be disputed, hence I am called a hypocrite for suggesting the entitlement programs must end.
You don't have to be a crystal ball reader, to understand simple math.
You emboldened the GWB talking points. I expected more from you.
Joe
Your expectations aren't my problem.
But not enough to offset the deficit, obviously.
Of course not--- start cutting spending and we'll get somewhere. We've made promises (our government) that cannot be kept. Plain and simple. There isn't enough money in the world to fund a welfare state in the richest country in the world, plain and simple.
I won't argue about it with anyone, as the numbers are self evident.
The entitlement mentality is the greatest threat facing our country. It really cannot be disputed, hence I am called a hypocrite for suggesting the entitlement programs must end.
You don't have to be a crystal ball reader, to understand simple math.
They've been doing that for weeks *snigger*
Courts were NOT intended to impose legislation. (One flakey judge a majority does not make).
The numbers don't lie jJack. Less workers to support the retired, simple. It is not a savings program.
If 20 years old or so, put $2,000/yr. aside. Invest it in something that will return at least a 6% return. Apply the law of 72. Retire wealthy despite what 'inaction' our govt takes.
Teach that starting in Jr. High in every school.
Run a campaign from here on citing evil easy target as flawed.
NEVER offer anything that may be misunderstood as a "plan".
Tell everyone else in the Party to shut up about discussing any "plan".
Attack every shaddow of 'profittering' as excessive. Stifle research and development. Prevent reinvestments in same. Tax it.
Bring every dollar possible to DC. Disperse to quiet the masses. Start more agencies to oversee the loss of the greatest percentage of a dollar lost in administration of this redistribution of wealth.
Instill a socialist Medical Care System. Do NOT look North (Canada) or to the Europeans for examples of failure. Hillary will be lionized, the nation bankrupt for several generations.
Ignore others' problems. We have enough to deal with here.
Stifle Charity's and Churches. Force them to comply with every Equality Measure imagainable. Tax them or threaten them with the loss of their tax-exempt status if they fail to 'comply'.
Make sure the hungry masses remain fullfilled, they are not responsible for not taking any responsibility for what they have or don't have. Make sure they understand it is the insenitivity of the "Captains of Industry" and 'heartless, greedy, other guys'.
Spoon feed for several generations.
Celebrate your power. Remind the minions they are protected by the caring party. Let the feeding at the trough of be enjoyed by all.
Repeat as necessary.
Except the 'others'. Lambast at will.
Thank God for our "little brown brothers" from Mexico, with their fraudulent IDs and Social Security cards with numbers they'll never be able to collect on. If it weren't for the so called "illegal" immigrants coming into this great nation, our population growth wouldn't reach replacment rates.
As soon as Americans swallowed the silly notion that 1.7 kids is enough, we should have realized we'd be in trouble down the road.
WHY would you wish to live in a society that would so wantonly kill so many of it's own to advance an agenda?
The borders are open both ways. Run for your life!
"They're so open minded if they open their mouths to say anything, thir brains fall out." [Kudos to Mark Levin on that one...]
The last "Reganite" years of philosophy have passed and the horizion is socialism in a big rush. It ain't about partisanship, it's about practical reality. The right has spent the last 8 years howling at the rising moon and even pretending it really isn't there. "Leaner governement" and "cutting spending" and "entitlements" are products of political reality. Those goals happen from political will WHICH DOES NOT EXIST. Some times you just have to grow up.
It is cruel and perhaps overpersonal but unfortunately valid: Don't like entitlements?? Don't use your medicare.