Wednesday, February 09, 2011

Batten Down The Hatches

It looks as though, in spite of our best efforts to keep it from happening, Congress is going to start messing with Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. If anyone believes that seniors and the poor will be better off when the dust clears, I have some swamp land I'd love to sell him/her.

Various Republicans have appeared on television lately, claiming that Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid are a drain on the deficit because they are unfunded.

Wrong, on both counts. The only thing unfunded about them is the Medicare Part D Prescription plan that was passed by Republicans during the Bush Administration.The entitlements have never affected the deficit because they are self-funded. Social Security has never been counted in determining the deficit. Why must the Republicans keep telling this lie? And, why doesn't someone in the Media correct them?

This is the first year that Social security has suffered any kind of shortfall, and it wasn't much of one.

It is amazing to me that so many people in this country want to blame the elderly and poor for the country's financial problems. And, now, they want to punish them by cutting back on the only safety net they have. I can't think of any good reason for this attitude except that they are simply mean-spirited and lacking in compassion for those less fortunate.

Personally, I think if we can bail out the banks and auto industry while conducting two wars, we ought to be able to bail out Social Security. The Veterans' Administration could stand a little help in that way, too.

Where are the Grey Panthers when we need them?

Say tuned.

15 comments:

Kay Dennison said...

You're singing to the choir here -- I just blogged about it yesterday. 'Angry' doesn't describe how I feel.

In answer to your questions, the Gray Panthers are alive and well.

http://www.graypanthers.org/

Grayquill said...

I have not been pay attention - missed this one. I hope you are wrong and I do think the Gray Panthers will wake up.

Arkansas Patti said...

Hay, I can still march, sign me up.
And I can for sure pester my congressmen.
We need to be vocal now. Thanks.

Olga said...

A big AMEN. I believe politicians are blaming the old and the poor to deflect a good look at bank bail outs, wars, etc.

Big John said...

Here in the UK our new coalition government is cutting social services like crazy.
Can I be a bald panther please ?

Looking to the Stars said...

I agree with Olga. And I haven't been giving to SS all these years for them to yank the rug out from under me. The Rep's are greedy, greedy, greedy.

Darlene said...

It's all about ideology. The Republicans have hated Social Security since it's beginning and periodically try to kill it. Now they are trying to inflict small cuts knowing that with enough cuts a person or a program will bleed to death.

Damn and blast their stupid hearts.

Galla Creek said...

You heard the latest guy to resign up there...a bunch of crooks and perverts.

Watch out Social Security...they have a knife and are aiming right at our throat.

Tincanman said...

The Republicans always go after those most in need of help and this is just another way of doing that. After all, they represent the rich among us. If they were serious about saving U.S. tax dollars, they'd start with our spending in Iraq and Afghanistan, the combined operational costs of both approaching One Trillion Dollars then they could move on to equalizing the tax system in this country so that mega-corporations and the rich pay their fair share. You may notice I'm not holding my breath.

Samuel said...

What is this, a comedy club? What a riot.

Betty said...

Kay, Grayquill and Big John: The Gray Panthers need to make themselves more obvious. And, yes, John, you can be a bald panther. lol

Arkansas Patti: OK, you're signed up.

Olga: I think you're right.

Looking to the Stars: I think it;ll be our kids and grandkids who will suffer.

Sister Three:Another one bites the dust. lol

Darlene: Has my commenter, Samuel the faceless, blogless name ever commented on your blog? He seems to think we are hilarious.

Tincanman: I don't give the Democrats a pass on this one. The Republicans can't do much without their help, and the Blue Dogs seem willing to vote with them.

Samuel, you're pretty funny yourself.

Anonymous said...

by the time a[[ the veterans of all wars and current living enrollees on Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid,various disabiliy acts, and maybe a few ofthe saner Tea Partiers (there are a few) we will have our own revolution.

I marvelled a their bravery because they know not what will be set in place, good or bad. Democracy is no guarantee, and requires vigilance!!!


Meanwhile we can :muscle up by shovelig]snos

Linda Myers said...

"They" may have it in for us, but there are more of us than there are of them.

Betty said...

Anonymous: We could probably have our own revolution now, if only we could all agree on something, anything. lol

Betty said...

Linda: You're right. See my answer to anonymous. By the way, welcome to my humble blog. I hope you come back.