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Debt Deal Reached

Global markets are on the rise in response to a deal between President Obama and congressional Republicans on the debt. The deal would cut more than $2 trillion from federal spending over a decade. However, most economists think this isn't enough and does not remove the threat that the nation's AAA credit rating could be downgraded.

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  1. Re:Ponzi Scheme by pete.com · · Score: 1, Troll

    Social Security has been a Ponzi scheme since its inception.

  2. Why does every story about US politics.... by trawg · · Score: -1, Troll

    ...sound like it is a battle between common sense or good ideas, and Republicans?

    Genuine question; I don't live in the US so have only a limited window to watch the circus, but I can't see how the country is so polarised when one party seems to be just hellbent on holding your country back.

  3. Re:Could Someone Help Me Out With This? by Joce640k · · Score: 1, Troll

    Really? You don't spend more than you take in? You don't have a car loan, or a mortgage, or student loans?

    If not, then you're probably lucky enough to be in a situation where that's possible. Jobs that pay well enough to put yourself through school are few and far between for those with no experience.

    Either that or he doesn't try to live like a king. Believe it or not it is possible to survive without the latest iPhone, designer clothes and a gas guzzler.

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    No sig today...
  4. Re:Could Someone Help Me Out With This? by roman_mir · · Score: -1, Troll

    You can't get the SS money back. 17 Trillion was spent already that was never paid for by people who got into that ponzi scam earlier, so unless you can raise the dead and force everybody who got more out of the program than they put in return the cash, you can't do it.

    The reason SS was ever legal under US Constitution, was because US gov't argued that SS taxes were general taxes and not earmarked for any SS payments, so there was never a fund. The entire idea that it's solvent, while it's paying out more than it's taking in, and that it has some surplus, when the SS taxes are not earmarked, so there is no such thing as SS fund, and SS obligations are paid by selling US debt, this idea is completely without merit.

    Yes, SS must be stopped, as well as Medicare, as those are ponzi scams. No, money cannot be returned to anybody who is still paying, there is no money, it's gone, because it's appropriated under 'general taxation'. Yes, government has lied to US public, when it sold these programs as 'insurance', there were never insurance, there was never any fund, any asset behind those programs. What should be done is this: SS and Medicare must be abolished. The people who are on them must be means tested, and those who can't survive on their own must be put into general welfare, as that's what those programs are. Everybody else would be better served by saving and investing their own money and by having government stay out of taxing income and regulating businesses altogether (if you can accept that gov't should not be distorting the economy that way, and causing capital flight.)

    Helvering v. Davis, 301 U.S. 619 (1937), decided on the same day as Steward, upheld the program because "The proceeds of both [employee and employer] taxes are to be paid into the Treasury like internal-revenue taxes generally, and are not earmarked in any way". That is, the Social Security Tax was constitutional as a mere exercise of Congress's general taxation powers.

  5. Re:For a revolutionary workers party! by hairyfeet · · Score: 1, Troll

    We have THREE wars yet the top 1%ers (which now control more than 90% of the wealth in this country, leaving the other 90% to fight for the last 10%) have determined it is their God given right to have "More MONIES! Nom nom nom". NEVER in our history have we had a war and not raised taxes on the wealthy, EVER, yet here is the right wing more than happy to cheer on at least two of those wars while refusing to pay a fucking cent in. I guess war is great as long as it costs you nothing and you get to keep your breaks and make a tidy sum on your Raytheon stock huh?

    I urge everyone to go here and let your congressmen know anyone who votes for this kick to the balls of the poor, which cuts provider payments to medicaid/care while not cutting a cent to the military or making the top 1%ers pay a penny WILL BE VOTED OUT next election! I also urge you to vote Green or new Whig next election, as it is obvious that a vote for a D or an R is now a "wasted vote" thanks to Citizens United. This is our last option before having an Arab Spring which I truly believe is coming.

    Better to default than to take this piece of trash legislation.

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    ACs don't waste your time replying, your posts are never seen by me.