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Burnt taco's avatar

How can one not feel so enlightened at the massive accomplishments( spending) of the last two years on such noble causes as the green new deal and the Michelle Obama trail. The only spectacle to compete with the SOTU was the twisted wokeness of the Grammy awards. What a difference two years makes. God help us. Pass the ammunition.

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𝐓𝐢𝐦 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐝𝐰𝐢𝐧's avatar

Biden's SOTU lies are nothing compared to this whopper from Clinton's 1996 SOTU: "The era of big government is over."

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Loic's avatar

(Clapping!)

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JayCee's avatar

Well at least the Speaker as a R, had the decency not tear up his speech in his presence, even though he knew it was a load of tripe & codswallop !

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StarboardEdge's avatar

"Codswallop."

Excellent. You crazy kids, always making up your new words...

:)

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JayCee's avatar

Sorry not new… probably should use ‘poppycock’

Poppycock comes to us from Dutch immigrants to America who brought with them the word pappekak, which reputedly means soft dung. As one may imagine, the term lost its original dung meaning in its transformation into the word poppycock.

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Tom's avatar

My take on Social Security is this - well after the comfortably paid persons in the US get paid $160,200 - their social security tax rate becomes zero percent - just eliminate this ceiling and don't worry, any more. Plenty of cash for SS, then.

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𝐓𝐢𝐦 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐝𝐰𝐢𝐧's avatar

Here's why the ceiling exists:

Social Security benefits are calculated on the basis of a worker's earnings over his or her career. However, only the worker's earnings subject, under the maximum taxable amount, to the payroll tax are used to compute his or her benefits. A cap on taxable earnings has existed since the inception of the Social Security system in 1937.

The maximum taxable amount reflects the original purpose of the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Program: to provide workers with a "safety net" of retirement income. Social Security was created as a pay-related contributory pension system rather than as a welfare program that would redistribute money from workers to those in need, regardless of whether or not its recipients had paid into the system. The benefits that retirees received were linked to the taxes they had paid when they were in the work force. Social Security was intended also to supplement, rather than replace, private sources of retirement income by providing only a basic, government-guaranteed source of income.

Within this context, Congress determined that it was appropriate to set an upper limit on the amount of income Americans would receive from Social Security. A limit on benefits, combined with the principle that workers' benefits should relate to the amount of money they paid into the system, made an upper limit on the taxes that workers would pay appropriate as well.

Based on the above, I think we should leave the ceiling as is! My two cents...

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Tom's avatar

Just so rich people pay less taxes is the real reason

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𝐓𝐢𝐦 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐝𝐰𝐢𝐧's avatar

Tom -- I believe one reason that Social Security is popular and successful is that it was deliberately NOT set up as a "soak the rich" welfare scheme. If you want to use it to "soak the rich', be my guest! I am retired, so I don't care if Biden convinces Congress to make the tax change you want to see, but PLEASE leave my benefit alone! I paid over $100,000 in Social Security taxes to earn it during my working lifetime, and want to keep it until I meet my Maker.

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Tom's avatar

Tim: So have I: paid over $100,000 in Social Security taxes to earn it during my working lifetime -- thanks for your perspective. I have not yet retired but when I do, I want it all! Tom

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Dave J's avatar

You have no idea how much "rich people" already pay in taxes, so save it for others that are ignorant.

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Tom's avatar

How about - you are an idiot, then - why you feel the need to insult me, I did not insult you...?

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Dave J's avatar

You insult me with making definitive statements like "just so rich people pay less taxes is the real reason". You don't have any idea what the "real reason" for why there is a ceiling, (though Tim B did a very good job explaining it). Your comments on here make clear how you think. Go load up your EBT card at my expense.

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Tom's avatar

Yes, be indignant and insult persons not cowtow to you, get red-faced and bang your fist on the desk...your opinion means nothing to me, sorry but deleting the tax ceiling helps solve the problem !!

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Xavier Narutowicz's avatar

I agree. Probably, 85% of Americans never cease to pay SS, the 20% make 50% of salaries. Seems like a no brained if you want reform, plus no benefits for those that have millions.

There are little old ladies living on 1k a month that have worked their entire lives.

The rich will complain and obviously they run things.

I remember when I began working and SS was paid by May with a flimsy salary.

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Dave J's avatar

"The rich will complain and obviously they run run things" -- Quote from a true idiot

How about this: Let us, those that make the top 50% opt out? That way, the people that "opt in" get the fruits of their 'labor"? Then those that opt out don't "burden the system with the "inefficiencies" of the system. They can allow the stewards of the system be accountable for their "service". You should love that, right?

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Xavier Narutowicz's avatar

The world runs on the 5% principal, five % are superstars, like Michael Jordan, can’t be ousted by the thousands of new players over his entire career.

It is like that in all endeavors.

“Store up treasures in heaven where moth and rot can’t destroy.”

“Without charity, you are a gong in the wilderness.”

“He that wishes to follow me, must be a servant of all.”

“Love one another as I have loved you.”

“Because of the love of money, it is easier for a camel to go through an eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

Most rich, one way street types, are bastards, they dissipate their talents on worthless things .... then they die!

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StarboardEdge's avatar

Hi Dave -

Bravo! Isn't it often EASY to use their stupidity and absolutely wrong beliefs against them just by applying the TINIEST AMOUNT of Logic or Critical Thinking? But yet and still, they won't see their glaring hypocrisy and will either call you names or just move on to something else they will be completely incorrect about, all the while maintaining an arrogant ignorance.

Such spoiled, petulant, dangerous children we have allowed the left to become...

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Dave J's avatar

"Such spoiled, petulant, dangerous children we have allowed the left to become..." -- SE

So true, so true! I believe it is rooted in the way that my generation (normally referred to as the "Baby Boom Generation") raised children. There was an aversion to the use of the word "no". I don't have any "scientific" evidence other than my own observations, but most Moms couldn't deny the sons and most fathers couldn't deny the daughters instant gratification. (I coached a lot of young people ranging from ages 7-22 so I dealt with a lot of parents and families.)

This lack of discipline resulted in not just poor work ethic, but no work ethic at all. (Why work at something when you can just have it handed to you?) It has now permeated into the generations that the "Millennials" have spawned. For me, without a doubt, the most exasperating part of their act is the ". . . all the while maintaining an arrogant ignorance".

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Lee Floyd's avatar

Nope, not even close.

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Robert Overall's avatar

Does anybody know how much the Federal government has stolen from the Social Security account? And if they just put it back (with all interest paid in full) would that restore the account where it should be? Hope someone has the answer…

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Xavier Narutowicz's avatar

Once, I did the math, two in a household earning 25k a year and saving and investing the 13% SS supposedly saves for them, compounded over 40 years at 5%.

They would make more than SS pays,on interest ,without touching capital.

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Lee Floyd's avatar

Yes. In short, all of it.

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Steve L's avatar

Yes Bill, I really enjoy the reaction of many on this site, especially when politics are involved...you would think that at our advanced ages, we could agree to disagree, but that damned human nature never seems to grow out of us. So yes, I'm sure it entertains you as much as us:]

I think I may have an answer to your southern problems...you do have a few loyal followers here that may be willing to offer you security for a small allowance, and would love to sit and read these hysterical comments together over a couple of bottles of your famous Malbec (after a busy day of depopulating the local vermin of course):]

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A.L.'s avatar

Is there any restriction on who can claim Originario status considering none of the current ones have a factual basis to make the claim?

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Jimm Roberts's avatar

In my estimation, Biden falls short in most sectors; some of which Bill identified. However, to his credit, he's the only president in this century who saw Putin for the murderous thug he is.

If our immediate past president were still in office -- who wanted the US to withdraw from NATO and who subsequently declared he admired Putin -- very likely far more than Ukraine's eastern provinces would be under Russian control.

In the same manner in which Bill's ranch is being invaded and portions being stole by small bands of phony indigenous people with the intent to keep what they take, so too is Ukraine being invaded for the same purpose. Perhaps Bill will explain why he tolerates the latter but finds fault with the former.

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Worm Farmer extraordinaire's avatar

Jim. Why do you care about Ukraine's borders. Did you worry about Iraq or Syria or Vietnam? How about our border? Is there any drivel from the MSM you would not believe?

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StarboardEdge's avatar

Hi Jimm -

"...very likely far more than Ukraine's eastern provinces would be under Russian control."

Good Heavens! You mean actually LET THOSE PEOPLE HAVE THE GOVERNMENT THEY VOTED FOR in Free, Fair and Transparent elections? Say it isn't so. But what of "Muh Democracy" that y'all incessantly spout off about, hmmm?

You lefties are so freaking Hypocritical and Immoral. You have ZERO standing to lecture anyone about virtually anything...

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Jimm Roberts's avatar

I have no idea what point you are trying to convey. I will perforce abstain from responding apart from hoping you will resume taking your medications. Be well

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StarboardEdge's avatar

Hi Jimm -

I'll try to reply to you in crayon next time.

All the best...

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Jimm Roberts's avatar

better yet, don't reply

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StarboardEdge's avatar

And let the Idiocy and Degeneracy stand unchallenged?

Nah. Sorry, not sorry...

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Dave J's avatar

I don't seem to remember Putin invading any areas of Ukraine on Trump's watch. Obama let him waltz into Crimea, but Putin knew damn well what Trump would do because he did it over that Syrian incident. It only took a few rockets for Putin to get Trump's message.

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𝐓𝐢𝐦 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐝𝐰𝐢𝐧's avatar

I believe Bill would say that the invasion of Ukraine by Russia is "none of his business", but the invasion of his land by the phony indigenous people is "his business." I don't agree with Bill's position on Ukraine.

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Jimm Roberts's avatar

Me neither. Theft is theft regardless whether it's some or a lot

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Richard Smith's avatar

Bill, It appears our politics and news media in the U.S. is like a daily serial t.v. show (days of our lives).If the idiots we elected to both sides of the isle weren't so serious about screwing us to the wall,it would

be a great comedy series.We could call it "Screw the people who pay our salaries".

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Loic's avatar

Imagine if there had been a world economic force or military force called on to prevent the United States from seceding from their colonial powers.

Or intervening when they took Mexico from Spain.

Or any number of aggressive actions.

We should be fair. The world only cares because it’s Russia, ideologically. And as always, because there’s money to be made from “supporting” an allied power, struggling against this communist aggressor to boot.

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Tom's avatar

Let's see... you get indignant and insult people who do not cowtow to you. Get red-faced and bang your fist on the desk. Your rants / opinions mean nothing to me. Deleting the tax ceiling helps repair social security deficit, no matter how many insults you make, you facile idiot.

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Lee Floyd's avatar

No Tom, it doesn't help. It's chump change. Social Security tax is only levied on earned income.

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Egypt Solomon's avatar

Fasten your seat belts, this is it, the military assault that Russia is saving for next month will be of epic proportions. The introduction of new Russian Federation Weaponry and skillful target destruction thanks to their Chinese ally weather balloon Intel. Hahaha

It’s gonna be one for the history books. War, famine, hunger, pestilence, and death! All in a nut shell. The bombs that are going to rain down on Ukraine next month is going to make WWII look like a low budget movie! The world will exactly know where it is all heading, it will be crystal clear to kingdom come. No more referring to it as the Ukraine Russian war, that term will be replaced.

My Time Machine needs more plutonium! Hahaha😂

People want proof, sources, you don’t need any of that, only a sic twisted mind. Amen.

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Loic's avatar

Phew... sounds heavy. But quite likely. If the tanks require months to be in place and ready to “defend” (because it’s debatable that a tank is a defence weapon), then the war is not going to be over soon.

Around deployment there will be either preemptive or reactive actions. It’s basically an escalation for now. Anybody on either side of the borders thinking the war is about to be concluded isn’t thinking it through.

One wildcard, might be if Putin is removed. Then he can take the blame, Russia can formally apologise and everything goes back to normal. Normal of course means big expense for the Russians and big opportunities for international reconstruction and commercial entities. So first the military industrial complex gains, then the commercial sector. Human cost aside, Putin should be honoured in the USA. He’s contributed significantly to economic activities there.

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Egypt Solomon's avatar

Lol, there’s that work again “heavy “, why are things so “heavy” in the future? Is there a problem with the earth’s gravitational pull? 😂

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Brad Nord's avatar

That's right and so are you

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Dorothy's avatar

BN: Were you including me in your short response??

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Brad Nord's avatar

Bill maybe You should do as you have advocated in this letter and let the indigenous people have their land.

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Dave J's avatar

Except they're not indigenous.

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Tom's avatar

ingenious rather than indigenous

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StarboardEdge's avatar

Like so many other areas of this backward world, INDIGNANT apparently trumps all the other "i" words.

And the "originarios" have that in SPADES, though they justifiably have literally nothing to be indignant over. The perceived "injustices" are completely fabricated and/or a sad symptom of a mental disease (Lieberalism) showing in its advanced stages.

Just like the dimorat party...

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Darin's avatar

Doesn't he look like the banjo kid in Deliverance?

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User's avatar
Comment deleted
Feb 8, 2023Edited
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Dorothy's avatar

PG: It must be wonderful in the land of no corruption and where all the Republicans live wonderful lives w/o making not one mistakes like Biden,Hillary an Obama have. And to say that everything Biden says is a lie...Wow. Wish you would get sued Big Time.

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StarboardEdge's avatar

Hi Dot -

PG is a Realist, and as such he completely understands that Repugs also lie and are not the be-all, end-all saviors of our Country. He also understands that, as opposed to the alternative (the dims), the R's are MAGNITUDES better for the Health, Safety, Prosperity and Wellbeing of our Nation. The dims PROVE this fact over and over and have been proving it ever since LBJ (if not earlier.)

As for you wishing he would "get sued Big Time" for saying everything TraitorJoe speaks is a lie - well, that sentiment right there should be enough to tell you, unequivocally, how very WRONG you are in our allegedly Free Society that is allegedly still governed by our Founding Documents. Your statement is truly Fascist, but since you are a deep-blue dim, no one expects you to be able to see past your own hypocrisy and ignorance...

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Loic's avatar

I think these topics are dear to all our hearts, and wallets. It’s easy to lose our cool.

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Dorothy's avatar

SE: You can feel anyway you do for the reasons you wrote. The Traitor is not Joe. He maybe old but he knows what he's doing. So sorry You can't see beyond what your current and probably your on-going views are. I doubt you would not ever vote for anyone except a Rep. no matter who that person is. Sorry, no not sorry, that you think that because I disagree with you that I am a Fascist, hypocrisy and can't see beyond my ignorance. Maybe that describes you.

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StarboardEdge's avatar

Hi Dot -

"Maybe that describes you."

Um, well. Out of the two of us, only one of us is wishing strangers would get "sued big time" for posting an opinion, and even believing that was legal under our First Amendment - but obviously the Bill of Rights ain't your strong suit sweetheart.

Nah - I'm actually positive that "ignorant and fascist" isn't describing me in this case and it has zero to do with you not agreeing with me.

Glad I could clear that up for you old girl...

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Dorothy's avatar

SE: Please don't call me old girl unless you would like me to refer you to as Old man. Talk about insulting comments you make a lot of them from time to time. I was talking to PG. You know how insulting he is. He has insulted me so many times that I have lost track. So I have no compulsion not to do the same to him (in a much nicer way). By the way, the Bill of Right isn't your strong suit, sweet heart.

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