Doonsberry had a good series last week on a press conference with Fear itself. Quite humorous, I thought. That terror, terror dog don't hunt no more.
Posted by iamcoyote at October 23, 2006 11:16 AMDon't sell these cowardly rightwing whackos short. They are still scared silly of dirty bombs in their belfrys, yet cheer when a clinic is blown up.
They will knuckle-drag their way to Dieboldland once again. We need to tap into that big ocean of apathy.
Posted by TIKI AL at October 23, 2006 11:34 AMWhile I do not agree with much from the current administration, I do agree that Social Security does ineed need to be overhauled. It is obvious that the benefits of social security as a retirement system are very week. When it was started, FDR came out and said it numerous times, it is a supplimental retirement system. The problem is now that people think it is the only retirment system out there. The way I see it is quite simple. You either overhall the system and make it beneficial to those that pay into it (Own decision) or you educate the public on exactly what Social Security will do for you, that way they become smarter and go out and invest in some private plans.
Posted by bigscore at October 23, 2006 11:44 AMTIKI's right---the power of the All Terror, All the Time is being underestimated by the Dems.
Such tactics tend to work, especially when screamed full volume for a month by the Republican Noise Machine, because many ignorant people still believe what their government tells them via their cable and network television news. Even when it's the lying, disgraceful, manipulative Bush Regime.
People are still listening to the Codpiece Who Screamed "Terror".
Citizen manipulation through Fear and Terror has been used by authoritarian rightist regimes like the Nazis since time immemorial, and thus the tactic fits KKKarl and Team Nero like a glove.
I'd say there's an excellent chance the GOP Terror Card will work again with our exceptionally ignorant, nationalistic population, no matter how obviously illogical, manipulative, deceitful and unpersuasive it is to an intelligent informed person.
Posted by euzoius at October 23, 2006 12:28 PM"How fortunate it is for the government that the people do not think."......Adolph Hitler
Posted by TIKI AL at October 23, 2006 02:11 PM"Of course the people don't want war. But after all..the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy.
All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to greater danger. It works the same way in any country."
Reichsmarschall Herman Goering, Nuremburg 1946
Posted by euzoius at October 23, 2006 03:04 PMWhile I do not agree with much from the current administration, I do agree that Social Security does ineed need to be overhauled. It is obvious that the benefits of social security as a retirement system are very week.
There's nothing wrong with Social Security that a little tweaking with the cap and maybe gradually raising the retirement age can't fix.
The problem is now that people think it is the only retirment system out there. The way I see it is quite simple. You either overhall the system and make it beneficial to those that pay into it (Own decision) or you educate the public on exactly what Social Security will do for you, that way they become smarter and go out and invest in some private plans.
There are plenty of investment plans for those who can invest in them. I advise anyone who can to do so. But they all have risks that Social Security doesn't have. You don't invest money that you cannot afford to lose, Social Security money is money most American can't afford to lose.
Posted by herbal tee at October 23, 2006 03:48 PM"It is always more difficult to fight against faith than to fight against knowledge.".....Adolph Hitler
Tune in next week for another episode of "Timeless Nazi Quotes", with your hosts, oozo and tiki.
Posted by TIKI AL at October 23, 2006 06:51 PMWhile I do not agree with much from the current administration, I do agree that Social Security does ineed need to be overhauled. It is obvious that the benefits of social security as a retirement system are very week.
Bigscore,
You have been badly misinformed. The problem with social security is that the government has been spending the social security excess funds to hide budget deficits, since reagan's tax raising scam in the eighties, and the republicans have no plans to pay the system back. Basically, the government plans to steal the social security taxes from the working class to pay for tax cuts and other special interest welfare. The government is raising the issue now because the excess will go away by 2015 and wall street is looking for a welfare package similar to the pharmaceutical medicare prescription drug package. Before changing social security, the government should stop using social security funds to offset budget overruns and set up a plan to pay the system back. The government and the corporate media will not tell the truth about social security. This rip off will not be easily stopped. If the working class fails to stand up soon on this issue, all future recipients will be screwed. This is a major sleeper issue not being discussed in this election.
The problem is now that people think it is the only retirment system out there.
When you lose your retirement because your employer retrenches on their promises of retirement benefits to pad the corporate botton line, part of the inducement to get you to work there in the first place, it often is the only retirement income.
Posted by phidipides at October 24, 2006 05:51 AMPhi,
Your correct that does happen way to often, that is why I'm stressing the education of the masses. Every American should have an independent retirment account that yields substantial benefits. It can be an investment as little as $25-$50 a month. Even if we were allowed to invest that portion of money from the SSI tax, it gives us a choice in our retirement. Should it be completely privatized? I don't think so, but I would love to have a decision in the process.
Posted by bigscore at October 24, 2006 07:20 AM