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Edited by Mrph1 on Nov 30th 2023 at 11:03:59 AM

Sledgesaul Since: Oct, 2011
#40476: Nov 15th 2012 at 6:11:00 AM

Here we go. Baehner said no. Obama can take that and turn it around by saying "Republicans want tax cuts, except for you."

Instead, watch as he attempts to reach out to Baehner again.

edited 15th Nov '12 6:18:57 AM by Sledgesaul

TheBatPencil from Glasgow, Scotland Since: May, 2011 Relationship Status: I'm just a hunk-a, hunk-a burnin' love
#40477: Nov 15th 2012 at 6:32:03 AM

Thread Hop

News needs to be objective. [...] BBC should be where you get those.

Yes and no. BBC Scotland, for one, is quickly becoming something akin to a licence-fee funded Fox News with depression.

edited 15th Nov '12 6:32:11 AM by TheBatPencil

And let us pray that come it may (As come it will for a' that)
Sledgesaul Since: Oct, 2011
#40478: Nov 15th 2012 at 6:35:30 AM

Like Serocco said earlier, if they raise Medicare eligibility age, that robs you of thousands upon thousands of dollars in benefits that you could've gotten if they hadn't forced you to wait another two years.

Narrowing the measures of inflation for Social Security robs you of hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars, because the cost of living adjustment goes slower.

edited 15th Nov '12 6:35:49 AM by Sledgesaul

Greenmantle V from Greater Wessex, Britannia Since: Feb, 2010 Relationship Status: Hiding
V
#40479: Nov 15th 2012 at 6:36:22 AM

^^

How so? I'm just curious how it compares to the other end of the Island...

^

The Retirement Age has already been increased here in Britain. Personally, I'm not expecting to retire, and haven't for over a decade...

edited 15th Nov '12 6:38:47 AM by Greenmantle

Keep Rolling On
Sledgesaul Since: Oct, 2011
#40480: Nov 15th 2012 at 6:40:58 AM

If you raise the retirement age, people are forced to wait another two years before they get the benefits they would've earned if you hadn't raised the retirement age eligibility.

Like Serocco mentioned, the extra two years means you have to work more than you're probably capable, and it denies you of thousands of dollars in benefits for another two years.

Plus, if you raise the retirement age, spending for Medicare goes down as costs go up.

ohsointocats from The Sand Wastes Since: Oct, 2011 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
#40481: Nov 15th 2012 at 6:52:32 AM

And what is the retirement age in Britain?

Sledgesaul Since: Oct, 2011
#40482: Nov 15th 2012 at 6:56:51 AM

65 if male. 60 if female. As of 2011.

edited 15th Nov '12 6:57:00 AM by Sledgesaul

Sledgesaul Since: Oct, 2011
#40483: Nov 15th 2012 at 7:01:21 AM

Some rockets were fired at Israel. Eight people harmed. None killed.

Israel decides to retaliate - and killed 1,400 Palestinians, many of which civilians.

Failing to get America to attack Iran apparently green-lights intensifying your own war with Palestine, eh, Netanyahu?

edited 15th Nov '12 7:01:40 AM by Sledgesaul

deathpigeon Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: One True Dodecahedron
#40484: Nov 15th 2012 at 7:03:16 AM

[up][up] ...Why's it different for men and women?

[up] ...Why do we support Israel, again?

edited 15th Nov '12 7:08:21 AM by deathpigeon

Sledgesaul Since: Oct, 2011
#40485: Nov 15th 2012 at 7:09:18 AM

Israel has a lobby in American politics.

DeMarquis (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#40486: Nov 15th 2012 at 7:10:08 AM

"Like Serocco said earlier, if they raise Medicare eligibility age, that robs you of thousands upon thousands of dollars in benefits that you could've gotten if they hadn't forced you to wait another two years."

That's only true if you don't live any longer. Otherwise you make up the difference later.

Anyway, the real problem with Healthcare, including Medicare, isn't revenue or benefit level, it's costs. This problem isn't solvable until we do something to bring costs down. Only two ways to do that: cap costs by fiat (not happening, nor would it be a good idea) or reward healthcare providers for providing effective and cost-efficient care.

But that's a debate no one in Washington has even begun.

I'm done trying to sound smart. "Clear" is the new smart.
Sledgesaul Since: Oct, 2011
#40487: Nov 15th 2012 at 7:12:21 AM

Making the difference later is another way to say "Fuck off. We'll force you to work more before you get what you need."

If you're 65 today, you are eligible for the benefits of Medicare. Let's say Congress decides to raise the retirement age by the end of this year. All your benefits will cease by then.

Nobody likes having a rug pulled from under them.

edited 15th Nov '12 7:14:14 AM by Sledgesaul

DeMarquis (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#40488: Nov 15th 2012 at 7:38:22 AM

We may not like it, but we cant afford the present system. So something has to change. If you don't like raising the eligibility age, what alternative solution do you propose?

I'm done trying to sound smart. "Clear" is the new smart.
LMage Since: May, 2011
#40489: Nov 15th 2012 at 7:40:00 AM

@De

It's also a mater of pragmatism. If there's one group that NEITHER side wants to piss off it's the elderly, since the elderly vote in droves.

deathpigeon Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: One True Dodecahedron
#40490: Nov 15th 2012 at 7:43:41 AM

[up][up] We could raise taxes to fund the things. Or cut other things, and take the money that would've gone to them to fund these things.

Sledgesaul Since: Oct, 2011
#40492: Nov 15th 2012 at 7:47:53 AM

Raise taxes to continue funding it in the near future. Do not cut any of the social programs. Not matter what. Even if it's ostensibly to balance the budget. Go after defense instead.

terlwyth Since: Oct, 2010
#40493: Nov 15th 2012 at 7:48:27 AM

Let me get this straight

-Man runs over wife in Wisconsin for not voting Walker

-Women runs over husband for allowing Obama to win

-Women runs over husband for not voting

What is it with politics and Car Fu this year?

3of4 Just a harmless giant from a foreign land. from Five Seconds in the Future. Since: Jan, 2010 Relationship Status: GAR for Archer
DeMarquis (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#40495: Nov 15th 2012 at 7:59:50 AM

@Death and Sledge: and how to you respond to the assertion that health care costs are forecast to keep growing for the foreseeable future, and to continually raise taxes to pay for it is a non-viable option?

Personally, I would prefer single-payer to that.

I'm done trying to sound smart. "Clear" is the new smart.
Sledgesaul Since: Oct, 2011
#40496: Nov 15th 2012 at 8:01:08 AM

Single-payer healthcare for all.

DeMarquis (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#40497: Nov 15th 2012 at 8:04:20 AM

Unfortunately, single-payer is a non-starter politically. We have to start looking realistically on how to equitably ration health care.

I'm done trying to sound smart. "Clear" is the new smart.
Sledgesaul Since: Oct, 2011
#40498: Nov 15th 2012 at 8:05:15 AM

Oh, for what it's worth, cuts to Medicade also cuts Obamacare

Greenmantle V from Greater Wessex, Britannia Since: Feb, 2010 Relationship Status: Hiding
V
#40499: Nov 15th 2012 at 8:07:41 AM

^^^

All I'll say from British Experience is that won't solve the problem on its own*

. And what about those who want to (or can't afford to stop) work past Retirement age?

edited 15th Nov '12 8:07:56 AM by Greenmantle

Keep Rolling On
deathpigeon Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: One True Dodecahedron
#40500: Nov 15th 2012 at 8:38:13 AM

@Marquis: They will probably only increase with Medicare and Social Security until the ratio between the young and old becomes steady. At that point, we won't need to keep raising taxes. In the meantime, we have the bloated defense budget to take from to help sustain ourselves.


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