Romney BS - FEMA, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, Taxes
As a "noob" to DU, I wonder if we talk only to ourselves, or if what we say here can project outside.
It seems obvious to me that we're fortunate to live in a large, wealthy, nation that can send aid when and where needed.
The NE is going to need aid, much as did Joplin, the Gulf Coast, Florida, California, and so many other areas.
No state government, not even governments in areas as wealthy and populous as New York, is up to the task. Imagine if the right-wing low-income most Republican tax haven states of Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana had been left on their own after Katrina.
Yet that's exactly what the anti-Federal government ideology of the Republicans advocate, in Romney's voice.
Without the Federal government mobilizing (yes, through taxes!) NATIONAL resources region after region in our country would gradually collapse from hurricane, tornado, earthquake, and, yes, economic changes beyond a state's influence.
The Red Cross and other charities can bring food, water, coffee, donuts, and dry clothing to the victims. They can't rebuild billions in infrastructure, or rebuild damaged industries and housing. That requires governmental level commitment far beyond coffee and donuts.
The same applies to Medicare and Medicaid, both of which work only because the "national" government uses its market power to limit what the medical establishment charges.
Oh, there's screams of outrage that pharma, doctors, and hospitals are underpaid, but the hospitals here in Tulsa have remodeled themselves in granite. And I bet the ones where you live have, too.
Know any poor doctors? I sure don't.
If the rightwingnuts have their way and Medicare and Medicaid were vouchered, we would lose the government's ability to control prices. Already happened with the "Medicare Advantage" the Bushies set up to prototype privatizing Medicare, the killing of which saved the government the $716 Billion Romney deceitfully says was pulled from Seniors.
Without governmental price controls, Big Pharma, Big Hospitals, Big Insurance, and, yes, Greedy Doctors will price themselves right out of serving Seniors. And Seniors into an earlier than necessary grave.
It is just that simple.
Remember when Romney (which debate?) promised the "middle class" would do better because he was going to exempt interest, dividends, and capital gains from tax?
Check your own 2011 income tax return.
Bet you didn't pay much tax on interest (what interest!), dividends, or even have capital gains.
You're probably like me. My wife and I have "saved" diligently. Our lifetimes' assets are in her 401k and my IRA.
100% taxable when withdrawn.
Romney's deceitful promises won't help us, or any other middle class American, at all. But it sure with help Mitt, what with his $14 million annual income suddenly exempted from tax.
What I don't understand is why these simple, easy to understand, points aren't being brought home by the Democratic campaigns.
Bring it home. Read Romney's empty promises. Look at your own tax return!