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magellan

(13,257 posts)

136. WTH? Cato Institute, "Leninist Strategy"?

Wed Mar 13, 2013, 07:36 AM

Mar 2013

I had to read the paper myself to be sure that wasn't meant sardonically. Because as we know, the Cato Institute is Koch Bros, free market bs central, 2nd only to the Heritage Foundation in catapulting the propaganda. But no, they outright admit to taking a lesson from Lenin. How the right wingnuts would howl to learn the plan to privatize SocSec was drawn from Leninist strategy!

This should be shared. WIDELY.

Beyond that glaring oddity: holy crap, this is proof that they've been hellbent on destroying public opinion about SocSec so they could eventually privatize it for at least three decades. PURE MANUFACTURED CRISIS.

Again, it should be shared everywhere. And especially shoved in the faces of Rand Paul and Paul Ryan acolytes who've bought into the propaganda that SocSec is an unsustainable ponzi scheme, the obedient little asshats.

I've wondered about the move to tax SocSec but never checked the votes. Afraid to say it doesn't surprise me to learn it was a bipartisan effort. When Durbin came forward in 2007 and said he knew before the invasion of Iraq that the public was being misled, but didn't say anything because he was sworn to secrecy, I began to lose faith in the Dems...and my opinion of them as a functional opposition party has only eroded since then. The term 'kabuki theater' gets used here a lot, and that's my general impression of things nowadays.

Thanks for sharing that, HiPoint. I've bookmarked the page and will definitely be using the info.

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Stop it, stop saying Social Security needs reform, you are a Democrat, right? [View all] FogerRox Mar 2013 OP

Wish I could rec this more than once. CaliforniaPeggy Mar 2013 #1

Are you on Tiwtter? See #HandsOffMySocialSecurity FogerRox Mar 2013 #8

Alas, I am not on Twitter. But there are other ways to contact the people involved. CaliforniaPeggy Mar 2013 #10

We want to blow up twitter and Facebook with these graphics and #HandsOffSocialSecurity #noSScuts SS FogerRox Mar 2013 #12

I am on Facebook. CaliforniaPeggy Mar 2013 #13

Skinner said hes having Elad start a DU Social Security Medicare group FogerRox Mar 2013 #15

You want all of these pictures on Facebook? CaliforniaPeggy Mar 2013 #17

Only use the ones you like, many are to promote the SS blogathon in 13 days. FogerRox Mar 2013 #21

I'll do it later tonight... CaliforniaPeggy Mar 2013 #24

Good idea, I am on Twitter and will do all I can to help stop this scam sabrina 1 Mar 2013 #65

Skinner told me we're getting a SS/MEdicare group soon FogerRox Mar 2013 #66

Raising the income cap is a no-brainer. It's so frustrating that we can't even get this simple Flatulo Mar 2013 #67

Better idea...Tell Obama keep his fucking hands off of SS and Medicare. jerseyjack Mar 2013 #9

Amen Sir. Create some damn jobs and #noSScuts #HandsOffSocialSecurity FogerRox Mar 2013 #11

Goddamn it. Keep your dirty mitts off our Social Security! FogerRox Mar 2013 #16

Second the recommendation still_one Mar 2013 #2

Thank you. FogerRox Mar 2013 #47

Not according to our resident teflon troll. nt Guy Whitey Corngood Mar 2013 #3

I can actually suggest a few Warpy Mar 2013 #4

Please explain "remove it from the General Fund" FogerRox Mar 2013 #6

I said remove Social Security from the general fund. Warpy Mar 2013 #31

The SS Trust Fund is not part of the General fund. It never was Since it was set up Jan 1 1940 FogerRox Mar 2013 #34

I give up. Warpy Mar 2013 #39

Semi fictional, seems serious. FogerRox Mar 2013 #46

You and Warpy are both right, I think magellan Mar 2013 #59

The wing nuts Tea Baggers talk about not redeming the Treasuries FogerRox Mar 2013 #69

I don't say the trust fund is in the general fund magellan Mar 2013 #76

Warpy said it. I never said you said it, please stay with the conversation. FogerRox Mar 2013 #79

Oh, I'm staying with the conversation magellan Mar 2013 #82

No. From the beginning of Social Security, any excess SS taxes were borrowed by the federal HiPointDem Mar 2013 #85

Ah, thank you magellan Mar 2013 #86

I think that's why he did it too. And not him, really -- Greenspan and his allies. And also to HiPointDem Mar 2013 #89

It sounds like corporate long term planning magellan Mar 2013 #95

that's always been my feeling about the reagan-era changes. there was no reason to jack HiPointDem Mar 2013 #106

WTH? Cato Institute, "Leninist Strategy"? magellan Mar 2013 #136

I've posted it here before, without much interest, but I'll look for the post and try again. HiPointDem Mar 2013 #138

Huh, I just kicked your OP and it didn't show up on GD?? magellan Mar 2013 #193

i kicked it again and it didn't show up either. weird. i have another op that the same thing HiPointDem Mar 2013 #194

Just did and it's appeared magellan Mar 2013 #195

no problem. HiPointDem Mar 2013 #196

SS COmmisioner had to twist Reagans arm FogerRox Mar 2013 #175

it's you who's misunderstanding. nothing changed under johnson in the disposition of SS funds. HiPointDem Mar 2013 #84

Thank you for the facts. HomeboyHombre Mar 2013 #163

42 USC § 401 - Trust Funds JDPriestly Mar 2013 #178

"how to win an election then abandon the reasons you won - coming soon to amazon nt msongs Mar 2013 #5

Unfoitunatly that may come to pass. FogerRox Mar 2013 #7

Always on the backs of the little guy. liberal N proud Mar 2013 #14

HUGE K & R !!! - Thank You !!! WillyT Mar 2013 #18

Thanks WillyT. FogerRox Mar 2013 #185

But SS does have a problem: The contribution cap rurallib Mar 2013 #19

no. that's not a problem. it's being sold to you as a problem, but it's not. HiPointDem Mar 2013 #92

Reform the funding, not the payouts Generic Brad Mar 2013 #20

then SS is no longer the wage insurance it always has been FogerRox Mar 2013 #25

I don't mean allowing the rich to milk the system Generic Brad Mar 2013 #26

Even worse capping benefits is a means test and makes SS welfare FogerRox Mar 2013 #29

The average benefit is somewhere between $1200 and $1300 per month. JDPriestly Mar 2013 #56

Currently Ave male 18k, average female 13k, max benefit 30k, I know the numbers by heart FogerRox Mar 2013 #64

Exactly correct customerserviceguy Mar 2013 #135

The payout should be progressive, but there should be no cap at all. David__77 Mar 2013 #33

The people who created the program knew what they were doing. Lifting the cap means HiPointDem Mar 2013 #93

Raise the CAP!! Lower the eligiblilty AGE to 55 or 60! ErikJ Mar 2013 #22

1937? The Trust Fund was started in 1940. 2037 is total bullshit, an unrealistic prediction FogerRox Mar 2013 #27

Bernie Sanders says 2037 ErikJ Mar 2013 #35

Sanders bill cover 3/4 the actuarial gap FogerRox Mar 2013 #42

It's really more than 3/4 TexasBushwhacker Mar 2013 #53

I'm not aware the CBO scored Sanders bill FogerRox Mar 2013 #57

The idea of the untaxed window TexasBushwhacker Mar 2013 #83

113k is about 83% -84 percentile, 90% is about 215. 97.5% is 250k FogerRox Mar 2013 #150

This message was self-deleted by its author ProSense Mar 2013 #102

It's best to study the SS Trustees' reports for oneself, instead of relying on what politicians say. HiPointDem Mar 2013 #96

The facts: JDPriestly Mar 2013 #60

Her check was not drawn from the Trust Fund FogerRox Mar 2013 #70

Where's your mea culpa? grahamhgreen Mar 2013 #104

mea culpa -- for what? HiPointDem Mar 2013 #107

Actually, it wasn't until around 1985 that the tax was raised to create a cushion JDPriestly Mar 2013 #177

She got her first check in 1940. HiPointDem Mar 2013 #97

Did you make up the 1937 date? Original Law 1935, SS ammedments wet into effect in Jan 1, 1940 FogerRox Mar 2013 #49

Since there's $3 trillion owed to SS, why do you want to raise the cap and collect even*more* money HiPointDem Mar 2013 #94

Raise income taxes on capital and let them PAY BACK THE MONEY THEY BORROWED FIRST. reteachinwi Mar 2013 #139

believe me, it has. many times. HiPointDem Mar 2013 #141

Actually, it does need to be reformed.. madinmaryland Mar 2013 #23

I like your style. rhett o rick Mar 2013 #58

The cap is raised every year. HiPointDem Mar 2013 #98

I don't know what those charts mean. I don't know who to believe. Honeycombe8 Mar 2013 #28

It is 100% solvent for more than 20 years. Not ten. GoneFishin Mar 2013 #30

create jobs and raise min wage SS is good thru 2090 according to the Trustees 2012 low cost scenario FogerRox Mar 2013 #36

A few years ago it was 10 years. I got a flyer in the mail from the Soc Sec Admin. Honeycombe8 Mar 2013 #188

The Social Security Trustees produce 4 scenarios each year FogerRox Mar 2013 #32

Thanks for the data. GoneFishin Mar 2013 #41

There are actually 2 different Social Security trust funds. PoliticAverse Mar 2013 #72

The ratio of FICA that goes into the 2 funds, (OAS & DI) has been changed in the past. FogerRox Mar 2013 #77

Ahhhh...I did not know that. That may be what Repubs are referring to... Honeycombe8 Mar 2013 #189

The SS Trustees, in their middle forecast, say it will go into the red in 21 years. That's the HiPointDem Mar 2013 #99

It makes sense that current forecasts would be depressed because of the recession. Honeycombe8 Mar 2013 #190

LA Times had a good summary few days ago. reteachinwi Mar 2013 #140

Thanks! I'm getting an education! nt Honeycombe8 Mar 2013 #191

This is a direct quote from the trustees report... dkf Mar 2013 #37

Now I understand better how to interpret this data. GoneFishin Mar 2013 #43

yes indeed. one reason why the numbers should be taken with a big grain of salt. as should HiPointDem Mar 2013 #100

SS Trustees issue 4 scenarios each year FogerRox Mar 2013 #45

Yet that is their official summary piece. dkf Mar 2013 #48

And Dean Baker and Paul Krugman, both tells us 2033 is unrealistic FogerRox Mar 2013 #50

This is what got homeowners into trouble. dkf Mar 2013 #55

Do you know GDP assumptions in the Intermediate scenario ? FogerRox Mar 2013 #52

The low estimate has unemployment at 4.5%. I highly doubt that. dkf Mar 2013 #91

I appreciate the straight response FogerRox Mar 2013 #146

Because in fact, the low-cost forecast has been the most accurate over time. And because HiPointDem Mar 2013 #101

You honestly think we will have a long term unemployment rate of 4.5%? Seriously? dkf Mar 2013 #132

I think anyone who claims to be able to guess what long-term unemployment will be from 2030 to HiPointDem Mar 2013 #134

He did it by creating a real estate bubble that almost caused a systemic collapse. dkf Mar 2013 #160

Which is why I state we need to create 20 million jobs at 36k per job FogerRox Mar 2013 #147

" The intermediate assumptions reflect the Trustees' best estimate for the future behavior " dkf Mar 2013 #51

The pessimistic projections are used by people like you to advocate for SS abolition duffyduff Mar 2013 #88

The same is true of investments in the stock market and for the same reason. JDPriestly Mar 2013 #63

Holy shit, someone who actually knows what the fuck they are talking about FogerRox Mar 2013 #71

"We have to raise the minimum wage and the cap on income subject to Social Security taxes." ProSense Mar 2013 #105

I'm actually not surprised at your attempt to blur the distinction between LABOR INCOME & HiPointDem Mar 2013 #109

Wait, ProSense Mar 2013 #112

yes. you did. HiPointDem Mar 2013 #114

The cap on income is raised every year. There's a good reason for having a cap, it's the HiPointDem Mar 2013 #108

Question: ProSense Mar 2013 #115

this year's cap is $113.7 K. Only wage income has SS taxes taken out, not capital income. HiPointDem Mar 2013 #117

So ProSense Mar 2013 #118

I believe the people who set up SS were wiser than you. The cap exists for a reason, and that HiPointDem Mar 2013 #122

Do you still ProSense Mar 2013 #125

yes, raising the cap to keep it around 90% is fine by me. I read different accounts in the media HiPointDem Mar 2013 #128

113k is about 84%, 90% would be about 215k FogerRox Mar 2013 #162

link? it's a bit unbelievable to me that $215K = 90% of covered income when $250K = top 2%. HiPointDem Mar 2013 #176

From AARP FogerRox Mar 2013 #181

i'm still skeptical. no cite for their statement. HiPointDem Mar 2013 #184

Yeah, I thought it was about 186k=90% FogerRox Mar 2013 #210

90% only in reference to 1983. In 1965 the cap was at the 72nd pecentile FogerRox Mar 2013 #166

"As of 2010, about 86 percent of covered earnings fall under the tax max." HiPointDem Mar 2013 #186

Another point: ProSense Mar 2013 #121

The question is, *why* did my hypothetical high earner receive an income tax cut, while HiPointDem Mar 2013 #123

Why ProSense Mar 2013 #126

I don't think we're following each other. At least, i have no idea what you're talking about. HiPointDem Mar 2013 #129

I agree that the Social Security tax should be imposed on all income including JDPriestly Mar 2013 #198

I would impose the Social Security tax on all income regardless of the source. JDPriestly Mar 2013 #197

Right on schedule, the misinformation about projections duffyduff Mar 2013 #87

Ahh but he's a "New Democrat" Phlem Mar 2013 #38

KNR. DirkGently Mar 2013 #40

Social Security The Wizard Mar 2013 #44

while I want the chained cpi to go bye bye DonCoquixote Mar 2013 #54

Clinton created 22 million. We used to spend 5-6% on infrastructure FogerRox Mar 2013 #61

End the trade agreements that permit cheap imports. JDPriestly Mar 2013 #199

Value added tax DonCoquixote Mar 2013 #200

When I was in Germany and Austria, food was exempt from their VAT. JDPriestly Mar 2013 #211

Every system needs reform... Melon_Lord Mar 2013 #62

IT'll be better after creating 20 million jobs, I think Sir, you bypassed that little tid bit. FogerRox Mar 2013 #74

A more accurate characteristic of conservatives is lying about brentspeak Mar 2013 #80

When did anyone other than you, and then as a strawman, say "everything is better the way it is"? AnotherMcIntosh Mar 2013 #90

The OP... Melon_Lord Mar 2013 #142

Except having a 20 million jobs deficit FogerRox Mar 2013 #145

If people are not working, they sure as hell are not paying in, and Richie Rich knows that. Why do lonestarnot Mar 2013 #68

Well said lonestarnot FogerRox Mar 2013 #183

Why thank you RogerRox. lonestarnot Mar 2013 #209

Thank you, FogerRox, excellent OP! Mnemosyne Mar 2013 #73

Thank you. And SKinner told me DU will soon get a SS/MEdicare group. FogerRox Mar 2013 #75

kr & fuck the third wayers disguised as democrats. HiPointDem Mar 2013 #78

Amen HiPointDem, good to see you in the House. SKinner said yes to my request for FogerRox Mar 2013 #81

I'm not on facebook or twitter but if you want me to do something here i'll be happy to. HiPointDem Mar 2013 #111

Sanders, Reid, DeFazio Introduce Legislation to Strengthen Social Security ProSense Mar 2013 #103

it's stupid legislation and it doesn't strengthen anything. HiPointDem Mar 2013 #113

It's only ProSense Mar 2013 #116

Bill Gates doesn't pay social security taxes. david rockefeller doesn't pay social security taxes. HiPointDem Mar 2013 #119

There should ProSense Mar 2013 #120

You didn't address the points of my post. For obvious reasons. HiPointDem Mar 2013 #124

Yes, ProSense Mar 2013 #127

no. you didn't. HiPointDem Mar 2013 #130

Whenever there are top earners to be defended, there is HiPoint! Romulox Mar 2013 #157

Senator Sanders, or "HiPointDem". Who should I trust? Romulox Mar 2013 #155

Sanders bill leaves a donut hole between 113k and 250k FogerRox Mar 2013 #144

Yes, and ProSense Mar 2013 #148

BTW, thanks for sticking to the facts. FogerRox Mar 2013 #168

Here's a better bill: ProSense Mar 2013 #151

Beglichs bill. Now you are talking FogerRox Mar 2013 #153

I want to know what we are prepared to about it when they come out with their "compromise"? Egalitarian Thug Mar 2013 #110

Good post! nt ladjf Mar 2013 #131

Thank you. FogerRox Mar 2013 #173

JFK said "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country" graham4anything Mar 2013 #133

"20 and 30 year olds have NEVER sacrificed for their country. " DonCoquixote Mar 2013 #201

If you don't like Iraq, blame Ralph Nader and Ron and Rand Paul.They got the Bush's elected graham4anything Mar 2013 #202

I have no probem with napolitano DonCoquixote Mar 2013 #203

You avoided 99% of my post but I will edit to rephrase that one line. graham4anything Mar 2013 #204

ha DonCoquixote Mar 2013 #205

Well, it sounds like you and I agree on 99% of most things graham4anything Mar 2013 #206

reply DonCoquixote Mar 2013 #208

Posting to Facebook kathysart_decoration Mar 2013 #137

2 ways, you can click the facebook logo that says like, found at the bottom of the OP FogerRox Mar 2013 #143

Strengthening it would be a type of reform madville Mar 2013 #149

Rasie the cap? Hom much- just enough for a COLA, Ok sure. Increasing benefits FogerRox Mar 2013 #152

Eliminate the cap completely. There is no logical or moral justification for it. Romulox Mar 2013 #156

:~) well okay, Social Security isnt about progressive taxation, its wage insurance. FogerRox Mar 2013 #161

Nonsense. If Social Security is "welfare", then the entire government is "welfare". Romulox Mar 2013 #165

Onnce more. IF we remove the cap, and then cap benefits, we are means testing SS, yes or no? FogerRox Mar 2013 #167

Of course. It's your framing of "welfare" I reject, not the mathematics of the thing. Romulox Mar 2013 #172

And adopting the Chained CPI would be a type of BENEFIT CUT Doctor_J Mar 2013 #159

Note to DU's "centrists": PROGRESSIVE TAXATION IS NOT WELFARE. Romulox Mar 2013 #154

I appreciate you making shit up, its indicative of your character. Pleasant dreams. FogerRox Mar 2013 #169

LOL. Your arguments bottom out quickly, then it's out with the claws! Romulox Mar 2013 #171

For some, being a Dem means agreeing with everything Obama says Doctor_J Mar 2013 #158

So your prediction is that Obama will make a deal that cuts SS prior to JoePhilly Mar 2013 #170

The Dems know that whatever they propose it is DOA in the house. alfredo Mar 2013 #164

But Social Security DOES need reform!!! Martin Eden Mar 2013 #174

it's raised every year. HiPointDem Mar 2013 #187

Of course it needs reform guardian Mar 2013 #179

Real COLA increases for seniors. FogerRox Mar 2013 #182

The only Social Security reform we should be demanding rocktivity Mar 2013 #180

Amen! Fire Walk With Me Mar 2013 #192

Just lift the f-cking cap. leveymg Mar 2013 #207