Sunday, November 1, 2015

Pitiful Petty Partisanship = Program Participants Penalized, Punished

Poster Child for Harshness
(Must not be any needy GOPers)

GOP: The Party of Change
("Just a few minor pen changes")

I have wanted to post about this subject (post title above) for a long time since I consider it the most-pressing subject of modern America. The bottom line from the GOP: “Our way or no way.” Actually, more apropos: “Our way or the highway.” 

First, is the current lineup of GOP candidates (as seem in the Halloween post below) along with their views on important issues facing the country and their ideas about “change, fixes, elimination, or outright repeal (i.e., ACA/Obama-care)" as examined in this extensive report from the NY TIMES with this heading, which I think is precise:

Republican Candidates on the Economy and Social Programs

It is interesting to see the various views and opinion and policy ideas they would put forth if elected, if this in mind: The contenders for the Republican presidential nomination have proposed numerous tax overhauls and have largely voiced opposition to raising the minimum wage. They are split on how to deal with Social Security and Medicare.

Take Social Security a time-tested favorite program for millions and one the GOP has hated ever since Alf Landon called it a “fraud” in his 1936 run against FDR. 

This happened on the very day the current all-GOP controlled Congress took office back in January of this year: The current controversy revolves around a rule change Republicans made as soon as the new Congress was sworn in this month. Social Security is actually two separate programs, Old Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI), and the much smaller Disability Insurance program (DI). The disability program will be facing a funding shortfall next year, and to ensure that disabled people continue to get all their benefits, Congress would have to move some money from OASI into DI. This isn't anything new -- it's been done many times in recent years.

But House Republicans adopted a parliamentary rule barring the House from allowing that transfer unless it was accompanied by benefit cuts or tax increases. If it can't get worked out, people on DI could see their benefits cut substantially. Think hard about that prospect ... all the while in every speech and on every floor sound bite PR moment they profess to "be working for the American people." Ha. 

In sum, who really has the best ideas for the entire public: the DEMS or the GOPers? This chart is quite accurate based on policies in place or proposals attempted or possibly forthcoming campaign promises. It’s hard to dispute, too.


Thanks for stopping and stay tuned for more on this subject ... it is critically important. It speaks directly to our collective future and how we want to leave things for our kids and grandkids. An old line, but a truism.

No comments: