Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

More WSJ poll: Huge majorities reject significant cuts to entitlements — but some reforms are okay
Hotair ^ | 03/03/2011 | Allahpundit

Posted on 03/03/2011 11:54:02 AM PST by SeekAndFind

click here to read article


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-46 next last
To: skeeter

We can pay people their “benefits” under the current system.

But the dollars they receive will be worth a small fraction of what they paid in.

Suckers.


21 posted on 03/03/2011 12:08:42 PM PST by LowTaxesEqualsProsperity
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

It is hopeless. This country is heading to financial ruin.

Alexander Tytler was right.

“From bondage to spiritual faith;
From spiritual faith to great courage;
From courage to liberty;
From liberty to abundance;
From abundance to complacency;
From complacency to apathy;
From apathy to dependence;
From dependence back into bondage.”


22 posted on 03/03/2011 12:08:53 PM PST by KansasGirl
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: LowTaxesEqualsProsperity

They were pointing a gun at me when they asked for my contribution, so I don’t feel so bad.


23 posted on 03/03/2011 12:11:20 PM PST by skeeter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

Polls are meaningless unless respondents are presented meaningful choices. Of course, no one wants a reduction in benefits. Many baby boomers have a strong moral claim to benefits given the level of payroll taxes assessed on them. Moral claims do not matter. Realistic alternatives matter. Either we substantially reduce our spending or the dollar implodes crashing the economy. Of course, the left will say that I am fear mongering. Precious metal markets, rumblings from other countries, statements by rating agencies, and the incredible levels of current and project debt indicate that my assessment is accurate.

Here is analogy I would present. Suppose parents have saved for years to buy a vacation home. Just before signing the contract, the parents find out that their savings have been stolen by an unaccountable party. Are the parents entitled to the vacation home? Morally they are entitled. Will they be able to purchase the vacation home? Not unless they have insured their savings or can obtain restitution from the thief. Otherwise, the parents no longer have the assets avaialable.

For entitlements, politicians have already spent the money. No one can provide restitution. I prefer to renounce my benefits for a reduction in my payroll taxes. I would prefer to keep my benefits but I prefer to living off my savings to an economic collapse.


24 posted on 03/03/2011 12:14:39 PM PST by businessprofessor
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MEGoody

And this is exactly why our country will fail...and failure in epic proportions...no one thinks about the kids...


25 posted on 03/03/2011 12:18:56 PM PST by surfer (To err is human, to really foul things up takes a Democrat, don't expect the GOP to have the answer!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

It may not be possible to get the federal budget into balance. This means very rapid inflation and Soviet Union-style devolution may be in our future.

On the other hand, there is no use trying to fix the budget problem without reforming the entitlements. I do not mean cutting them, but privatizing them. Turning them into defined contribution plans, funding what obligations people are currently entitled to, and taking them out of politics. If we can get entitlement programs off the table, then the effort we will have to go through to put the country’s fiscal house into order will be worthwhile.

If we do not reform the entitlement programs, then any success we have in getting through the current mess will be fleeting. We will soon again be faced with the same problem, only it will probably be larger.

Since 2007, I have been thinking the chances are very low of salvaging the country. Congradulations, George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Ted Stevens and Tom DeLay. You guys got yours when while you could. Now, it looks like it’s every man for him- or herself.


26 posted on 03/03/2011 12:20:31 PM PST by Redmen4ever
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Bigtigermike

I’m big on educating the ignorant masses, particularly the apathetic, know-nothing “independents” that so many here want, not to educate, but to CATER to-as if they have any core beliefs. A ridiculous and foolish strategy for conservatives.

The ongoing and growing Social Services gravy train is far and away the bigget money drain, however, the anti-American QueerMedia is only going to hammer on the Defense Department and those legendary $400.00 toilet seat lids.


27 posted on 03/03/2011 12:27:02 PM PST by EyeGuy (Gimme Shelter)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

If Social Security must be changed so be it.

But before there is talk about cutting Soscial Security in any way there should be a total cut off of all government payments, benefits, food stamps, medical - EVERYTHING! for all illegals and new immigrants.

That includes Cubans, who are beneficiaries of laws extending liberal benefits to them as soon as they set foot on US soil.

Social Security recipients receive benefits based on their actual employment.
They and their employers paid at least something toward their benefits.

By what rationale can the government justify cutting Social Security benefits while giving equal or better benefits to illegals and legal immigrants?


28 posted on 03/03/2011 12:28:02 PM PST by Iron Munro ("Our country's founders cherished liberty, not democracy." -- Ron Paul)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Redmen4ever

Now, it looks like it’s every man for him- or herself . Fine with me . At least i won’t feel guilty when the whining begins . Help the helpless not the clueless .


29 posted on 03/03/2011 12:28:23 PM PST by fantom (,)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: All

This tell me it’s over.

If the American public is this ignorant...it’s hopeless.

Obama will win. RINOs maintain GOP.


30 posted on 03/03/2011 12:32:10 PM PST by rbmillerjr (I will not, under any circumstances, vote for Mitt Romney....none.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

GIGO


31 posted on 03/03/2011 12:41:32 PM PST by SuperLuminal (Where is another agitator for republicanism like Sam Adams when we need him?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

Don’t start with the goodies. Start with Homeland Security, Obama’s Romneycare and the growth of government over the past two years. Next there is the EPA that needs cutting down to size. Lift all bans on drilling. Give Education back to the states, communities, and mostly to the families. Secure the borders, and start deporting illegals who are draining state and federal coffers. Defund all community organizers, any money going to unions, including tax deductions for union dues.... It could take a couple of years worth of cutting down the size of government before getting entitlements back to pre Pelosi levels, essentially restoring welfare reform. And start from there.


32 posted on 03/03/2011 12:45:45 PM PST by pallis
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Huck
Palin fourth at 12

There's the silver lining.


Every thread you show up on is to trash Palin.

Why not just cheerlead for your guy... My Man Mitch, all 5 foot 4 of him with the spray on hair -- who wants a truce on social issues. He's the real rockstar.

Come on. Give him a lift, no pun.
33 posted on 03/03/2011 1:30:39 PM PST by nhwingut (Palin '12... Accept No Other)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: nhwingut

He’s still my pick out of the available candidates. Palin, of course, is out of the question.


34 posted on 03/03/2011 1:34:00 PM PST by Huck (Antifederalist Brutus was right!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: Huck
I take back Mitch's height at 5'4". Bush being 5'11" that would make Daniels about 5'2ish. A real rockstar.


35 posted on 03/03/2011 1:34:12 PM PST by nhwingut (Palin '12... Accept No Other)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: businessprofessor

“Precious metal markets, rumblings from other countries, statements by rating agencies, and the incredible levels of current and project debt indicate that my assessment is accurate.”

####

Indeed they do.

But the obfuscating emotional propaganda of the Left has no room for factual data, or the logic and rigor of the free market.


36 posted on 03/03/2011 1:34:56 PM PST by EyeGuy (Gimme Shelter)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: nhwingut
Blabbering on about a man's height? Wow, that's such a substantive line of attack. Why not post some pretty pictures of Mrs. Palin, since superficiality is your top priority?
37 posted on 03/03/2011 1:36:47 PM PST by Huck (Antifederalist Brutus was right!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: nhwingut

Oh wait. I see you have pretty pictures on your profile page. Figures.


38 posted on 03/03/2011 1:39:50 PM PST by Huck (Antifederalist Brutus was right!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: skeeter

Bump.


39 posted on 03/03/2011 1:39:51 PM PST by GlockThe Vote (Who needs Al Queda to worry about when we have Obama?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

This country will go the way of Europe. We’ve bred a selfish generation that says “I want my benefits” and don’t care how it affects our children or their future. We need to burden them with more debt because our needs are more important than whether they have a brighter future than one we have had.

If we don’t reverse the way we’re going, in 30 years time the government will print out nothing but benefit checks. There will be no money left for anything else. And the politicians don’t want to level with the American people about it because they won’t get votes in a generation. The votes now are the ones to which they pay attention.

America is screwed.


40 posted on 03/03/2011 1:54:05 PM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-46 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson