Posted on 02/12/2005 12:50:41 PM PST by Wolfstar
PRESIDENTIAL NEWS OF THE DAY: The President and Mrs. Bush are spending the weekend at the White House. There are no scheduled public appearances.
There was some confusion on FR this week as to whether or not Karl Rove was promoted. He was, in fact, promoted to Deputy White House Chief of Staff. For those interested in the details, here is a link to the daily WH press briefing at which Rove's appointment was discussed in full.
For those who are interested in the Jeff Gannon matter, here's a link to the daily WH press briefing in which this matter was discussed.
THE WEEK AHEAD: The President's schedule for the upcoming week was not announced at the Friday WH press briefing. However, the WH and others did make some announcements during last week about upcoming visits with foreign leaders.
The President will host Romanian President Basescu at the White House on March 9th, 2005.
Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko is likely to visit Washington next month to hold talks with GWB, the former Soviet republic's Deputy Prime Minister Oleh Rybachuk said.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Aboul Gheit is to meet US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Washington on Tuesday, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: From the President's radio address, 2/12/05.
Social Security was created decades ago for a very different era. In 1950, about 16 workers paid into the system for every one person drawing benefits. Today, we have only about three workers for each beneficiary, and over the next few decades, baby boomers like me will retire, people will be living longer and benefits are scheduled to increase dramatically. Eventually, there will be just two workers per beneficiary. With every passing year, fewer workers will be paying ever-higher benefits to ever-larger numbers of retirees.
So here is the result: 13 years from now, in 2018, Social Security will be paying out more than it collects in payroll taxes; and every year afterward will bring a new and larger shortfall. For example, in the year 2027, the government will somehow have to come up with an extra $200 billion a year to keep the system afloat. By the year 2033, the annual shortfall would be more than $300 billion a year. And by the year 2042, the entire system would be bankrupt. If we do not act now to avert that outcome, the only solutions would be dramatically higher taxes, massive new borrowing or sudden and severe cuts in Social Security benefits or other government programs.
To keep the promise of Social Security alive for our children and grandchildren, we need to fix the system once and for all. Fixing Social Security permanently will require a candid review of the options. In recent years, many people have offered suggestions, such as limiting benefits for wealthy retirees; indexing benefits to prices, instead of wages; increasing the retirement age; or changing the benefit formulas and creating disincentives for early collection of Social Security benefits. All these ideas are on the table.
Thank You!
I don't know Waterson's politics. Personally, I prefer to remain in the dark as to actors' politics. By far the majority or Dims. If I learn that, it becomes harder for me to enjoy their work.
Roger that ~ Wolfstar!
Your kindness means a great deal to me. More than I could ever say.
I think he is liberal, but cannot remember any specific quotes.
We only have Starbucks in the city of Sydney - not out in the sticks where I am. LOL. I do like Gloria Jeans coffee - I give myself a treat every Friday morning when I pop over to their shop for a regular flat white. Yum!
My microwave is over 20 yrs. and still going strong!!!!
Liberal.
As for Rummy, he's similar to the Boss in that he also wears his heart on his sleeve. You always know where you stand with our Rummy.
You're welcome, Meg.
What a nice surprise to find this thread today, and all the pictures loading too......amazing!!! Oh those cute babies...
I'd trade Starbucks for living in "the sticks." Although I live in a big city due to job considerations, my heart is in the small, out-of-the-way rural places.
aww thanks! See you can post pix now. Congrats! You have no excuses not to throw a lovely pic of VP Cheney in now and again....LOL Bring 'em on girl!! :0)
I also prefer not to know the politics of actors and singers.
As Laura says, "shut up and sing."
If only they would do that ... I don't care about their poltical views or how they vote if they just wouldn't be so vocal about it and try to force it on others.
I think using their popularity in other fields is a little unfair when promoting their political views.
I still haven't forgiven Robert Redford for (sort of) ruining The Natural for me. I loved that movie, but I can't love him as much as I used to.
Thanks for the info
LOL! The baby in the duck suit is darling. Babies always bring out the big smiles from GWB.
It is so nice outside today..I went out and enjoyed watching the goldfinches feeding. Came back in to this treat.
How true and I agree computer would be the worse for me.
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