A grim sign for ObamaCare

NY Post ^ | March 29, 2010 | Editorial

[Scanian]

How ironic that, even as the Senate last week debated the reconciliation "fixes" to ObamaCare, word came that Social Security has reached the so-called tipping point -- years ahead of schedule.

For the first time, Social Security will pay out more in benefits than it receives in tax revenue, to the tune of $29 billion.

The reason: Continued high unemployment means there are fewer paychecks from which to deduct Social Security taxes. Meanwhile, many who can't find work are applying for benefits much earlier than they'd planned.

The so-called tipping point wasn't supposed to arrive until 2017, according to current congressional projections.

[ilovesarah2012]

I wouldn’t be surprised if Nobama tried to shut down FR. Surely he gets reports about what people are saying.

[Foolsgold]

Limit all US politicians to two terms.

One in office
One in prison
Illinois already does this.

[Chuckster]

It amazes me that anyone would be surprised by this. My father told me not to count on Social Security being there for me at retirement age when I was sixteen and to prepare for my own retirement with no outside help. I will be eligible to collect social security next year.

[musicman]

"PONZI SCHEME"

[rosettasister]

I was criticized just prior to the Christmas Eve vote in the Senate.

The Dems had 60 votes, I knew they were going to pass something.

I thought we should thank our lucky stars there was no public “option” in the Senate bill.

I was told I was naïve, that the Dems just wanted to get their foot through the door.

And that somewhere down the line, the fiscal mess we’re already in will get that much messier.

And more severe measures will be called for, like a public “option.” Like single-payer.

All that and more may be true.

Where I differ from my friends is that I do want universal coverage. And in order to achieve that goal a “strong” individual mandate is a necessity.

But any individual mandate, whether it’s strong or weak, is un-American.

Americans must choose to participate. And I do believe many will.

RomneyCare has a “soft” individual mandate.

I’m not sure what that means. I don’t have a good answer on this one.

Then Scott Brown won in Massachusetts. We all thought that was a game changer.

But it turned out not to be.

Truth be told, the House had every right to pass the Senate bill “as is.”

But when the Dems decided to go for reconciliation on the fix-it bill, that’s when they crossed the Rubicon.

What should have happened?

The Senate bill and the House bill should have gone to conference.

Any conference report would have faced a 60-vote threshold in the Senate.

And we would have ended up with a much better bill, and a much less bitter populace.

So what now?

Only the small-brained would believe Pelosi’s utterances about ObamaCare being fiscally responsible.

So I hope the right doesn’t blow this.

Please remain calm and don’t go off the deep end.

Listen to Paul Ryan. Listen to Regina Herzlinger. Listen to Judd Gregg.

And other experts on health care reform who must guide us now on the best path forward.

Most importantly, please nominate candidates who can win.

We have the middle and we must hold on to it.

Yes, that squishy middle that so many of you abhor.

This is the group that elected Obama.

And this very same group is the only one which can save us from the worst excesses of ObamaCare.

Blessed Is Truth

http://blessedistruth.wordpress.com/2010/03/27/a-%e2%80%9ctemporist%e2%80%9d-teacher/#comment-2863

[ding_dong_daddy_from_dumas]

Social Security opened full of IOU’s congress at work for years.

"That's As Good As Money Sir, Those Are IOU's"

[Republic of Texas]

Term limits? We are now looking at revolution.

[skr]

It’s better if we make the noise. Talk, letters to the editor, email to friends—don’t wait for the politicians and talking heads to do our work.

Time for some creative bumper stickers, posters and buttons, too.

[familyop]

"Sadly, an economic crash and default may be the only way to get Americans to beg for the imposition of absolute socialism/fascism."

That's been the expectation from history in industrialized countries, when the government could confiscate manufacturing facilities or raise taxes on them. Where will the government get its wealth now?

[SunkenCiv]

For the first time, Social Security will pay out more in benefits than it receives in tax revenue, to the tune of $29 billion... Continued high unemployment means there are fewer paychecks from which to deduct Social Security taxes. Meanwhile, many who can't find work are applying for benefits much earlier than they'd planned. The so-called tipping point wasn't supposed to arrive until 2017, according to current congressional projections.