DomKen
Posts: 19457
Joined: 7/4/2004 From: Chicago, IL Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Thadius You asked why these things aren't being discussed, there are lots of solutions being discussed. As I stated, the privatizing SS hybrid was discussed at both events I attended, I even stated that it had been around for a couple of years, so what's with the under the rock crack? My thought is something I am still fleshing out, and trying to put some numbers to, before I present it as a viable option. Like you said, all you have seen is hatred and the like at the events that you attended. I don't know what to say except my experiences were far different, maybe because I didn't go looking for the kooks. All I did was walk around, look at signs and listeners to the speeches. I never heard anything on economics that wasn't supply side drivel, disproven as I showed you tonight. I did hear lots of birther nonsense. I did hear lots of fringe religious claims, America founded on christian laws etc.. There was various other conspiracy claims put forth, lots of NWO and various anti tax stuff. There were lots of anger and hate. I casually questioned the one guy who was speaking about balancing the budget by cutting taxes and ending 'welfare' about the fact that the DoD budget was 9 times the size of the HHS budget and how getting rid of all of HHS while reducing revenue would reduce the deficit. I got an angry but nonsensical response and physical threats in reply. Since this matches up precisely to many hundreds of other reports of tea party events I think it safe to assume it isn't an isolated event. When I question people who support the movement, lik you, i get vague assurances that racists aren't common, despite the overwhelming evidence of my own senses. I'm assured that substantive discussions are underway somewhere but when I query for details I get nothing. You tossed out free clinics staffed by doctors whose education was paid for by the public, which of course requires building many thousands of federal clinics nationwide, hiring support staff, acquiring diagnostic equipment etc., which is essentially a full on socialization of health care in the english style, which few if any socialists I know are in favor much less anyone more centrist than me. For SS and other entitlements you suggest privatization which was thoroughly rejected in 2005. The reasons are manifold. Many millions would be plunged into poverty if those checks stop or they don't become eligible when they expect them to. and the federal deficit would balloon even more if were to return every FICA tax payment to every person not yet retired. Fundamentally your SS plan is not workable and your HCR proposal goes far far beyond even single payer.
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