Political Ramblings

[MamaRoo]

Good Grief!!! I give up.

*snort*

I'm amazed at how patient you've been up until now.

 

[ChickensRDinos]

No, it's not enough money for 1 person but I would love to know how many people in the US fall into this category that get these benefits due to their own neglect of not taking care of themselves (things they have control over) and what is the annual bill.

It's an interesting question which brings up a whole slew of complex soci-economic issues regarding mental health, education, early childhood development/habit formation, demographic access to healthy foods/nutritional information, and access to regular, primary health care. There is without a doubt reform that needs to happen. Unfortunately I think the amount of blame and shame surrounding government programs at the moment makes it hard for the right kind of reform to even be discussed.

I personally think the bigger issue is people like the Koch bothers, who run the second largest privately held company in the US, funneling millions and millions of untaxed, penalty free dollars through SUPER PACs and 501c4s (through which they can also pay themselves without even reporting it to the IRS).

They have spent close to $200 MILLION on politics that point fingers at the disabled and poor living off $700 a month as the source of our countries economic problems and have shifted our national dialogue in that direction. Our wealthiest Americans spending that much money on propaganda to blame our poorest and most disenfranchised? Something smells off to me.

 

[kuntrygirl]

No, it's not enough money for 1 person but I would love to know how many people in the US fall into this category that get these benefits due to their own neglect of not taking care of themselves (things they have control over) and what is the annual bill. :/

It's an interesting question which brings up a whole slew of complex soci-economic issues regarding mental health, education, early childhood development/habit formation, demographic access to healthy foods/nutritional information, and access to regular, primary health care. There is without a doubt reform that needs to happen. Unfortunately I think the amount of blame and shame surrounding government programs at the moment makes it hard for the right kind of reform to even be discussed.

I personally think the bigger issue is people like the Koch bothers, who run the second largest privately held company in the US, funneling millions and millions of untaxed, penalty free dollars through SUPER PACs and 501c4s (through which they can also pay themselves without even reporting it to the IRS).

They have spent close to $200 MILLION on politics that point fingers at the disabled and poor living off $700 a month as the source of our countries economic problems and have shifted our national dialogue in that direction. Our wealthiest Americans spending that much money on propaganda to blame our poorest Americans? Something smells off to me.

Sounds like we will be smelling that "off" smell for a long time huh? When will things get better.:/

 

[ChickensRDinos]

Sounds like we will be smelling that "off" smell for a long time huh?

When will things get better.

lol. I guess that's the big question. I personally would argue that things are getting better socially and economically. To me, our recent election is a sign of that in a lot of ways both simple and profound. The numbers also indicate that when you take a look at the big picture. I am hopeful.

I am sure many people disagree with me.

People are talking a lot about politics. I don't think we are having the right conversations. I am not sure how ANYONE benefits from name calling, blaming or belittling people who are struggling, for whatever reason. It is very easy to call people druggies or lazy and dismiss greater issues. Perhaps a more interesting conversation might be: People are struggling - let's look at why this is happening and how this situation can be improved, for the ultimate gain of everyone.

I hear too many "MYs" and "DESERVES" and not enough "WEs" and "HOWs."

 

[kuntrygirl]

Sounds like we will be smelling that "off" smell for a long time huh? When will things get better.:/

lol. I guess that's the big question. I personally would argue that things are getting better socially and economically. To me, our recent election is a sign of that in a lot of ways both simple and profound. The numbers also indicate that when you take a look at the big picture. I am hopeful.

I am sure many people disagree with me.

People are talking a lot about politics. I don't think we are having the right conversations. I am not sure how ANYONE benefits from name calling, blaming or belittling people who are struggling, for whatever reason. It is very easy to call people druggies or lazy and dismiss greater issues. Perhaps a more interesting conversation might be: People are struggling - let's look at why this is happening and how this situation can be improved, for the ultimate gain of everyone. 

I hear too many "MYs" and "DESERVES" and not enough "WEs" and "HOWs."

I'm with you. I'm also hopeful.

 

[punk-a-doodle]

I think if people looked at the statistics for wealth distribution within the US, they would fairly quickly realize that 300 pound man isn't really the threat to their livelihood. But, I've been surprised before.

 

[ChickensRDinos]

I'm with you. I'm also hopeful.

I think sometimes hope is the most important thing. It is very hard to better your life without hope.

 

[Capvin]

I finally agree.....I have high hopes also. I hope after these next four years we have 8 more of Hillary and maybe by that time the conservatives will have realized that the 300 pound man is not only on disability, BUT HE ALSO VOTES.

 

[hemet dennis]

It's an interesting question which brings up a whole slew of complex soci-economic issues regarding mental health, education, early childhood development/habit formation, demographic access to healthy foods/nutritional information, and access to regular, primary health care. There is without a doubt reform that needs to happen. Unfortunately I think the amount of blame and shame surrounding government programs at the moment makes it hard for the right kind of reform to even be discussed.

I personally think the bigger issue is people like the Koch bothers, who run the second largest privately held company in the US, funneling millions and millions of untaxed, penalty free dollars through SUPER PACs and 501c4s (through which they can also pay themselves without even reporting it to the IRS).

They have spent close to $200 MILLION on politics that point fingers at the disabled and poor living off $700 a month as the source of our countries economic problems and have shifted our national dialogue in that direction. Our wealthiest Americans spending that much money on propaganda to blame our poorest and most disenfranchised? Something smells off to me.

The Government has spent trillions of dollars on those programs and now there's more people on them then ever. Maybe it's time to try something else.

To be sure, the Kochs have given "more than a hundred million dollars to right wing causes" (which is their right, by the way). But in the last decade, it's also worth noting the Kochs have given more than $600 million in pledged or donated money to arts, education, and medical research, including (but not limited to): New York-Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell: $15 million, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center: $25 million, The Hospital for Special Surgery: $26 million, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: $30 million, Prostate Cancer Foundation: $41 million, Deerfield Academy: $68 million, Lincoln Center's NY State Theater: $100 million, Massachusetts Institute of Technology: $139 million.

So I guess it's an even bigger issue that the Koch brothers are allowed to spend their money how they want to. Who do they think they are to give all that money to research and hospitals and education ?

When you say "untaxed, penalty free dollars" what are you talking about ? They payed taxes when they earned it, should they pay taxes and penalties when they give it out also ?

I'm thankful that I live in a country that lets me spend my money how I see fit.

I hope everyone has a happy Thanksgiving.

 

[hemet dennis]

I finally agree.....I have high hopes also. I hope after these next four years we have 8 more of Hillary and maybe by that time the conservatives will have realized that the 300 pound man is not only on disability, BUT HE ALSO VOTES.

And he will vote for the one that will give him the biggest check.