Originally Posted By tiggertoo I realize that social issues are important to seniors, but I cannot fathom why seniors broke so heavily in favor of Republicans last Nov when Republicans seem perfectly content putting them in the poorhouse while giving billionaires...billions. Additionally, they are also threatening to strip large elements of seniors' healthcare. This voting behavior makes no sense to me. *snip/ "House and Senate Republicans on Wednesday thwarted Democratic efforts to award $250 checks to Social Security recipients facing a second consecutive year without a cost-of-living increase. President Barack Obama and Democrats have urged approval of the one-time payment, saying seniors barely getting by on their Social Security checks face undue hardships without the COLA increase. But most Republicans contended that the nation couldn't afford the estimated $14 billion cost of the payment, and that the COLA freezes in 2010 and 2011 come after seniors received a significant boost in 2009." /snip* <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101208/ap_on_bi_ge/us_social_security_no_cola#mwpphu-container" target="_blank">http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/201...ontainer</a>
Originally Posted By skinnerbox After voting for Republicans for decades, I doubt many seniors are capable of accepting the reality of how the GOP views them now. They will continue to vote against their own interest until the day they die. It's painfully obvious that these politicians who only care about themselves and other millionaires like them. The GOP has gone public with their goal of downsizing and privatizing Social Security and Medicare, which seniors should be very concerned about. But most of the seniors have taken the attitude that THEY are safe and that the politicians won't touch THEIR benefits with a ten-foot pole, so there's nothing to worry about. Unfortunately, by the time the seniors wake up and realize what the GOP is doing, it will be too late.
Originally Posted By gadzuux This is the same GOP that was telling seniors just last summer that "Obama is going to take away your benefits". They have no shame at all.
Originally Posted By gadzuux >> Rep. Sam Johnson of Texas, the top Republican on the Ways and Means Social Security subcommittee, acknowledged the disappointment but noted the increase seniors received in 2009 and the fact that a COLA increase means there will be no rise in Medicare Part B costs for doctors' visits. "Increasing our nation's crushing deficit on the backs of our children by an additional $14 billion is wrong," he said. << But saddling the economy with $700 billion in deficits to pay for tax cuts to the wealthiest 1% isn't? And the issue is so important that they flat out refuse to even consider any other matter until the billionaire tax break is done? I'll never get why anybody - other than millionaires - would EVER support republicans.
Originally Posted By tiggertoo The funny/sad thing is, they did it the DAY AFTER giving billions to billionaires and millionaire. Such audacity is mindnumbing. They obviously have little faith in the broader intelligence of the American people---justifiably so, might I add. I'm also curious why Democrats didn't forward this bill in...say...October, you know, before seniors went to the polls en masse. Democrats and cogent political strategy seems more oxymoronic by the day.
Originally Posted By pecos bill I figure the Republicans have pounded the idea that they are the champions of bringing back the good ol days. You know, the all white, mid fifties, God fearing, kill the Commie days. They play this card relentlessly, and a hell of a lot of ignorant Lemming fools are buying into it. Dont forget the gun rights issue, I know many people who vote Repub simply for that reason. Talking to Republicans these days is like conversing with a brand new, wide eyed recruit of the Baghwan Shree Rashneesh. I can see them all cheering, as Republican lawmakers drive by in their Rolls Royces, smiling and waving.
Originally Posted By fkurucz "I'll never get why anybody - other than millionaires - would EVER support republicans." It's why I left. "I figure the Republicans have pounded the idea that they are the champions of bringing back the good ol days. You know, the all white, mid fifties, God fearing, kill the Commie days." Too bad they forgot about the part about bringing back the good paying blue collar jobs. "Talking to Republicans these days is like conversing with a brand new, wide eyed recruit of the Baghwan Shree Rashneesh." I've been trying to explain to my mom how the GOP is trying to put us (the middle class) into the poorhouse but she keeps voting for them.
Originally Posted By fkurucz ^^^ Yup, she was convinced that Obama was going to murder all the babies a la Herod.
Originally Posted By skinnerbox When enough of your electorate is comprised of voters who think like this, your government is gonna come out screwed.
Originally Posted By disneydad109 I don't think that $250 would mean much in any case .How about an amount that would be enough to help folks on SS out here in the real world .
Originally Posted By skinnerbox Even $250 helps out, if you didn't get a cost-of-living increase on your Social Security checks. Sure, a larger amount would be better. But most seniors will gladly take what they can to help make ends meet. It's incredibly petty for the Republicans to block these checks, especially after campaigning against "Obamacare" with lies about "death panels to kill Granny." Yeah, like they really actually care about Granny, with actions such as this. The total cost of these checks is a drop in the bucket compared to the tax cuts that the top 2% are getting extended, not to mention that the seniors will definitely spend it on groceries and prescription meds and help stimulate the economy, unlike the rich who will squirrel away their tax cuts or invest them offshore. Giving the seniors these checks is good for stimulating the economy. Of course, that's what the Republicans don't want. The want the economy to suffer suffer suffer for the next two years so idiot voters will blame the Dems and hand back control to the GOP. Get ready for two more years of pain, folks. All courtesy of your friendly neighborhood Republicans.
Originally Posted By tiggertoo <<The want the economy to suffer suffer suffer for the next two years so idiot voters will blame the Dems and hand back control to the GOP.>> Makes you wonder whether the "Bible" they so often refer to is in fact 'The Prince' as they seem much more inclined to adhere Machiavelli's virtues rather than those taught in the New Testament.
Originally Posted By fkurucz "Makes you wonder whether the "Bible" they so often refer to is in fact 'The Prince' as they seem much more inclined to adhere Machiavelli's virtues rather than those taught in the New Testament." Reason #362 why I left the Repubican Party.
