tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post6969016514940442002..comments2023-10-03T07:01:41.144-05:00Comments on Always On Watch: Semper Vigilans: Cutting Retiree BenefitsAlways On Watchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-74046350609345713622014-12-12T09:19:44.581-06:002014-12-12T09:19:44.581-06:00He was the proto-progressive, wasn't he?
And ...He was the proto-progressive, wasn't he?<br /><br />And the horrible effects echo down to this day.<br /><br />If progressives here in the US coul learn to make our government as efficient as the Germans', it would probably be game over for conservatives.Silverfiddlehttp://westernhero.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-80969631803493619902014-12-12T09:16:26.186-06:002014-12-12T09:16:26.186-06:00Ducky,
btw... You and your fellow lefties' p...Ducky,<br /><br />btw... You and your fellow lefties' pavlovian snarling and baying at the mere mention of Louie Gohmert or Ted Cruz is funny and sad all at once.Silverfiddlehttp://westernhero.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-72882616475828900212014-12-12T09:13:52.858-06:002014-12-12T09:13:52.858-06:00Ducky,
I agree with Warren's assessment of the...Ducky,<br />I agree with Warren's assessment of the situation. She makes sense. I do cringe at some of her more big government 'remedies,' but, like Bernie Sanders, at least she is calling BS on this corrupt system (which is separate and distinct from free market capitalism).<br /><br />Unlike you and your fellow political team sport fanboys and fangirls, I don't reflexively froth at the mouth and fly into a rage when someone flashes a picture of a liberal for the Two Minutes Hate. <br /><br />Silverfiddlehttp://westernhero.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-60320084243166796462014-12-12T06:02:56.666-06:002014-12-12T06:02:56.666-06:00Z,
our society is so repulsive now...it's lik...Z,<br /><i> our society is so repulsive now...it's like all true goodness is gone</i><br /><br />Last night, I was watching some old movies on one of the cable channels. One of the films was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holiday_Affair" rel="nofollow"><i>Holiday Affair</i></a> (1949).<br /><br />I got depressed. We have lost so much goodness! <br /><br />We have lost the elegance that used to be the norm -- even for those who were certainly not members of the upper class.<br /><br />Right now, in 2014, the norm for me every Saturday morning has become <a href="http://alwaysonwatch3.blogspot.com/2014/11/thought-for-day.html" rel="nofollow">an aggressor who frequents the public library</a>.. She made another lunge toward me last Saturday! That kind of behavior would not have been allowed -- in the America of the not-so-dim past.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-33781927145374754092014-12-12T05:51:26.042-06:002014-12-12T05:51:26.042-06:00Mustang,
Political promises have a long history of...Mustang,<br />Political promises have a long history of being broken.<br /><br />Nevertheless, voters continue to believe that promises will be kept. Why?Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-60866733033522172442014-12-12T00:37:19.986-06:002014-12-12T00:37:19.986-06:00And, meanwhile, the left still thinks Wall St'...And, meanwhile, the left still thinks Wall St's all Republicans and moans and groans in blame instead of THINKING of THEIR futures, too. ...<br />--------<br />That's incorrect. The financial class is apolitical. They just buy whomever is in power.<br />Time and again you've been told this is a failure of the entire government, not parties.<br /><br />Or maybe it would be different if we had elected Romney? <br />Ducky's herehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14608115001116619877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-88890925493000448152014-12-12T00:34:55.961-06:002014-12-12T00:34:55.961-06:00Meanwhile, we give so much money to foreign countr...Meanwhile, we give so much money to foreign countries ...<br />------<br />Not really, most of it goes to Israel and they kill plenty Muslims so that's money well spent.<br />Besides, it's primarily military aid which never leaves the country. The client just buys a lot of stuff and pumps up the American arms economy. Sorta like welfare for General Dynamics.<br /><br />Can you think of a way to stop this pork?Ducky's herehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14608115001116619877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-57528830249642956242014-12-11T23:50:33.521-06:002014-12-11T23:50:33.521-06:00As long as Wall St. is writing the checks with imp...As long as Wall St. is writing the checks with impunity there is no way yu halt Wall St. influence.<br /><br />Uness you maybe swallow and listen to Liz Warren.Ducky's herehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14608115001116619877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-10699921516164914782014-12-11T23:33:01.227-06:002014-12-11T23:33:01.227-06:00Honestly, what's double worrisome is that not ...Honestly, what's double worrisome is that not only is the economy falling apart and people going to get robbed of their futures, but our society is so repulsive now...it's like all true goodness is gone. And, yes, I know liberals will ask "what's your idea of goodness?" but, you know, when people have to actually ask that, we have bigger problems than even WE think.<br /><br />Gad, I could write a novel on things that we have demeaned in our country which were so good, so nourishing, so right... .. even just FAMILY. Who'd have ever thought family life would be so encroached upon? People can't even dine together because one kid's got soccer till 7, one's got something else.....people get home late, both parents working. Sunday mornings are volleyball practice, Saturdays are at the baseball field. You all know friends with kids and what happens. <br />It never would have happened to have Sunday mornings for athletics for kids only a few years ago.<br />We're going to have a broke economy, a society of kids who don't know what real family life is, or know that it's better for children to marry before having them, we have kids learning about global climate change and a history of slavery instead of the Constitution........college kids don't know who the VP is, etc. They think the Civil War was fought in 1965.<br />ugh. I'm starting a rant here and don't want to. But I see nothing good. It's so much bigger than the financial future, isn't it.<br />and yes, I do have faith. We're broke financially AND morally.<br />And yes,I KNOW, liberals...who are conservatives to say 'what's moral?'.<br />WOWZhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15989573357446569262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-81778446882521266752014-12-11T22:47:09.131-06:002014-12-11T22:47:09.131-06:00Ducky, I agree with you. The Wall Street Whizz Ki...Ducky, I agree with you. The Wall Street Whizz Kids blew up our economy in 2008 with their magical money making stink bombs, and not one damned pirate of high finance went to jail. Not one. That is an indictment against our corrupt government, and both parties have their hands in the cookie jar.<br /><br />Too big to fail is too big. If you're so big that government must bail you out if you crash, then you are too big. <br /><br />Remove the taxpayer-funded safety net, and the Wall Street gamblers will make the little old lady who only drives her car to church on Sunday look like a daredevil. They will not be so reckless with their own money (and others) if the law makes them eat their losses.<br /><br />Silverfiddlehttp://westernhero.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-22466045477825674482014-12-11T20:55:01.098-06:002014-12-11T20:55:01.098-06:00"Meanwhile, we give so much money to foreign ..."Meanwhile, we give so much money to foreign countries, to illegals," not to mention Obamacare money. That's why this makes you so angry. Where were the fiduciaries over the last 4 decades? Am I the only one who could see the demographic change coming? Of course not! Once they wrested control of the Central states plan from the crooks, the somnolent took over. But probably stuffed their wallets with big fat fees, anyway. First it was Wall Street kingpins, then Obama's union friends. Now this! I'm expected to bail them out .. again? Why don't they just come and confiscate my house and bank account and get it over with. Shhhhh. Shouldn't give the lawless ideas. Baysiderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13562129788572031587noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-83497560737050501092014-12-11T20:54:16.754-06:002014-12-11T20:54:16.754-06:00As usual, here's where it goes south. We both ...As usual, here's where it goes south. We both agree that the idea of s government of, for and by the people is long gone. Hell, even kid knows he's getting a plank slammed up his butt.<br /><br />But I say we have to manage the financial sector first if we ever want even a modicum of influence on our own government.<br /><br />No, you don't set Madoff free. You put a lot more like him inside.Ducky's herehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14608115001116619877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-59360494688127094482014-12-11T20:10:57.136-06:002014-12-11T20:10:57.136-06:00And crony capitalism is still better than the puke...And crony capitalism is still better than the puke city of socialist mediocrity living in a cage.<br />As far as crony capitalism, look to the Big banks. They're the problem. I have no problem with opposing them to the point of reducing their influence to zero. Unfortunately, they run everything so good luck with that.<br />And to the people who hate the rich who take advantage of our society, the middle class, et al, where is you brain when it comes to the politicians who fleece you by the second, apparently with your blessing. And these people are mostly those who can truly be called failures. Failed lawyers. Failed this Failed that. Got elected and now have it set for life. What about those POS's ? You have no problem serving morons like pelosi who has to pass a bill that destroys healthcare so she can find out what's in it?? A clue as to why my respect for you is in negative numbers.Kidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05287399775879832602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-66511137355255044082014-12-11T20:00:03.341-06:002014-12-11T20:00:03.341-06:00I'm reserving judgement on this until jersey m...I'm reserving judgement on this until jersey mcjiggers can get a comment on the post that wont' be deleted. lol..<br />Kidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05287399775879832602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-10638377631289373702014-12-11T19:42:51.932-06:002014-12-11T19:42:51.932-06:00The Feral Government, with the Federal Reserve abe...The Feral Government, with the Federal Reserve abetting them, has eroded the value of our dollar, making saving money in a traditional savings account a sucker's game. If you have money in a traditional savings account, you're actually losing money.<br /><br /><b>That is the root of this problem.</b><br /><br />In order for the dollar to hold its values, they can't print it faster than the economy is expanding, but we're caught in a trap. The federal government runs a deficit every year, so it must print more money to pay the bills.<br /><br />If this were not occurring, the money you put in the bank 20 years ago would still be worth something.<br /><br />A quart of motor oil 8 years ago cost around a dollar. Today, it is over $5. Look at the price of that humblest of foodstuffs, hamburger. It's price has exploded.<br /><br /><b>That is the root of this problem.</b><br /><br />Frugal people used to be able to take care of themselves in old age with the money they saved, but not anymore. Government entered the health care market and wrecked it, driving prices to ridiculous levels.<br /><br />The Wall Street vampires and the DC crooks are driving all the money to the stock market so the cronies can enrich themselves on our money.<br /><br />All of this is brought to you by the progressive politicians of all parties who infest the Progressive State of America. Silverfiddlehttp://westernhero.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-73665617454432674902014-12-11T19:27:32.123-06:002014-12-11T19:27:32.123-06:00Ducky waxes nostalgic for the days of command econ...Ducky waxes nostalgic for the days of command economies directed by politburos and government "experts."<br /><br />Silverfiddlehttp://westernhero.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-54280832911278406082014-12-11T19:24:30.773-06:002014-12-11T19:24:30.773-06:00Ducky is partially right.
The real culprits here ...Ducky is partially right.<br /><br />The real culprits here are the all-powerful, all-corrupt troika of Big Business-Big Labor-Big Government. <br /><br />They conspired to allow the pension funds to promise the rubes unrealistic pensions. These funds, in accordance with federal law, assumed pie-in-the-sky annual returns in perpetuity. <br /><br />The trend continued until it no longer could. Every ponzi scheme comes crashing down at some point.<br /><br />The Feral Government should apologize to Bernie Madoff and set him free. He's a candy story shoplifter compared to the crooked swindlers in the feral government and their big biz and big labor co-conspirators. Silverfiddlehttp://westernhero.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-31075013756894320752014-12-11T19:12:30.980-06:002014-12-11T19:12:30.980-06:00Addendum:
Welcome to the Dystopia of the United S...Addendum:<br /><br />Welcome to the Dystopia of the United States of Ameri<b>K</b>a.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-56534940855564048202014-12-11T19:11:29.644-06:002014-12-11T19:11:29.644-06:00Z,
See my comment above @ 8:07 PM EST.
What are t...Z,<br />See my comment above @ 8:07 PM EST.<br /><br />What are these people going to do? What will happen to their homes? What will happen to whatever nooks of the economy that they were stimulating when they had sufficient income to do so?<br /><br />You are absolutely correct:<br /><br /><b><i> America as we know it is quite finished. </i></b><br /><br /><b>WE NO LONGER HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.</b><br /><br />WE THE PEOPLE exist only to feather the nest of the political criminals.<br /><br />I'm glad that I'm as old as I am. I'm glad that I don't have children.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-18812170565263842472014-12-11T19:07:17.602-06:002014-12-11T19:07:17.602-06:00Bunkerville,
Keep hammering away at what you just ...Bunkerville,<br />Keep hammering away at what you just stated:<br /><br /><i><b>These are people already retired.</b></i><br /><br />Once again: <br /><br /><b><i>THESE ARE PEOPLE ALREADY RETIRED! </i></b><br /><br />And we know that some of them are unable to work physically as they once did.<br /><br />So, what will happen to some of these retirees? Will they be forced onto the Medicaid rolls and other welfare programs (government-subsidized housing, for example)? Will they be forced into the homes of their children and grandchildren? And what of those without children or grandchildren?Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-82351375236046016472014-12-11T18:20:53.087-06:002014-12-11T18:20:53.087-06:00From the link I listed above. These are people alr...From the link I listed above. These are people already retired.Just to be clear. (Thanks AOW for letting me lt off steam today!)<br /><br />"For one thing, full protection is available only for those aged 80 or older; those aged 75-80 are only partially protected -- the benefits of a 76-year-old, for instance, could still be slashed by 80% of the maximum allowed by the bill."Bunkervillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14427978686579892380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-48887026046028656462014-12-11T17:56:20.448-06:002014-12-11T17:56:20.448-06:00Obviously, by "which people clearly can';...Obviously, by "which people clearly can';t survive on.." i was referring to 2/3 of what they thought they'd get from their pension.<br />Sorry for not making that clearer!Zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15989573357446569262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-27166078180399956642014-12-11T17:31:04.658-06:002014-12-11T17:31:04.658-06:00Which people CLEARLY can't survive on...so wha...Which people CLEARLY can't survive on...so what are they thinking?<br />Meanwhile, we give so much money to foreign countries, to illegals, to every non American thing we can think of.<br />And, meanwhile, the left still thinks Wall St's all Republicans and moans and groans in blame instead of THINKING of THEIR futures, too. <br />There is no end; America as we know it is quite finished....impossible that it happened so quickly...but let a president run us into debt of TRILLIONS of dollars, almost 3 times what Bush left us with, is it? Let him promise expensive goodies, and let him start a medical program that is going to cost our government dearly, and what do we EXPECT?Zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15989573357446569262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-29113522147775758472014-12-11T16:06:26.627-06:002014-12-11T16:06:26.627-06:00Note this portion:
many retirees would face benef...Note this portion:<br /><br /><i>many retirees would face benefit cuts of as much as two-thirds of what they were promised during their working lives</i><br /><br />More information at the link that Bunkerville provided @ 4:39 PM EST.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-40655855677706171682014-12-11T15:58:46.207-06:002014-12-11T15:58:46.207-06:00Bunkerville,
YE, GODS!
I just read that link.Bunkerville,<br /><b>YE, GODS!</b><br /><br />I just read that link.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.com