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Top 5 Social Security Myths

08/02/2010 Nativegrl77

Social Security is under attack and we need to fight back against the lies.

Have you heard that Social Security is going bankrupt? Driving up the deficit? In crisis?

Well none of that is true. These are all myths that opponents of Social Security have been spreading to scare people into accepting benefit cuts this fall. But the myths are taking hold—so we have to fight back with the facts.

So we’ve put together a list of the top five myths about Social Security, along with the real story. Can you check out the list and then share it with your friends, family, and coworkers?

Share the list by going to http://pol.moveon.org/ssmyths?id=22234-9640874-V4M3Hcx&t=1 If you’re on Facebook, share it by clicking here. If you’re on Twitter, tweet it here.

Myth #1: Social Security is going broke.

Reality: There is no Social Security crisis. By 2023, Social Security will have a $4.6 trillion surplus (yes, trillion with a ‘T’). It can pay out all scheduled benefits for the next quarter-century with no changes whatsoever.¹ After 2037, it’ll still be able to pay out 75% of scheduled benefits—and again, that’s without any changes. The program started preparing for the Baby Boomers’ retirement decades ago.² Anyone who insists Social Security is broke probably wants to break it themselves.

Myth #2: We have to raise the retirement age because people are living longer.

Reality: This is a red-herring to trick you into agreeing to benefit cuts. Retirees are living about the same amount of time as they were in the 1930s. The reason average life expectancy is higher is mostly because many fewer people die as children than they did 70 years ago.³ What’s more, what gains there have been are distributed very unevenly—since 1972, life expectancy increased by 6.5 years for workers in the top half of the income brackets, but by less than 2 years for those in the bottom half.⁴ But those intent on cutting Social Security love this argument because raising the retirement age is the same as an across-the-board benefit cut.

Myth #3: Benefit cuts are the only way to fix Social Security.

Reality: Social Security doesn’t need to be fixed. But if we want to strengthen it, here’s a better way: Make the rich pay their fair share. If the very rich paid taxes on all of their income, Social Security would be sustainable for decades to come.⁵ Right now, high earners only pay Social Security taxes on the first $106,000 of their income.⁶ But conservatives insist benefit cuts are the only way because they want to protect the super-rich from paying their fair share.

Myth #4: The Social Security Trust Fund has been raided and is full of IOUs

Reality: Not even close to true. The Social Security Trust Fund isn’t full of IOUs, it’s full of U.S. Treasury Bonds. And those bonds are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.⁷ The reason Social Security holds only treasury bonds is the same reason many Americans do: The federal government has never missed a single interest payment on its debts. President Bush wanted to put Social Security funds in the stock market—which would have been disastrous—but luckily, he failed. So the trillions of dollars in the Social Security Trust Fund, which are separate from the regular budget, are as safe as can be.

Myth #5: Social Security adds to the deficit

Reality: It’s not just wrong—it’s impossible! By law, Social Security’s funds are separate from the budget, and it must pay its own way. That means that Social Security can’t add one penny to the deficit.⁸

Defeating these myths is the first step to stopping Social Security cuts. Can you share this list now?

Thanks for all you do.

–Nita, Duncan, Daniel, Kat, and the rest of the team

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mashup Monday &some News …

08/02/2010 Nativegrl77

Democrats are reforming their own members when will Republicans actually drain the swamp they have of corrupt, immoral folks in their own party?

Progress for ALL AMERICANS

If not now …when

The President will speak at a convention for the Disabled Vets of America in Atlanta and while Congress or at least the House is out on break we, the people will hear and see some outrageous things coming from the right and Republican politicians will be leading the train of crazy talk about all things reform and repeal. For months, our opponents have spread lies about reform to scare voters away. But the simple truth about what reform would actually do — save jobs, guarantee all Americans affordable, stable coverage, and significantly reduce the deficit — is something most Americans strongly support. We all know that watching the change we all need taking place or trying to take place in both Chambers of Congress has been difficult but when HCR came up who knew that the health insurance reform that Romney helped pass and signed while Governor of Massachusetts is very similar to the bill passed by the Democrats of the Obama Administration. It was apparent after a few interviews that the people of Massachusetts hated the way their health care was created but ask one just one if they would be willing to give up their socialized health care they have now.

Progress for ALL Americans not just a select few … VOTE Democrats

The question is, come November, will the voters know and or accept the facts? Will they seek the truth or will they accept the noise nonsense and lies given by Republicans on a daily basis.

Republicans continue to disrespect the office of President, blocking his efforts to live up to his campaign promise and the 53% who voted him into office. We the People cannot afford to vote politicians who put Political Party over doing the Peoples business; though Republicans would have the public believe it is in our best interest. We need people to make the effort to listen to Republicans talk, make comments about repealing everything, and going back to the way the house of Bush governed, we need and must move into the 21st Century if we plan to get back on track, be the number one in the Nation.

The November elections are important and democrats must be out in droves to vote Democrats into office for each and every State ; stay informed and vote to keep democrats in to complete the fixes our economy needs so badly because they definitely were avoided by the house of Bush.

Democrats are reforming their own members when will Republicans actually drain the swamp they have of corrupt, immoral folks in their own party?

Other News …

The Financial Times’ Ed Luce documents the “crisis of middle-class America.” Noting the “median wage stagnation” that has afflicted most American families, Luce writes, “the annual incomes of the bottom 90 per cent of US families have been essentially flat since 1973 — having risen by only 10 per cent in real terms over the past 37 years. That means most Americans have been treading water for more than a generation.”Tprogress

**Lindsey Lohan was released from jail

The passage of the Affordable Care Act will save the Medicare program about $8 billion by the end of the year, “and $575 billion over the rest of the decade,” according to the Obama administration. The savings are anticipated to add “12 years of solvency” to Medicare’s trust fund for inpatient care.TPprgress

**2 killers from AZ are still on the loose

**High Court trims Miranda warning rights

**Spirit Airlines will charge for walk-on luggage from now on

**Ahmadinegad offers to speak to President Obama one on one

**Obama states there is a shift commitment to the iraq war

**BP is going to try and plug up the well for good -Static Kill

C-SPAN …

Pres. Obama’s Weekly Address Republican Weekly Address

Adm. Thad Allen (Ret.) Conference Call (8/1)

Health Care Discussion on “50 Ways to Implement Health Reform”

C‑SPAN’s Washington Journal will begin a month long series looking at issues in the news, from health care to financial reform and politics. This morning, Tracy Watts a senior health care consultant for Mercer discussed how employers are working to implement the heath care law that was passed earlier this year. Later, the Alliance for Health Reform hosts a discussion titled “50 Ways to Implement Health Reform: State Challenges and Federal Assistance.” Health care administrators will give an overview of how states and the federal government will begin implementing provisions of the new health care law President Obama signed on March 23rd. Speakers include representatives from the Health and Human Services Department, insurance companies and the states.

Tracy Watts on WJ: Available Shortly

AHR-Health Reform: C-SPAN at 12:15pm ET

AP: A Struggle To Fix New Law

Alliance for Health Reform

Senate this Week: Jobs, Energy, Kagan Vote

The Senate will begin its final week of work before the August recess at 2pm (ET) today. They will first resume work on H.R. 1586, a substitute amendment to a House-passed FAA reauthorization bill. The substance of the Senate amendment to this measure is $10 billion in education funding for teacher salaries and $16.1 billion in aid to the states from the stimulus fund for state Medicaid costs. The vote on the motion to proceed to the bill is expected at 5:45pm.

The Senate may also take up Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-NV) energy package (S.3663) later in the week. This package would eliminate the $75 million cap on economic damages from offshore oil spills; it also would provide full funding for up to five years for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which is mostly paid for by offshore drilling revenues. Sen. Reid will likely set up a cloture vote on this energy package.

Before the recess, the Senate will take up the nomination of Elena Kagan to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. If confirmed, she would replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens and become the fourth female Justice in the Supreme Court’s history.

Bloomberg: First Democrat to Oppose Kagan

Senate Floor: C-SPAN2 at 2pm ET
WSJ: Reid’s Energy Bill Delayed Until Tuesday

Allen Defends Oil Dispersant Oversight, Says Static Kill Possible on Monday

During Sunday’s conference call on oil spill recovery efforts, Retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen responded to charges made by Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) that the Coast Guard has “rubber stamped” BP’s use of oil dispersants. Adm. Allen said he and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson agree on guidelines calling for a 75% reduction in use of chemicals which breakdown oil in the Gulf.

However, incident commanders are authorizing additional dispersant use on a case-by-case basis, he pointed out.

On Saturday, Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) sent a letter demanding that government officials provide his office with records documenting the amount of dispersants used.

Also during the call, Adm. Allen said that the hydrostatic or “static kill” could begin as soon as Monday evening. A sequence of tests must first be performed before mud can be pumped into the wellhead.

Admiral Allen Spill Update (8/1)

Rep. Markey: Excessive use of dispersants

WJS: Congress questions oil dispersants

AP: New questions arise on dispersant use

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An impossible and unneccessary choice …

08/02/2010 Nativegrl77

National Women's Law Center - Reform Matters

Protect Vital Medicaid Funding for Women

Tell your Senators to extend Medicaid funding to states without slashing food stamp programs.

A minority of Senators are forcing their colleagues to make the impossible choice between slashing Medicaid programs or cutting food stamps for the most vulnerable women and families.

Tell your Senators to ensure the neediest women and families continue to have access to health care by extending Medicaid funding to the states, but without slashing critical funding for food stamps.

As the Senate prepares to leave for the August recess, the lives of struggling women and families hangs in the balance. With a possible vote taking place as early as tomorrow, this may be our last chance to extend these vital funds to ensure that low-income women and families can receive Medicaid services. But it cannot be done by slashing equally critical funds to the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Programs (SNAP) that put food on the tables of over 40 million Americans.

We do not need to make this impossible and unnecessary choice. Tell your Senators to pass legislation to extend Medicaid funding to the states without slashing critical funding for Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Programs (SNAP).

Thanks for your continued commitment to women and their families.

Sincerely,

Judy Waxman
Vice President for Health and Reproductive Rights
National Women’s Law Center

P.S. Your generous donation allows us to continue to stand up for women and their families. Support our work today.

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Congress in Session -The Senate, Monday 8/2/10

08/02/2010 Nativegrl77

The Senate Convenes at 2:00pmET August 2, 2010

Following Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to a period of morning business until 3:00pm with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of the House Message on H.R.1586. At 5:45pm, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to concur with amendment #4567 (Teacher Funding and FMAP) in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to HR1586.

Next week, in addition to considering the Teacher funding and FMAP amendment, the Majority Leader would like to consider an energy bill, the nomination of Elena Kagan to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, and any other items cleared for action on the Legislative or Executive calendars.

Votes:
223: Reid motion to table the motion to concur with amendment #4567: (Teacher Funding and FMAP) in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to HR1586
Tabled: 95-0

Because The CBO scored 223 Reid had to table A#4567/HR1586 until further notice stay tuned

Unanimous Consent:
Passed S.1055, a bill to grant the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the 100th Infantry Batttalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, United States Army, in recognition of their dedicated service during World War II.

Passed H.R.2097, the Star-Spangled Banner Bicentenial Commemorative Coin Act.

Passed S.3689, the Copyright Cleanup, Clarification, and Corrections Act.

Adopted S.Res.604, a resolution urging the Government urging the Government of the Islamic Republica of Iran to immediately and unconditionally release Sara Shourd, Joshua Fattal, and Shane Bauer on humanitarian grounds.

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The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00pmET on September 14, 2010