News Us politics - read first post before comment

[Changing4Best]

Yes, the rich and super rich will get richer, that is the only certainty at this point.

I survive on SS Disability and I do not know how much longer I will be able to survive on it. I have a small volunteer position which gives me a small stipend also. Other than that, the benefits I receive from the Federal and State governments are what make my life livable.

I don't know what will happen now. I do know that I am scared.

One thing that crosses my mind though is that there are laws that govern all the programs that I and many of us here rely on. I don't know that a "sweeping tax reform" can undo all those laws! Can it???

 

[Cyberluddite]

I believe that Roy Moore is the example of why we do not have a direct democracy but need a represen...

I can't understand why people don't take control of their own power, and make their own opportunities.

The U.S. government is, and always has been, a representative democracy. Which means that the people elect representatives, not leaders... and often times, the representatives aren't ones we'd prefer to speak for us.

But a government of the people, for the people, and by the people, is only as good and noble as the people themselves. If you want better representatives, work to better yourself. This applies to all 320+ million citizens, not just you or I.

The government is only the symptom. The people have the power of free will to decide how they want to make a difference... or abdicate their own abilities to folks who thought Roy Moore and Nancy Pelosi were the best options.

True leaders don't seek positions of power, @Justmehere . That's why most people don't run for elected office.

Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country. Today is a great day to make a difference, through living by your own example, not by someone else's edict.

Be the change you seek.

 

[Cyberluddite]

This thread has long since moved on from its third post, which is what you were quoting ...

I was explaining the difference between the 1st Amendment and 10th Amendment, in relation to why it's not a violation of free speech to stop hate speech. A lot of people forget, or aren't aware, of the difference and that lack of awareness enables the problem.

@anthony just happened to be a great example, in helping explain it as I was respectfully staying on topic. The thread is rather old, and popped up on my suggested threads feed last night.

I offered the alternative option of using "Ignore", because people are human (even Admin and moderators) and sometimes new members aren't aware that it can help stop hate speech. It's not just a handy tool for maintaining online etiquette, it's a great tool for self-practice in public.

However, out of respect to Anthony I'll unfollow the thread. He has my permission and consent to delete all three comments on this thread, to ensure compliance of policies.

Thank you for letting me know I was violating the rules. I apologize for the indiscretion.

 

[scout86]

I don't know that a "sweeping tax reform" can undo all those laws! Can it???

This particular bill (which isn't even in it's final form yet) can't undo all of that, no. The problem, at least the way I see it, is that it can be a step in the direction of undoing or reducing some of those programs you rely on. The tax cuts mean the government will take in less money. There are still bills to pay. To balance things out, you either increase income or reduce expenses (or both). Personally, I'm pretty sure there's a move afoot to reduce expenses and the first ones they're going to target are the programs I like to think of as "the social safety net" and the people currently in power like to think of as "entitlements". (I think they pick that word because it kind of sounds like the people who are getting them think they are owed something that others aren't owed. The pick the word, because it fits their marketing plan, more than because it's accurate.)

So, I don't know where you live, but be sure your elected representatives know how you feel and encourage everyone else to do the same. They are WAY more likely to listen to people who can write them big checks, but votes count too.....

 

[Justmehere]

Moderator note: Any further discussion on the redirect to stay on topic or any other forum matters needs to be directed to a help ticket. Further discussion within the thread about forum matters could mean the thread is locked. Let’s simply get back to current US politics. :)

———

One thing that crosses my mind though is that there are laws that govern all the programs that I and many of us here rely on. I don't know that a "sweeping tax reform" can undo all those laws! Can it???

Obamacare was set up basically as a tax. That’s what the individual mandate was all about. Don’t get insurance, and you have to pay a tax. Sweeping tax cuts thus can and does eliminate the individual mandate that was the backbone of Obamacare.

Medicare and social security are a little different. Right now, prior to these tax cuts, sustaining the current course of things, these programs will run out of money and be automatically cut back around 2028. Because they will be bankrupt. Payments would drop until 2034 when they would cease entirely because the money ran out. (https://www.ssa.gov/oact/trsum/). The likelihood of this actually happening? Not sure.

These tax cuts do not directly cut Medicare or Social Security payments to anyone.

Republicans will argue these tax cuts will help boost the economy and thus bring in more income. Democrats will argue increasing taxes will bring more money in. They both argue they have the path forward to saving these programs.

Republicans have been talking about changes to Medicare and social security for a long time. They claim to be the party of smaller government. They are not, but hats a whole other conversation...

The cuts they have spoken about have all been in such a manner that it would not affect anyone already on Medicare or social security. This is because a huge section of their voting base is on these programs now. They are unlikely to shaft them. The cuts they are speaking about generally refer to things like increasing the retirement age for future beneficiaries.

Tax cuts are easier to pass. It’s giving voters and donors something - their money back. Program cuts are very hard to pass. It’s taking away services or money something people already expect to be given.

 

[Changing4Best]

Medicare and social security are a little different....

Thanks for the link and your thoughts. I read most of the link, although when it got into the math, I got lost, which I tend to do with math in general. I wrote to the President, in a way. His people sent me an email asking how well he is doing his job. They also gave me a place in which to share my thoughts, so I did. (Then they asked me for $$$). I have no money for anyone or anything, of course, other than for my own needs. Anyway, I already wrote to him a couple of days ago, expressing my opinions about tax reform in general then, before this Senate passage of a bill. So this was just an afterthought that I added today.

 

[Changing4Best]

PS. I wrote my Senators and Representative, for whatever it is worth.

 

[Deleted member 541]

Wondering what others think of the US and its plan to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem?

I believe its a mistake and will only cause more unrest/division in the middle east.

 

[Justmehere]

1995 Jerusalem Embassy Relocation Act, which mandates the embassy’s move to Israel’s “undivided capital” passed, 93-5.

It’s been 23 years. Both Bushes, Clinton, and Obama all have lended their support to the move. http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/06/f...nts-promised-to-move-us-embassy-to-jerusalem/

I think it’s a bit hypocritical of so many of these leaders to suddenly be against it. It’s a total lack of principles. Why are they against it now when they voted in favor of the law to move it?

Trump isn’t enacting a new law to move it. He’s just allowing the old law to go into effect.

 

[Deleted member 541]

@Justmehere I am well aware of the law concerning this. That wasn’t my question. I asked what “people’s” opinion on the matter was, not the fact that in your opinion LEADERS are being hypocritical.

As I stated above, I think this will do more harm than good.

 

[Changing4Best]

I'm in favor of it. I just am. It is a feeling. I have no reason other than that.

 

[Neverthesame]

I think now after some of Trumps previous impromptu attempts at law making, such as the Travel Ban and the Mexican wall. Which gives the impression that he has a problem with race and the religious beliefs of other cultures.
Whether or not he actually does have a problem with these things, I don't know. But it sure looks that way to me.

People may just be jumping to the conclusion he's got some sinister purpose for enacting this law.
A law that over two decades and four president's, not one of which could be bothered to enact it.

Whether or not he wrote it. I"m finding it very hard to not see this as another passive aggressive jab at an ethnic group.

I'll be honest here. If it was any of the previous four president's enacting this, I'd probably have a different opinion.
As it is, it looks to me like he's throwing rocks at a hornets nest again. Though I recognise that I may just be seeing what I expect, instead of seeing what's there.

I am wondering if so many people are upset so terribly by this, why bother moving it?
Did the embassy photocopier break down and they're running out of waivers or something?