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Entitlement reform is a hoax

By tovarichpeter   Follow   Mon, 7 Jan 2013, 9:57pm   224 views   4 comments
In South San Francisco CA 94080   Watch (0)   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like (1)   Dislike (1)  

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-reich/entitlement-reform_b_2421991.html

It has become accepted economic wisdom, uttered with deadpan certainty by policy pundits and budget scolds on both sides of the aisle, that the only way to get control over America's looming deficits is to "reform entitlements." But the accepted wisdom is wrong.

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1. elliemae Follow Befriend (25) 413 threads 6,976 comments Saint George, UT elliemae's website

   1   6:10am Tue 8 Jan 2013   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike (2)   amen!

2. Dan8267 Follow Befriend (16) 761 threads 7,667 comments Boca Raton, FL Premium

   2   8:16am Tue 8 Jan 2013   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like (2)   Dislike (1)   And Census data showing 49 percent of Americans living in homes where at least one person is collecting a federal benefit -- food stamps, unemployment insurance, worker's compensation, or subsidized housing -- up from 44 percent in 2008. But these expenditures aren't driving the federal budget deficit in future years. They're temporary. The reason for the spike is Americans got clobbered in 2008 with the worst economic catastrophe since the Great Depression. They and their families have needed whatever helping hands they could get. So true. The Second Great Depression started in 2006 (seven years ago) and is still going on. You'll know it's over when 50% or more of the people are no longer dependent on federal assistance or in dire need because their federal assistance ran out. Seven years ago, we were yelling at government to let housing prices fall fast. If the government hadn't propped up housing prices and kept the responsible from buying affordable housing and all the things you buy after you buy a house, the Second Great Depression would never have happened. We would have had a single year of recessions before a recovery as bad debt was realized instead of the past seven years of a depressed economy. And it's not even over yet. Can we get those damn politicians to at least admit that they made a mistake by propping up housing prices? Is that too damn much to ask?

3. Dan8267 Follow Befriend (16) 761 threads 7,667 comments Boca Raton, FL Premium

   3   8:17am Tue 8 Jan 2013   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like (2)   Dislike (1)   Military contracts are the biggest damn entitlement anyway.

4. lostand confused Follow Befriend (9) 160 threads 1,530 comments Premium

   4   8:25am Tue 8 Jan 2013   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like (1)   Dislike   Dan8267 says Can we get those damn politicians to at least admit that they made a mistake by propping up housing prices? Is that too damn much to ask? A politician admitting he made a mistake? Now why would he/she do that, when he can get away with blaming the other guy and their followers lap it up? Dems: The repubs in congress and senate are obstructionists and if only they co-operated, everyone would be wealthy, happy and singing kumbayah around the campfire. Repubs: The Kenyan, socialist, communist, Islamist, Jihadist, community organizer, affirmative action winner wants to take all our rights away. We are fighting the good fight and the only thing standing between us and total conversion to a BORG subspecies of communists is the repubs.