Deficit and Debt reduction is NOT GOP goal

GOP does NOT care about debt or deficit reduction-----their goal is GOVERNMENT reduction, PRIVATIZATION, cutting benefits for the poor and middle class in favor of those who already have enough and more than enough.

SOMETIMES THEY WILL ADMIT THE TRUTH---LINK TO WHOLE TWEET AND DISCUSSION

https://twitter.com/_EOD/status/343443012673732608

IF THEY DID CARE THEY WOULD TELL THE TRUTH ABOUT OBAMA NUMBERS AND ECONOMY, WOULD END AUSTERITY UNTIL ECONOMY WAS GROWING AGAIN (AUSTERITY IS NOT HOW YOU GET OUT OF RECESSION----ITS HOW YOU PAY OFF DEBT USED TO GET OUT OF RECESSION)

GOP WOULD SUPPORT SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS' DEBT REDUCTION PLAN INSTEAD OF AUSTERITY FOR TEACHERS, FIREMEN AND POLICE, GOVERNMENT FURLOUGHS, ETC

IF GOP REALLY CARED ABOUT DEFICIT REDUCTION ONE WAY WOULD BE BRING BACK CORPORATE TAX MONEY THAT IS ALREADY OWED TO US

I'M SURE YOU WILL HEAR THAT ""GOVERNMENT SPENDS TOO MUCH""----SHOW THEM THIS-----PROBLEM IS THEY DON'T BELIEVE FACTS

GOVT SPENDING SINCE 2000

JUST IN CASE YOU DONT UNDERSTAND THIS GRAPH-----BUSH SPENT A LOT UNPAID FOR (DEBT) AND OBAMA SPENDING HAS GONE DOWN SINCE 2010

US DEBT WHEN OBAMA TAKES OFFICE IS 10.6 TRILLION

US DEBT JANUARY 2013 IS 16.4 TRILLION

BUSH DEBT WHEN TAKES OFFICE IS 5 TRILLION---WHEN HE LEAVES ITS 10 TRILLION---BUSH DOUBLED DEBT NOT OBAMA

AND FOR ALL WE HEAR ABOUT DEBT----GOP WONT TELL YOU WHO OWNS MOST OF IT----THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DO---ITS AN INVESTMENT (ALTHOUGH ON THE FOX NEWS WEBSITE THEY SOMETIMES TELL THE TRUTH)

FDR 1936 WARNS ABOUT GOP SAYING THEY CARE JUST AS MUCH ABOUT SOCIAL PROGRAMS      http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=15142
Let me warn you and let me warn the Nation against the smooth evasion which says, "Of course we believe all these things; we believe in social security; we believe in work for the unemployed; we believe in saving homes. Cross our hearts and hope to die, we believe in all these things; but we do not like the way the present Administration is doing them. Just turn them over to us. We will do all of them- we will do more of them we will do them better; and, most important of all, the doing of them will not cost anybody anything."


AND I'VE WRITTEN ABOUT GOP, DEBT AND TAXES BEFORE

GOP AND TAXES---RHETORIC AND REALITY
http://lib2view.blogspot.com/2013/01/gop-and-taxes.html

2008 RECESSION AND THE CAUSES OF OBAMA'S DEBT
http://lib2view.blogspot.com/2013/01/obama-and-bush-our-economy-and-debt.html

OUR ""IMMORAL DEBT""
http://lib2view.blogspot.com/2013/01/our-immoral-debt.html

IMF tells US to ease Austerity--Apparently Forgetting History of IMF!!

The IMF in June warned the US to ease off of Austerity---while its history has been forcing austerity around the world...

IMF warns Ease Off Spending Cuts to Boost U.S. Recovery  June 14, 2013

http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/survey/so/2013/CAR061413A.htm 

http://repository.library.georgetown.edu/handle/10822/552581
""The IMF claims that such austerity measures, although painful to administer, are necessary to correct floundering economies.""

http://www.twnside.org.sg/title/twr137b.htm  
""Not long ago, Argentina was the poster-child for the conservative economic policies pushed by the IMF. The Buenos Aires government privatised state enterprises, liberalised foreign trade and investment, and tightened government fiscal and monetary policy.""

Conditions for IMF loans 

http://www.imf.org/external/np/exr/facts/conditio.htm  

http://www.cepr.net/documents/publications/imf-2009-10.pdf 

From page 4       The paper finds that 31 of the 41 agreements contain pro-cyclical macroeconomic policies. These are either pro-cyclical fiscal or monetary policies – or in 15 cases, both – that, in the face of a significant slowdown in growth or in a recession, would be expected to exacerbate the downturn. In some cases, the Fund subsequently relaxed the original conditions; sometimes (as in Hungary, Latvia, Republic of Congo, and Haiti) this appeared to be the result of social unrest or other pressures on the borrowing government. These relaxations of fiscal and monetary policy are noted in the text below, but the original agreements are included in the tally because they still represent, in the authors’ opinion, a policy mistake that may have caused unnecessary economic harm during the time when the policy was in effect.

              In many cases the Fund’s pro-cyclical policies were based on over-optimistic assumptions about economic growth. For example, of the 26 countries that have had at least one review, 11 IMF reports had to lower previous forecasts of real GDP growth by at least 3 percentage points, and three of those had to correct forecasts that were at least 7 percentage points overestimated. Most likely there will be more downward revisions to come.

Page 5      It is also worth noting that the IMF has a history of over-optimistic projections in many countries.6 So it is not so easy to separate forecasting errors from an underlying bias toward overly restrictive fiscal and monetary policies.

IMF: Austerity is much worse for the economy than we thought

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2012/10/12/imf-austerity-is-much-worse-for-the-economy-than-we-thought/
This matters a lot for policy. If tax hikes and spending cuts only hurt growth a little bit, then a government with debt problems will want to enact some austerity measures.  

But if tax hikes and spending cuts hamper growth significantly, then austerity could be ill-advised. Indeed, if the fiscal multiplier is really, really high in certain situations—such as during a downturn—then austerity could prove counterproductive. Those higher taxes and severe spending cuts will cripple growth so much that the nation will end up with an even bigger deficit than it started out with.

In the 1990s, the fund was famous (or infamous, if you prefer) for ordering countries with debt troubles to tighten their belts.

Congress is the one on ""welfare""

Congress is the one with “”extraordinary govt benefits paid for by taxpayer dollars””

yes they do a vital service of legislation---but there is a lot of wasted taxpayer money there as well

Martin Gross on Government Waste
Top 10

I've got This Version from 1992
The Govt Racket--Waste from A to Z

Govt Racket--Waste from A to Z, from 2000 and beyond

Article on Gross' works

Book review  larger version

Obituary Martin Gross

CSPAN video interview Clip

CSPAN FULL INTERVIEW




Base Congressional Salary since 1789 link here

2008 -- $169,300 per annum

2009 -- $174,000 per annum   

2010 -- $174,000 per annum

2011 -- $174,000 per annum

2012 -- $174,000 per annum

2013 -- $174,000 per annum

Note: Since the early 1980s, Senate leaders -- majority and minority leaders, and the president pro tempore -- have received higher salaries than other members. Currently, leaders earn $193,400 per year.


In September 2009, Obama cut the FY 2010 pay increases scheduled for most federal government employees from as much as 18.9 percent to no more than 2.0 percent. In addition, the salaries of all senior White House officials have been frozen since President Obama took office in 2009.  link here


California Rep Jackie Spier Video link

From article 5 Things The House GOP Should Cut Instead Of Food Stamps link

Food Stamps and GOP  (my blog piece)    link here

Travel expenses link here
...new gift reports show members of Congress were adept at taking advantage of last month’s summer recess and receiving almost $1.7 million in free trips during the month of August.

During a paid month long summer recess, members of Congress reported receiving $1,668,928 in gifts of free travel, the largest monthly total since August 2011. The gifts covered the expenses of 130 trips by members during August. For the year, members of Congress have received $3,346,611 in free travel paid by outside organizations.

FROM   link here

Personnel Allowance Component of the MRA

The Statement of Disbursements of the House also provides the formula that was used for

determining each Member’s MRA. In the 2010 formula, the personnel allowance component of this calculation was $944,671 for each Member.14

The Members’ Representational Allowance (MRA)

The Members’ Representational Allowance (MRA) is available to support Representatives in their official and representational duties. The MRA may be used for official expenses including, for example, staff, travel, mail, office equipment, district office rental, stationery, and other office supplies.

The 2012 allowances range from $1,270,129 to $1,564,613, with an average of $1,353,205.13

***BASE ALLOWANCE IS MORE THAN THEIR SALARY!!!!

The base allowance in the formula established in 2010 is $256,574.17

***salary is $175,000

Senators’ Official Personnel and Office Expense Account (SOPOEA)

The SOPOEA is funded within the “Contingent Expenses of the Senate,” account in the annual legislative branch appropriations bills. The average allowance is $3,209,103.26

Sequester finally attacks Senate barbershopof officially the Senate Hair Care Services unit

link here

“”government-subsidized haircuts for senators and their staff.””

“”Senators used to get free haircuts. But that stopped in 1979, when public pressure over wasteful government spending led the shop to impose a $3.50 fee. But even today, the shop’s full menu of unisex salon services are still far less expensive than many hair establishments around Washington. A basic trim is $20 plus tip, a manicure is $18 and eyebrow trimming runs $15.””

Before 1984 Congress did not pay into (or receive) Social Security

link here

Report on Retirement Benefits for Members of Congress November 30, 2012

link here 

FEHBP (Congressional Healthcare)

Congressional HealthCare Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP)
CRS report

There are 230 different health plans available in FEHBP for the 2013 plan year.
Out of the 230 plans available through FEHBP, an enrollee’s choice is typically limited to 10 to
15 different plans, depending on where the individual resides

All FEHBP plans cover a range of benefits, including hospital, surgical, physician, mental health,
prescription drug, catastrophic, and emergency care. There are variations in the amount the plans
pay for each benefit, the coverage of specific services, and the extent to which they protect
enrollees from the risk of catastrophic medical bills.

The federal government and enrollees share the cost of the premiums for FEHBP plans. The 

government’s contribution to premiums is set at 72% of the weighted average premium of all 

plans in the program, not to exceed 75% of any given plan’s premium.

The percentage of premiums paid by the government is calculated separately for individual and family coverage, but each uses the same formula. Annuitants and active employees pay the same premium amounts, although active employees have the option of paying premiums on a pre-tax basis. 

             Govt Pays         Employee Pays        Total Premium

Self         $184.06               $80.74                     $264.80

Family    $410.92               $178.24                    $589.16

As FEHBP is the largest employer-sponsored health insurance program in the United States, it is 

difficult to compare FEHBP to health benefits offered by other employers. Any comparison must 

be limited to large employers in the private sector and state and local governments.

large firms with more than 200 employees, 55% offered one plan, 37% offered two plans, and 8% offered three or more plans. For firms with more than 5,000 employees, a subset of the aforementioned group of large firms, 26% offered one plan, 49% offered two plans, and 25% offered three or more plans.

large firms, on average employers paid 82% of the premium for single plans and 75% of the premium for family plans for current employees

state and local government employers of all sizes, on average employers paid 88% of the
premium for single coverage and 76% of the premium for family coverage for current
employees.

Dental and vision benefits are available to active federal employees and annuitants through the
Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program.  Enrollees are responsible for 100% of the premiums. To continue or obtain FEDVIP coverage in retirement, an employee does not have to participate in FEDVIP prior to retirement.

The [Affordable Care Act, Obamacare] exchanges will not be insurers, but will provide a marketplace for eligible individuals and small businesses to purchase private health insurance plans. For more information on the exchanges, see CRS Report R42663, Health Insurance Exchanges Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), by Bernadette Fernandez and Annie L. Mach.

So Darrel Issa has been tweeting ""Replace Obamacare with FEHBP"" BUT in fact Obamacare will be replacing FEHBP---so why is he pushing a program that's ending???
My Blog Post Here

Obama and Bush--our economy and debt

I always hear from GOP how great Bush economy was--and yes unemployment was low until 2007 and Obama came into office with a deficit and bad job loss numbers--BUT GOP FORGETS ABOUT THE RECESSION and what it did to our spending and deficits and debt--plus Bush's debt record is erased by GOP

The financial crisis was a housing and credit bust that broke our economy and cost 8 million jobs to be lost which led to lower tax revenue and more spending in Obama's administration AND THE END OF THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION--2007-2009

unemployment went up as jobs were lost

job losses meant less workers paying taxes and increased spending for government---unemployment insurance//medicaid//food stamps etc

IMPACT OF JOB LOSSES ON ECONOMY

home foreclosures lead to greater instability in the market and lives of those who lost their homes and savings and jobs

So thats the recession that hit in 2007 until 2009 and still affects our economy today---we are having a slower recovery because our Wall st crash lead to a worldwide freeze in credit 

these are just some basics as to why we are in this economy right now----then there's the whole taxes and debt debate---

TAXES need to go up on the rich---this is a picture of the ""47%"" who pay no income tax---but look at those who DO pay income tax and look where it stops---$200,000 a year---Middle Class bears the tax burden in this country---the poor dont make enough and the rich get special treatment!!!!!

ORIGINAL GRAPH

 

My comments on the above graph

The Top rate used to be a LOT higher, in fact the JFK tax cut was brought up in debates in the 2012 election, JFK "cut taxes, he lowered the top marginal tax from 91% to 65%." link

THE RICH NEED TO PAY MORE IN TAXES!!!!!!

http://onpoint.wbur.org/2004/01/30/perfectly-legal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irHgknaS2jA

http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/08/tax-increases-and-bull-markets/

http://www.businessinsider.com/america-taxes-charts-2013-1

AND finally the debt!!!!! who created it?? it was started in 1776 when we became a country--the states unified their Revolutionary War debt and used it to borrow money to finance our economy (FOR MORE SEE book)

The debt was relatively stable from 1940 except for World War 2 until Reagan comes into office--then Clinton starts to lower it as he ends his 2nd term

BUSH TAX CUTS WERE NOT PAID FOR BUT GOP HAD NO PROBLEM ENACTING THEM

TAX CUTS LEAD TO DEFICITS

Obama's ""spending problem""

VOTE DEMOCRAT!!!

VOTE DEMOCRAT!!!!!!

VOTE OBAMA!!!

our ""immoral debt""

Are you worried about our growing debt and what it means for our economy??

First of all I recommend you learn about our debt first
http://www.treasurydirect.gov/govt/resources/faq/faq_publicdebt.htm

Debt since 1776 223 years in the making

The Founding Fathers, Our National Debt, and Why It Matters To You http://whitehouseburning.com/

BUSH (SOTU 2001) and our current debt---""You see, the growing surplus exists because taxes are too high"" SPEECH TEXT
Budget Battles and Budget Games

""Washington Monumenting""  and Goverment Shutdowns and Budget Battles
http://www.decodedc.com/home/2013/2/28/episode-9-irrational-numbers.html

MORE from Bush State of the Union February 2001 FULL SPEECH
Now we come to a fork in the road. We have two choices. Even though we have already met our needs, we could spend the money on more and bigger government. That's the road our nation has traveled in recent years.

Last year, government spending shot up 8 percent. That's far more than our economy grew, far more than personal income grew and far more than the rate of inflation. If you continue on that road, you will spend the surplus and have to dip into Social Security to pay other bills. Unrestrained government spending is a dangerous road to deficits, so we must take a different path.

(APPLAUSE)

The other choice is to let the American people spend their own money to meet their own needs.

(APPLAUSE)

I hope you'll join me in standing firmly on the side of the people. You see, the growing surplus exists because taxes are too high, and government is charging more than it needs. The people of America have been overcharged, and, on their behalf, I'm here asking for a refund.

(APPLAUSE)

Some say my tax plan is too big.

(APPLAUSE)

Others say it's too small.

(APPLAUSE)

I respectfully disagree.

(LAUGHTER)

This plan is just right.







THEN if you're so worried you wanna make a payment here is the address to mail your check from---ENJOY AND THANKS!!!

you can pay online or mail a check!!!!

How do you make a contribution to reduce the debt?

There are two ways for you to make a contribution to reduce the debt:

• You can make a contribution online either by credit card, checking or savings account at Pay.gov
• You can write a check payable to the Bureau of the Public Debt, and in the memo section, notate that it's a Gift to reduce the Debt Held by the Public. Mail your check to:
  
  Attn Dept G
  Bureau of the Public Debt
  P. O. Box 2188
  Parkersburg, WV 26106-2188

Bill Clinton had surpluses at the end of his presidency--and we were actually projecting NO DEBT by 2012--and were worried about what that would mean for our economy

What if we paid off the entire debt?? 

an interesting dilemma---too much debt MAY be bad in the distant future and paying it DOWN is not bad--but no debt is actually bad for our economy and the global economy

GOP and taxes

Why are the GOP against taxes?? They will say that higher taxes hurt our economy or that it will kill jobs or that govt spends too much money. In reality it is simply their world view---Govt is bad and taxes are how we fund it---lower taxes and you will make govt smaller. Grover Norquist seems to be the only person who will even admit that this is the ultimate goal anymore---he used to say make govt small enough to drown in a bathtub---now he just says cut it in half---but at least smaller govt is his stated goal---even though he will also say it hurts the economy, it kills jobs, stimulus doesnt work---he uses an image of a lake--someone stands on one end with a bucket and takes some water and puts it in the other end and says ""stimulus""---but the REAL analogy would be a river feeding that lake or even how every river ends in the ocean---its funny how stimulus REALLY works----every river ends up in the ocean.

The GOP used to be the fiscally responsible party---they would spend less and raise taxes when more spending was needed, and were upset when Democrats would lower taxes, saying it would cause deficits and debt----imagine that huh!!!! I would say this desire to kill the govt was treasonous---it certainly seemed so to me--but it doesnt fit the actual definition (i looked it up) of ""killing the sovereign leader or overthrowing the govt"" well its good news for the GOP.

So my question to them would be---why pay any taxes at all?? why should the rich only get a 20% tax cut for the last ten years (and another 20% if Romney was elected)---why not 40 50 or 90%??? why should the rich pay any taxes??? then again why should any of us?? My assumed answer is that well that would be ridiculous and the govt has some role Borders, Military etc and we need to fund something. So its back to GOP wants smaller govt and Dems believe govt has a role to play in our lives and the more you make the more you should pay. Maybe one day we could agree on something.