US mid-terms: Republicans win control of the Senate

[chuckd]

The avowed anti socialists might as well start by cutting the two socialist policies on the governments books - social security and medicare. Privatise the both of them and let's see how quickly the market rushes to provide them with a guaranteed return and a low premium for their health insurance.

Here's a link proving the worth of individual retirement accounts versus social security. Sadly the practice is no longer acceptable to the federal government. They can't get their hands on our money.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/merrillmatthews/2011/05/12/how-three-texas-counties-created-personal-social-security-accounts-and-prospered/

[Maestro]

Removed an off-topic post.

[Johpa]

Gerrymandered districts by Repg and ran a campaign on negativity because thats whats successful getting out their vote. nothing to offer. McConnell and Boehner will now resort to blaming the President when he doesn't sign off on their crap.

In recent years, 6-8-10 years all over America, the Democrats and the Courts together have had far more to do with defining Congressional districts than Republicans have had... check the records.

Redistricting, or gerrymandering, is done at the State level and not at the national level and the courts have had but modest influence. States controlled by Democrats give that party the advantage and vice versa. One of the best examples is the region around Austin, Texas, perhaps the only city in the Republican controlled conservative State of Texas that most people would describe as being liberal if not progressive. The city had been gerrymandered into 6 congressional districts where the Austin segment of each district represents a minority vote within each district.

[Publicus]

A number of states and I forget the number but together they are a small minority have turned over US House redistricting of constituencies based on population changes to an 'independent' commission that is generally recognized to be exactly that.

Most states continue however to leave the redrawing of constituencies with the state legislature which makes the drawings of kindergarten kids look like modern art.

The 2010 Mid-term elections were good for the Republican party at all three levels of government, so the Republican party was in charge in a lot of states to do the decennial population redistricting that took effect for US House races in 2012 and will remain in force until 2022, when the next constitutionally mandated decennial redistricting will have been done.

Republicans gerrymandered themselves in enough states to have control of the US House until 2022. We saw this from the get go In the 2012 election when the Democratic party got more votes nationally for the US House than did the Republican party, yet the R party increased its existing majority and its complete control over the House.

Gerrymandering by either side thus skews representation and denies voters their expressed will. This decade it's the Republican party that is the guilty party.

[chuckd]

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 specifically covers redistricting.

Very little, if any, gerrymandering is possible with this Justice Department breathing down their collective necks.

[Johpa]

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 specifically covers redistricting.

Very little, if any, gerrymandering is possible with this Justice Department breathing down their collective necks.

Only racial gerrymandering would attract the attention of the Justice Department. Party line gerrymandering is alive and well. It goes hand-in-hand with voter ID laws to prevent the non-existent crime of voter fraud. Look, the Republicans know that demographically they are on the outs, not to mention out of touch as their favorite lifestyle issues succumb to the will of the majority such as abortion rights, gay rights, marijuana legalization, etc. Their only hope is macro demographic subterfuge during elections. And they are the masters of propaganda, devotees of Edward Bernays. Despite the fact that the US economy is doing relatively well and far better than the rest of the G7 nations, Obama is portrayed as a failure.

"When Barack Obama became president

The unemployment rate was 7.8 percent on its way to 10 percent. Last month it was 5.8 percent.

The federal deficit was $1.4 billion or almost 10 percent of gross domestic product. Now its about $483 million or 3.3 percent of GDP. The deficit has fallen faster than any time since the end of World War II.

GDP was $14.4 trillion. In the third quarter it was $17.5 trillion.

Corporate profits after taxes were about $1 trillion. In the second quarter of this year, the most recent data available, they hit a record $1.84 trillion.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 7,949. Today it is above 17,560."

There are still some issues with unemployment and underemployment and wages below that needed to sustain one's family. But although politically I am not a big fan of Obama, I find his being portrayed as a total failure to be somewhat bemusing.

[LawrenceChee]

The above post highlights the problem in USA politics ....it's a ping pong of who is more important and party smearing rather than working for the common good of the Americans

I think it stems from an inept sense one must make a point even if the point is redundant resulting in lots of amusing talk shows with little to show for

[Publicus]

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 specifically covers redistricting.

Very little, if any, gerrymandering is possible with this Justice Department breathing down their collective necks.

After the 2010 Mid-term elections Republicans throughout the United States gerrymandered themselves in enough states to have control of the US House until 2022 when the next constitutionally mandated redistricting will take effect.

We saw this from the get go In the 2012 election when the Democratic party got more votes nationally for the US House than did the Republican party, yet the R party increased its existing majority and its complete control over the House.

Neither state courts nor federal courts have changed this fact nor will they change it.

In fact the 5 right wing justices in the Supreme Court who form the majority have dissolved districts that have a majority black population and which elect black Members of Congress, to include the only black justice on the court who some redneck visitors sometimes mistake for a toilet attendant, Clarence Thomas.

The current political disaster occurring in the United States is, more than any other single factor, the direct consequence of Republican party redistricting of the US House by the many Republican officials in more than enough states who did the requisite gerrymandering. Gerrymandering is impossible to prevent, impossible to stop or to reverse by judicial or any processes.

We have a Republican controlled Congress in both the House and the Senate and a Republican controlled Supreme Court. Barack Obama is in fact the last man standing and Republicans are shouting impeachment.

Edited November 9, 2014 by Publicus

[mania]

The above post highlights the problem in USA politics ....it's a ping pong of who is more important and party smearing rather than working for the common good of the Americans

I think it stems from an inept sense one must make a point even if the point is redundant resulting in lots of amusing talk shows with little to show for

Yes I have always thought in many ways this is true.

TPTB give the illusion of having a choice....you may choose left or right

This in turn lets the citizens feel they have a say..... Gives them something to do

But after all is said & done the same old song & dance is played over & over regardless of L or R being

the "figurehead" this term

Those who call the tune are not those that argues left vs right ....

[bkkcanuck8]

After the 2010 Mid-term elections Republicans throughout the United States gerrymandered themselves in enough states to have control of the US House until 2022 when the next constitutionally mandated redistricting will take effect.

We saw this from the get go In the 2012 election when the Democratic party got more votes nationally for the US House than did the Republican party, yet the R party increased its existing majority and its complete control over the House.

Neither state courts nor federal courts have changed this fact nor will they change it.

In fact the 5 right wing justices in the Supreme Court who form the majority have dissolved districts that have a majority black population and which elect black Members of Congress, to include the only black justice on the court who some redneck visitors sometimes mistake for a toilet attendant, Clarence Thomas.

The current political disaster occurring in the United States is, more than any other single factor, the direct consequence of Republican party redistricting of the US House by the many Republican officials in more than enough states who did the requisite gerrymandering. Gerrymandering is impossible to prevent, impossible to stop or to reverse by judicial or any processes.

We have a Republican controlled Congress in both the House and the Senate and a Republican controlled Supreme Court. Barack Obama is in fact the last man standing and Republicans are shouting impeachment.

I seem to remember about 10+ years ago, the Republicans were the ones complaining about the gerrymandering that the Democrats were doing.... this time it was the Republicans that had the advantage in a number of districts. While I don't like it in the hands of politicians.... it has not had that much of an effect this election. For the purposes of this election, the gerrymandering would have affected house seats only.... there is no way possible that I can see of gerrymandering a senate seat.... and the Republicans will probably have gained around 8 this time around -- once all the elections are completed. I believe that is one of the biggest one election swings in modern history - so it gives you a good indication that this election... the Democratic Party got its rear-ends kicked (with good reason). It might have affected at most 10 seats. Also be aware that depending on how the gerrymandering was done, it could have side-effects. If they do the gerrymandering to make sure a certain seat is safe, they make the other seats more competitive. If they do it to maximize the number of seats they can win, if there is a wave - they could end up creating more competitive races that could be lost (since the wind was with the Republicans this time - this would not have been a problem). Either way, the House would still be securely in the GOPs hands.

Those that are in power are not shouting impeachment -- in fact they tend to be more shy about bringing it up, but if the President continues to use the executive orders to bypass the constitutional role of the congress.... it would be proper to impeach him.... but they won't because they are afraid of the political fallout... even with him being unpopular right now (it is a matter of optics).

[LawrenceChee]

The above post highlights the problem in USA politics ....it's a ping pong of who is more important and party smearing rather than working for the common good of the Americans

I think it stems from an inept sense one must make a point even if the point is redundant resulting in lots of amusing talk shows with little to show for

Yes I have always thought in many ways this is true.

TPTB give the illusion of having a choice....you may choose left or right

This in turn lets the citizens feel they have a say..... Gives them something to do

But after all is said & done the same old song & dance is played over & over regardless of L or R being

the "figurehead" this term

Those who call the tune are not those that argues left vs right ....

There is a lot of potential lost in America because of that which is a real pity as there are lots of decent folks there who can make a good living but can't due to policies that are poorly thought thru or politics bootlicking happiness

The Chinese has a small advantage in the fact that every government. have 10 years and you can have consistency with one party voice ...with a balance on human rights and ability to voice your comments eventually it will be a very good model to see which parts are applicable ...it won't be perfect but it would have done rather well in comparison for growth and progression

[lannarebirth]

The Chinese has a small advantage in the fact that every government. have 10 years and you can have consistency with one party voice ...with a balance on human rights and ability to voice your comments

Never figured you for a troll, but what else is one left to think? Just the latest application of "balanced human rights"

http://www.latimes.com/world/asia/la-fg-china-muslims-20140808-story.html

[JDGRUEN]

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 specifically covers redistricting.

Very little, if any, gerrymandering is possible with this Justice Department breathing down their collective necks.

After the 2010 Mid-term elections Republicans throughout the United States gerrymandered themselves in enough states to have control of the US House until 2022 when the next constitutionally mandated redistricting will take effect.

We saw this from the get go In the 2012 election when the Democratic party got more votes nationally for the US House than did the Republican party, yet the R party increased its existing majority and its complete control over the House.

Neither state courts nor federal courts have changed this fact nor will they change it.

In fact the 5 right wing justices in the Supreme Court who form the majority have dissolved districts that have a majority black population and which elect black Members of Congress, to include the only black justice on the court who some redneck visitors sometimes mistake for a toilet attendant, Clarence Thomas.

The current political disaster occurring in the United States is, more than any other single factor, the direct consequence of Republican party redistricting of the US House by the many Republican officials in more than enough states who did the requisite gerrymandering. Gerrymandering is impossible to prevent, impossible to stop or to reverse by judicial or any processes.

We have a Republican controlled Congress in both the House and the Senate and a Republican controlled Supreme Court. Barack Obama is in fact the last man standing and Republicans are shouting impeachment.

I believe you have exaggerated and embellished a bit. As a recent example in Texas my home state - the latest redistricting when on for two years - in and out of Federal Court ... I fail to see how the Republican Party was able to Gerrymander it ... The Federal Courts are involved all over America in redistricting ... so the Federal Courts are ruling in favor of Republicans all the time -- WOW that would be new....

[LawrenceChee]

The Chinese has a small advantage in the fact that every government. have 10 years and you can have consistency with one party voice ...with a balance on human rights and ability to voice your comments

Never figured you for a troll, but what else is one left to think? Just the latest application of "balanced human rights"

http://www.latimes.com/world/asia/la-fg-china-muslims-20140808-story.html

No trolling it's an expression of thought or are you a true blood donkey and believe only Americans have the right of expression ...tsk tsk tsk sounding like a communist yourself aren't you ?

Edited November 9, 2014 by LawrenceChee

[JDGRUEN]

I read with amusement the comments here on this thread by Non Americans. While you certainly have a right to post here - most of the posts by non Americans show a naivety likely seeded by Liberal - Leftist propaganda.

American government has only recently been dominated by Liberals who are now controlled by Leftists who wish for socialism.

We pushed back in 2010 and took the U.S. House of Representatives away from the Democrats turned from liberal to leftists. We just did it again more significantly - taking control of the U.S. Senate back from what has become hard core Leftist Control ...

Now conservatives and moderates control both Houses of Congress - both Houses of Legislation. This will take a huge amount of power away from obama and keep him from further damaging America - except by his threats to proceed with unconstitutional Executive Fiat to dictatorially declare things.

I am sure you have seen posts by Americans and other Westerners on TVF making comments about Thai domestic politics, culture and customs ... And far too often they make fools of themselves... It is up to you to make foolish comments about America if you are not an American.

America is a very nationalistic country - always has been. Leftist do not like that ... it is some flaw in the genes I believe. And if you come from a leftist dominated country of communist socialist country ... you life experience lends you little by which to evaluate Americans and their wide degree of political viewpoints. Our Constitution and Bill of Rights grant us Rights and Privileges, Freedoms and Liberties. I bet some of you don't know that the American government is responsible to the American people - not the other way round.

Conservatives and moderates in America are not the Extreme Right wingers that Leftists scream about ... we are only on an opposite position because Liberals in America have moved so far left as to be falling off the Leftist cliff -- it is a matter of perspective. Leftists are the most numbered extremest in America.

Never the less... if you haven't spent many many years living in America -- you are flatly just not knowledgeable enough or experienced enough with the core of the American experience to make any accurate comment. But comment please - it is amusing.

If the situation were reversed I would be very hesitant to comment on your home country's domestic politics - as I would have no experience with it directly ... So it is up to you if you want to post opinions about American politics upon which you have no experience ... you are welcome to seen as naive and underexposed.

[JDGRUEN]

Obama is playing with matches

The voters delivered a clear repudiation of the Obama presidency and his quest to remake America. Amazingly, the tone deaf President did not admit his role in the Democratic Party defeats. At a Wednesday news conference, the President refused to acknowledge the message from the voters and continued to admit that executive amnesty was on the horizon for millions of illegal immigrants.

http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/67398

[Publicus]

Gerrymandering is not some deep dark secret about American politics or government nor is it a practice that can be plausibly denied. Everyone learns about gerrymandering in US History class, it's roots go back to the Founders of the new Republic, it's practiced routinely and discussed openly.

The fact is Republicans elected throughout the country in the 2010 election had significant control over the reforming of US House constituencies and redistricted to favor Republicans running for the House. That is how the R party kept its House majority control in the 2012 election and again this year, in 2014.

The current gerrymandering that enabled Republican control of the House will hold until the next constitutionally mandated redistricting takes effect in 2022.

Republicans themselves say this. It is just that this gerrymander by tea party Republicans across the country is particularly egregious....

GOP Memo: Gerrymandering Won Us The House Majority

Call it a gaffe: a slip-up that accidentally reveals the truth.

A recent memo by the Republican State Leadership Committee emphasizes the party's 2010 victories in state legislatures as central to the House GOP retaining its majority in the 2012 elections.

The reason? Redistricting -- or more precisely, gerrymandering.

"The rationale was straightforward," reads the memo. "Controlling the redistricting process in these states would have the greatest impact on determining how both state legislative and congressional district boundaries would be drawn. Drawing new district lines in states with the most redistricting activity presented the opportunity to solidify conservative policymaking at the state level and maintain a Republican stronghold in the U.S. House of Representatives for the next decade."

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/gop-memo-gerrymandering-won-us-the-house-majority

The Great Gerrymander of 2012

HAVING the first modern democracy comes with bugs. Normally we would expect more seats in Congress to go to the political party that receives more votes, but the last election confounded expectations. Democrats received 1.4 million more votes for the House of Representatives, yet Republicans won control of the House by a 234 to 201 margin. This is only the second such reversal since World War II.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/03/opinion/sunday/the-great-gerrymander-of-2012.html?pagewanted=all

Republicans Foil What Majority Wants by Gerrymandering

Michigan’s 14th congressional district looks like a jagged letter ’S’ lying on its side.

It’s a prime reason Democrats fell 17 seats short of winning a House majority in 2012, even as their congressional candidates drew about 1.4 million more votes than Republicans nationwide, according to data compiled by Bloomberg News. And it will hinder the Democrats from regaining control of the chamber in 2014. Currently, there are 232 Republicans and 200 Democrats in the House, with three vacancies.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-18/republicans-foil-what-most-u-s-wants-with-gerrymandering.html

America’s most gerrymandered congressional districts

This election year we can expect to hear a lot about Congressional district gerrymandering, which is when political parties redraw district boundaries to give themselves an electoral advantage.

Gerrymandering is at least partly to blame for the lopsided Republican representation in the House. According to an analysis I did last year, the Democrats are under-represented by about 18 seats in the House, relative to their vote share in the 2012 election. The way Republicans pulled that off was to draw some really, really funky-looking Congressional districts.

Contrary to one popular misconception about the practice, the point of gerrymandering isn't to draw yourself a collection of overwhelmingly safe seats.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2014/05/15/americas-most-gerrymandered-congressional-districts/

Graphic production by Jaeah Lee

[JDGRUEN]

The volume, depth, total length of posts in meters of length are believed by some to make posts believable as truthful. But all it does is take up room and be seen as an annoyance by others. Web links are made for long detailed posts with graphic... Boring ... Oh yes saying the same thing 10 times is supposed to make it more valid too. Like hitting a nail 20 more times than is needed.

Okay okay okay okay --- I yield - I yield... Republicans made every redistricting map in America for the last 100 years and the Democrats, Democrat Controlled State Legislatures, Democrat State and Federal Judges had nothing to do with it, And Democrat Appointed State and Federal Judges never had anything to do with it.,... It was Bush's fault -- he did it... Okay... Enough of the eyesore post --- okay... ???

[NeverSure]

Gerrymandering is not some deep dark secret about American politics or government nor is it a practice that can be plausibly denied. Everyone learns about gerrymandering in US History class, it's roots go back to the Founders of the new Republic, it's practiced routinely and discussed openly.

The fact is Republicans elected throughout the country in the 2010 election had significant control over the reforming of US House constituencies and redistricted to favor Republicans running for the House. That is how the R party kept its House majority control in the 2012 election and again this year, in 2014.

The current gerrymandering that enabled Republican control of the House will hold until the next constitutionally mandated redistricting takes effect in 2022.

Republicans themselves say this. It is just that this gerrymander by tea party Republicans across the country is particularly egregious....

GOP Memo: Gerrymandering Won Us The House Majority

Call it a gaffe: a slip-up that accidentally reveals the truth.

A recent memo by the Republican State Leadership Committee emphasizes the party's 2010 victories in state legislatures as central to the House GOP retaining its majority in the 2012 elections.

The reason? Redistricting -- or more precisely, gerrymandering.

"The rationale was straightforward," reads the memo. "Controlling the redistricting process in these states would have the greatest impact on determining how both state legislative and congressional district boundaries would be drawn. Drawing new district lines in states with the most redistricting activity presented the opportunity to solidify conservative policymaking at the state level and maintain a Republican stronghold in the U.S. House of Representatives for the next decade."

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/gop-memo-gerrymandering-won-us-the-house-majority

The Great Gerrymander of 2012

HAVING the first modern democracy comes with bugs. Normally we would expect more seats in Congress to go to the political party that receives more votes, but the last election confounded expectations. Democrats received 1.4 million more votes for the House of Representatives, yet Republicans won control of the House by a 234 to 201 margin. This is only the second such reversal since World War II.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/03/opinion/sunday/the-great-gerrymander-of-2012.html?pagewanted=all

Republicans Foil What Majority Wants by Gerrymandering

Michigan’s 14th congressional district looks like a jagged letter ’S’ lying on its side.

It’s a prime reason Democrats fell 17 seats short of winning a House majority in 2012, even as their congressional candidates drew about 1.4 million more votes than Republicans nationwide, according to data compiled by Bloomberg News. And it will hinder the Democrats from regaining control of the chamber in 2014. Currently, there are 232 Republicans and 200 Democrats in the House, with three vacancies.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-18/republicans-foil-what-most-u-s-wants-with-gerrymandering.html

America’s most gerrymandered congressional districts

This election year we can expect to hear a lot about Congressional district gerrymandering, which is when political parties redraw district boundaries to give themselves an electoral advantage.

Gerrymandering is at least partly to blame for the lopsided Republican representation in the House. According to an analysis I did last year, the Democrats are under-represented by about 18 seats in the House, relative to their vote share in the 2012 election. The way Republicans pulled that off was to draw some really, really funky-looking Congressional districts.

Contrary to one popular misconception about the practice, the point of gerrymandering isn't to draw yourself a collection of overwhelmingly safe seats.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2014/05/15/americas-most-gerrymandered-congressional-districts/

Graphic production by Jaeah Lee

I hope you know that you can use CTRL + C to copy, and CTRL + V to paste. CTRL + X will cut. It will save you a lot of time.

[Chicog]

The volume, depth, total length of posts in meters of length are believed by some to make posts believable as truthful. But all it does is take up room and be seen as an annoyance by others. Web links are made for long detailed posts with graphic... Boring ... Oh yes saying the same thing 10 times is supposed to make it more valid too. Like hitting a nail 20 more times than is needed.

Okay okay okay okay --- I yield - I yield... Republicans made every redistricting map in America for the last 100 years and the Democrats, Democrat Controlled State Legislatures, Democrat State and Federal Judges had nothing to do with it, And Democrat Appointed State and Federal Judges never had anything to do with it.,... It was Bush's fault -- he did it... Okay... Enough of the eyesore post --- okay... ???

So do you have some evidence that contradicts his post(s)? Because all you really say here is that you don't like the fact that his post was so long.

[JDGRUEN]

obama cannot stand the heat so he has to get out of the Kitchen for a Long Time ...

To be expected - a LONG ASIAN TRIP ... I hope he avoids Thailand ...

http://www.nationaljournal.com/white-house/stung-at-home-obama-embarks-on-his-longest-foreign-trip-20141109

[samran]

The avowed anti socialists might as well start by cutting the two socialist policies on the governments books - social security and medicare. Privatise the both of them and let's see how quickly the market rushes to provide them with a guaranteed return and a low premium for their health insurance.

Here's a link proving the worth of individual retirement accounts versus social security. Sadly the practice is no longer acceptable to the federal government. They can't get their hands on our money.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/merrillmatthews/2011/05/12/how-three-texas-counties-created-personal-social-security-accounts-and-prospered/

Australia has mandated a similar programme, it is called compulsory superannuation. 9.5% employer contribution rising to 12% in coming years. Personalised accounts. You can control the investment profile via a manager or manage it yourself. Will take another half generation to wean people off the traditional pension or what you call SS.

Has created the 4th largest pool of funds under management globally. Not bad for a country of 22 million. Will decrease the federal governments need for spending in decades to come. A win win for everyone.

The irony of all this is that it was the unions and the labor party who instituted the policy, while the conservatives kicked and screamed and ( still) do anything to undermine it...

whacky oz politics for you.

Edited November 9, 2014 by samran

[chuckd]

The US should do this for everybody in the work force under a certain age, 30-25 older or younger.

They won't do it because, since the LBJ years, all social security funds from both employees and employers go into the general fund where it is spent on government costs (in other words...wasted).

I'm sure those folks in the three Texas counties are happy with the results.

[bkkcanuck8]

The avowed anti socialists might as well start by cutting the two socialist policies on the governments books - social security and medicare. Privatise the both of them and let's see how quickly the market rushes to provide them with a guaranteed return and a low premium for their health insurance.

Here's a link proving the worth of individual retirement accounts versus social security. Sadly the practice is no longer acceptable to the federal government. They can't get their hands on our money.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/merrillmatthews/2011/05/12/how-three-texas-counties-created-personal-social-security-accounts-and-prospered/

Australia has mandated a similar programme, it is called compulsory superannuation. 9.5% employer contribution rising to 12% in coming years. Personalised accounts. You can control the investment profile via a manager or manage it yourself. Will take another half generation to wean people off the traditional pension or what you call SS.

Has created the 4th largest pool of funds under management globally. Not bad for a country of 22 million. Will decrease the federal governments need for spending in decades to come. A win win for everyone.

The irony of all this is that it was the unions and the labor party who instituted the policy, while the conservatives kicked and screamed and ( still) do anything to undermine it...

whacky oz politics for you.

I believe Singapore has a similar system where the employee is mandated to put 20% into an account, and the employer puts in 13% of the salary for a total of around 33% per year. There are rules on how much and what you can invest in (so that it is not used for day-trading). This pool is used for retirement, for purchasing catastrophic health-care insurance, and probably for minor health care requirements (don't know all the details). Anything not used at time of retirement is for retirement. It is a system that is designed to protect the government and other citizens from having to take care of indigents etc. A fairly simple system to bring together many needs.

[LawrenceChee]

The avowed anti socialists might as well start by cutting the two socialist policies on the governments books - social security and medicare. Privatise the both of them and let's see how quickly the market rushes to provide them with a guaranteed return and a low premium for their health insurance.

Here's a link proving the worth of individual retirement accounts versus social security. Sadly the practice is no longer acceptable to the federal government. They can't get their hands on our money.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/merrillmatthews/2011/05/12/how-three-texas-counties-created-personal-social-security-accounts-and-prospered/

Australia has mandated a similar programme, it is called compulsory superannuation. 9.5% employer contribution rising to 12% in coming years. Personalised accounts. You can control the investment profile via a manager or manage it yourself. Will take another half generation to wean people off the traditional pension or what you call SS.

Has created the 4th largest pool of funds under management globally. Not bad for a country of 22 million. Will decrease the federal governments need for spending in decades to come. A win win for everyone.

The irony of all this is that it was the unions and the labor party who instituted the policy, while the conservatives kicked and screamed and ( still) do anything to undermine it...

whacky oz politics for you.

I believe Singapore has a similar system where the employee is mandated to put 20% into an account, and the employer puts in 13% of the salary for a total of around 33% per year. There are rules on how much and what you can invest in (so that it is not used for day-trading). This pool is used for retirement, for purchasing catastrophic health-care insurance, and probably for minor health care requirements (don't know all the details). Anything not used at time of retirement is for retirement. It is a system that is designed to protect the government and other citizens from having to take care of indigents etc. A fairly simple system to bring together many needs.

It's a good system in general however some recent policy changes have made it slightly ineffective and causing a bit of angst among Singaporeans

There are now higher minimum sums (160k) when you turn 55 and some key dates when you can or cannot withdraw the sums and mandatory annuities depending on whether u meet that minimum that has risen from 90k to 160k

Edited November 10, 2014 by LawrenceChee

[Scott]

An off-topic post has been removed. The thread is about the US mid-term elections.

[landslide]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

So the republicans won the senate.

We know they are against everything Obama has ever spoken or done.

But what are they FOR?

They ran a very negative campaign all about hating Obama.

But what are they FOR?

Now they control congress and the senate.

They are supposed to GOVERN NOW and present bills to Obama that he will be ABLE to sign.

Will they?

Of course they won't!

What are they for you say, well there are 458 bills that have passed the House of Representatives that are currently in Harry Reids drawer as he refuses to even allow them to be voted on by the U.S. Senate! Everyone in D.C. knows who the real obstructionist is, and that person is the one and only soon to be Senate majority leader nor more "hypocrite" Harry Reid I call Sen. Reid a hypocrite out of affection, I have known Harry for nearly 30 years and he was just as bad a hypocrite back then. If you ever get the chance to watch the movie "Casino" with Robert De Niro, pay careful attention to the character played by Dick Smothers, it is Harry Reid when he was the gaming control board chairman. I saw the movie at a local theater in Vegas when it opened and virtually everyone started laughing and chanting almost in unison " thats Harry" in the scene where De Niro's character shows up Dick Smothers character for being a liar and a POS in the hearing room, it's sad that outside of Vegas or Nevada no one realizes that this character is based on Harry Reid Getting back to "what are the Republicans for", do you want the list alphabetically or numerically either way it is a long list, but here are a few of the highlights- A balanced budget ammendment- a cohesive and complete energy policy- a comprehensive immigration policy that includes securing the border- an overhaul of the current tax system to encourage savings and investment and the creation of new good paying jobs- shrinking of the Federal government and the overreach of current regulatory policy and at the same time giving the States back their rights- and of course getting rid of Obamacare piece by piece- and that's likely just the first months agenda. I suggest that you do some due dilligence and educate yourself instead of listening to the far left wing drivel on MSNBC or NPR radio.

An excellent and concise analysis. I am not from Las Vegas, but was well aware of Smother's character being based on good old Dingy Harry.

[JDGRUEN]

54 Republican Senators Now ... 46 Democrat Senators .... and Republicans and the Conservative Core are still surging ...

A 7 Million member strong Facebook following led by Brent Bozell has turned American Conservatives into a force to be dealt with... In recent weeks this Political Activists Group has bonded together and managed to shut down the White House Telephone System... Also - just before the November Elections -- they mounted a campaign to bring Senator McConnell in line on obamacare... This is the Conservative action group that will continue the mid-term election surge -- police the RINOs and expose the corruption of the Democrats... And it is likely to grow to 2 even 3 times its current size... How does 21 million Conservative Americans sound as a Political Force?

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