Okay guys, They Think I’ts Over. They Won!

(11 am. – promoted by ek hornbeck)

I’ve been watching a lot of television lately, since I twisted my ankle and am trying to stay off my feet.  

And I see and hear a pretty clear thread:  It’s just a matter of how we cut and “finesse” SS and Medicare.  It’s in the works.

Here’s an example.  This morning, on Morning Joe, Candidate Toomey was being interviewed.  BTW, shortly before his appearance, Mika said something to the effect, “…or Sestak is crazy and just lied.”  And someone picked that up — using Sestak is crazy as an opening to another thought but repeating the words.  Okay, it’s out there now dancing it’s way onto Dancing with the Stars. Joe Sestak may be crazy.

But then Toomey comes on – and I liked him on surface.  He’s smart, quick and seems reasonable.  I have no clue about him but will research him.   But he’s smooth.

Joe brings up the demise of Europe and how they have to cut social programs. Now we have to get serious here.  This is the We Are Greece meme sung to the Coke theme song – inspiring.  We have to cut Medicare and SS, of course – agreed to by the panelists I assume so since no one said a word.  Toomey’s take on raising the age to 70 (yes, 70) Well, it depends on what they do.  Here’s the thing:  I’ve been 30, 40, 50 and I’ve been 70.  There’s a difference. No way could I have done in my middle and late 60s what I did in my 50’s for instance.  And I worked for a law firm – in an office with a bunch of desperately ambitious 25 year old lawyers (get the picture).  But I also heard 70 on CNBC and CNN – so that’s the age apparently in vogue.  Joe was very relaxed while interviewing – laid back and, of course, Mika’s dress was pretty and expensive.  No one at the table was over say 50.  And I assume (but I don’t know) Joe has a pension from the Federal Government; he was a representative, no?  What about means testing? says Joe.  Well, Toomey hesitated for a split second – he is a candidate after all.  His answer:  “Everything is on the table.”  Or of course he may have hesitated because he forgot what he is supposed to push – “everything is on the table.”  Except, defense, federal pensions, county pensions, wars, wars, and wars.  Plus no oversight by the government causes huge spending – witness BP.  No one said a word – It was accepted – just a matter of time.  If they do means testing – it’s surely over for the next several generations.  But that’s just me talking and I’m not wearing a pretty dress here at the computer – I’m wearing a t-shirt and pair of pink shorts.  Let’s say I wouldn’t go outside even in the garden in the get up.  What I am saying if a bunch of smooth talking, well dressed people sit around a table and confidently talk about something – it does pick up some credibility.  And we are smothered by confident, well dressed commentators on tv who are picking up the same words again and again.

Those words:  We can’t afford.  Our grandchildren will be paying the bill.  Means Testing.  Age 70.  Private investment (yah uh – I kid you not).  Europe, Europe, Greece, Greece, England.  Europe finally realizes it has to cut social programs.  The dole is over in England.  People have to make sacrifices and the ubiquitous:  Everything is on the table, (except defense, drones, war,  What we don’t hear – taxes on highest earners, jobs programs which would go a long way toward securing SS even further, and national healthcare which would “fix” Medicare.  What is carried interest anyway?  Peter Peterson knows.  And as Joe said:  Yeah, most young people are libertarian now – no Dem or Republican affiliation.  Here’s the thing:  young people get sick, get old, need help. As to the Dem/Rep thing:  I could care less – I want fair, good legislators, that’s all.

We are told and I believe it – don’t be emotional about SS and medicare – doesn’t work.  Don’t bring up the suffering which will hit our older population – though I like Hamsher’s “Catfood Commission.”  Just bring up the facts.  Hello! Hello!  We have to study economics – I haven’t had an Econ class for years but I am reading like mad.  Read Bruce Webb at Angry Bear, Read billyblog – Bill Mitchell in Australia, read Dean Baker, read Jamie Galbraith especially.  (Paul Krugman seems subdued these days???) We have to understand how we’re being shafted.  Hell, if your Community college nearby has a class in Econ 101 – take it.  Do not – I repeat do not trust Obama or the Senate to protect us.  These people on TV are giving the show away – they believe now is the time.  They can finally do it and they are getting their cues from their bosses in the corporate world.  And it’s a global corporate world, ladies and gentlemen – not an American one – there’s is not one scintilla of American sensibility here – give it up.  We are at the mercy of global corporate raiders – the ones who send children to the diamond mines in Africa – who prostitute children everywhere – who want to overturn child labor laws wherever and whenever.  The ones who have just destroyed one of America’s ecosystems – d.e.s.t.r.o.y.e.d.  These corporate people don’t care about you, your parents, your grandparents or our own children and grandchildren (they are at risk tho they may not realize it.)  And neither my dears, does the media.  Repeat:  Neither does the conventional Media.  

If you can stand it – you might want to read or see the interview of Robert Reich by Larry Kudlow.  Reich pretty much loses it and Kudlow is Kudlow – no hope for him but he does have a tv show so there’s that.  And he wears exquisite suits and shirts/ties.