NeoConMan Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Another story from the Left-leaning Alice-In-Wonderland mass media. USA TODAY is my favorite for these types of stories because they rarely even bother with real news. When they do and it actually paints a less than flattering picture of the Liberal/Socialist crusades we face - that's news! Benefit spending soars to new high USA TODAY The recession is driving the safety net of government benefits to a historic high, as one of every six dollars of Americans' income is now coming in the form of a federal or state check or voucher. Benefits, such as Social Security, food stamps, unemployment insurance and health care, accounted for 16.2% of personal income in the first quarter of 2009, the Bureau of Economic Analysis reports. That's the highest percentage since the government began compiling records in 1929. In all, government spending on benefits will top $2 trillion in 2009 — an average of $17,000 provided to each U.S. household, federal data show. Benefits rose at a 19% annual rate in the first quarter compared to the last three months of 2008. The recession caused about half of the increase, according to the report. Unemployment insurance nearly tripled in the past year. The other half is the result of policies enacted during President George W. Bush's first term. Following the 2001 recession — when costs normally decline — social spending soared to pay for the Medicare drug benefit, expanded health care for children and greater use of food stamps. (Bush shot himself in the foot in these two areas - asinine social spending and the Mexican border. I've been saying it for 6 years.) The safety net is working, advocates say. "We're not seeing the hunger we saw in the 1930s because the food stamp program is doing what it's supposed to do," says Florida food stamp director Jennifer Lange. What's driving the $209 billion increase in benefit costs from a year ago: •Unemployment insurance. One-fourth of the extra spending covers jobless benefits, a program started in the Depression. The stimulus law, passed in February, increased benefits. • Social Security. The bad economy has prompted a 10%-15% jump in early retirements, the program's actuary says. A 5.8% increase took effect January 1. Bottom line: $55 billion in new costs. • Food stamps. Enrollment hit a record 33.2 million people in March, up 5.2 million from last year. The stimulus law boosted the size of the benefit. Average March benefit: $114 per person. "The increase in social spending is still relatively modest given the severity of the downturn," says economist Dean Baker of the liberal Center for Economic and Policy Research. "We're not France." Adam Lerrick, economist at the conservative American Enterprise Institute, says the benefits' explosion will eventually lead to an economic crisis. "We've seen this movie before in many countries. It always has the same ending," he says. Democrats take heed: Tax & Spend looks a lot like this.... I didn't coin the phrase, it's been around for decades because Democrats never seem to learn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoyt Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 What is your point? Or are you just trying to blame the needy (many of whom are victims of bush's war of mass deception and economic policies) for one less nickel in your pocket? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swmcv2007 Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 What is your point? His point is to wank himself off on a forum with his posts. He's our very own Political Troll. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wicked1 Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 What is your point? Or are you just trying to blame the needy (many of whom are victims of bush's war of mass deception and economic policies) for one less nickel in your pocket? You forgot about those of us who file bankruptcy because of medical bills (which is the #1 cause of bankruptcy in the U.S.) And knowing how hospitals figure out how much "charity" they've given each year only increases my belief that insurance companies are the cause of most of the problems in our system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoyt Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 You forgot about those of us who file bankruptcy because of medical bills (which is the #1 cause of bankruptcy in the U.S.) And knowing how hospitals figure out how much "charity" they've given each year only increases my belief that insurance companies are the cause of most of the problems in our system. Good point. The right wingers don't want to change the system -- they've got theirs, so the heck with anyone else. bush could have done something, but didn't. I hope Obama does something soon on this issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tulsaslim Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 There he goes again blaming the 'liberals' for stuff that happened because the 'king of the neo-cons', George W. Bush, ran this country into the ground. Amazing. Just amazing how these neo-cons try to re-write history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wicked1 Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Good point. The right wingers don't want to change the system -- they've got theirs' date=' so the heck with anyone else. bush could have done something, but didn't. I hope Obama does something soon on this issue.[/quote'] Why change it when it's making you money? When you can take your employees salary as a "deduction" and show that you're non-profit, why would you want to actually take charity cases? I knew several ambulance drivers in my home state who talked about how they would have to pick up the destitute or uninsured and would then *drive by* the Catholic-owned hospital to bring them to a different place that would actually *care* for them instead of looking at them and turning them back out on the street. (BTW, an ambulance is *supposed* to take you to the closest hospital, not the closest that will treat you like a human being). It's those of us "grunts" in health care who understand what's really *wrong* with the system. And even in conservative Indiana, I've met very few who didn't think easier access to care was a good idea. It's easy to sit back and say people don't deserve free health care. It's quite another to have to look somebody in the face and say, "We can't do this test you need because your insurance won't cover it." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeoConMan Posted June 9, 2009 Author Share Posted June 9, 2009 That story is from the USA TODAY! Mainstream media! The accepted standard for "news" even in the most Liberal Left circles. Every one of you missed the point completely. This is the same as Hoyt speaking out against the Obummer spending policies and telling Wicked1 to stick it..... Benefit spending soars to new high......... safety net of government benefits to a historic high..... one of every six dollars of Americans' income is now coming in the form of a federal or state check or voucher..... Benefits accounted for 16.2% of personal income in the first quarter of 2009..... the highest percentage since the government began compiling records in 1929........ government spending on benefits will top $2 trillion in 2009.... average of $17,000 provided to each U.S. household...... Benefits rose at a 19% annual rate in the first quarter...... Unemployment insurance nearly tripled in the past year...... Following the 2001 recession social spending soared to pay for the Medicare drug benefit, expanded health care for children and greater use of food stamps. The safety net is working, advocates say. Isn't this GREAT? So why aren't you pudding-brained Lefties happy yet? We're doing the right thing, eh? Still you wanna fling sh!t at me and contrive some sort of witty insults to put me in my place.... LOOK AT ALL THE MONEY BEING THROWN FROM HELICOPTERS AND ROOFTOPS NATIONWIDE!!!!!! Isn't this what will fix everything? Isn't this what you want? We're not seeing the hunger we saw in the 1930s..... the food stamp program is doing what it's supposed to do.... One-fourth of the extra spending covers jobless benefits, a program started in the Depression...... The stimulus law, passed in February, increased benefits. Food stamps. Enrollment hit a record 33.2 million people in March, up 5.2 million from last year. The stimulus law boosted the size of the benefit. Average March benefit: $114 per person. We're not France......... Not yet anyway..... Now Europe, Russia and Venezuela are WARNING US about veering too far Left!!!!! HOW MUCH MORE SHOULD WE SPEND HOYT? HOW MUCH DID YOU PAY? (Sorry pal, that's not enough. I want YOU to pay alot more - do your part with YOUR money....) Insult ME and call this spending orgy whatever you want, it's STILL Tax & Spend - and you people are STILL pissed.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Californiaman Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Neo, the article you posted certainly indicates to me there is a problem with government spending and the so-called safety net. However, liberal social democrats are going to use statistics like this to say, "See, it really is working." This is fodder for their campaign for "more social programs" and to keep those that are in place firmly entrenched there. My question is essentially this... how long should someone be allowed to tap into government resources before they are kicked off the dole? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeoConMan Posted June 9, 2009 Author Share Posted June 9, 2009 "See' date=' it really is working.""more social programs" [/quote'] My point exactly. Liberals will NEVER be happy, they will never have enough of other people's money, they will always seek to abridge personal freedom, and always fear that somewhere somebody might be raising children without their influence. It only ends where sane minds force it to end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sliptrip Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 so, Neo, I've been following these @ss parade forums you are starting, and by what I'm reading and observing through what you write and how you react to others, what the HELL do you do with your time during the day besides spend time cutting people's posts apart because they don't agree with you? So, if you're such a NEO-CON, what are you trying to conserve as a new conservative? And, I'm following the posts to observe to see what people have to say about things. that's all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sliptrip Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 so, Neo, I've been following these @ss parade forums you are starting, and by what I'm reading and observing through what you write and how you react to others, what the HELL do you do with your time during the day besides spend time cutting people's posts apart because they don't agree with you? So, if you're such a NEO-CON, what are you trying to conserve as a new conservative? And, I'm following the posts to observe to see what people have to say about things. that's all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeoConMan Posted June 9, 2009 Author Share Posted June 9, 2009 so' date=' Neo, I've been following these @ss parade forums you are starting, [/quote']Learn anything? and by what I'm reading and observing through what you write and how you react to others' date='[/quote']Hey, I gotta be ME.... what the HELL do you do with your time during the day besides spend time cutting people's posts apart because they don't agree with you?Lots actually.Read my signature' date=' and feel free to ask any direct specific questions either here in the open forum or via PM. So' date=' if you're such a NEO-CON, what are you trying to conserve as a new conservative?[/quote']New? Nothing "new" in my agenda.I'm more of an Old School Republican. Reaganesque, traditional Christian conservative for strong defense and tiny government in keeping with our Founders. And' date=' I'm following the posts to observe to see what people have to say about things. that's all. [/quote']Oh, so starting sh!t is NOT your intent, eh? (To wit - "@ss parade forums you are starting") Glad we got THAT cleared up.... :-) With your keen observational skills and perceptive ability, did you notice I started my political threads to balance others? Yeah, I didn't think so..... Read the FIRST POST in this thread again and see if you can offer anything to the discussion - or just keep pissing.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sliptrip Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Actually, I DO have to pee. And, I do enjoy getting under ur skin. It's Fun! Like poking a bear in a trap! WHEE! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeoConMan Posted June 9, 2009 Author Share Posted June 9, 2009 Actually' date=' I DO have to pee. [/quote']Chalfont, PA? You're not in Murtha's congressional district are you? Like poking a bear in a trap! WHEE! Um... I've been called a bear many times in my life in reflection of my size, demeanor, moods, and overall fuzziness. Since I do not know you personally and I'm unaware if we've ever met this raises a question.... Do you mean "bear" in the endearing sense, or have you actually been spying on me? Please understand, I already have another quasi-creepy cyber-stalking Fool nipping at my heels everywhere I go. So when you make mention of "poking" a bear in a trap I pray there's no Freudian sexual urges involved. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sliptrip Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 well, being called a bear is slang for something your conservative, God-fearing @ss would be ashamed of. And no, I don't stalk. That's for weirdos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wicked1 Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 So what except for food stamps and those on Welfare as a life long profession. Unemployment benefits (unless something has changed) is paid mostly by your former employer; thats why if you file and there is a question there is a meeting to determine why your no longer working and who's at fault Social Security I get a computer generated document every year and it tells me how much money I have invested in this program' date=' this is money taken from previous pay checks; its my money Food Stamps, had it not been for this program right after Katrina I would have been royally screwed with no means to purchase food. I was on that program almost 3 months. So except for those who love to not work, I see no issues at all, its my right as a worker[/quote'] =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> Seems some people around here bought into Reagan's image of the "welfare queen" and think she's still a huge part of our society. Take a look in NY where they lie to applicants about where to file their paperwork and make them spend all day running back & forth across town so they can do their "welfare to work" program. They work hard to make sure "your" money isn't funding anyone who might need help. What is *wrong* with investing in the welfare of U.S. children? I've heard plenty of people say, "Why did you adopt from Vietnam when there are so many needy kids in the U.S.?" Those same people usually don't want to provide food or healthcare to those same needy kids. It's real easy to justify an anti-abortion, anti-welfare, anti-whatever claim when you are sitting back and doing nothing. When it comes down to spending their money, you realize how fracking selfish they are. They don't actually have any desire to help anybody. If you're born into poverty, it must be your own fault. And we wonder why our school kids aren't competitive worldwide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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