TresSugar

US Youth More Confident in Social Security - Are You?

LibertySugar — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:01:29 -0800

Thirty-six percent of young American voters are at least somewhat confident in the US Social Security system, according to a new poll. While almost two-thirds of voters 29-years-old and younger do not have much hope for the taxpayer funded retirement system, the newest numbers show a rise in confidence. Less than a month ago, only 19 percent of voters in the same demographic were at least somewhat confident.

Right now, employees pay a 6.2 percent tax on their earnings of up to $102,000, while employers pay an additional 6.2 percent. Barack Obama wants to extend the tax to earnings above $250,000, still leaving earnings from $102,000 - $250,000 untaxed. Perhaps his plan to increase the Social Security tax on higher income has some voters more confident in the system's survival. Do you think Social Security will be around in one form or another when you retire?

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Front Page: Joe the Plumber Speaks, Social Security Benefits to Rise, EU Firm on Climate Goals

CitizenSugar — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 07:00:42 -0700

Joe the Plumber Speaks:
After being the star of last night's debate, mentioned conservatively a dozen times, "Joe the Plumber" has come forward. His name is Joe Wurzelbacher, an Ohio man who wants to buy a plumbing business. He had spoken with Obama in Toledo this week, and told him his tax plan would prevent him from buying the business. He said of being the example of the night, "It's pretty surreal, man, my name being mentioned in a presidential campaign." He won't say who he's voting for - if he's registered - "That's for me and a button to know."

Social Security Benefits to Rise:
Social Security benefits will go up 5.8 percent for 50 million people next year. It's the largest pay rise in more than a quarter of a century. The increase will begin in January and will mean $63 extra per month for the average retiree. The raise is double increase from January this year.

EU Firm on Climate Goals:
European Union leaders are resolved to meet their targets and timetable for addressing climate change, despite objections from some countries. Worries that given the global economic situation cutting greenhouse gas emissions will be too costly has caused some countries to threaten to block the plan. French President Sarkozy says, "The climate package is so important that we cannot simply drop it, under the pretext of a financial crisis."

Should the US Privatize Social Security?

LibertySugar — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 10:00:51 -0700

Despite crisis on Wall Street and a massive $1 trillion government bailout of private financial institutions, John McCain still has faith in partially privatized Social Security, which he unsuccessfully has voted for three times in his career. McCain believes that fixing Social Security without raising taxes requires supplementing the current system with personal accounts.

This week, McCain aides explained that McCain still supports putting a portion of Social Security in the market. But they also noted that he favors tapping only a portion of Social Security funds, and creating private accounts for younger workers to invest portions of their payroll taxes in conservative investments.

As for Obama, he plans on bringing the program back into the black by asking those making over $250,000 to contribute two to four percent (combined employer and employee contribution) more. Obama opposes privatized accounts, saying they would be a precursor to eliminating the entitlement program. What do you think is the best way to keep our promise to seniors?

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Caring About Social Security, Not Wasted on the Young

LibertySugar — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 13:00:03 -0700

Think you don't have to worry about Social Security until you have one of those license plate thingies that says, "My Other Car Is a Golf Cart?" Not so according to Students For Saving Social Security. They're on a mission to make young people care about retirement, or at least their paychecks. Although nonpartisan, the grassroots group of college students, advocates a typically conservative solution - private ownership of Social Security accounts.

The "S4" website explains: "our very first paychecks will be taxed from a system that cannot fulfill its promises to us." These students believe it is unacceptable that politicians ignore the opinions and welfare of young Americans when discussing Social Security reform. To see what the recommend, read more.

The students want the government to give young people ownership of their money, by allowing Americans to decide for themselves how to invest their Social Security funds. But, what if they invest poorly? Will they be out of luck with no retirement funds? Perhaps the next generation of Americans will be out of luck anyways, as the system is headed for bankruptcy.

Today, the government's yearly assessment of Social Security determined that resources will be depleted by 2041 and that the Medicare trust fund, which pays for hospital benefits, will be empty by 2019. Do you have any expectation of receiving Social Security income when you retire?

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When Married Isn't Married: Rights Denied to Gay Spouses

TresSugar — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 08:30:00 -0700

Hey there, same-sex married couples in Vermont, Iowa, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. So you think you finally got equal rights now that gay marriage is legalized? Think again! Sadly these giant steps toward equality don't go all the way.

Same-sex couples are denied benefits granted to other legally married couples. While gay couples in most US states still have to fight for marriage, once they succeed, the journey is not over. Among the benefits denied to legally married same-sex couples:

Immigration rights: Legally married same-sex couples do not have a right to sponsor their foreign spouses for green cards.
Tax breaks: When filing tax returns, couples cannot check "married filed jointly." This can cost them thousands of dollars each year.
Social Security, Medicaid, veteran, and other federal benefits: The federal Defense of Marriage Act denies same-sex spouses these rights. For example, heterosexual spouses receive Social Security payments upon the death of a spouse.
Family and medical leave: Same-sex spouses are not granted up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave from work to care for a seriously ill spouse.
Retirement: Same-sex couples cannot inherit 401(k)s and other property without a will.

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Michelle Visits Homeland Security, Which Has Its Eye on Right-Wing Radicals

CitizenSugar — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 12:00:33 -0700

First Lady Michelle Obama made a stop at the Department of Homeland Security today to thank federal workers there for all the hard work.

So what have Secretary Janet Napolitano and DHS been up to these days? Well, the Department just warned law enforcement officials about a rise in "right-wing extremist activity." The recession, the election of a black president, and the return of disgruntled war veterans could cause a rise in influence for white-power militias.

The DHS report explains it's not just about race: "It may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single-issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration."

Hmm . . . what about opposition to taxes? One neo-Nazi message board claims that the tea party movement is the "white revolution we've been waiting for," since (according to them) it's the whites who are taxed to support worthless social programs.

Let's hope Homeland Security protects Americans from radical criminals, while peaceful protectors are allowed to exercise their rights!

View 5 Photos ›

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Front Page: House Passes 90 Percent Tax on Bonuses

CitizenSugar — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 07:51:15 -0700

The House has passed a bill that would levy a 90 percent tax on bonuses going to employees at bailed out companies. The Senate will vote next week on the bill. - Bloomberg
Employees at AIG have hired security, as many fear for their safety. - New York Times
President Obama has apologized for comparing his bowling skills to the Special Olympics last night on the Tonight Show. - ABC News
Gov. Sarah Palin plans to reject over 30 percent of the stimulus money intended for schools, energy assistance, and social services in Alaska. - Anchorage Daily News
School officials at a Texas high school regularly orchestrated cage fights among students between 2003 and 2005, but cannot be charged due to the statute of limitations. - Dallas Morning News

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Congress Reaches Stimulus Deal: Here Are the Details

CitizenSugar — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 14:30:20 -0800

Congress is no longer a house divided . . . for now. This afternoon the House and Senate tentatively reconciled their stimulus packages - and they managed to cut the bill by billions, settling on a grand total of $789 billion.

So what's in and what's out?

The bill includes $150 billion in spending on infrastructure.
An estimated 35 percent will go to pure tax cuts.
The compromise threw out $35 billion from a proposed state fiscal stabilization fund, and eliminated $16 billion in aid for school construction.
The bill preserves a tax break for millions of lower and middle income taxpayers, including those who don't earn enough to pay income taxes.
The House kept its 65 percent subsidy to help laid-off workers meet COBRA payments to maintain health insurance. The Senate had wanted a 50 percent subsidy.
Tax incentives for home and car buyers were significantly cut.
Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, and veterans' pension recipients will get a one-time payment, less than the $300 originally proposed by the Senate.

All the details have yet to emerge and some Democrats (and almost every Republican) aren't happy with the final version. Even so, leaders say the compromise bill will create or save 3.5 million jobs. Are you happy lawmakers made a deal?

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Tax Season Reminds Gay Couples That They Lack Rights

LibertySugar — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 15:00:45 -0800

Married same-sex couples in Massachusetts live in a state that recognizes their unions. But in the eyes of the US government, they're still bachelors, or bachelorettes.

Mary Ritchie and her spouse Kathleen Bush have been legally married for five years. They have two children and Mary is a state police trooper. But there's one thing that makes this typical family different: when they file tax returns this year, they cannot check "married filing jointly." Mary and Kathleen say this detail has cost them almost $15,000 in taxes.

Now Mary and Kathleen are joining a dozen other couples to sue the federal government, challenging part of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). The part in question prevents the federal government from awarding Social Security and other benefits to same-sex couples, regardless of their marriage status in home states.

The couples aren't just arguing fairness. They say DOMA violates the state's right to regulate marriage.

Do you think they should win?

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Voters in Swing States Removed From Rolls Illegally

CitizenSugar — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 08:45:49 -0700

Since voting is already under way in Ohio, this Times investigation of voters being removed from the rolls in violation of federal law is troubling to say the least. At least six swing states appear to have illegally removed voters, ironically while these states were trying to comply with the 2002 Help America Vote Act intended to, um, help America vote.

Just how the states have deviated from the law varies: in Colorado and Michigan they're removing voters less than 90 days out from an election (not OK except in cases of death); Indiana, Nevada, North Carolina, and Ohio seem to be misusing Social Security data to verify voter registration (as illustrated in this graphic); and three other states have troubling use of the data as well. Under federal law, using Social Security data to verify voter registration is to be an absolute last resort as federal databases are less reliable than state.

To see what the investigation found, read more.

The Times found that, for instance, Nevada used the Social Security database more than 740,000 times to check voter files and found 715,000 nonmatches. Though the irregularities don't appear to be partisan, due to aggressive voter drives by the Obama campaign, those voters could be disproportionately affected.

With episodes of voter fraud already surfacing, and questions as whether foreclosure or mental illness affects voting status, does this new information indicate serious problems with our voting system? Do you anticipate big problems at the polls next month, or are these isolated incidents?

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