Bush and the Destruction of Social Security

We can make two statements about social security:

1. If the economy grows fast enough over the next 75 years to satisfy the projections that privitized accounts will grow enough to replace the social security reductions, then the wage earners will have quite enough to pay the current rate and keep social security solvent. This means Bush's claim of imminent problems is false.

2. If the economy fails to grow fast enough to keep social security solvent, the return on the private accounts will not be able to make up the difference. This means Bush's promise of saving social security with private accounts is false.

Either way, Bush's position is false. Besides, do you really want to gamble that your retirement will occur when the markets are up?

Tax Reform - Rx

Although the Republicans would rather you not think about what they do, and pay attention instead to what they say, what they do with taxes is make it possible for people to avoid contributing to the community from which they derive their wealth.

Herein there be dragons, but I think its worth pursuing. The object is to create a tax code that occupies one page of double spaced text, or less.

1. All tangible and intangible assets received by a person counts as income.

2. Poverty level living expenses are deducted from income. Lets say 12,000 per year, indexed to the cost of living.

3. Savings placed in a federally defined plan is deducted from income. this plan is controlled by the individual and the funds may be invested as they see fit.

4. Money withdrawn from this federally defined plan is income.

5. Money invested in the individual's education or the education of dependents is deducted from income.

6. Taxes are paid on the balance, at a multi-tiered progressive rate, determined by congress.

Gonzo Politics

So Gonzales will be confirmed by the Senate. A foregone conclusion.

The question is by what margin will he be opposed by the Democrats? Certainly they will vote no by a much wider margin than they did with Condolezza Rice.

The Doctor