Social Security is strong

Social Security is still strong. The recent Trustee's report that came out this week says there is now $2.7 trillion in the Social Security trust fund, which is $69 billion more than last year, and continues to grow.

To keep Social Security strong it is important to look at where wage growth in the nation goes. Those making above the Social Security cap($110,000) need to be included because that is where the growth is expanding most. A very simple inclusion of those making the most money is all that is needed to continue its historic ability to keep the elderly off the streets. Everyone, not just the poor and middle class should be contributing. Social Security is strong and is the most successful program the government runs. Now you won't read the above in your local media because the powerful want to dismantle the program and privatize it so they can make more money.

i've stated this before but it needs repeating. The philosopher Decartes claimed Cogito ergo sum...I think therefore I am. Descartes made the assumption that he was an individual first and lots of people all over the world buy into this today whole heartedly. It took years but finally other philosophers questioned this idea and asked if so where exactly did you learn the language that you needed to come up with this idea? 

If you spend some time thinking about the above there is only one place where the skills we acquire to help us think could come from. Decartes learned the ability to speak and think from others, without them he would never have been able to articulate I think therefore I am.

This is something that i try to work on constantly. We are in this world with others, we are not alone, we have never been alone. We all work together to improve lives whether we recognize this ability or not. Being in the world with others is fundamental to life on this earth. Martin Buber, another philosopher, observed that we can either be in the world seeing others as people or we can be in the world seeing others as objects. Those who see people as objects want to dismantle Social Security, those that see others as people want to keep it intact. Who are you?

Here's a good one...tax payer money, i'll say that again, tax payer money that directly funds USAID has been used to train disadvantaged workers English in the Philippines so they can man call centers. What this does is use our tax money to train other people in foreign countries to take our jobs. Outsourcing is another word for it but i'll bet you never thought you were paying for it with your tax dollars.

On the hill representatives of both parties Tim Bishop D(NY) and Walter Jones R(NC) wrote a letter to USAID on April 19 expressing dismay and urging its immediate dismantling. You can read the letter here http://timbishop.house.gov/uploads/Letter%20to%20USAID-%20Call%20Centers%20FINAL.pdf

i'm reupholstering the living room furniture and need to get back to my project so this one today is a shorty. i especially like this photo below that i took of the guy and his wares on the corner over by the Barron Spot Mall and if you aren't a swimmer you might not know what the one above is. We swam at Haypenny last week and the pattern on the sea floor was so amazing i had to stop and take a pic. Double click on any of the pics here to get a better look. See ya next week.