Today’s Ray of Hope!
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Today’s Ray of Hope goes to Chris Gandrud a union member from River Falls. He is hearing from his union that the President is appeasing the corporate carpetbaggers who supported him and now want to loot the Social Security trust fund. He points out that it is ironic in that Federal employees who participate in the Thrift Savings Plan, the Wisconsin Retirement System for state, county and municipal employees, and most union pension plans are all heavily invested in those risky equity markets?
Chris gets it.
The “Big Lie” is that Social Security benefits are guaranteed. The funding mechanism has always been a “pay as you go” or pyramid system that only worked with the demographics of 70 years ago.
If this were anything but the government, it would become a scandal.
This is an accounting shenanigan worthy of Enron, Worldcom, and Global Crossing. Without personal accounts or a wildly unlikely tax increase, the only alternative is benefit cuts of about one-third from current levels.
He finally closes by saying:
The ownership society is just the next step in America’s journey away from dependence on government, which is exactly what opponents of personal accounts are afraid of.
So, to you Chris, thank you and keep plugging away revealing the ilks of the union apologists.
Editorial in the River Falls Journal
Investing is better than government dependence.
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Today’s Ray of Hope
ByToday’s Ray of Hope goes to Hubert M. Hoffman of Onalaska, Wisconsin. He gets today’s award for bringing up the plight of the average senior citizen in Wisconsin today via an editorial in the ‘La Cross Tribune‘. My friends, there are a lot of today’s seniors who are on fixed incomes and are being literally taxed out of their homes. Even WEAC an NEA affiliate has as part of their website information which advises retirees on their options for moving out of state to avoid paying Wisconsin’s hellacious taxes. Ironically the page it is on is called ‘dollars&sense.htm’. Mr. Hoffman’s concerns seem to fall on deaf ears to those in Madison and La Crosse. I have a feeling the only thing Mr. Hoffman hears from them are two words, “Yes, But…”.
I feel this is Mr. Hoffman’s call for TABOR. He and many senior citizens are being taxed out of their homes. The only thing that Governor Doyle’s budget proposal will do is confirm Hubert’s concerns. We need TABOR for the state’s senior citizens.
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The immorality of expropriating money from retirement age individuals to fund government controlled education(regardless of ability to pay) is self-evident. The issue becomes what to make of those who defend (and promote) these immoral acts by government. In my view they are evil, shiftless, collectivists. They deal in people, not trade or by any moral means I am aware of. I dare the smasini’s and the barbiedollwigs to defend this practice, a practice by which they or their immediate families benefit! Come on, let’s here you defend such wonton legal theft by the government so as to support this social jobs program – also known as public schooling.
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I would like to provide two key statements from the attached WEAC link so that all can see what our schools are doing to us and how that they want it both ways: Burden us with high taxes and then give advice on whrere to retire on $60,000 pension benefit for life at our expense and then pay none of what they burdened us with.
1)By Bob Moeller
WEAC Member Benefits
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November 2002
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Financial Planning Seminars
Achieving Financial Independence
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When counseling members about retirement, I frequently hear comments about moving out of Wisconsin to avoid our high taxes. The purpose of this article is to give some guidance on that topic.
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2) Currently, here is how some states rank in terms of total major taxes including real estate taxes, sales taxes, and income taxes. The information is gathered assuming $60,000 total income, property taxes on a 2,000 square-foot home in the capital city, and appropriate sales taxes.
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The worst state was Pennsylvania (51st), with total state taxes of $7,531. New Jersey (50th) was next at $6,715. Third, unfortunately, is Wisconsin (49th) at $6,016.
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The popular ?retirement? states?
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Texas (29th) at $3,487; Florida (27th) at $3,424; Arizona (17th) at $2,922; and California (16th) at $2,902.
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The very lowest? Delaware (1st) at $543; Alaska (2nd) at $1,032; and Kentucky (3rd) at $1,114
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Please notice where Wisconsin Ranks! Need I say more?
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Thanks for the “Ray Of Hope” -
Great point taxmemore. When the Bob Muchlinski’s of the world are sunning themselves down in Florida expecting their retirement check every month, guess where the producers of this state will be? In Florida as well! So the question becomes, who is going to write the check? It certainly won’t be Scott Masini!
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The last place I will retire is Florida…
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I think what Luke was trying to say was that Mr. Masini wouldn’t be one of the income producers pulling his weight to help with the pension plans. Of course maybe he could become a wealth producer after he retires from teaching at 55(with full benefits!).
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Okay boys,let’s not point our arrows at smasini. All along we know the culprit is not necessarily the individuals but the system. It is tantamount to blaming a baseball player for accepting a 10 million dollar contract that is being waved in his face. Specifically we are to blame for allowing this monster to grow in the first place and our legislators for not slaying it when it is apparent that the system of government education is the antithesis of this country’s foundation.
People being forced from their homes so another can retire in the sun is the result of income distribution. When government replaces free choice, then arbitrarily someone is going to lose while another benefits. Government decides who the winners and losers are. In this case, government has decided that teachers,administration, and all the benefits are of greater value than the life of the elderly. A teacher at 55 retiring in Florida is of greater concern than the home of a retired person in the private sector. And it ends up pitting the young against the old which is no different than social security in the reverse direction. To digress for a moment, isn’t it ironic how all these government programs of compassion and care end up pitting one group against another. Under school choice the only interaction is between those directly involved in education, parent and the schools. A teacher may still get all the benefits,but it is do to the parents realizing an advantage to their child’s education in doing so. Remember in choice, an exchange only takes place when both individuals realize a gain. With the scheme of coercion the elderly are forced to give up a house but what do they gain? The solution of course is to end the monopoly of government education.
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Well said Spirit, but let’s not let Masini off the hook that easy. There is a huge difference between a baseball player and a teacher. I am not forced to pay for a baseball player’s salary unless I agree to pay an outrageous amount for a ticket. I am, however, forced to pay for the union’s continuous demands. Masini does not believe in true choice in education. He believes in a one union monopoly. You are correct Spirit when you say that true choice would end this debate. I think Masini is kidding himself if he thinks that this debate is going to die down. I believe it will only intensify in the coming years.
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Thank you for clarifying Luke’s response, I thought he wanted all teachers to go to Florida to retire! It seems you want me to apologize for teaching, I won’t. It seems you want me to give my benefits and salary back, I won’t. I do believe in choice in education, and we have it in private schools, charter schools, and public schools. I do not think this debate will end anytime soon, but thanks for being willing to spread my opinion. Funny how many say on here they aren’t against teachers yet, these last comments don’t point at really anything but the teachers (Spirit, this is pointed at Taxboy, not you, I understand you have a problem with the system). Taxboy what is a teacher worth to you? What should a teacher’s salary be? What should their benefits be? What would make you happy?
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To answer your questions smasini, a teacher’s worth should be determined by the marketplace. You are afraid of the marketplace, that is why you control things through your union. You are incorrect when you say that there is choice in education at this time. That is like saying you have a choice in airlines, as long as Education Air gets a check from you when you don’t even fly on their airplane! What do you think you’re worth Mr. Masini? $100,000 per year? $200,000 per year? Give me a number that I can work with.
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I just learned about a teacher strike in Ironton, MN that is one month old. I guess I’d like for Scott Masini to tell me whether or not he agrees with the fact that teachers can go out on strike. Does anyone really think that they are striking for a better “quality” of education? It is my opinion that they are striking for a better “quality” of pay and benefits.
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First, let me thank the moderator here for the ‘Ray of Hope’ award. It is appreciated.
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The Problem(s):
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1. All federal politicians are corrupt. Political party doesn’t matter. Every year the elected officials get huge pay increases well in excess of the average pay increases here in Wisconsin. They all say they don’t take the raise, or they give it to charity, but in reality, I don’t get it back! It is taken from me regardless what the politician says, and I end up poorer.
2. The longer a politician serves, the larger his/her retirement pool becomes. Politicians live high and free off the backs of the workingman.
3. Tax relief is an oxymoron.
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The solution:
1. Discontinue ALL retirement programs for politicians, No 401K, no IRA, nothing. Politicians should not get/have retirement benefits. We elect them to serve us, not live off us.
2. Go to a flat income tax. Whatever the amount (13%, 15%, 17%), everyone pays the same percentage. No deductions or write-offs just pay your fair share. If you earn $10,000, $100,000, or $1 billion per year, pay your flat rate.
3. Discontinue property tax based on evaluations. Even with a TABOR, (which I will not comment on as far as weather or not I support it), the government will simply revalue the real estate and taxes will go up.
4. Social Security: Reduce the withholding to 3%, and raise the limit from $90,000 to a level that will offset the reduction in revenue from the ‘little guy.’ This does mean that the wealthy will pay more, but they also have the ability to do so. This would actually put real money into the hands of those who need it most.
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Do to problem #1 nothing ever is done. The local, state, and federal system is so corrupted by money and greed, that the government, instead of finding solutions to these problems, is the problem.
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However, there is hope. When you vote, vote out the incumbents. Put new people in office at every level at every election. Once those we elect realize they are going to get the boot next time around anyway, they will actually start working on the issues instead of there re-election strategies. -
Your welcome. TABOR will kick in if the property valuations rise. It will be based on new growth property. The only part of appreciation of an existing home that can be considered for taxing purposes is the rate of growth and inflation, and/or if the public votes in favor of a referendum. A taxing entity will not be able to arbitrarily raise assessed value’s just because the mil rates are capped.
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I also would like to move to a flat tax or a consumption sales tax. Thanks for your comments.
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Today’s Ray of Hope
ByToday’s Ray of Hope goes to …. Daniel Cornils of Manitowoc. Dan wrote a letter to the editor wondering why politians are stonewalling on the Votor ID bill. Dan says, “We can cite actual instances of fraud. Smokes for votes, bingo for votes, tire slashing, people voting more than once from non-existent addresses, non-existent people voting from existing addresses, voters voting two, three, sometimes five times, just here in Wisconsin.” I agree, what’s holding this up?
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Today’s Ray of Hope
By Todays Ray of Hope goes to Kathy Braun of Fond du Lac for her recent editorial in the Fon du Lac Reporter. She has the guts to ask the hard questions. She asked,
“Why the push for 4-year-old kindergarten? Don’t we already have Head Start and other pre-kindergarten programs to benefit ‘at risk’ children?”
Toche` Kathy!
She questions “Why put pressure on a 4-year-old to be ‘ready’ for school?”
She doesn’t stop there, Kathy says,
“Kids are overweight. What happened to physical education?”
And she finishes off with,
“If Oakfield’s referendum to increase the budget isn’t passed, services and teachers will be eliminated. Did they reduce salaries or eliminate in the upper administration. Shouldn’t cuts start at the top?”
Because you ask the hard questions, though they rarely get answered, you get ‘Today’s Ray of Hope’!
Go to bottom to read it
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Today’s Ray of Hope
By Today’s Ray of hope goes to a gentlemen who wrote an editorial to the ‘Capital Times‘, if you can believe it. Bob Hunt from Lodi, wrote “TABOR-ites have valid point” and believes local government officials and school boards must answer to taxpayers. Well said Bob!
If anyone else has any nominations click ‘Email Admin’ to the right above the calendar and I will consider it.
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Today’s Ray of Hope
By Today’s award goes to Paul McCartney! It was a refreshingly clean, wardrobe malfunction free, nostalgic, wonderful halftime in the Superbowl, that New England won 24-21. I’m not sure it was in Paul McCartney’s r’epertoire to have anything that could be considered lewd. I’ve always loved his performances. Maybe, I’m old fashioned, but I enjoy musicians that actually play an instrument, don’t need glittery wardrobe, and actually write the music they perform. So to you Paul, “Today’s Ray of Hope”.
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Today’s Ray of Hope!
ByToday’s “Ray of hope” is not only for being hopeful, but for being humorous as well. It goes to Badger, over at BadgerPundit for a sentence in the post called “Time for a Milwaukee Tea Party?“, that had me rolling. It goes as follows:
Wisconsin taxpayers have been being violated for so long that they appear to be suffering from Stockholm syndrome.
Now ain’t that the truth!!!
So today, Badger, you are the recipient of today’s “Ray of Hope”!
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Today’s ray of Hope !
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As a stanch supporter of Garage Logic, in Gumption County, I am blatantly ripping off the idea called, “Ray of hope”. That is a gleaming beam of sunlight breaking through the clouds in a triumphant orchestra of ecstasy coinciding with a revelation of fact that offers hope to our existence. Or as Joe would say it, ” A noteworthy event that defies the mystery”.
Todays ray of hope is from Denis Greatens, citizen of River Falls who felt his duty to write the River Falls Journal in response to Katie Chaffee and Jackie Brux diatribe about their disenfranchised and frustrated feelings about Kerry losing. See our link to story here. A few even joked a bit about it, but what was really scary, is that Chafee was Mayor of River Falls at one time. So Denis’s response as paraphrasing it as “laughably dangerous” gets todays “ray of hope”.
If you have others that occur here in St. Croix County, feel free to add them as comments to already existing “Today’s ray of Hope” postings. We all love to hear about them. As the acting ‘admin’, I reserve the right to edit and delete those that may, in my opinion, not be worthy of the title.
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Here are the 2 references on this blog that discuss the Thrift Savings Plan. Chris G. really hit’s this one out of the park.
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A Lesson of Thrift
The Right Reform
What a great article! We could use this guy in Hudson! Only a socialist economist would argue against such great logic.
We should be debating, not how to save Social Security, but how to end it.