http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1906512Oh my.
The mountain man primitive who, like all men, nightly pitches his tent one day's march nearer the mausoleum:
ThomWV (1000+ posts) Fri Sep-09-11 10:24 AM
Original message
A myth, a truth, and a voting strategy
First the myth: Social Security contributes to the National Debt. No it does not. Social Security pays for itself and will continue to pay for itself for the next twenty plus years and could do so for as long as three people were left in the country if the income ceiling cap on wages to which the tax that supports it was abolished. Everyone benefits, let everyone pay in.
Second Myth: Social Security does not contribute to the National Debt: Social Security does in deed contribute to the National Debt. All money that is taken in by Social Security in taxes is immediately applied to paying for ongoing operations and more importantly when the annual budget is concocted the first means by which it is financed is by that year's taxes for Social Security. Social Security taxes are the first dollar spent in our Government's economy. Forget about the notion of a lock box. Not only is the box not locked but its held wide open for the grabbing.
Voting Strategy. Get over the notion that if a politician calls himself or herself a Democrat that it actually means they stand for some certain set of principles. Consider that Max Bacus and Joe Lieberman call themselves Democrats, but Bernie Sanders does not, that Sherrod Brown shares a political party with Tim Holden. If they do not vote like Democrats* then do not vote for them - do not pull the lever or push the button for a straight ticket. It is better to cast no vote at all than it is to vote against your own self interest.
In other words start supporting the people who support you and do not support those who do not hold your best interest as their highest priority.
* Votes with the Party on all procedural matters, votes in accordance with the Party Platform on all other matters that are covered by the Platform (which includes support of all women's right to chose, the continuance of Social Security, and gay rights), and is free to vote their conscience on issues on which the Party has no stated position.
Nice little nadism up there, in bold.
Anyway, for those who don't know, the mountain man primitive is a one-issue primitive; screw everything else--the children, the infrastructure, commerce, the future--just so long as Social Security sends him his check every month. He's rabid about it.
Autumn (1000+ posts) Fri Sep-09-11 10:32 AM
Response to Original message
2. That goes to the fact that politicians need to EARN my vote. They are not entitled to it.
ThomWV (1000+ posts) Fri Sep-09-11 10:38 AM
Response to Reply #2
4. True that, when they are running for re-election. First time around you have to have faith
But after just 1 term in office you can see if they support you, do not support you, or just stand in line and sop up the gravy without doing much of anything at all.
Autumn (1000+ posts) Fri Sep-09-11 10:42 AM
Response to Reply #4
6. My vote is the only voice I have. I have given it freely and in fear for far too long. No more, not with my vote. In the words of a very great man, "We have nothing to fear, but fear itself,"
Bandit (1000+ posts) Fri Sep-09-11 10:38 AM
Response to Original message
3. Haven't you heard about the scary boogyman that will get in if you don't vote for the D
Whether they are in actuallity or not doesn't matter to many, only that they have a D after their name so it's Zell Miller Time......Yipeee.
kctim (1000+ posts) Fri Sep-09-11 11:10 AM
Response to Original message
7. So does that mean I support people who I KNOW is in my best interest or am I supposed to support people you THINK does?
And who defines the threshold on platform issues such as abortion, SS and gay rights?
Ignoring the FACT that all people do not hold the same beliefs and values is the worst 'voting strategy' ever.
The last primitive raises an interesting question; one wonders if the mountain man primitive'll answer it.
