posted December 07, 2017 12:23 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by teasel:
I didn't go to college. Now I really wish I had an education.

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posted December 07, 2017 12:25 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by jwhop:
That's OK, that test is an 8th grade graduation test. Surely, you passed 8th grade. Let us know how you did on that 8th grade test from 1895.

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posted December 07, 2017 12:27 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by teasel:
I'm not bothering with the test. I wasn't wishing for an education, in response to that.

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posted December 07, 2017 12:29 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by jwhop:

I don't blame you for not taking that 8th grade graduation test...and flunking it cold!

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posted December 07, 2017 01:04 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by teasel:
No, although I will readily complain about them as much as I like.

I saw something tonight, about Paul Ryan telling his lot to get ready to go after things like Medicare next year, in order to deal with what this tax bill will do.

the VA was also deprived of funding, for housing for homeless vets. I don't know if it's related to this, or just the general shittiness from the "pro-life" republicans, who stand for that flag, but don't take care of their veterans.

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Republicans going after Medicare? Not likely.

quote:

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On the Senate floor during the tax debate, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) asked Rubio and Sen. Patrick J. Toomey (R-Pa.) to promise that Republicans would not advance cuts to Medicare and Social Security after their tax bill. Toomey said that there was “no secret plan” to do so, while Rubio said he opposed cuts to either program for current beneficiaries. However, neither closed the door to changing the programs for future beneficiaries.

“I am not going to support any cuts to people who are on the program and need those benefits. But I want this program to survive,” Toomey said. To which Sanders responded: “He just told you he's going to cut Social Security.”

Many conservatives have long argued for cutting and changing social safety net programs, arguing that anti-poverty programs have failed and that Social Security spending is growing at an unsustainable rate.

Still, members of both parties have long been reluctant to cut benefits, especially for seniors, due in part to the potential political cost of doing so. In discussing changes, Republicans, including Rubio, have largely confined their ideas to plans that would affect new beneficiaries, rather than current ones.

But it may be particularly difficult for Republicans to push those measures ahead of the 2018 midterm elections, in which many in swing states and districts face well-funded Democratic challengers hoping to ride an anti-Trump wave into office.

Ryan said he's optimistic, adding that Republicans could target the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid next year in addition to Medicare, despite their failure to repeal the health care law in 2017.

“What it is we really need to convert our health care system to a patient-centered system, so we have more choices and more competition. Choice and competition brings down prices and improves quality; government-run health care is the opposite of that,” Ryan said. “So I think these reforms that we've been talking about, that we're still going to keep pushing, that will help not just make Medicaid less expensive ... but it will help Medicare as well.”

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https://www.washingtonpost .com/news/wonk/wp/2017/12/01/gop-eyes-post-tax-cut-changes-to-welfare-medicare-and-social-security/?utm_term=.6a5a4848a74e

There's a big difference between cutting a program entirely (which seems to be a major fear) and modifying it so that it will still be around in twenty or so years. Either way, it doesn't look like it will affect people who are currently on Medicare or SS.

posted December 07, 2017 05:17 AM            

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Originally posted by StubbornVirgo:
https://www.washingtonpost .com/news/wonk/wp/2017/12/01/gop-eyes-post-tax-cut-changes-to-welfare-medicare-and-social-security/?utm_term=.6a5a4848a74e

There's a big difference between cutting a program entirely (which seems to be a major fear) and modifying it so that it will still be around in twenty or so years. Either way, it doesn't look like it will affect people who are currently on Medicare or SS.

I would not be surprised if there were upcoming changes for Medicaid or food stamps, though.

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posted December 07, 2017 05:21 AM            

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Originally posted by Randall:
Oh, you mean those veterans who literally did die under Obama's VA?

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posted December 07, 2017 09:15 AM            

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Originally posted by teasel:
and, by the way:

I look at facts. I listen to those who know more than I do. I also listen to those who are scared (and have their facts, which is the REASON they are scared). So it isn't just "someone always knowing someone who is upset". I've been asking questions, but I don't trust those who live up trump's behind. I talk about all of this elsewhere, only with much less arguing going on.

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posted December 07, 2017 09:48 AM            

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Originally posted by jwhop:
Any one who gets their "facts" from Puffington Post, democrat underground, Politico, Saloon, NY Times, Washington Compost, Maxine Waters, Nancy PeeLousy, Chuck Schemer, et. al., are getting 100% pure, unadulterated horseshiite.

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So said the most programmed individual...programmed by the TFN network itself!

TFN - The Fake News, always at your service to dole out the highest quality horseshiite in the land

posted December 07, 2017 09:55 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by jwhop:

I don't blame you for not taking that 8th grade graduation test...and flunking it cold!

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Forgotten to look in the mirror lately, UTR?

Those who are Unable To Read complete posts, shldn't be tossing their weight around in attempts to bully those too tired/uninterested to take your damn 8th grade test

posted December 07, 2017 10:08 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by StubbornVirgo:
https://www.washingtonpost .com/news/wonk/wp/2017/12/01/gop-eyes-post-tax-cut-changes-to-welfare-medicare-and-social-security/?utm_term=.6a5a4848a74e

There's a big difference between cutting a program entirely (which seems to be a major fear) and modifying it so that it will still be around in twenty or so years.

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posted December 07, 2017 10:29 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by StubbornVirgo:
...which is that people who are upset with the tax bill are going off of their emotions...

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Emotions are good! Pity you don't like them, bc emotions fuel outrage which in turn seeks justice.

In fact there can be no justice unless those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are...benjy franklin said that

And desmond tutu said that if you're neutral in times of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor

Just so you know...

posted December 07, 2017 10:39 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by StubbornVirgo:
This topic should really be called: Let's Complain About Republicans because that seems to be the focus. It's not really about the tax bill at all - just a place for Democrats to voice their displeasure about everything Republican.

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Yup you got one half of it right. The other half is vice versa

Oh, don't forget to get a load of imbalanced, irrational "emotion" from the republican side on the roy moore thread started by teasel

As a heads up, take a deep breath before entering the roy moore room...what w/ you not liking emotion and all..

posted December 07, 2017 10:50 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by StubbornVirgo:
...and everyone basically ignored the calculator that I posted which would allow them to see how the new tax plan would actually affect them. But then again, doing that would provide some enlightenment and contradict their claims.

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Umm...and you ignored catalina's post about proportions and percentages...which makes a whole lotta sense from my perch

The path to enlightenment isn't so narrow that it can't include proportions and percentages...i think? Maybe? Then again, whaddo i know...

posted December 07, 2017 12:42 PM            

I took it and as I already know I`m weak in math.

Some grammar tripped me up but this is a test that is certainly passable by posters here.

This question I thought was fun:1. What is climate? Upon what does climate depend?

posted December 07, 2017 06:04 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by StubbornVirgo:
Well, I didn't say anything like that. I have no idea what is going on in other topics. I'm just going off of my observations here, which is that people who are upset with the tax bill are going off of their emotions and anecdotal stories vs. doing their own research and sticking with the facts. I've yet to see anyone post any research to back up their claims, and everyone basically ignored the calculator that I posted which would allow them to see how the new tax plan would actually affect them. But then again, doing that would provide some enlightenment and contradict their claims.

This topic should really be called: Let's Complain About Republicans because that seems to be the focus. It's not really about the tax bill at all - just a place for Democrats to voice their displeasure about everything Republican.

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posted December 07, 2017 06:05 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by StubbornVirgo:
No, just a Virgo that examines her paychecks weekly.

That sounds like a good second career, though. I might have to do that when I'm finally tired of nursing.

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posted December 07, 2017 06:24 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Linda Jones:

Forgotten to look in the mirror lately, UTR?

Those who are Unable To Read complete posts, shldn't be tossing their weight around in attempts to bully those too tired/uninterested to take your damn 8th grade test

But hey knock yourself out on it, maybe it'll help you deprogram...

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posted December 07, 2017 06:25 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by jwhop:
Any one who gets their "facts" from Puffington Post, democrat underground, Politico, Saloon, NY Times, Washington Compost, Maxine Waters, Nancy PeeLousy, Chuck Schemer, et. al., are getting 100% pure, unadulterated horseshiite.

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posted December 08, 2017 02:57 PM            

Meanwhile Back to the tax bill
http://thinkprogress.org/paul-ryan-tax-cuts-medicare-medicaid-f87d810ad5b9/