General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWant to Change Obama's Plans on Social Security & Medicare?
Here are some things you can do:
Post about It Here on DU - Nothing wrong with that. However, it will not change anything.
Call the White House - Your opinion will be tallied, and the President will hear the totals.
Email the White House - As with your phone calls, your position will be tallied.
Send Snail Mail to the White House - Write it well enough and someone will read the whole thing, then tally it.
Add Your Name to an Internet Petition - The organization running the petition will send the information to the White House. It will be tallied.
Add your Name to a White House Petition - The numbers will be tallied.
Occupy Something - This might actually make the news, if enough people show up.
Post Your Opinion on Facebook & Other Social Media - You might influence your friends to think as you do.
Communicate with Your Senators & Representative - By far the best option of all. They need your support and vote.
All of the actions above are useful, but some are more useful than others. If you can do them all, that's a good thing. If you can't, then at least do the last one. Congress is where this will be actually taken up. Congress will be the body that creates the actual legislation that will put any changes in place. Congress is the only body that matters in this. You can influence your Senators and Representative far more effectively than you can influence anyone else. Communicate your opinion to them today. Do that first, and then do whatever other actions you want, but do that first.
dawg
(10,610 posts)There are plenty of people here that need their minds changed about this, too.
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)None of them, however have any vote on this matter. If they act on their change of heart and actually contact someone who does vote on this, it could make a difference.
dawg
(10,610 posts)what they think.
Do you really think Obama doesn't already know that his base opposes this? He knows. He just doesn't care. All the "important" people think we need to cut entitlements, and that is all that matters.
This isn't 3 dimensional chess. It's 3 card monte.
HiPointDem
(20,729 posts)MineralMan
(146,192 posts)Doing something at least gets your opinion tallied. That is what we can do. Since none of us are huge donors, that is pretty much all we can do. Go down the list and do all of those things. If enough people do, their voices will be heard. If your voice is not heard by people who can actually change things, you have no voice at all.
Dawgs
(14,755 posts)I wouldn't even know about these "plans" if it wasn't for someone posting on DU.
I don't read other sources, I'm too busy.
So, if I didn't read it here I wouldn't be fired up to do those other things.
Please don't discount what spreading information can do for change.
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)All but the last one do not inform those who will make the decisions.
Dawgs
(14,755 posts)MineralMan
(146,192 posts)All are useful in one way or another. The last one, though, is the key. If you only do one thing, that is the one. I did that last night to both of my Senators and my Congressional representative. I worked as a volunteer on their campaigns. I supported their campaigns financially. I've met all three face-to-face.
We have the potential to influence legislators.
Dawgs
(14,755 posts)It's all good. We're both making good points.
a kennedy
(29,462 posts)I was shocked, but they are answering, or at least they did just a minute ago.
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)That's one of the things you can do. Your opinion is now known and has increased the number of people tallied with that opinion. Someone at the White House does answer the phone and note your opinion. There is paid staff manning the switchboard. That's why it's on the list.
TheKentuckian
(24,943 posts)stop pretending, stop trying to look "reasonable", stop the fucking bullshit.
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)so far. Each one has an effect. Some have more effect than others. All are useful in promoting your viewpoint. Which have you done, beyond posting on DU?
TheKentuckian
(24,943 posts)conversions, and votes. I do not feel as good about some of those outcomes, while others have been as fruitful as the environment allows with most somewhere between.
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)kenny blankenship
(15,689 posts)All we can do now is beg him to change his mind about the one thing he has really wanted to do as President since Pete Peterson gave him a green light to run. And then when that fails we can sit around blaming each other and ourselves for not trying hard enough. I've already bought fresh whips and ball gags to hand out.
bobduca
(1,763 posts)dkf
(37,305 posts)Spend it down sooner, 25% cuts come sooner. So be it.
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)Do that. Do them all. Or just do the last one. You've posted here. Now, take action elsewhere, if you really want to change it.
dkf
(37,305 posts)It keeps the stream of payments steadier for a longer period of time.
That makes sense to me from a planning point of view. I wonder how many here realize that.
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)Go. Communicate.
dkf
(37,305 posts)Not enough people are thinking about the long term. I at least can let them know some of us are concerned about a 75 year plan.
datasuspect
(26,591 posts)they KNOW WHAT WE THINK. THEY DON'T CARE.
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)If they don't know how many of us think something, they don't actually know what we think.
Right now, they don't know what we think, or at least some of them don't. Tell them what you think. What possible benefit can come from not doing so?
Communicate with those who make the legislation. Always. About everything.
datasuspect
(26,591 posts)do you think they don't understand the principles of marketing, branding, market research, statistical analysis, and all kinds of other methods, techniques, and disciplines that are employed to understand what demographic populations think, want, understand, etc.?
do you think voters aren't already doing all the things you listed?
are you naive?
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)Most voters never contact anyone about anything. The ones that do are the ones who make an impact. The ones who don't are ignored.
Most voters don't do any of the things I listed. Truly they don't.
Even most DUers don't do any of those things.
datasuspect
(26,591 posts)THEY KNOW WHAT WE THINK. THEY DON'T CARE. WE DON'T MATTER TO THEM. WE ARE SIMPLY A RENEWABLE RESOURCE AND ATM.
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)That is your opinion, only. And you needn't do anything at all. It's your choice. I disagree with your statement, and I do communicate with legislators and others. You can do as you see fit. Yelling at me in all caps accomplishes nothing. Of that I'm absolutely certain.
MannyGoldstein
(34,589 posts)Then SS is set for at least 75 years.
So let's get FDR Democrats in the White House and Congress in 2016!
dkf
(37,305 posts)For the first time in a bit I've heard some hopeful news that makes me think we can do better than 2%.
GDP growth historically has been tied to energy use but when it looked like we were depleting our oil reserves that growth looked unsustainable. But now with all the natural gas and shale being developed we have a chance to keep energy use and GDP rising.
Unfortunately that isn't good for global warming, but it's the tradeoff.
MannyGoldstein
(34,589 posts)CandidateObama promised?
That would be the way to go. It would help the economy in so many ways.
But Fox News has become the arbiter of US policy, and even a hint of their disapproval sends Obama and most other elected Democrats scurrying.
oldhippie
(3,249 posts)At least most energy production, like fossil fuels. Renewables are OK.
HiPointDem
(20,729 posts)dkf
(37,305 posts)No wonder most Americans don't have money to retire comfortably.
You'll chance it. Then when the obvious happens its someone else's fault.
HiPointDem
(20,729 posts)25 years and letting congress borrow the money to pay for war...repeating the reagan bullshit...
or we could check in in 20 years and see how it looks and if necessary raise taxes then.
dkf
(37,305 posts)Solvency Provisions
Provisions Affecting Payroll Tax Rates
Present law Social Security and Medicare tax rates
These provisions modify the current-law OASDI payroll tax rate of 12.4 percent (6.2 percent each for employees and employers). We provide a summary list of all options in this category. For each provision listed below, we provide an estimate of the financial effect on the OASDI program over the long-range period (the next 75 years) and for the 75th year. In addition, we provide graphs and detailed single year tables. We base all estimates on the intermediate assumptions described in the 2012 Trustees Report.
Choose the type of estimates (summary or detailed) from the list of provisions.
We group these provisions as follows:
E1: Increase payroll tax rate, with no changes in the taxable maximum.
E2: Tax all earnings above the current-law taxable maximum.
E3: Tax a portion of earnings above the current-law taxable maximum.
HiPointDem
(20,729 posts)dkf
(37,305 posts)HiPointDem
(20,729 posts)HiPointDem
(20,729 posts)rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)Cut benefits to zero and we will have SS benefits forever.
dkf
(37,305 posts)Early on there were no adjustments for inflation at all.
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)UnrepentantLiberal
(11,700 posts)dkf
(37,305 posts)rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)dkf
(37,305 posts)And I don't want the next guy to get stiffed. I want a system where we get back what we put in.
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)dont cut benefits. It's a Repub meme that SS is broken.
dkf
(37,305 posts)All I know is doing nothing is likely to deplete the fund resulting in a drop in benefits of 25%.
Chained CPI is nothing compared to that.
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)much to ask?
dkf
(37,305 posts)SS was meant to return what you contributed.
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)caused the problem. You want those of us struggling workers to pay a higher share. Repub policies like this have successfully redistributed the wealth from the lower classes to the Elite 1%. I guess you are ok with that.
dkf
(37,305 posts)There shouldn't be $1 million SS checks for our kids to support.
And what does it matter if you struggle to save? That's how it's supposed to work. The easy thing is spending everything you have.
HiPointDem
(20,729 posts)in the 50s; 20% in the 60s in two increments; and then cola kicked in in the 70s.
http://www.ssa.gov/history/briefhistory3.html#colas
dkf
(37,305 posts)So considering changing the method is normal for SS.
For a while there was a double counting problem where there was over compensation.
Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)Nixon instituted the COLA and said tying benefit rates to inflation was a right of the people. In advance of the COLA, he also raised benefits 10% across the board.
"I propose that the Congress make certain once and for all that the retired, the disabled and the dependent never again bear the brunt of inflation. The way to prevent future unfairness is to attach the benefit schedule to the cost of living.
This will instill new security in Social Security. This will provide peace of mind to those concerned with their retirement years, and to their dependents.
By acting to raise benefits now to meet the rise in the cost of living, we keep faith with today's recipients. By acting to make future benefit raises automatic with rises in the cost of living, we remove questions about future years; we do much to remove this system from biennial politics; and we make fair treatment of beneficiaries a matter of certainty rather than a matter of hope."
Nixon's entire Statement can be read here:
https://www.google.com/search?q=nixon+quote+%27social+security+inflation%27&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-UShttp://fficial&client=firefox-a
"I have today signed . . . constitutes a major breakthrough for older Americans, for it says at last that inflation-proof Social Security benefits are theirs as a matter of right...."
-- Richard M. Nixon, July 1, 1972
http://www.thebattleforsocialsecurity.com/pres_quotes.php
HiPointDem
(20,729 posts)KoKo
(84,711 posts)which is no longer calculated correctly. It was changed. Plus older Savers can't make any money in interest which would have supplemented their SS... Lift the Cap and all is done.
That Obama wants to even mention cutting the little that SS Retirees and others have to live on when there's another alternative is shocking when the Wall Street Crooks & Bankers were the cause of this whole financial implosion..which has gone Global.
That anyone would want to penalize savers and then to cut what little they have that's tied to inflation to survive is like something out of Dickens writings. We thought we'd moved past those days.
dkf
(37,305 posts)"I propose that the Congress make certain once and for all that the retired, the disabled and the dependent never again bear the brunt of inflation. The way to prevent future unfairness is to attach the benefit schedule to the cost of living.
This will instill new security in Social Security. This will provide peace of mind to those concerned with their retirement years, and to their dependents.
By acting to raise benefits now to meet the rise in the cost of living, we keep faith with today's recipients. By acting to make future benefit raises automatic with rises in the cost of living, we remove questions about future years; we do much to remove this system from biennial politics; and we make fair treatment of beneficiaries a matter of certainty rather than a matter of hope."
MannyGoldstein
(34,589 posts)When you're right, you're right.
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)We can't just talk about stuff. We have to communicate with those who actually make the decisions. Even if we're not convinced it will do any good, at least we make our opinions known. Even if our opinion is just tallied with others, that's something. Better to do someting than nothing.
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)things on that list, except to Occupy something. I'm occupying the chair in front of my desk, since I have to complete a contract job today. So, that's what I'm going to do now. I'll be back on DU later today from time to time, as my work is completed.
NCTraveler
(30,481 posts)I would say that posting to du and other places like it does change things. It helps to educate people such as myself who have limited time to scour news sources. Once again, good list, and I will have a couple checked off by the days end.
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)Communication is key.
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)Medicare. He is a smart man and if he cuts those programs, he isnt our friend.
I would like to add to your list. Join a progressive organization and donate via them, like moveon, DFA, PDA, The Progressive Democratic Caucus, Progressive Change Campaign Committee, etc. Refrain from donating thru the Democratic Party organizations.
HiPointDem
(20,729 posts)this name or that name! that'll teach the democrats!
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)wont do. Move your money wasnt a Party action. The Party has an "ole boys" club that includes people like Rahm Emanuel. And they give your donated money to people like Joe Lieberman. In WA state two Blue Dogs that too money from the Party just jumped ship and sold out to the Repukes. Outside organizations got Grayson and Warren elected.
Added on edit: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014445492
Fumesucker
(45,851 posts)Write a big fucking check to their campaign.
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)I'm a Social Security recipient, and have no resources to do that. That is why I actively volunteer for campaigns for candidates who represent me. I meet them. I speak with them. I communicate with them. I don't have money to give them, so I give them what I do have. Believe me, they know it. And they appreciate it. When I communicate with them, I hear from them.
Money is not the only thing they pay attention to. Not at all.
Fumesucker
(45,851 posts)I seriously doubt they are calling the average Social Security recipient like you and I looking for donations.
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)that's how you feel. The reality, though, is that they do contact me for donations. I respond by donating time, which I have, instead of money, which I don't have. They seem to appreciate it.
I can't speak for your legislators, and don't even know who they are. My senators are Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar. My Congresswoman is Betty McCollum. I've helped all three get elected, and have worked to keep Betty McCollum as the candidate from my district. Of the three, I know Betty the best, but I have met and spoken to my Senators on more than one occasion. That's because I'm active in Minnesota Democratic Politics and have been a delegate at the party conventions.
You don't think they know who donates time and effort? You're wrong, Fumesucker. But go ahead and do what you see fit. It's completely your decision.
Dragonfli
(10,622 posts)Get out your checkbooks and we will launder 1 or 2 million each through a lobbyist with access to the president, I hope there are enough of us, Pete has deep pockets and a conspiracy in place with several billionaires that also have deep pockets.
Face reality, this is not a Democracy, it is an auction and good old Pete came in with the highest bid, I don't know if the bidding has closed yet, but if it hasn't we can try to outbid him before Obama declares SOLD and bangs the gavel on the desk.
forestpath
(3,102 posts)Scuba
(53,475 posts)This is a White House petition to "consider and promote the Progressive Caucus Budget".
http://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/please-consider-and-promote-progressive-caucus-budget-plan-we-feel-it-most-equitable/10078lWf
If ever there was an issue the White House should be promoting, this is it.
Here's the 2013 Progressive Caucus Budget release from Reps. Keith Ellison and Raúl M. Grijalva ...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/r/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2013/02/05/Editorial-Opinion/Graphics/Balancing%20Act%20-%20Executive%20Summary.pdf
more coverage ...
Poll: The Most Popular Plan To Avert Looming Budget Cuts Is The Progressive Caucus
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/02/27/1647221/progressive-sequester-plan-most-popular/
There are several plans floating around to replace the so-called sequester spending cuts scheduled to kick in on Friday. Senate Democrats and the Congressional Progressive Caucus have both released their own plans, while House Republicans have not released a new plan, but point to one passed in the last Congress.
According to a new poll commissioned by the Business Insider, the Progressive Caucus plan is the most popular of the three:
Surprisingly, the plan that polled the strongest was the House Progressive Caucus plan. More than half of respondents supported it compared to sequestration and just a fifth of respondents were opposed.
A plurality of people 28 percent believed the House Progressive Caucus Plan would have the least financial impact on them personally. This makes the most sense, as only 14 percent of respondents reported having income over $150,000.
The deficit busting Progressive Caucus People's Budget
http://cpc.grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=70
Budget of the Congressional Progressive Caucus Fiscal Year 2012
The Peoples Budget eliminates the deficit in 10 years, puts Americans back to work and restores our economic competitiveness. The Peoples Budget recognizes that in order to compete, our nation needs every American to be productive, and in order to be productive we need to raise our skills to meet modern needs.
Our Budget Eliminates the Deficit and Raises a $31 Billion Surplus In Ten Years
Our budget protects Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid and responsibly eliminates the deficit by targeting its main drivers: the Bush Tax Cuts, the wars overseas, and the causes and effects of the recent recession.
Our Budget Puts America Back to Work & Restores Americas Competitiveness
Trains teachers and restores schools; rebuilds roads and bridges and ensures that users help pay for them
Invests in job creation, clean energy and broadband infrastructure, housing and R&D programs
Our Budget Creates a Fairer Tax System
Ends the recently passed upper-income tax cuts and lets Bush-era tax cuts expire at the end of 2012
Extends tax credits for the middle class, families, and students
Creates new tax brackets that range from 45% starting at $1 million to 49% for $1 billion or more
Implements a progressive estate tax
Eliminates corporate welfare for oil, gas, and coal companies; closes loopholes for multinational corporations
Enacts a financial crisis responsibility fee and a financial speculation tax on derivatives and foreign exchange
Our Budget Protects Health
Enacts a health care public option and negotiates prescription payments with pharmaceutical companies
Prevents any cuts to Medicare physician payments for a decade
Our Budget Safeguards Social Security for the Next 75 Years
Eliminates the individual Social Security payroll cap to make sure upper income earners pay their fair share
Increases benefits based on higher contributions on the employee side
Our Budget Brings Our Troops Home
Responsibly ends our wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to leave America more secure both home and abroad
Cuts defense spending by reducing conventional forces, procurement, and costly R&D programs
Our Budgets Bottom Line
Deficit reduction of $5.6 trillion
Spending cuts of $1.7 trillion
Revenue increase of $3.9 trillion
Public investment $1.7 trillion
liberal N proud
(60,300 posts)All that does is start a flame-war.
No way, no how will I post such thing on there.
ProSense
(116,464 posts)"Communicate with Your Senators & Representative - By far the best option of all. They need your support and vote."
The best way is to pressure Democratic Senators to reject this. The President's budget is a proposal. If Senate Democrats are serious, they should include one of the alternative proposals (http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022475178 http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021871773) in any package.
At the very least, they should filibuster any package that cuts benefits.
Sanders Statement on Chained CPI
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022618445
JEB
(4,748 posts)not as Dem., probably Independent.
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)But, do as you please.
JEB
(4,748 posts)anything I do will have zero effect.
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)Nothing comes from nothing. It's your choice.
JEB
(4,748 posts)They way this betrayal feels, nothing is indeed something. Sellout Dems are worse than nothing.
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)been doing for many years.
trumad
(41,692 posts)Might change a few minds there....
I heard some have tried that tact.
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)I can't post on Free Republic, but you can, I suppose. Knock yourself out. I was banned there in 2006 as an "anti-Freeper," and haven't gone back.
It's getting old, you know...
trumad
(41,692 posts)This OP is nothing more than another lecture from a former 5 year member of that shit hole.
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)regarding Social Security? I've done all the things on that list today. How 'bout you?
I'm not sure what you expect to accomplish by telling people I once posted on Free Republic. Everyone knows that, and it's no secret. I finally got banned, because I kept trying to talk sense to people without any sense. Meta's gone, Trumad, and good riddance to it.
That was over six years ago that I was banned. Give it a break, Trumad. You apparently didn't even read this OP. It's about ways to make your point about your concerns. Every one of those ideas at least gets your opinion counted. How many of them have you contacted?
trumad
(41,692 posts)That's fucking lecturing and that is you in a nutshell.
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)will be deciding this issue. You're not reading with any sort of attention.
Posting on DU can inform others, but most people on DU already know that they oppose Chained CPI and cuts to Medicare. Discussing it here, endlessly, is fine, but telling the people who make the legislation is far more important.
What about that do you disagree with?
You appear to dislike me so much that you can't even detect when I'm offering suggestions that actually work. That's a pity, trumad.
A real pity.
Fumesucker
(45,851 posts)I'm not Mr Personality by any means but you really do draw a lot of fire from a lot of people.
You are a professional and a lot better writer than I am, if you wished not to irritate people you are perfectly capable of not phrasing things in such a divisive and irritating manner.
The real pity here is that someone as obviously talented as yourself with many useful things to say has alienated a lot of other posters to the point they won't even listen to you.
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)and to discuss that with others. Making friends is a different goal, and I have made many here. Are some others ignoring me or finding reasons to change the subject in threads from the issues raised in the initial post to personality issues? Yes, as a matter of fact, some are.
That's expected, really. This thread is a good example of that. My post that started the thread was a list of actions DUers could take to make their opinions known about the Social Security changes. It was direct, and did point out that a lot of those actions lead to nothing more than an opinion on the issue being tallied. However, even that accomplishes something.
Rather than discuss what was written, some posters preferred to post about me, rather than the issue of letting the government know our opinon. One even alluded to old postings on another site...over six-year-old postings. What that has to do with contacting people to express opinions on a particular issue escapes me completely.
You, apparently, also want to discuss my personality, rather than the topic of the thread in this subthread. I'm unwilling to do that. You find my posts irritating? Ignore them if you choose, by either not clicking on them or by using the handy Ignore feature on this website. That would eliminate your irritation, I'm sure. Some others have done that.
Any time the topic changes from its original focus to a focus on the individual poster, the thread is hijacked. This subthread was an attempt to do just that. That happens on discussion forums sometimes. It's expected. That's OK, but it does interfere with the discussion and accomplishes no worthwhile goal.
I'd thank you for your comments, but they are off topic. I post my point of view on DU. Some disagree with that point of view, and I'm always glad to discuss that point of view with them. I have many friends, and DU is not a place where I am actively seeking new ones. I have a few people who think they are enemies of mine, too, but anonymous "enemies" are not a concern of mine.
You can count on me to continue to express my point of view on DU. That's why I'm here.
Fumesucker
(45,851 posts)Or would you prefer that people actually listen to what you have to say?
You are free to communicate or not as you wish, if people don't hear what you have to say because of your perceived personality then it's your own problem, a problem I share to some extent but not nearly the one you do.
I've said some remarkably stupid and hurtful things on DU and plenty of other places too but I don't have people constantly throwing them at me because I don't go out of my way to be divisive, usually just the opposite.
I've put up my own OP about how to communicate with politicians, I hoped perhaps it was true at the time but I don't really believe it any more, I think money and influence speak far more loudly in the halls of power than the most eloquent and heartfelt words.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x350608
SpartanDem
(4,533 posts)No matter who decide to contact effort matters to politicians. Online petitions mean comparatively little because, it takes little effort. Email is a step up. A snail mail letter is given the most weight. The more effort show in expressing your views, the more you show you care, the more they will pay attention. Take this from who has friends who work on legislative staffs.
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)It is more effective, and sometimes gets more than a mark on a tally sheet. I recommend it highly. But, it's who you write to that matters. The most effective letters are the ones to legislators who represent you. If you've helped them get elected in the past, that fact adds weight to your opinion.
A carefully-written, coherent letter is always rare, so that's the kind to write.
People can do all of those things, too, along with writing those snail-mail letters, but you're right. The snail-mail has the largest impact. I get an actual response from my congressional representative almost every time. And, when I talk to her here in her district, she mentions my letters.
But, letters have to be well-written, to the point, unique, and coherent. Anything less is pretty much ignored. A good letter to a legislator takes time to create.
Broward
(1,976 posts)I called my congresswoman in NYC at 1:45 p.m. It was only the second call they got on this today. Not a good sign.
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)those contacts. Thanks for doing that! If nobody calls, they have nothing to listen to, and will do whatever they want to do or think they should do. That's never a good thing.
Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)When there are many complaints about an issue, tell each caller they are alone in this, no one else is calling. You do not know you were 'only the second call' you just know that's what they said.
Glitterati
(3,182 posts)or better yet, Saxby Chambliss.
Yeah, I'll be wasting my time with that effort.
Cleita
(75,480 posts)give a shit about my concerns about Social Security and Medicare. Instead the replies try to make me look somewhere else, at the Affordable Care Act at programs I can apply for assistance. I call bull shit on the bait and switch. I have signed it seems almost a hundred petitions over the months and I don't get the impression anyone is even looking at them. My Rep and Senators are trying their damndest but frankly they are in the minority with the Washington DCers and the President would rather kanoodle with the Republicans than with them. Occupy? An option but at my age, I'm not sure I want my bones broken by the police at a demonstration.
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)tallied, in almost all cases. It's still worth doing, but expecting real replies is expecting too much. The amount of communications received there is enormous, and there's no system possible that will deal with it all in a personal way.
Legislators are different. They depend on your vote. Your donations, too, but that can be worked around. I've never found it difficult to make personal contact with any congressional representative or state legislator. As I wrote earlier, I've met all of mine over the years, and have talked to each of them in person more than once. It's just a matter of making time to do it.
It is legislators who make laws, not Governors and Presidents. As an individual without a large presence, dealing with legislators is much more worthwhile. And you can do it directly, if you're willing to put out the effort.
Cleita
(75,480 posts)in Washington. They work hard but even they can't overcome the huge roadblocks that are John Boehner and Mitch McConnell. Ya see what I mean? I'm getting tired of banging my head against a wall. It seems I've been doing it for thirty+ years now.
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)elected, and did when I lived in San Luis Obispo County, CA too. It's rare when someone outside of a district can affect some other district. We have to rely on the people to elect good legislators where they live, frankly.
That's what I do, and that's what you do. Now, if we can get everyone to do that in 2014, things will change.
Based on what I'm seeing here, though, I don't expect it.
Cleita
(75,480 posts)There was no way to get rid of him because our Democratic Party here in SLO wouldn't run anyone against him. This last redistricting, since we now have new rules, thank God, put me back into Lois Capp's district and that is so much better.
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)She's a lovely person, and I enjoyed knowing her. I'm glad you're back in her district. Her late husband, too, was a fine man, and I'm so glad Lois decided to replace him after he died.
pinto
(106,886 posts)if you still have one. Seems anachronistic in the internet age, yet one thing about local paper readers, subscribers - they vote. Especially in primaries and local / state elections.
And strongly support communicating with your federal, state and local representatives. In writing or in person.
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)Fewer than used to be the case, though, sadly.
paulk
(11,586 posts)would be enough.
foolish me...
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)what bills they get from Congress. They can propose things, but nothing happens until Congress acts. Unfortunately there is a majority of Republicans in the House of Representatives, and a very tiny majority of Democrats in the Senate. What that means is that the President proposes and Congress promptly disposes of his proposal. The current budget proposal, which included chained CPI for Social Security is an attempt to get additional tax revenue as a counter. The Republicans aren't buying that, which means that the President's proposal is not going to become the new budget. Instead, some crap from the Republicans will be passed in the House and rejected by the Senate.
Presidents make no laws. Presidents sign laws. Congress is the arm of government that creates every new bill. If you thought that electing a Democratic President would change everything, you thought incorrectly. That is not how our system of government works.
2014 is just around the corner. If we really, really want to, and we really, really work hard to, we can elect a majority of Democrats in the House and increase our majority in the Senate. Doesn't that sound like a good idea to you?
House Majority in 2014!
paulk
(11,586 posts)that it was Obama proposing the chained CPI, not Congress.
ps - Obama also has to play a part in taking back the House in 2014. Alienating the base by going after a cornerstone achievement of the Democratic Party (social security) doesn't seem like a strategy that will work much toward that end.
I would like to believe there is some masterful 3D chess strategy behind all this, rather than Obama showing himself once again as a political naif - or worse - showing his true colors as, essentially, a moderate Republican.
Or I could post some rah rah boilerplate like you've done to make myself feel better.
Cha
(295,907 posts)make our voices heard, MM.
Contact numbers for White House:
Call the President
Phone Numbers
Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
TTY/TTD
Comments: 202-456-6213
Visitor's Office: 202-456-2121
Write a letter to the President
Here are a few simple things you can do to make sure your message gets to the White House as quickly as possible.
1. If possible, email us! This is the fastest way to get your message to President Obama.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/submit-questions-and-comments
2. If you write a letter, please consider typing it on an 8 1/2 by 11 inch sheet of paper. If you hand-write your letter, please consider using pen and writing as neatly as possible.
3. Please include your return address on your letter as well as your envelope. If you have an email address, please consider including that as well.
4. And finally, be sure to include the full address of the White House to make sure your message gets to us as quickly and directly as possible:
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/write-or-call
Liberal In Texas
(13,453 posts)And I'm having an email fight with Sen. Cornyn, as much good as that will do.
But I'm pissed!
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)exactly how to do it.