What a Surprise

[mrblanche]

In that regard, did you know (and I'm not mentioning names, trying to keep politics out of the issue) that the federal deficit in the eight years from 2001 through 2008 totalled about 2 trillion dollars.

Here's a shocker that doesn't get pointed out much.

The debt run up during the entire Bush Presidency is just about what the Obama Presidency did in its first year. That includes fighting two "unfunded" wars.

And, if you subtract what the US has gotten back on its TARP loans, that eight years of debt is significantly less than any yearly deficit projected by the Obama Administration during its first term.

[pennview]

You're right regarding Part A, Dusty. As always, the devil is in the details. Supplemental coverage is advisable and choosing the right provider to meet your specific needs requires careful study.

[judaspre1982]

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[pennview]

I agree in part, Dave. Salaries for federal employees have climbed considerably in recent years as has the number of employees, but their health care insurances is far from the best in the land. The Government pays a certain portion of the premiums and the employee pays the rest. The amount varies by area. In my area The employee pays about 36 percent of the premiums and the gov pays the rest. A family plan probably costs the employee around here about $500 a month, and then there are deductables, co-pays and co-insurance. If you weren't aware, the gov also provides similar coverage for postal workers. Many union workers have the real cadillac plans.

As far as federal pension plans go, the current program started in the mid-1980s is essentially a 401k plan plus Social Security. Employees hired since then can save a percentage of their pay, with government matching a certain portion of that, and the savings are invested in various stock, bond, or treasury bill funds, plus the employee pays into Social Security. If the employee invests in a stock fund and the market goes down, their savings go down. Those hired before then have a pension based on a percentage of their salary and on how many years they worked for the government. Unlike state governments, the feds realized back then that they couldn't continue those civil service retirement programs. The states have yet to wake up to that fact and that's a big factor in their budget shortfalls.

[judaspre1982]

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[jimsjinx]

Members of government were at first intended to "sacrifice" thier lifestyle to serve the public. It never paid much, but your living expenses were taken care of during your service. Now it is a lucrative carreer, with no limit to how long you can stay onboard the gravy train. And lots of connections for your future earnings and power. The ironic part for me, is that it's our own doing by just shrugging our shoulders and doing nothing to change this scenario. But it takes ALL OF US to make this change. jimsjinx

[fiatben]

..... federal employees have climbed considerably in recent years as has the number of employees, ......

Therein lies a very big part of the government. If the government took the tack of the private sector, it would downsize in a down economy. Instead, the growth is nearly exponential. What happens when everyone is either a government employee or unemployeed?

Wanna reduce the deficit, cut the spending, etc? Streamline government, back to basic services and functions, and back to basic sensible laws. Who is big brother going to watch when everyone IS big brother?

OK, back to reading my woodworking books until my blood pressure comes back down.

[keakap]

... and I don't know what is going to happen to social security. Get ready folks. The changes that Obama promised are starting to take effect right where we notice them the most.

I couldn't help but notice Department:
Notified by the SSA that there would be no COLA increase this year because there HAS BEEN NO INFLATION. (I wonder what planet they live on.)

But then recently noticed that there WILL be a COLA increase, because of INFLATION, in the official gov't job killing program "Minimum Wage".

But be happy! Gov't confiscations of 401Ks haven't started. YET.

[keakap]

...while cfls that contain mercury and are made in China are required.

made in China, by GE.
Yeah, the company whose CEO is now working for Obama...

Interesting, aint it.

[keakap]

Took the wife to the Urgent care because she was ill and her primary doctor was out of town with no back up. The nurse practitioner who saw her...

Next time, tell 'em you are filthy rich and totally covered by a "Cadillac Plan". When they ask for I.D. et al. just say "I choose not to show it. Take my word." [It worked for Bary O.]