Viewpoints-The People Speak
Submitted by jcht2010 on
The perfect economic storm
The perfect economic storm is being caused by the following factors: The National Health Care Program, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, Federal Tax System, and the Federal Reserve System.
The health insurance program will become a major negative in our economic crisis and affects Medicare and Medicaid. A more in-depth review of the health care program indicates that millions of people will be affected – both uninsured and those insured with company insurance plans.
Many companies will discontinue their employee health insurance coverage because the fine for not providing insurance is much less than the cost of providing it. All health insurance premiums will increase because the health care law made major cost-intensive changes to insurance coverage provisions; such as all policies must now cover pre-existing health problems.
Since the health law requires everyone to be insured those needed insurance will either go to a private insurer or a government insurance exchange facility. The government will have to hire thousands to administer the health program and is going to subsidize the cost of insurance premiums where income ranges from 133% to 400% above the federal poverty level. At the 400% level, this would allow a subsidy with income of $90,000+.
A provision in the health law amends Medicaid eligibility criteria to where nearly everyone under the age of 65 can be eligible if their income is below 133% of FPL. This change opens the door to untold millions who now can be covered by Medicaid of which programs costs are shared by the Federal Government and states.
Also, Social Security is incurring deficits each year. Although the S.S. Trust Fund contained over $2 trillion, the actual money has been spent by the government and in its place IOUs were issued in the form of Special Treasury Bonds. Therefore every Social Security incurs a deficit, S.S. Trust Fund bonds must be redeemed and the government must fund them.
The Federal Tax System is a complex colossal mess which no one fully understands and is unbalanced with almost 50% of the taxpayers paying no income tax. This leaves most middle income taxpayers and the rich to shoulder the entire tax burden. Any revision of the tax system must ensure that all taxpayers, excluding the extremely poor, should pay some income tax.
Lastly, the Federal Reserve is continuing its policy of buying Treasury Bonds which infuses newly printed money into the economy. Infusion of new money into the economy artificially keeps interest rates at historic lows which is supposed to help the economy recover. The negative side of this policy is that it lowers the value of the dollar, will eventually cause higher inflation, and hurts senior citizens and others who cannot make a reasonable return on their savings.
Common sense indicates everyone's taxes will increase to pay for these programs unless political solutions are found before the perfect storm comes together and causes a recession/depression or bankruptcy.
Allen Novosad
Edna, Texas
Reduce cat population
by spay/neuter
I was very disappointed from leaders in our city regarding stray cats. This is not leadership to tell residents to stop feeding the cats and that would stop the problem.
First of all, the problem has been mostly exaggerated by adults that do not spay/neuter their cats and allow the cats to have litter after litter and not feeding them. Then the cats wonder to find food at other places. Are you forgetting that these cats help control the many snakes, mice and insects in our area? These cats are important to any area.
Let's reduce the numbers by responsible adults taking the correct steps to control this issue – namely spay/neuter.
As a community let us help those residents with a source and funds to spay/neuter. Adopt-A-Pet holds a Neuter-Thon every spring and fall. No appointment needed. The cost is $20 and includes a rabies vaccination.
As far as the cats causing distress, other animals do also, such as birds pooping all over the patio, car etc. So do we now start to kill all the birds because they are a nuisance, oh, and let's not forget that birds carry disease. And what about just old fashioned kindness to feed a starving animal that comes to you for help.
Glenda Specht
Edna, Texas
Lions say thanks
A huge thank you goes out to everyone who made the 44th Annual Chili Supper a huge success.
Special thanks to Ganado ISD, Mustang Creek BBQ, Brookshire Brothers, Rice Belt, and the Ganado Boy Scouts. Lastly, thank you to everyone who purchased tickets and enjoyed the chili.
Your generosity helps the Ganado Lions Club to do so much in the community!
Blake Petrash,
Ganado, Texas
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