coming out of my shell

coming out of my shell

Saturday, December 2, 2017

And so it begins

I've reduced my Christmas card list in recent years, as many people have. Some send me a card in return, some don't. It is a lot of money to buy decent cards and ten million stamps. I am not sure I can afford to continue this tradition in the future. I am wondering about the politics of Christmas cards. How does one stop sending cards without hurting people's feelings?

This is increasingly more important to me as I get older with less discretionary income, especially in light of the GOP federal tax bill that passed yesterday. Apparently, the ruling elite believe it is important to take money from the poor and middle class by reducing Social Security and Medicare in order to pay for this crazy tax cut that will allow the wealthy 1% to increase their wealth. Yes, reducing social "entitlements" is how they expect to pay for the tax cuts our "betters" will receive over time.  I'm not real sure how two government programs I have paid into all my working life can be considered an entitlement, but who bothers to listen to reason or facts these days?


I want to apologize to my grandchildren for this unconscionable scam, because it will likely mean they won't be able to retire like I did. However, I did my very best to stop this nonsense. The good part is that this scam will become increasingly clear to the American public in time for the November 2018 elections.  Sometimes you lose, sometimes you win.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/12/01/gop-eyes-post-tax-cut-changes-to-welfare-medicare-and-social-security/?utm_term=.15d1fcc0aab2 

http://www.latimes.com/business/hiltzik/la-fi-hiltzik-gop-social-security-20171130-story.html 




15 comments:

  1. We are left with little to do but wait for the end and start over again.

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  2. Never understood the xmas card business, it's not done in Germany but in Ireland, people walk from door to door to deliver their cards AND wish the recipients a merry xmas. Why????

    I hope you're right about the US midterm elections. I cannot begin to imagine what if.

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    Replies
    1. It is big business here in the States...lots of money spent on cards and stamps. It has traditionally been a way to keep in touch with people spread out all over the country. Now with email and social media, that is less of an issue. Also people use them as decorations. But a lot of people stopped doing it in 2008 when the recession hit. Fewer and fewer young people send them. I think this will be my last year to go to the expense and effort. As for the midterm elections coming up next year - it is imperative that we get a majority of Democrats in the Senate.

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  3. Replies
    1. The privileged, ruling elite in the U.S. care only about the wealthy.

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  4. We're hitting rock bottom now, or close enough, or maybe it will get even worse with nuclear bombs, but I have hope that sanity will prevail at some point. It's not a big hope, but a glimmer.

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  5. Years ago we put a note in our xmas cards saying that in the future we would donate what we spent on cards to a charity. No hurt feelings occurred.

    I do believe that the politic pendulum is about to start swinging back to the left. I only hope that the damage done, especially to the environment, can be repaired.

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    Replies
    1. Great idea!!! And yes, I agree with your last sentence. So much.

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  6. We have trimmed our List considerably but I still enjoy sending them to people we have a close relationship with... no obligatory cards tho' as it never made sense to me. I am in complete agreement about the disgraceful way Politics has pandered to the wealthy while ignoring the plight of the regular folks and the most disadvantaged. Earned Military Benefits keep getting eroded and taken away too... too late after my Husband fulfilled his commitment of Serving for 39 years and honored what was agreed upon... too bad our Government isn't an Honorable.

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    Replies
    1. 39 years is an amazing service record! It is a sin and a shame the way Vets are treated.

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  7. I send cards (with personalized envelopes and notes) mostly to folks I have no social medial connection with; like my aunts and uncle. But, I like sending snail mail.

    I am heartened by the recent election results and recent actions against the current establishment. Hopefully, the current establishment will enocunter more bumps (and losses) before too much damage is done.

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So, whadayathink?