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Bernie Sanders the train wreck of integrity

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JoeTheEconomist

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On the issue of Social Security, Bernie Sanders' public statements on the issue reveal a train wreck of deception, in which he serves as an ever subtle undertow of subterfuge for a system on which millions depend.

It is fair to say that his mistakes are small. The problem is that Social Security is a trillion dollar system which small is actually a big problem. His errors always fall in the same direction as though mistakes are not a random event. If he were simply uninformed, the errors would go in both directions. The piece only highlights 6 examples because that was the list came from an article. In a three minute video, he may have 2 sentences that are actually factually right.

I have extracted six quotes from the video provided by OccupyDemocrats, all of which are false or grossly misleading. If you watch carefully, there is always a word with a new meaning. A number that doesn't quite add-up correctly. The only reason that the list isn't longer, is because Sanders only spoke for 3 minutes.

Fact Checking Bernie Sanders on Social Security : FedSmith.com
 
JoeTheEconomist said:
On the issue of Social Security, Bernie Sanders' public statements on the issue reveal a train wreck of deception, in which he serves as an ever subtle undertow of subterfuge for a system on which millions depend.

It is fair to say that his mistakes are small. The problem is that Social Security is a trillion dollar system which small is actually a big problem. His errors always fall in the same direction as though mistakes are not a random event. If he were simply uninformed, the errors would go in both directions. The piece only highlights 6 examples because that was the list came from an article. In a three minute video, he may have 2 sentences that are actually factually right.

I have extracted six quotes from the video provided by OccupyDemocrats, all of which are false or grossly misleading. If you watch carefully, there is always a word with a new meaning. A number that doesn't quite add-up correctly. The only reason that the list isn't longer, is because Sanders only spoke for 3 minutes.

Fact Checking Bernie Sanders on Social Security : FedSmith.com
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The author says no one seriously says SS is going broke? I've been hearing that ad nauseam from some republican politicians for quite sometime now.

Some trainwreck. The authors admits in 3 out of 6 points Sanders is correct and on two others the author splits hairs. Only one out of 6 seem to be inaccurate on Sander's part.

If only other politicians could be that accurate.
 
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EnigmaO01 said:
No one seriously says SS is going broke? I've been hearing that ad nauseam from republicans fir sometime now.
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Thanks for reading.

People say that it is going insolvent.

The people who say that it is going broke are essentially doing what Sanders is doing. They are setting up a hyperbolic argument to lead the reader to the wrong conclusion. When someone says that it is going 'broke', ie completely out of money, it is designed to make people think the system is in more trouble than it is. Broke or bankrupt is designed to trigger an emotional response. Sanders is deliberately using the false argument to get people to ignore the real one as though the system has no financial trouble at all.
 
JoeTheEconomist said:
On the issue of Social Security, Bernie Sanders' public statements on the issue reveal a train wreck of deception, in which he serves as an ever subtle undertow of subterfuge for a system on which millions depend.

It is fair to say that his mistakes are small. The problem is that Social Security is a trillion dollar system which small is actually a big problem. His errors always fall in the same direction as though mistakes are not a random event. If he were simply uninformed, the errors would go in both directions. The piece only highlights 6 examples because that was the list came from an article. In a three minute video, he may have 2 sentences that are actually factually right.

I have extracted six quotes from the video provided by OccupyDemocrats, all of which are false or grossly misleading. If you watch carefully, there is always a word with a new meaning. A number that doesn't quite add-up correctly. The only reason that the list isn't longer, is because Sanders only spoke for 3 minutes.

Fact Checking Bernie Sanders on Social Security : FedSmith.com
Click to expand...

When SS goes down BS would no longer be president and it would be another person's watch. As it stands now, the time is running out. But why would BS deny it?
 
EnigmaO01 said:
The author says no one seriously says SS is going broke? I've been hearing that ad nauseam from some republican politicians for quite sometime now.

Some trainwreck. The authors admits in 3 out of 6 points Sanders is correct and on two others the author splits hairs. Only one out of 6 seem to be inaccurate on Sander's part.

If only other politicians could be that accurate.
Click to expand...

SS is in financial trouble because future liabilities exceed current assets and future income projections (at the current "contribution" rates) will not make up the shortfall even by using the rosiest of growth predictions. Saying SS is going broke is inaccurate but so is saying that folks can live on a seriously reduced level of SS retirement benefits. I know that my landlord and utility companies will not accept 75% payment so even a 25% cut in SS benefits would not allow those fairly important bills to be paid.
 
JoeTheEconomist said:
On the issue of Social Security, Bernie Sanders' public statements on the issue reveal a train wreck of deception, in which he serves as an ever subtle undertow of subterfuge for a system on which millions depend.

It is fair to say that his mistakes are small. The problem is that Social Security is a trillion dollar system which small is actually a big problem. His errors always fall in the same direction as though mistakes are not a random event. If he were simply uninformed, the errors would go in both directions. The piece only highlights 6 examples because that was the list came from an article. In a three minute video, he may have 2 sentences that are actually factually right.

I have extracted six quotes from the video provided by OccupyDemocrats, all of which are false or grossly misleading. If you watch carefully, there is always a word with a new meaning. A number that doesn't quite add-up correctly. The only reason that the list isn't longer, is because Sanders only spoke for 3 minutes.

Fact Checking Bernie Sanders on Social Security : FedSmith.com
Click to expand...

Can you explain to me why I should care about the opinion of some random blog?
 
Redress said:
Can you explain to me why I should care about the opinion of some random blog?
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It isn't a random blog. About Us : FedSmith.com. I am of no relation :). And it is not much opinion. It is mostly facts pulled from the SSA, CBO, and the like.

I write around the net, and come here to get thoughtful feedback about what I have written. Punch holes in it.
 
JoeTheEconomist said:
It isn't a random blog. About Us : FedSmith.com. I am of no relation :). And it is not much opinion. It is mostly facts pulled from the SSA, CBO, and the like.

I write around the net, and come here to get thoughtful feedback about what I have written. Punch holes in it.
Click to expand...

Your link shows it is a random blog.
 
before social security goes broke, we need to cut foreign aid to zero. in addition it's only fair to redirect welfare checks to social security recipients, as people actually worked for their social security benefits. perhaps send in special ops to raid tax havens so our 1% finally have to pay their taxes as well.
 
Redress said:
Your link shows it is a random blog.
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I do not sense you understand the meaning of blog. If you don't like the article, fine. I appreciate well thought criticism. Here you seem too lazy to express your differences of opinion, which is also fine.

Here is the definition of blog.

Noun 1. blog ↔diary, journal - a daily written record of (usually personal) experiences and observations

The site you are looking at is probably an aggregator. They consolidate articles of interest to a particular audience, and sell advertising. Submit some material. Maybe they will value your opinion as well.

FedSmith does offer a Blog, but this piece isn't in it.
 
JoeTheEconomist said:
Thanks for reading.
People say that it is going insolvent.
The people who say that it is going broke are essentially doing what Sanders is doing. They are setting up a hyperbolic argument to lead the reader to the wrong conclusion.
Click to expand...

geez Joe, another " something something Social Security something something PROBLEMS!" thread. I not only don’t see where Bernie's integrity is in question, I don't see whats wrong with social security. For reference, here are some examples of your previous “hyperbolic argument to lead the reader to the wrong conclusion”
JoeTheEconomist said:
The budget reported by CBO portrays liabilities as assets, loans as income, and debt as nothing. The way that figures are included in the budget defies logic and even the most lax accounting standard. The figures are not even consistent with current law as stated in the report. The fact that anyone quotes the figure just demonstrates how far removed from reality DC is strayed.
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JoeTheEconomist said:
Why would you insert 2033? If Social Security would collapse because benefits faced cuts, the market of politics will be forward looking and will cause an implosion long before 2033. The politics of the 2030s may be one of voter appreciation of higher taxes. More taxes in, only creates greater benefits out later. You change nothing other than the date of the collapse. So why do you think that the collapse will occur in 2033?
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JoeTheEconomist said:
Social Security isn't a retirement plan, stand alone or otherwise. It is a pension which pays benefits based on your past contribution. Many who depend upon it are those who were legally required to participate in it. The high-cost of Social Security has a negative affect on savings.
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JoeTheEconomist said:
The left wants to end Social Security, and replace it with a system that it controls.
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JoeTheEconomist said:
The discussion regarding whether Social Security contributes to the deficit or the debt largely proves that in politics, the number of beans is never as important as how they are counted.........
In simple terms, Social Security adds to the deficit.
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I especially like this false statement
JoeTheEconomist said:
Immigrants do not help SS, unless we cherry pick only high wage workers.
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How can such an “expert” on social security not know about the Earnings Suspense File
Vern said:
Actually immigrants help a great deal. thanks to Reagan's immigration reform, illegal aliens simply had to get a SS number. This to was protect businesses from legal action for hiring illegal aliens. so now illegal aliens pay the SS tax for benefits that they will not receive.

"The Earnings Suspense File, while not actually a fund of money, represents in part how much undocumented immigrants have contributed over the years. But these same immigrants will never be credited for these contributions—nor receive benefits from them—since they are barred from receiving Social Security. It is estimated that the file contains information on roughly $1 trillion worth of tax contributions."

Improving Lives, Strengthening Finances: The Benefits of Immigration Reform to Social Security | Center for American Progress
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Vern said:
I especially like this false statement

How can such an “expert” on social security not know about the Earnings Suspense File
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You do a lot of research for someone who doesn't understand English. My statement about immigrants who are legal workers here. Your statement is about undocumented workers, who work here illegally. I hope you see the difference.
 
JoeTheEconomist said:
You do a lot of research for someone who doesn't understand English. My statement about immigrants who are legal workers here. Your statement is about undocumented workers, who work here illegally. I hope you see the difference.
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good, so you agree, illegal immigrants do help social security. Now what about your other 5 “hyperbolic argument to lead the reader to the wrong conclusion” statements I posted?
 
QuadpolarNutjob said:
before social security goes broke, we need to cut foreign aid to zero. in addition it's only fair to redirect welfare checks to social security recipients, as people actually worked for their social security benefits. perhaps send in special ops to raid tax havens so our 1% finally have to pay their taxes as well.
Click to expand...

all foreign aid is about $44 billion and much is tax credits to buy American goods.
Most people who get government assistance either work, are disabled or are elderly. You employ the myth of the young welfare freeloader.
 
MTAtech said:
all foreign aid is about $44 billion and much is tax credits to buy American goods.
Most people who get government assistance either work, are disabled or are elderly. You employ the myth of the young welfare freeloader.
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It's really not a myth. It may not be as widespread as some people may fear but it's not a myth. I am on welfare. I know/have known many many other people on welfare. These are the circles I run in because I am poor and yes, some of those people are freeloaders who have figured out how to game the system. However, I suspect that they are not a very high percentage. They don't represent the average person on welfare but they do exist. It's not a myth.
 
Mr. Blackwell said:
It's really not a myth. It may not be as widespread as some people may fear but it's not a myth. I am on welfare. I know/have known many many other people on welfare. These are the circles I run in because I am poor and yes, some of those people are freeloaders who have figured out how to game the system. However, I suspect that they are not a very high percentage. They don't represent the average person on welfare but they do exist. It's not a myth.
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When I called it a myth, it wasn't meant to imply that they were like unicorns. I meant that they didn't exist in the pervasive numbers that would make them a budget problem. The hard right makes it sound as if they are the average recipient of public aide.
 
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