Open Mic

Pundits and forecasters of doom and gloom are saying Social Security is going to run totally out of money for a while. For this year, they'll be right. The Social Security Administration will pay out more than it will collect. It's not the first time, either. The SSA was subject of a lot of turmoil within the 1980s. There is a trust fund that Social Security puts the additional money into, which is how they'll cover the loss.

Income far exceeds Social Security
According to the Los Angeles Times, the Social Security Administration will spend more than it will earn this year. The board of trustees for Social Security and Medicare have reported, as of August 5, that the tax income can be less than their due to shell out out by the end of 2010. Medicare, after the passage of the new health care reform bill, is expected to stay above water until 2029. Medicare had previously been estimated to lapse into critical condition by 2017. More incentives and regulations are expected to stave off Medicare's impending demise.

Social Security Trust Fund could be cracked
The Social Security Administration maintains a trust fund for itself. Tax income that's left over after expenditures goes into the trust fund. In case of a shortfall, that's what the fund is there for. The fund itself was created for exactly this purpose. According to the New York Times, the Social Security Trust Fund is not in danger of running out until 2037. The Social Security Administration will still be able to make 75 percent of its payments if the numbers are accurate, as outlined by the Social Security commissioner Michael Astrue.

Too many Paul's and too few Peters
The funding for Social Security is from tax revenue. If fewer individuals work, less cash comes to the equation. As individuals live longer lives, the amount that has to be paid out increases, and therefore so do the obligations the SSA has to meet. The budget deficit that Social Security will run by the end of the year won't affect anyone's benefits, though, as any shortfalls do have the trust fund to fall back on.

Further reading
nytimes.com/2010/08/06/us/politics/06benefits.html
latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sc-dc-0806-social-security-20100805,0,6306255.story

...finally a progressive Democrat challenging House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. Does he stand a chance? Maybe not, but certainly gives me someone to vote for in the primary. But according to AP test returns, Gall's chances are promising...

209 of 209 precincts - 100 percent
x-Steny Hoyer (i) 51,052 - 45 percent
Andrew Gall 45,380 - 40 percent
Sylvanus Bent 17,018 - 15 percent
http://www2.wnct.com/news/2010/aug/23/ap-md-dem-house-contested-ar-33604...

I am sure he will accept words and/or contributions of encouragement:
http://andrewforcongress.org/content/what-can-i-do-help-andrew-congress

"My fundamental philosophy of governance is guided by the idea that every child, no matter the circumstances they are born into, should have as close to an equal opportunity in life to succeed as possible." For Andrew, "government, when at its best, gives a voice to the voiceless and champions policy for the powerless... if I make a mistake, let it be in favor of those that have the least among us." Andrew hopes to be able to carry his vision for change to the people of Maryland, "whether advocating for resources to preserve our Bay, or standing up to bullying lobbyists, I firmly believe that, if given the opportunity to represent Maryland in congress, I will make this district incredibly proud.”
--Andrew Gall, Democratic congressional candidate
http://andrewforcongress.org/content/about

Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Prince George’s Gall takes on ‘House of Hoyer’
By Stephanie Woods.Running for public office in Prince George’s County, the geographical backbone of Washington, D.C., requires some steel in your spine. Running against an incumbent congressman in his 15th term – who happens to be the House majority leader – in a Democratic primary in “blue” Maryland – all while finishing your homework.

Well, that takes Gall.

Andrew Gall, a 27-year-old graduate student and College Park resident, has challenged House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) for the representative seat of Maryland’s Fifth Congressional District.

Hoyer has been on Capitol Hill since 1980 and is the highest-ranking U.S. representative from Maryland in history. Gall was born a little less than three years after Hoyer was elected, and now barely passes the minimum required age to run for Congress.

So why should a candidate who can barely clear the minimum hurdle, run?
“I was raised to believe you have to stand up for what you believe in,” Gall said.

Born in Evanston, Ill, Gall spent his childhood summers at his grandmother’s house in Garrett County. Gall’s political ambitions stem from his mother, a social worker who helps at-risk youth and also helped her son make the choice to enter public service.

Gall is currently working towards his master’s degree in public policy, taking classes at American University and the University of Maryland, College Park.

According to his campaign website, Gall is running because he’s tired of complaining about Congress’ mistakes. “We must hold Congress accountable. I don’t believe in going to war for no good reasons. Rep. Hoyer voted for the War in Iraq, which I don’t agree with.”

Gall said Hoyer has “dropped the ball” on a number of issues, most notably by voting to abolish the Glass-Steagall Act.

The Depression-era legislation was created to separate commercial banks from the investment business. Gall said its repeal allowed financial institutions to merge into larger banks, which contributed to the economic recession.

The debt caused by the recession will affect future generations, Gall said, which is why he believes young people should have a say in policy that forms debt.

“Young people deserve a voice in shaping our future.”

Gall has shaped his own future through an ambitious career. After graduating from Tulane University in 2005, he worked for a marketing firm before pursuing more service-oriented positions.

He taught English as a second language in Prague for a year and then joined AmeriCorps VISTA. As a VISTA member, Gall worked to eliminate poverty in Anchorage, Alaska.

Through AmeriCorps, Gall witnessed financial insecurity and policy problems.

“Someone who is able to relate to those who are struggling is better prepared for public service,” Gall said.

Gall joined the Chicago office of the Obama for America campaign in November 2007. Over the next year, he served as a field manager in Iowa, Alaska, Ohio, and West Virginia, and a voter file manager in North Carolina and Colorado.

Gall is projected to receive his master’s degree from American University in December, though he will defer graduation if he wins the Democratic primary Sept.14. He believes a background in public policy is more appropriate for public service than the more common legal pedigree.

“Most politicians have law degrees, which means they know how to argue well, but don’t necessarily know what they’re talking about,” Gall said. “Politicians should focus on solutions rather than what makes the best political argument.”

One solution Gall desires is an answer to climate change, an issue he cites as a huge priority. Gall believes domestic clean energy sources would create widespread security – environmentally, economically and nationally.

“If we’re to lead in the 21st century, we need politicians with backbone who will stand up for clean energy,” Gall said.

Whether Gall will have the backing to stand in the Capitol remains to be seen.
http://andrewforcongress.org/newsclips/prince-george-s-gall-takes-house-...