By Sarah Ferris - 10/26/15 07:36 PM EDT
The GOP-led reforms could include a move toward “flat benefits,” in which beneficiaries would receive payments tied to the federal poverty level instead of payments based on their pre-disability earnings. This will for sure drop payments. Now one gets their payment based on what they would have gotten at "full retirement age"; i.e. 100%.
It’s a change that’s been championed by the conservative Heritage Foundation, which found in an analysis published Friday that the move would save $168 billion – the same amount discussed in the deal Monday.
GOP leaders say those reforms would help stave off the 20-percent cut in disability benefits that would hit about 11 million recipients next year without action by Congress.
While the change could mean payment cuts for some beneficiaries, Heritage Action analyst Rachel Greszler argues that those impacted would be insulated because they are more likely to have “substantial private savings or private [disability] coverage.” This lady is for sure living in a dream world. People are so ill prepared now for basic retirement that one having to live off of whatever going into disability status early is a nightmare.
Pakistan is now or at least its terrorist groups are now zeroing in on Indian facilities/ sites. This has all the unfortunate makings of yet another major blow up in the Muslim World. And for better or for worse, we are the "experts" on what happened. That is scary; one must try to figure out which side Mr. Obama will actually throw under the bus? Maybe both? I say Muslim being fully aware that India is mostly Hindu and apologize for that up front. But one must ask; who is stirring up the Pakistani Terror groups? Or is it an accident just like the good fortune that stopped their efforts from succeeding? Biggest problem: both have nuclear weapons. The admission from the Indian General that the Army was not ready for a war was totally scary. For its size, is India at the mercy of the Pakistani's; short of nukes? Yet again, one can smell the Iranians/ Chinese and Russians, even if from afar.
See where Mr. Yeater on the Wood County BOE is using a common sense approach to Snow Days. Don't close the schools; let the parents to decide if they go or stay home. Now there is a novel idea. Parental input/ decision. In the day, we had buses that had CHAINS put on them and they made their rounds. Weather really tough, they ran a little late but do not remember having one in an accident. Here seems any excuse to close schools and give really the staff a day off. Then kids have to make up later. School running to mid/ last half of June is unbelievable. Good idea if year round sessions.
And the City of P'burg seems has finally figured out how or when to use a "contingency" fund. Not a cookie jar as with Vienna. One is needed but for sure not as used. State seemed to understand correct budgeting/ allocation in budget process. Not a constant one emergency and another. Than at end Fiscal Year; $450,000 to $980,000 roll over because so much money shows up in over taxation and the line items used as little slush fund accounts.
This will be last two a day blog for a while unless something really breaks. I am getting a little backed up not only on Vienna issues, but some of my own. I appreciate very much those of you who read this blog. Remember: Read, Think, Comment. Tell your friends;
neighbors; family what you like or not that I put out. Many of the items here, you will never see in the local media and not be told by the City. Will put out new posts 4:00 PM. 'nuff said.