The article about my efforts to reform Social Security was published on Sunday.
I was a little apprehensive when the newspaper told me they were going to send someone over to photograph one of my podcasting sessions. I am a man of humble means, and my furniture consists of the desk that I built for myself, a lamp that was a housewarming gift from my parents, and an old sofa that someone gave me. While the apartment suits me just fine, it does not exactly seem like the setting for a great photo opportunity.
The photographer turned out to be a great guy. He told me to just start recording a podcast while he figured out how to get a good picture. He took a few photos, and then decided that the lighting needed to be adjusted. When he opened the blinds, sunlight poured in through the window and created a cool shadow effect on the wall. He said that the shadows reminded him of sound waves.
Anyway, I am not the most photogenic guy around, but I think the picture turned out really awesome. It may just be the best photo anyone has ever taken of me.
The article is available for viewing on the main site.
View Newspaper Article
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Each political movement has its own symbol. Yellow ribbons are a sign of support for the troops, while the peace sign is often used by war protestors. It seems like they now have a colored ribbon for almost everything. For example, the pink ribbon has become an important symbol for breast cancer awareness.
As an ironworker, I don't get too excited about ribbons, so I needed to come up with a better idea (not to mention that every imaginable color has already been claimed by one group or another). Then I heard about the paperclip.
During World War II, Norwegians wore paperclips as a symbol of national unity. A Norwegian by the name of Johan Vaaler is widely credited for inventing the paperclip, and it emerged as a way for Norwegians to show their resistance to the occupying Nazi forces.
That which had once bound page to page soon served to bind one heart to another.
I immediately knew that the paperclip would make a perfect symbol for PACT America. After all, the investment we need to protect is not the one printed upon the paper of stocks and bonds, but the one engraved upon the hearts and minds of a generation. And since one of the greatest problems our country faces is a lack of national unity, we could probably use a symbol whose sole purpose is to unite that which is divided.
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The current proposal for private stock accounts would take 75 years to achieve positive cash flow while also requiring massive transitional borrowing. I talk about the need for common sense in economic predictions, and I explain how the solvency of our government is largely dependent upon the solvency of our citizens.
“...And all these academics, all these economists, they're so fond of making all these economic predictions, all of these numbers calculated out and projected into the future. But real life doesn't work that way. You can't predict 75 years out into the future; you don't know what's going to happen then...”
Podcast: 11/25/2005 - Predictions Are Just That (MP3 - 10.8 MB) | Listen Now!
[Transcript]
Question: What if private stock accounts don't work out so well?
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In this podcast, I talk about a vicious cycle that will soon begin to affect stock market returns, and I explain why comprehensive pension reform is critically needed.
“...Too often in government, the government is reactive, which means they wait until something bad happens before they do anything. Well we need to be proactive. We need to get on top of this right now; we need to make sure we get it handled right now so that it doesn't become this huge problem in later years. We need to be proactive, not reactive....”
Podcast: 11/23/2005 - A Vicious Cycle (MP3 - 17.6 MB) | Listen Now!
[Transcript]
Question: What does that pension agency have to say about all of this?
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In a previous podcast, I mentioned that Social Security benefits are currently subject to cost-of-living adjustments that allow retirees to receive benefit checks that keep pace with inflation.
Members of Congress also receive such cost-of-living adjustments each year unless they specifically vote to cancel these pay increases. In fact, it seems like the only people who have yet to get such a raise are those earning the federal minimum wage.
It's actually kind of sickening when you think about it.
Those who oppose an increase in the federal minimum wage say that such an action would slow economic growth. Slavery also happened to be pretty good for economic growth, but that didn't make it right.
U.S. Constitution - Amendment XIII
Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
Section 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Congress should enact “appropriate legislation” granting federal minimum wage earners the same cost-of-living adjustments that its members currently enjoy.
We must tolerate nothing less from the nation where all men are created equal.
Sources:
CRS Report - Salaries of Members of Congress - Payable Rates (PDF)
CRS Report - Salaries of Federal Officials - Fact Sheet (PDF)
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The original idea for PACT America pension accounts came while I was watching the holiday classic “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
I was inspired by the scene where a run on the bank threatens financial ruin until George Bailey (played by Jimmy Stewart) skillfully averts this crisis with personal sacrifice and an impassioned plea for common sense and community values.
Interestingly enough, there's another scene in this movie that flawlessly describes the impending Social Security crisis (the fact that Congress spent the entire Social Security trust fund). And while I have included the dialogue from this scene, the names (and numbers) have been changed to expose the (not so) innocent.
UNCLE SAM: (distraught) I just don't know what happened to it, George, I just don't know!
GEORGE B: One and a half trillion dollars! Uncle Sam, the bank examiner's here and it's not our money, it belongs to the depositors.
UNCLE SAM: George! What - what are we gonna do? We've traced every step I took. We can't stand here in the street!
GEORGE B: Are you sure you didn't put that envelope in your coat pocket?
UNCLE SAM: I - I - I think so... maybe... maybe... Oh, I'm no good to you, George. I'm no good!
GEORGE B: (desperate) Now, listen to me! Now, listen to me! Think! Think, will you?! Now try and think!
UNCLE SAM: (sobs) I can't think any more! I can't--
GEORGE B: (snaps) Where's that money, you silly old fool?! You know what this means? It means bankruptcy and scandal and prison! One of us is going to jail! Well, it's not gonna be me! Now, get out o' my way, I'm goin' home!
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I am really starting to enjoy this whole podcasting thing, and in this podcast, I discuss some of my thoughts and feelings concerning the current state of our political system.
“...So when I talk about how much work this Social Security project has been or how many sacrifices I've had to make, that's nothing, because nobody's shooting at me. I feel like I'm not even worthy to shine the boots of the guys that are fighting over there...”
Podcast: 11/15/2005 - True Sacrifice (MP3 - 5.9 MB) | Listen Now!
[Transcript]
Question: What's a podcast?
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“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.” (Psalm 91:11-13 NIV)
My brother had to report back to his duty station, and he left early Sunday morning. Unfortunately, I felt like I was on borrowed time the whole time that he was here.
I have been working on the website in an effort to take my mind off the fact that he is gone, and the result is a new splash page complete with a streaming audio speech.
I also built a microphone stand for my makeshift recording studio. It may not look like much, but it feels like a work of art. I was amazed to see that the entire microphone assembly stood perfectly balanced even before the beveled support piece had been attached to the base. (In case anyone is wondering, I made the desk a few years ago.)
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I have avoided writing this post for several weeks now, because I have been trying to spend as much time with my brother as possible. And while I do not particularly wish to tell it, it is a story that must be told. (story to follow)
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Download the latest version of iTunes.
http://feeds.feedburner.com/pactamerica
