Social Security demonstrations in the midstate; a Lancaster County cancer survivor lands a leading role in a new film

Wednesday, 19 October 2011 16:36

Social Security demonstrations in the midstate; a Lancaster County cancer survivor lands a leading role in a new film

Written by Scott LaMar, Director of Radio Smart Talk

Radio Smart Talk for Thursday, October 20:

The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare demonstrated outside the district offices in Chambersburg and Hollidaysburg of Republican Congressman Bill Shuster earlier this week. It was part of the group's HANDS OFF - NO CUTS campaign to keep Congress from cutting the two programs as part of any budget or budget deficit plans.

We'll talk with the organization's president and CEO Max Richtman on Thursday's Radio Smart Talk.

Also joining us with be Lancaster County native Katie Hayek, who has a starring role in The Might Macs (see a trailer) -- a film about the first women's basketball college national champions from Immaculata College, that opens at theatres across the country this weekend. Miss Hayek was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma, a form of cancer, when filming began, but acted in the movie through her treatments. As part of witf's Facing Cancer Together initiative, we'll hear Katie's inspirational story.

Listen to the program:

Published in Smart Talk

Tagged under

comments

# Jeremy 2011-10-20 09:29

I understand and agree with your guest's position, but I'm also afraid that holding demonstrations outside the offices of Congress members - offices located in very conservative small towns, like Chambersburg - might be an action that runs counter to their objective. Hopefully Mr. Shuster "gets it", but I'm not sure community members driving and walking by get it. I overheard an older couple at a local restaurant talking about the demonstrations that had taken place earlier in the day in Chambersburg, equating them with the "Occupy Wall Street" demonstrations (which I also strongly support), and saying that the demonstrators needed to "get a job". Unfortunately that's a big part of the mindset we're working with around here.

Reply | Reply with quote | Quote | Report to administrator

# Lee 2011-10-20 09:30

The Social Security program was folded into the overall budget because it was running a surplus and politicians wanted to make the deficit look smaller by combining the surpluses of the SS system with the general budget's deficit.

Shouldn't the SS system be separated from the general budget so that we can more accurately see the health of the SS system separate from the real budget deficit?

Oh, and the fund has not been looted, the money is still in the trust fund, and the trust fund simply invests its money in treasury bonds.

Reply | Reply with quote | Quote | Report to administrator

# Sandy 2011-10-20 12:24

Lee, I agree that the SS system should be separate from the general budget and I'm glad that it hasn't been looted.

Reply | Reply with quote | Quote | Report to administrator

# Sandy 2011-10-20 12:48

For the last several years, I've been hearing that a lot of politicians would like to phase out Social Security. Even though 401K plans can include many stocks and bonds, I believe that the market is frequently so volatile that depending solely on 401K plans as the only source for Retirement income is risky. It's my impression that few employers offer Retirement Plans other than 401K. If they phase out SS, I believe that it shouldn't be done unless there is a better option offered to young people well in advance. And the funds they put in a plan should be insured. Those of us who have paid in to SS for years should continue to receive payments, so I'm not sure how a phase-out could be done fairly.

Reply | Reply with quote | Quote | Report to administrator

Refresh comments list
RSS feed for comments to this post