General Discussion

BelgianMadCow

(5,379 posts)

145. about attacks on social security in Europe

Sat Oct 19, 2013, 05:15 PM

Oct 2013

let me share this small anecdote: when Greece got its "Memorandum of Understanding" it contained such a full frontal assault.
As a consequence, Doctors without Borders now say parts of Greece give them the feeling they usually get in the Third World.

I read reporting of the key points of the MoU on the Greek newspaper Ekathimerini.

That same day, I heard our liberal (read: neoliberal, and don't forget liberal politics in the EU <> in the US) vice-PM Didier Reynders discuss needed changes to our system here in Belgium.

They were the SAME points.

A small change that was made to our index mechanism here: they said people are substituting cheaper products, and we need to take those in the mix...very close to chained CPI I believe...

The current EU agenda stinks, seriously. That's not syaing all that happens in the EU parliament is bad -but the Commission and the ECB...NOT for the 99%

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The Crazy Left [View all] sabrina 1 Oct 2013 OP

This is me: Squinch Oct 2013 #1

"Crazy left" is I guess is the new label Cleita Oct 2013 #2

Lol, yes apparently it's one of the new labels. I wonder why the 'left' sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #6

But now we're a threat to DEMS TOO! Doctor_J Oct 2013 #161

So this new attack on Dems comes from the top of the party then? I wondered why it has sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #280

There are many 'NEW IDEAS' but we don't even need them nolabels Oct 2013 #199

Crazy Left Bernie Sanders Idea....Raising the Cap? bvar22 Oct 2013 #254

You are so living in the past! It's now emo-prog and firebagger. cui bono Oct 2013 #23

EmoProg is so pre-shutdown hootinholler Oct 2013 #61

It's hard to keep up with the latest ridicule! cui bono Oct 2013 #63

heaven forfend these all-but-Republicans have to actually *discuss* their villager Oct 2013 #151

Those pictorials are not examples of crazy left seveneyes Oct 2013 #3

Here, maybe this will help you see the reality of the current situation. RC Oct 2013 #58

I still say the donkey's facing the wrong way. Jackpine Radical Oct 2013 #92

Yeah, know. RC Oct 2013 #100

I love that graphic! n/t sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #117

New and improved. And still free for use. RC Oct 2013 #124

Is it your work RC? sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #139

Why, yes it is my graphic. RC Oct 2013 #219

Oh No No No! Ace Acme Oct 2013 #206

Don't think so. The political center has shifted far to the Right. RC Oct 2013 #223

Me too. 99Forever Oct 2013 #4

Crazy *FAR* Left chiming in. Fantastic Anarchist Oct 2013 #5

Over the edge, crazy lefty reporting in lark Oct 2013 #125

Most definitely! Fantastic Anarchist Oct 2013 #265

Then count me a proud member of the "crazy left." historylovr Oct 2013 #7

Nothing crazy about any of those positions. nt BluegrassStateBlues Oct 2013 #8

funny how its crazy being concerned about your own financial welfare fascisthunter Oct 2013 #9

+1 Enthusiast Oct 2013 #40

excellent point. nt tomp Oct 2013 #211

Well said. Faygo Kid Oct 2013 #10

Well, I guess that makes me a member of the 'crazy left' as well Cirque du So-What Oct 2013 #11

Well, I think we know that Democratic/Left policies are overwhelmingly sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #16

Most cogent comment I've read thus far. IrishAyes Oct 2013 #107

They called out Homeland Security for OWS, DirkGently Oct 2013 #12

+1 Enthusiast Oct 2013 #42

discourse gets gradually emptied over time: the Red Scares were *purges*, distorting the acceptable MisterP Oct 2013 #91

The Overton Window DirkGently Oct 2013 #171

To paraphrase Hunter Thompson, OnyxCollie Oct 2013 #13

I love that. Has the going gotten crazy enough yet for the Left to sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #48

It's hard to keep up with the terms and insults. NuclearDem Oct 2013 #14

centrists of the democratic variety have been dangerous to the country for longer than the tea party xchrom Oct 2013 #15

Perhaps the Tea Party was developed to make the radical agenda above look sane BuelahWitch Oct 2013 #72

That is an astute observation. zeemike Oct 2013 #123

It's been allowed to fester for that reason MannyGoldstein Oct 2013 #185

I agree. More dangerous because they got the Left to go along sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #97

How crazy am I? Hell Hath No Fury Oct 2013 #17

Those are all crazy and wonderful ideas. sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #18

+1 BluegrassStateBlues Oct 2013 #20

Yes!!! ljm2002 Oct 2013 #82

More wonderfully crazy ideas!! Thank you! Solar panels, new industry sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #101

Plant acres and acres and acres of hemp! And USE IT! SammyWinstonJack Oct 2013 #128

That is another excellent suggestion... ljm2002 Oct 2013 #130

The pukes didn't listen to the people, but neither do dem leaders on point Oct 2013 #19

Correct. Enthusiast Oct 2013 #43

Raise the Social Security tax cut off from $113,700 to $250,000 nt Fla Dem Oct 2013 #56

And add to that, an even crazier idea. Raise SS Benefits. sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #64

The Social Security tax cut off should be raised to 999 Quadrillion. Half-Century Man Oct 2013 #85

(1) Eliminate the cap. (2) Impose the SS tax on all foreign sourced income as well. AnotherMcIntosh Oct 2013 #108

I like that idea. We should aim for the sky. Instead of what we are sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #116

Why not just elimiate it entirely? N/t Fortinbras Armstrong Oct 2013 #232

Because our Dem (Damn) Leaders are Right of Center, DLC. RC Oct 2013 #66

And here's a REALLY "Crazy Left" idea..... socialist_n_TN Oct 2013 #21

You might even be crazier than I am! sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #28

I'll call and raise you. Fla Dem Oct 2013 #46

I like that. 'No Government Contracts' added to the list. sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #53

How about corporations that outsource ANY of their production....... socialist_n_TN Oct 2013 #226

How about a national standard work week? Half-Century Man Oct 2013 #90

Absolutely. Didn't we already have that? If you worked over eight sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #94

Nope, it might be standard practice Half-Century Man Oct 2013 #181

Thanks, it made so much sense I assumed we might have had it at sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #192

Thank you for that comment. vlakitti Oct 2013 #31

You're welcome. And I agree, you can't say this enough........ socialist_n_TN Oct 2013 #227

Welcome to DU vlakitti! sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #234

Yes! PoliticalPothead Oct 2013 #179

And once again ... socialist_n_TN Oct 2013 #228

Thanks! I'll check that out. PoliticalPothead Oct 2013 #270

We're not a group that's real big on "profit"....... socialist_n_TN Oct 2013 #277

re:The Crazy Left allan01 Oct 2013 #22

Kicked and recommended. Uncle Joe Oct 2013 #24

"Crazy" and proud! nt G_j Oct 2013 #25

We on the Crazy Left are the ones with the ideals and standards.... madfloridian Oct 2013 #26

Absolutely MF. And I consider you to be an exemplary example sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #32

DU rec... SidDithers Oct 2013 #27

Hey Sid!! sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #33

So Sid... about those enemas MannyGoldstein Oct 2013 #186

Nothing says crazy quite so much as being right, thus the label and bipartisan refusal to make Egalitarian Thug Oct 2013 #29

I would probably classify as Crazy Left. Jamastiene Oct 2013 #30

No spying on American citizens without a warrant. cui bono Oct 2013 #34

Lol, are you crazy? Those are wonderfully insane ideas!! sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #36

I am certifiable! cui bono Oct 2013 #39

Those are centrist ideas. Enthusiast Oct 2013 #45

Exactly the point of the OP. cui bono Oct 2013 #50

I love all of those ideas.... loudsue Oct 2013 #71

Yes, absolutely! cui bono Oct 2013 #79

I see you have the general gist of it. Half-Century Man Oct 2013 #93

"Corporations should pay extra taxes if the military is used for their gain." Kermitt Gribble Oct 2013 #132

Makes sense doesn't it? cui bono Oct 2013 #146

Just inserting this here: Bobbie Jo Oct 2013 #35

If you believe that then you haven't read much on DU. cui bono Oct 2013 #38

I'm sorry Bobbie Jo Oct 2013 #51

I'm one who has been told I was not needed or welcome in the Dem Party cui bono Oct 2013 #59

See graphic in post #58 RC Oct 2013 #67

Well, then you agree with all the crazy 'left' policies posted in this sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #78

Again? Bobbie Jo Oct 2013 #83

You don't actually have any political opinions, do you? sibelian Oct 2013 #207

? Bobbie Jo Oct 2013 #217

If you know it when you see it, why not explain it to the rest of us? That's all anyone is asking. sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #235

Scroll down Bobbie Jo Oct 2013 #240

Hey, I didn't see you over on that other thread... ljm2002 Oct 2013 #99

Hey, Uh, no..... Bobbie Jo Oct 2013 #104

Whoooooooooooooooooooosh! ljm2002 Oct 2013 #115

Thank you. I thought you were pretty clear the first time, but it never sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #118

Thanks Sabrina! n/t ljm2002 Oct 2013 #135

Oh please. Bobbie Jo Oct 2013 #222

WTF? Bobbie Jo Oct 2013 #120

Feel free... ljm2002 Oct 2013 #133

Thanks.... Bobbie Jo Oct 2013 #140

You missed the bat signal for the Posse? The very existence of that thread makes your rhett o rick Oct 2013 #248

What is your deal, exactly? Bobbie Jo Oct 2013 #250

I am a crazy lefty. I dont like to see children go hungry and without health care. Ok, now it's rhett o rick Oct 2013 #252

huh? Bobbie Jo Oct 2013 #264

Then explain how you differ from the crazy left. On what specific rhett o rick Oct 2013 #267

I never called anyone Bobbie Jo Oct 2013 #268

Let me remind you that it was you that dumped that strawman picture in here w/o rhett o rick Oct 2013 #271

Perhaps you agree with this guy? AnotherMcIntosh Oct 2013 #110

Flailing about Bobbie Jo Oct 2013 #141

Doesn't do much for my case? My case is that liberals should be valued, even if you don't agree. AnotherMcIntosh Oct 2013 #147

Yeah. Bobbie Jo Oct 2013 #149

Well you keep posting that but have not explained it. sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #150

Good grief. Bobbie Jo Oct 2013 #153

Show? What 'show'? If you can't explain what you are trying to say sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #154

+1 Orsino Oct 2013 #168

"Maybe you don't know what Straw Man means, I suppose that IS a possibility." NealK Oct 2013 #194

Nailed it... SidDithers Oct 2013 #174

Hey Sid. How's it going? You got that Universal HC in Canada where people sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #176

They arent here to enter into intellectual discussions. It appears to me that they are here rhett o rick Oct 2013 #251

Having just gone through what our family has gone through, it is hard for me to contain the anger sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #278

And I think it is you that gives us hope. Keep fighting the good fight. We will prevail. nm rhett o rick Oct 2013 #281

I'm feeling quite left out and rejected. cui bono Oct 2013 #156

# 89 and # 119 nt LWolf Oct 2013 #148

Just inserting this also. progressoid Oct 2013 #170

lol Bobbie Jo Oct 2013 #182

really? that's your statement? tomp Oct 2013 #212

Yes Bobbie Jo Oct 2013 #220

sorry that i don't follow every poster every day. tomp Oct 2013 #284

So you have no point? Except that you obviously dont know what a strawman rhett o rick Oct 2013 #246

So you have no point other than Bobbie Jo Oct 2013 #247

Well you can quote a definition. But can you explain why you think it's necessary rhett o rick Oct 2013 #253

I'll bother Bobbie Jo Oct 2013 #255

I dont like people that spew hatred for the left. It's damaging to our Party. nm rhett o rick Oct 2013 #257

Except. Bobbie Jo Oct 2013 #258

Kicked and Recommended! Enthusiast Oct 2013 #37

Thanks for reminding me of another issue, the secret trade deal. sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #41

Yes! TPP! cui bono Oct 2013 #52

Yes! TPP! cui bono Oct 2013 #54

So so so with you! Me, too! loudsue Oct 2013 #44

Crazy is much more fun than "Professional"... SomethingFishy Oct 2013 #47

I admit it. pa28 Oct 2013 #49

Thanks for mentioning the Drone issue. I remember when it sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #62

Lots of moral flexibility within the party lately on the whole collateral murder issue. pa28 Oct 2013 #196

Real Crazy left are the leftist Anarchists ErikJ Oct 2013 #55

Secret NSA Spying concerns me....I'm a Crazy Left! KoKo Oct 2013 #57

But, haven't you been told? 'If you have nothing to hide, you have sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #138

Even my panties have my trademark lunatic fringe. Zorra Oct 2013 #60

That is a fantastic post, Zorra. It really deserves its own thread. n/t sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #256

Checking in Present and Accounted for! swilton Oct 2013 #65

HUGE K & R !!! - Present !!! WillyT Oct 2013 #68

I am the crazy left! K and R! NRaleighLiberal Oct 2013 #69

Once there was a crazy left kydo Oct 2013 #70

Treat drug abuse as a medical problem not a criminal justice problem. Warren Stupidity Oct 2013 #73

Absolutely, and END the so-called Drug War! sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #121

Checking in Sabrina, a proud member in good standing here and I'm not willing to to be fooled louslobbs Oct 2013 #74

Lou!! I knew you were part of the Crazy Left for some reason!! sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #122

The right to food clothing shelter and healthcare for all people. Warren Stupidity Oct 2013 #75

You have such crazy ideas! sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #157

Another proud member of the Crazy Left BuelahWitch Oct 2013 #76

Another crazy leftist here. TexasTowelie Oct 2013 #77

Downsize our military by withdrawing from all foreign bases. Warren Stupidity Oct 2013 #80

Student loan debt forgiveness. Warren Stupidity Oct 2013 #81

Crazy left here, equality and opportunity for everyone! Bluenorthwest Oct 2013 #84

I Did Not Much Like That Post Myself, Ma'am The Magistrate Oct 2013 #86

Excellent analysis, Magistrate, stated far better than my poor attempt. sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #126

Proud to be called the a far left raging liberal..... bowens43 Oct 2013 #87

Here are my ideas: ljm2002 Oct 2013 #88

If you want to self-identify as crazy left... ConservativeDemocrat Oct 2013 #89

I rarely ever do this, but it's PrincipLEs, not PrincipALs. sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #113

Crap. You're right. ConservativeDemocrat Oct 2013 #166

While I don't consider myself any kind of conservative, IrishAyes Oct 2013 #119

Well, this IS a Democratic Forum. Naturally people expect to see Democratic Policies and principles sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #236

I could hear you (and others) a lot better if you quit screeching in my ear - IrishAyes Oct 2013 #241

Well, that was a nice rant, filled with personal attacks against ME. I would have preferred to sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #262

Your constant trashing of Democrats is not a "Democratic Principle"... ConservativeDemocrat Oct 2013 #242

Well, there you go again, as someone once said. Posting a comment filled with personal attacks sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #244

I am a Moderate-Liberal. Every test and personality measure that I respond to confirm what bluestate10 Oct 2013 #249

How do you define 'far left'? Was FDR 'far left' with his social programs and concerns for the sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #259

Amen to that! IrishAyes Oct 2013 #263

Please be specific. Give examples where the "far" left makes you go cold. Is it their insistance rhett o rick Oct 2013 #272

And you get 'crickets'. This is what needs to be emphasized and challenged over and over again. sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #279

And if you want to identify with the conservatives, so be it. I just wonder how you pass the rhett o rick Oct 2013 #273

Thanks for sharing those strawmen arguments. PoliticalPothead Oct 2013 #276

I am a commie, can't get crazier than that. :) idwiyo Oct 2013 #95

part of the grave damage caused by the radical right who dominate the U.S. House of Representatives Douglas Carpenter Oct 2013 #96

So far the crazy left is hanging with the truth Rex Oct 2013 #98

Checking In... 2naSalit Oct 2013 #102

Put me down as a proud member of the Crazy Left LongTomH Oct 2013 #103

Real lunatics, those Crazy Leftists.... democrank Oct 2013 #105

Proud member of the "crazy left" (n/t) a2liberal Oct 2013 #106

Same here. If you are left of center-right LittleBlue Oct 2013 #109

rec! SammyWinstonJack Oct 2013 #111

K&R AnotherMcIntosh Oct 2013 #112

The crazy left is like grass: DeSwiss Oct 2013 #114

Well spotted Sabrina! BelgianMadCow Oct 2013 #127

Yes, they are afraid that the Left ideas, more popular across the board sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #134

'Crazy Left' ideas here: 1�eliminate the Cap on SS income. 2 A financial transactions tax 3 Public Vincardog Oct 2013 #129

Funding of all Federal Elections! Yes, how could I have forgotten one of sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #131

Hey vincardog. That's a great list. And EACH one of those is reality in Europe BelgianMadCow Oct 2013 #137

Thanks for demonstrating that what is called 'crazy' here, among other sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #143

about attacks on social security in Europe BelgianMadCow Oct 2013 #145

What has happened in Greece should be a warning to the rest of the world. I'm not surprised by sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #237

K&R Solly Mack Oct 2013 #136

If hands off Social Security is a crazy left idea stage left Oct 2013 #142

Welcome to DU, stage left. I love ALL of your crazy ideas sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #144

Thanks, Sabrina stage left Oct 2013 #158

You really ARE crazy! Repeal the Patriot Act!! I remember when that sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #191

Are you sure you want to read all of my Crazy Left ideas? LWolf Oct 2013 #152

There isn't anything on there that could be considered crazy by any sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #155

That's what we wanted. LWolf Oct 2013 #163

I like all of those LWolf stage left Oct 2013 #165

I signed up here in 2005 thinking I was a moderate. Starry Messenger Oct 2013 #159

Crazy Left.... blackspade Oct 2013 #160

Question: When is the last time a "crazy leftist" was in a position of ANY power in this country? Doctor_J Oct 2013 #162

We should drastically cut the number of people on welfare/food stamps Nevernose Oct 2013 #164

Wasn't "Crazy Left" a Van Morrison song? Ken Burch Oct 2013 #167

Crazy left: no war on Syria (great outcome). CL: don't back down on debt ceiling (great outcome), grahamhgreen Oct 2013 #169

Proud Member For Some Time colsohlibgal Oct 2013 #172

K&R laundry_queen Oct 2013 #173

I've always been a member stupidicus Oct 2013 #175

I'm not Crunk, but I may be "Creft". n/t Alkene Oct 2013 #177

It's NOT the CRAZY left or EMO prog, it's the... reACTIONary Oct 2013 #178

Ya know... we leftys are starting to get some cred MannyGoldstein Oct 2013 #180

Lol! Where are we Manny? Are the 'laughiing at us', 'ignoring us', no, they sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #189

Attack MannyGoldstein Oct 2013 #193

In the spirit of Halloween... Howling Left here. WorseBeforeBetter Oct 2013 #183

Never ignored Iliyah Oct 2013 #184

Yes, 'vote', for Progressive Dems, like Bernie Sanders. Alan Grayson! sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #190

I join you in being Proud to be a Crazy Left liberal. joanbarnes Oct 2013 #187

I'm so left, I'm a socialist tavalon Oct 2013 #188

If this is a reaction to my other thread... Silent3 Oct 2013 #195

"That there's simply no possibility of going too far in a leftward political direction"... YoungDemCA Oct 2013 #197

Look at the progress of equal marriage rights Silent3 Oct 2013 #200

It's not unusual for Neoliberals to take a left position on social issues. Skeeter Barnes Oct 2013 #202

*snap* Yes, that is totally the Third Way MO. nt Zorra Oct 2013 #218

On social issues, neoliberalism is akin to libertarianism Luminous Animal Oct 2013 #229

Yes, that's probably a better way of putting it. Didn't really think of that. Skeeter Barnes Oct 2013 #238

No I don't have you pegged. I don't know you. And no, this wasn't just a reaction to your OP sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #269

K&R. There is no Left in American politics right now, of any significance... YoungDemCA Oct 2013 #198

Yes stage left Oct 2013 #221

You too, huh? Scootaloo Oct 2013 #201

I think a lot of the people here that might get pegged as leftist are really centrists. Skeeter Barnes Oct 2013 #203

Recced. Oakenshield Oct 2013 #204

imagine questionseverything Oct 2013 #261

Me too. And how. tblue Oct 2013 #205

I'm another one DissidentVoice Oct 2013 #208

Another proud member here. nt DLevine Oct 2013 #209

Accept my apologies if some of you crazy lefties already said this.... mdbl Oct 2013 #210

All excellent crazy leftie ideas. Welcome to DU, mdbl! sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #245

Those who benefit the most from this society ... Laelth Oct 2013 #213

K&R PADemD Oct 2013 #214

Sedition. Treason. Elected officials. Chico Man Oct 2013 #215

Even this guy - TBF Oct 2013 #216

It's like some rightie asking who is the Ted Cruz on the left side. librechik Oct 2013 #224

Harry Reid has the most power of anyone on "the left" at the moment. comparing him to the likes of Erose999 Oct 2013 #225

Now WE'RE the Law and Order party. LiberalEsto Oct 2013 #230

Late, but a proud member. N_E_1 for Tennis Oct 2013 #231

I'm one as well Fortinbras Armstrong Oct 2013 #233

Excellent comment, thank you! sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #266

Whew ...I thought I was the only one. L0oniX Oct 2013 #239

I've been known as a Crazy Lefty since the 70's. Called a few other things, besides. ancianita Oct 2013 #243

270th rec with a kick (to the tuckus) of the Blue Dog Triangulators who want 2 RW parties in America leveymg Oct 2013 #260

Proud 'crazy' lefty checking in. myrna minx Oct 2013 #274

I've been disparagingly called... malokvale77 Oct 2013 #275

You know what?? I think we are in the MAJORITY! sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #282

Hey Sabrina BelgianMadCow Oct 2013 #283

You could be right about about the "GRASS ROOTS" malokvale77 Oct 2013 #285