Editor’s Note: Each week Gov. Scott Walker delivers a weekly radio address. This week he addresses the Fiscal Cliff.
Hi, this is Scott Walker.
This week, I had the honor of joining a bipartisan group of Governors to meet with President Obama about the fiscal challenges facing our federal government.
For more than a decade, the federal government has been spending a lot more money than it has been taking in. Because critical debt benchmarks were surpassed, in the near future our nation is facing what often is referred to as the fiscal cliff. If our federal government fails to take action to avert this fiscal cliff, we could experience a massive economic downturn, which would affect states all across the nation.
I joined other governors, three Democrat and two other Republican, to discuss what the impact on states would be if the federal government continues down the path of massive deficits and increasing debt. As we look to the federal government in the coming months, I hope we will receive the flexibility necessary to not only help solve the federal deficit, but also provide relief to the states. Compare Washington’s budget problems to what we did here in Wisconsin—we turned a $3.6 billion budget deficit into a surplus and for the first time ever, deposited money in the state’s rainy day fund in two consecutive years.
I am hopeful politicians in D.C. will be able to solve the fiscal problems facing our federal government so the next generation is not buried under a mountain debt. I appreciate having the opportunity to speak directly with President Obama on this important issue.
The state partnered with the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association to produce and distribute brief radio address once a week. Audio files and a written transcript of this radio address can be accessed on http://www.wi-broadcasters.org and http://walker.wi.gov/Weekly-Radio-Addresses. To download an mp3 file, you can right click the radio address link and click “save link as.”
SS benefits are calculated by an actuary, just the same as an annuity may be. The main difference between the two is: an annuity is backed by the solvency of the insurance company you did business with, SS is backed by the solvency of the United States. THIS is the problem, the USA has raided the fund and our Gvt continues to spend money we don't have. It is not a Ponzi scheme, and here is why: The TRUST fund has been collecting a portion of every dollar you ever earned, to be given back to you at retirement if you should live long enough. You can read your statement from SS which lists each years wages, calculate what amount of that income has been placed in the trust fund. If you die when you are 75, the Trust fund makes out well. If you live to be 100, it cost the Fund more than anticipated.
There are several errors in your presumptions. 1) Scott Walker did not PROMISE 250,000 jobs, he set it as a goal. I know when you are on the wrong (ie. not RIGHT) side of the aisle you want to make that as a campaign promise, but there is a difference. Governor Walker has given businesses several incentives to move or create jobs here in Wisconsin. Problems occur when the leadership at the federal level is doing everything it can to go in the opposite direction. 2) The mining bill introduced last summer didn't circumvent environmental agencies. Rather, it asked for a streamlined process so that a mining company wouldn't have to prove it's case over and over and over and over and over... In other words, each agency would be available at the public hearings and ultimately provide a yes or no vote. This would include the EPA, DNR, ACE... ANY group that would have a legitimate interest in the mine. Governor Walker is doing the best he can working against federal policies and agencies. maybe it's time to look where the real problems are...at the FEDERAL (read OBAMA) level!!!
No it's not...Get a life! It was County Executive Scott Walker alerted the DA's office to the improprieties in the veteran's funding. Of course you Liberals would rather turn a blind eye than acknowledge that a Conservative did the right thing!!!
Enjoying........
And now fools say i have a too strong union! So please if you like Michigan so much, move there. Hell I'll drive you fool.
Yes indeed, there are IOUs in the trust fund. But there are IOUs in the funds of private insurance policies and annuities that are invested in the market. Richard professes outrage at the thought of paying for the Boomers' retirement. Does he think the government will stop collecting FICA? Why should one generation be the one to have paid in, thus having fewer funds for private retirement investing, only to have the promise broken? Please don't tell me I'm living the recto-cranial life when at least one of you (Richard) can't seem to understand the difference between an article written by a British moron in a rag like the Daily Mail and the USA system, which is not cradle to grave socialism like the UK. Even that fool's fellow Brits called the article a bunch of 'codswallop'.
"Please - drop the hysterics - calm, clear and rational thinking is required to keep the progress moving forward. ALEC isn't going to to hurt you, just like bad-tasting medicine - it is good for you and the anti-dote to Soros." More precisely, "ALEC isn't going to hurt you..." I am ever so happy to hear that; for a while now I have been wondering and worrying why Wisconsin was turning into an 18th century medieval state. Thank you for all the assurance… I really do feel so much better now… Is it 2014 yet?
SS is NOT in any trouble. Medicare and Medicaid are the programs, at the end of the line in this cluster, that are in trouble. Furthermore, these programs are NOT in trouble, per se, but they are in trouble because of HEALTHCARE INSURANCE COSTS. The COST of HEALTHCARE, per se, is the ROOT CAUSE of the problem here... However, it has always been the TAP position that SS, Medicare and Medicaid simply should NOT exist, and they will use any subterfuge, lie or demonization available to end them. They have been attempting that since SS began in 1935! It is the triumph of ideology over reason, compassion, community, and humanity…
"We're NOT paying - the inter-generational wealth transfer schemes will end." Silly, silly statement... of course you are going to pay. You may not like it, like the bad medicine that makes you well, however, you will pay. That is, unless you grace America with you leaving...
If the IOU's are paid back to SS, it would remain solvent forever. (almost) My issue with SS is this: If the US Government decides to change this drastically, what is next? I am afraid they will start taxing 401(k) funds before they are withdrawn. Pelosi actually suggested this several years ago, so it is not impossible.
Are you like Rick Perry's daughter?
The “Weeper of the House” has already made a compromise(s) with President Obama and there will be many more now that DeMintster is gone and 4-Tea Party Committee members have been given their packing papers. Read the tea-leaves; what you hear from the media is not all that is happening... I still hold out the hope that the TAP has the ability and will to learn… but then I have been wrong before…
"A release Saturday from the governor's office said fundraising by Tonette Walker and WERF will account for most of the cost." They ALWAYS say that, and then we taxpayers end up with the bill… only you believe them…
Walker’s real name is Pinocchio. I’m enjoying…
Concerning the "250,000 new jobs" meme, this was a specific campaign promise repeatedly made by Scott Walker. With my personal knowledge of Walker's budgeting/contracting skill set (which I personally would assess at the 'don't press so hard, you'll break your crayon' level), I knew there was absolutely no data or plan that could achieve in-state job growth numbers that exceeded (at times) federal job growth overall. Have I not asked from the beginning, "Why make a promise that has no chance of being kept?" What would we think or even say about a colleague or relative who made such promises. At best we'd consider them a lightweight; at worst we'd gently disassociate ourselves as such individuals cast a negative reflection on all around. But some folks apologize and applaud this authoritarian flamboyance. I know the GOP has sensible people in its tent. Please send the Tea Party back to the nether regions and get back to solid principles. Please.
"Party loyalty is one thing, but how many questionable things have to be connected with your candidate before you abandon him and say you might have made a bad choice?" Um, are you referring to Obama? "Please confine your responses to answering this particular question." - Are you referring to Obama?
My only comment is to Richard Head; just remember my friend that the boomers are going to hold the majority even after half of us are long gone. In addition, Gen-Y is also in support of the boomers. You continue whining about being victimized by boomers is so far from reality that I question if you know where reality is even at. Most of the laws and regulations you complain about were put in place prior to the boomers coming to political power. I guess, if you want to blame someone, blame the 'Greatest Generation' for having too many kids and enacting the laws and regulations that you now find so onerous.