I am in a room today with 71 other CPA’s, and man is it fun!
All professions have meetings like this, and none are fun. What is interesting is this: The speaker, a very smart and successful man with three offices and many employees, speaks of the Social Security program as if it is broke.
SS is in fact in good health, but of course would be doing better were we not in recession/depression.
In this room there were no protests or arguments beyond the surprised look from me. If tax people do not understand the system, how can we expect journalists or others to do so?
It reminds me of a letter of mine printed by the Bozeman Daily Chronicle about the essential nature of the payroll tax, it’s hidden pinch and the exemptions from it provided to the wealthy classes. It is not surface phenomenon, and so needs some study. A local television reporter saw the letter and called me for an interview. Unfortunately, it was Friday and we were gone, and by the time I called her back on Monday she had talked to the local H&R Block owner, who knew nothing of the subject matter and did not understand the letter. On that basis she had no further interest.
Unless we are part of an organized constituency, we have no power. Social Security is under attack again, and this time Obama, his usual stealthy self, is holding the spear. We don’t have Democrats, who do not fight. We don’t have the accounting profession, as they are wrapped up in the problems of wealth. AARP is useful, but fell on its face in the health care debate. We never know who has been bought off. The only thing we have are voters, mostly uninformed and only vaguely aware of the nature of the serious attack on the program, to preserve the program.
The odds are long, but honestly, aren’t they always? The fact that we even have the Social Security program is in spite of long odds. The fact that it is healthy in its 77th year has no importance to its enemies. It has saved lives, rescued millions of seniors from poverty, provided sustenance to tens of thousands of families that lost a breadwinner. Millions receive disability. There is nothing in the private sector that can touch it. Try it – ask an investment adviser for a product that provides same-day survivor benefits, a defined benefit retirement that vests for wage earner and spouse after ten years, and disability protection. The investment advisor might pencil out some hypothetical earning curve for a mutual fund that might exceed the retirement benefits offered by SS – might (he’ll forget about fees and major downturns) — but will conveniently forget about survivor annuities and disability. He cannot touch SS.
Piece of Mindful 
Were there 71 pocket protectors too? Nothing more fun than continuing education.
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I had the only IPad. We’re not as bad as pocket protectors but we are pretty much as profiled. The jokes that got big laughs would not fly outside that room.
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The Spider and the Fly
By Mary Howitt
Will you walk into my parlour? said the spider to the fly.
Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy,
The way into my parlour is up a winding stair,
And I’ve a many curious things to shew when you are there.
Oh no, no, said the little Fly, to ask me is in vain,
For who goes up your winding stair, can ne’er come down again.
I’m sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high
Will you rest upon my little bed? said the Spider to the Fly.
There are pretty curtains drawn around; the sheets are fine and thin,
And if you like to rest awhile, I’ll snugly tuck you in!
Oh no, no, said the little Fly, for I’ve often heard it said
They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed!
Said the cunning Spider to the Fly, Dear friend what can I do,
To prove the warm affection I ‘ve always felt for you?
I have within my pantry, good store of all that’s nice
I’m sure you’re very welcome, will you please to take a slice?
Oh no, no, said the little Fly, Kind Sir, that cannot be,
I’ve heard what’s in your pantry, and I do not wish to see!
Sweet creature! said the Spider, you’re witty and you’re wise,
How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes!
I’ve a little looking-glass upon my parlour shelf,
If you’ll step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself.
I thank you, gentle sir, she said, for what you ‘re pleased to say,
And bidding you good morning now, I’ll call another day.
The Spider turned him round about, and went into his den,
For well he knew the silly Fly would soon come back again
So he wove a subtle web, in a little corner sly,
And set his table ready, to dine upon the Fly.
Then he came out to his door again, and merrily did sing,
Come hither, hither, pretty Fly, with the pearl and silver wing,
Your robes are green and purple, there’s a crest upon your head
Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead!
Alas, alas! How very soon this silly little Fly,
Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by
With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew,
Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, and green and purple hue
Thinking only of her crested head, poor foolish thing!
At last,
Up jumped the cunning Spider, and fiercely held her fast.
He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den,
Within his little parlour, but she ne’er came out again!
And now dear little children, who may this story read,
To idle, silly flattering words, I pray you ne’er give heed.
Unto an evil counsellor, close heart and ear and eye,
And take a lesson from this tale, of the Spider and the Fly.
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Nice –
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