H.I.&M.E.H. Prince Don Louis Pèpin

If you remember in my posting about Taxation, I mentioned the issue of Social Security and Medicare.  If you are to believe the current leaders of the Republican national Committee; these programs are entitlements and are bankrupting America.

I am going to provide a little truth to the mix and I am completely ashamed of the Republican Party for their practices.  I have been a member of the Republican Party since 1980 and I have watched it fall into a self-destructive cycle with no end in sight.

Every working citizen in America pays a portion of their income into Social Security and Medicare.  The percentage paid to Social Security is just above 15%, shared between the employer and employee, and it is based on gross income, not net.  The percentage paid to Medicare is about 1.5% from gross income and paid completely by the employee. 

First, lets deal with Social Security.  If you begin your working career around 18 years of age and work to 65 or older; you have been paying into the system for about 47 years.  As the fiduciary of said funds; the government should be investing the money in a low risk savings program, in which the interest is rolled back into the principal as earned, for the duration of active savings.  When you would reach retirement; your retirement savings in Social Security should have your annual benefits being equal or less then the interest being earned on the principal per year.  The Social Security Administration never returns the principal to the family, therefore, there should be a large surplus in the Social Security Administration Trust.  An unskilled investor could accomplish the proposed outcome, without any assistance.  This is common sense and simple economics. 

However, Congress fails to mention a major factor to the condition of Social Security and your money.  They borrowed money from Social Security to pay down the national debt and took great accolades for their accomplishment at the time.  It was during a period the Republican Party controlled both houses of Congress and the Whitehouse.  They depleted the reserves and stole our money to pay on obligations they made.  In the private sector, this is called embezzlement and carries a very stiff prison term.  In the public sector, they just excuse themselves from all liability and call the program an entitlement.

Medicare is not in exactly the same position but very close to it.  Once you are eligible for Medicare, after having paid towards the benefit for 47 years; you are charged a monthly premium.  The premium is about equal to the premium you would pay for the same benefits in a large corporation.  However, you would have smaller co-pays, prescription assistance, and dental.  The reason we do not have lower cost prescription drugs is because the government refuses to negotiate on behalf of its citizens.  This decision is due to the very large donations provide from the drug companies to the politicians, not the nation or the people of the nation.  Every other first class country in the world; actively negotiates prescription drug cost for their people.  For example, my heart medication was $275.00 a month in America and, under my insurance, the co-pay was $40.00 per month.  Of course, the insurance companies do not pay the full difference because they have made arrangements for discounts, themselves.  If you had no insurance, you would pay the full $275.00 per month.   However, in England, where my insurance was not accepted or usable and I had to pay full price for all medications; my heart medication cost me the US equivalent of $27.50.   The only difference is the loyalty of the government to its citizens.

The first argument given by Congress and the Pharmaceuticals relates to the cost of research and development.  The pharmaceuticals have to charge such large rates and fees during the guaranteed patent control period to recoup the cost of development.  This position could have merit until one researches the topic.  A majority of the research and development is performed on the campuses of Universities, by professors and students.  They receive grants from non-profits and government agencies.  Therefore, the initial development, adjustments and trials are not paid by these corporations.  Furthermore, they have managed to place a barrier between themselves and potential litigation over failed medications or initial side effects.  The universities are taking those dangers on themselves.

The second argument given by Congress relates to taxation.  We, as a nation, receive money back in corporate taxes.  Again, it sounds good on the surface.  Most of the major Pharmaceutical corporations are foreign corporations and they have been granted special deductions and rates.  Like other major corporations, GE for example, these companies usually pay nothing in taxes and receive cash back under special incentives.  Therefore, the nation is receiving no direct financial benefit.

While our seniors are losing their homes and savings to excessive medical expenses; Congressmen are pocketing cash into campaign accounts and getting special gifts of a personal nature and the Pharmaceutical executives and stock holders are taking huge bonuses and dividends.   Congress, who has 100% medical, dental, optical and prescription coverage granted to them, by themselves, sold out the citizens of this country for their further personal benefit.  Meanwhile, they tell us Medicare is an entitlement, despite the fact we pay for it our entire adult life.

The only entitlement in this country is going to the extremely poor, which is given at a substandard rate and under major bureaucracy, and to Congress and the Chief Executive Officers at an excessive rate and with no hassles.

Several years ago I created another organization, B.A.D.G.E.R.S., but did not have the time to dedicate to it nor the strength to fight the battle, mud and fallacious attacks which come from fighting corruption and evil among the "Elitists."  BADGERS stood for Brave Americans Demanding Government Employees Receive Sentences. 

It was this exact irresponsible self satisfying immoral behavior with false allegations and rhetoric designed to hide illicit activity which enraged me to create BADGERS.

Do you feel Entitled?  Do you feel your government is paying for you?  Or, do you feel you are paying for your government without the benefit of real representation or your interests being considered?  I know I do!

      H.I. & M.E.H. Pr. Fra' Don Louis Pèpin, who is known in America as H.I. & M.E.H. Pr. Fra' Dr. Donald Lee Pippin, Jr. or H.I. & M.E.H. Pr. Fra' Dr. D. Lee Pippin is the Prince Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Knights of the Imperial Order of the Carolingian Empire and its American Association, Noblesse Oblige Charities, Inc.

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