The majority of citizens want social security to continue and to be improved, according to a survey by the National Academy of Social Insurance done in January 2013. This includes respondents from all political-party affiliations, family income levels, and generations. Overall, 89% answered that social security benefits are more important than ever, 84% answered they do not or did not mind paying Social Security taxes, and 75% replied “we should consider increasing Social Security benefits.

Be reminded that Social Security is wage insurance based primarily on taxes on wages/salaries, bonuses, and stock options that fund programs for qualified retirees, disabled people, and the spouse and children who survive the death of a worker, as well as medical benefits under Medicare. It is matched by employers who can include their contributions in their tax returns as tax-reducing costs of doing business.

Why is there so much popular support for Social Security?

BANGKOK, Thailand -- The U.S. did not meet Thai military officials in
Hawaii during March to plan their 2016 multinational military training
exercise and instead indefinitely postponed future contact, signaling
an ongoing rift between the two allies after Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha
seized power in a coup last year.

"Decisions concerning the exercise will be made over the course of the
next months in consultations with Thailand, the co-host of the
exercise, and other participating countries," said a statement issued
by the U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM) and the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok,
according to Stars and Stripes which is an authorized Department of
Defense news outlet.

"The United States has indefinitely postponed a planning meeting with
Thailand for next year's Cobra Gold exercise, a decision that comes
months after the U.S. scaled down its part in one of the world's
largest multinational military events," Stars and Stripes reported
from Tokyo on April 16.

Shortly after the U.S.-Thai meeting fell through, Gen. Prayuth

On May 1st, (May Day - International Workers' Day), we will be celebrating the collective strength of workers and voicing the call to "Rai$e ColumbU$" by respecting the dignity of workers here in the city.

For the past several years, a coalition of labor unions, community organizations, immigrant justice groups, students, and people of faith have come together to celebrate May Day. May Day, also known as "International Workers' Day"), Mayday is celebrated marking the victory of the 8 hour work day; a long struggle in the labor movement. Labor has since made great strides and continues to intersect the issues we all face as a community.

Join the event here and watch for more details: https://www.facebook.com/events/442420695912606/

Over the last few weeks I’ve been working on a Calypso album. I don’t have any sort of a reasonable explanation for it, and the demos so far are not very promising. It’s probably a waste of time, although it has provided a break from my regularly scheduled activity of composing mediocre piano ballads. But I’ve done the homework, including watching insufferable drum instructors (is there any other kind?) demonstrate the Calypso beat online, so I think I ought to have something to show for it.
  Nobody’s singing in an accent, super-promise, but this is more to minimize annoyance than avoid accusations of culture theft. Hey, why is it that everybody gives Sting a hard time for faking a Jamaican accent while the Beatles get a pass for faking an American one?