Raise the FICA cap. Enough already.

I have never earned enough to exceed the "cap" on income subject to FICA (Social Security and Medicare) taxes, so all of my income is taxed for contributions to these entitlements. But if I earned over $113K a year, I would pay FICA taxes only up to the "cap" of $113K, i.e. I could earn $500K a year and pay the same amount of FICA taxes as someone who earns $113K. The FICA taxes aren't scaled like income tax, so a minimum wage earner ($15K a year) pays FICA taxes at the same rate as someone who earns $113K (and a minimum wage earner pays at a much higher rate than a $500K earner). We have two choices to fix the Social Security fund: (a) reduce benefits for the elderly, the vast majority of whom have paid FICA on all their earnings, or (b) raise the cap so those who earn more--and thus have more opportunity to save for retirement--will contribute FICA taxes on more of their income. That's the whole issue: Who pays? Another way to think about it is "Who will suffer most?" But then, I'm a bleeding heart.

Spaghetti with Tomato-Meat Sauce
Serves: 6

I've modified this is Weight Watchers Recipe for Simply Filling, but it is essentially the same. If not using SF plan, it is 6 PointsPlus per serving

Ingredients

2 tsp olive oil  
1 large uncooked onion(s), chopped  
1 medium uncooked carrot(s), finely chopped  
3 clove(s) (medium) garlic clove(s), minced  
1 pound(s) uncooked 93% lean ground beef  
 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes, in tomato puree  
1/4 tsp table salt  
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, crushed  
1/4 tsp dried basil*
3 cup(s) cooked whole-wheat spaghetti, kept hot  


*I like to add more herbs and spices, particularly oregano. An Italian blend would be fine. Add tarragon if you usually add sugar to spaghetti sauce. Fresh herbs would be better, of course.

Instructions

    •    Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrot and garlic. Cook, stirring frequently, until onion is translucent, about 6 minutes. 

    •    Add ground beef to skillet. Cook, breaking up clumps with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 4 minutes. 

    •    Stir in tomatoes and tomato puree, salt, red pepper flakes and basil; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes for flavors to blend and for sauce to thicken slightly; spoon sauce over spaghetti. Yields about 1/2 cup of spaghetti and 2/3 cup of sauce per serving.
Notes
    •    Refrigerate extra sauce for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.

 

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WEIGHT WATCHERS and PointsPlus® are the registered trademarks of Weight Watchers International, Inc. and are used under license by WeightWatchers.com, Inc.


My 2013 resolutions. I collected some of them here and there and now I can't remember who to credit.

1. Start the day by listing five things I'm grateful for.
2. Imagine my day with the right behaviors for the rewards I want.
3. Eat and drink with mindful moderation.
4. Practice one random act of kindness every day.
5. Make time for 30 minutes of exercise.
6. Smile more and complain less.
7. Actively relax or meditate for 10 minutes.
8. End the day by listing five good things from that day.
9. Imagine my tomorrow with the right behaviors for the rewards I want.
10. Sleep deep and long.

Simply Filling Pimento Cheese

1 package fat-free shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 tub fat-free soft cream cheese (Kraft)
1/2 cup fat-free mayonnaise
1/2 small (4 oz) jar diced pimentos, drained
cayenne
coarse-ground black pepper
salt

Mix cream cheese and mayo with spices. Add to cheese and pimentos. Mix well. Add more mayo if it is drier than you like it. Use the spices to suit your own taste. Add more pimentos if you like.

This recipe is "free" in the Simply Filling plan.