Hey kiddos,

Let’s talk turkey – specifically about those turkeys who want to cut Social Security benefits. What’s up with that?

Well, it sure as heck isn’t because of the deficit. Social Security’s trust fund has a $2.6 trillion surplus right now, which is enough to pay everyone’s benefits in full for another 25 years. If anyone tells you Social Security is going broke, they’re blowing more smoke than a chimney.

Here’s the reality: Social Security would pay full benefits forever – not just to us, but to you, and even your kids (hint, hint) — if millionaires simply paid the same Social Security tax rate as most people. Heck, we could even afford to improve Social Security benefits a bit.

Right now, everyone pays Social Security taxes on the first $106,800 they earn, which means most people pay Social Security taxes on their whole paycheck. But since $106,800 is the cap (unless Congress acts to change it), a whole lot of wealthy people don’t pay a dime in Social Security taxes on most of what they make.

Not to get all parental – it’s your life – but this is important stuff. Because unless you tell Congress to “Just Scrap the Cap,” they could cut Social Security benefits — and we might be movin’ in.

Tell Congress no cuts to benefits – Just Scrap The Cap.

Love,

Mom and Dad

Reposted from Scrap The Cap in honor of supporting Social Security by Young Melonites

To learn more, read Out of the frying pan…Yale Wong builds company

On July 3rd, a plethora of artists gathered at the Satori Group‘s loft in downtown Seattle for a new collaborative event called whizARTbang! What is it? whizARTbang is a new collective of artists and supporters. It hopes to connect, collaborate, and support art in any way it can.

Each month, members host an intimate gathering featuring culinary art, visual art, live performances, and libations. The Melon was on hand for July’s gathering which featured a sampling of work from: Culinary arts, Painting, Stand-up, Dance, Video Art, Experimental Theater, and Sketch Comedy. Here’s our footage from the event which featured The Melon’s own Electric Elliot:

Artists included:

-Zoe Scofield
-Derek Shankland and Mike Klotz
-Stephen Ross
-Emmett Montgomery
-Jason Miller
-Juniper Shuey
-Boom! Theater
-Kevin Kantner (not to be confused with Kevin kantor)
-Counsel Langley
-Harlequin Hipsters
-Elliot Trotter

On Saturday, April 28th, in celebration of National Poetry Month, the Washington State History Museum hosted Mouths & Mics: Poetry in the 253, a collaborative event featuring 7 talented Tacoma poets and an abundance of local artists and musicians. Hosted by Antonio Edwards, Poetry in the 253 took art form to new heights, as Tacoma poets enhanced their timeless pieces using visual imagery, theater, dance, lighting and music.

Featuring performances by: Kiah lee, Emilie Rommel Shimkus, Elliot Trotter, Josh Rizeberg, Ariel Zimmer, Korama Williams, Zeek Green, Antonio Edwards, Colin Cronin, Mark Monlux, Lee Sledd, Tammy Robacker and more, Poetry in the 253, kicked ass. Everyone brought something fantastic to the equation and all of collaborations were out of sight. Anyone who missed out on seeing this live really missed out.

The evening was capped with the passing of the poetic torch to the 2010 Urban Grace Soul of the City Tacoma Poet Laureate Tammy Robacker.

The Melon was on site to film and document this awesome occasion. Thanks to Antonio Edwards for his work making this happen and Adam the Alien for his photography work.

Pecha Kucha Night, devised and shared by Klein Dytham architecture, was conceived in 2003 as a place for young designers to meet, network, and show their work in public.

Each presenter is allowed 20 images, each shown for 20 seconds each – giving 6 minutes 40 seconds of fame before the next presenter is up. This keeps presentations concise, the interest level up, and gives more people the chance to show.

Adam the Alien treats the world with a glimpse of the secret Cartoonists League of Absurd Washingtonians End of Year Ceremony.

Pecha Kucha Night, devised and shared by Klein Dytham architecture, was conceived in 2003 as a place for young designers to meet, network, and show their work in public.

Each presenter is allowed 20 images, each shown for 20 seconds each – giving 6 minutes 40 seconds of fame before the next presenter is up. This keeps presentations concise, the interest level up, and gives more people the chance to show.

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Rollie, Travis and Taylor discover a magic lamp and are granted one wish to change the face of humanity.