[LeThanhPhong]

Trump and those Pussyhats

"Pussy" ("pussyhats") nhái lại chữ "pussy" Trump dùng  trong câu nói "grab them by the pussy." (pussy nói đến âm hộ của đàn bà) .  Khi gặp ai vừa mắt Trump, chàng sẽ tiến tới, rất tự nhiên đưa tay ra nắm / bóp hạ bộ của nạn nhân không cần biết họ có đồng ý hay không .

Pussyhat

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pussyhat

A pussyhat is a pink, crafted brimless hat or cap, created in large numbers by women involved with the United States 2017 Women's March. They are the result of the Pussyhat Project, a nationwide effort initiated by Krista Suh and Jayna Zweiman, a screenwriter and architect located in Los Angeles, to create pink hats to be worn at the march.[1]

The creators state that the name refers to the resemblance of the top corners of the hats to cat ears while also attempting to reclaim the term "pussy", a play on Trump's widely reported 2005 remarks that women would let him "grab them by the pussy."

--ooOoo--

Trump's uncensored lewd comments about women from 2005

WARNING: This story contains graphic language. Donald Trump bragged about trying to have sex with a married woman and being able to grope women in previously unaired footage from 2005.

Trump admitted that he tried to grab A MARRIED WOMAN.

--ooOoo--

https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/08/us/do...cript.html

In a 2005 recording obtained by The Washington Post before the presidential election, Donald J. Trump talks about women in vulgar terms to Billy Bush, then the host of “Access Hollywood.”CreditCredit...Mark Makela for The New York Times

Oct. 8, 2016

Following is an unedited transcript of the tape in which Donald J. Trump repeatedly made vulgar comments about women. Mr. Trump was filmed talking to the television personality Billy Bush of “Access Hollywood” on the set of “Days of Our Lives,” where Mr. Trump was making a cameo appearance. They are later joined by the actress Arianne Zucker. The transcription is by Penn Bullock of The New York Times.

Donald J. Trump: You know and ...

Unknown: She used to be great. She’s still very beautiful.

Trump: I moved on her, actually. You know, she was down on Palm Beach. I moved on her, and I failed. I’ll admit it.

Unknown: Whoa.

Trump: I did try and fuck her. She was married.

Unknown: That’s huge news.

Trump: No, no, Nancy. No, this was [unintelligible] — and I moved on her very heavily. In fact, I took her out furniture shopping.

She wanted to get some furniture. I said, “I’ll show you where they have some nice furniture.” I took her out furniture —

I moved on her like a bitch. But I couldn’t get there. And she was married. Then all of a sudden I see her, she’s now got the big phony tits and everything. She’s totally changed her look.

Billy Bush: Sheesh, your girl’s hot as shit. In the purple.

Trump: Whoa! Whoa!

Bush: Yes! The Donald has scored. Whoa, my man!

[Crosstalk]

Trump: Look at you, you are a pussy.

[Crosstalk]

Trump: All right, you and I will walk out.

[Silence]

Trump: Maybe it’s a different one.

Bush: It better not be the publicist. No, it’s, it’s her, it’s —

Trump: Yeah, that’s her. With the gold. I better use some Tic Tacs just in case I start kissing her. You know, I’m automatically attracted to beautiful — I just start kissing them. It’s like a magnet. Just kiss. I don’t even wait. And when you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything.

Bush: Whatever you want.

Trump: Grab ’em by the pussy. You can do anything.

Bush: Uh, yeah, those legs, all I can see is the legs.

Trump: Oh, it looks good.

Bush: Come on shorty.

Trump: Ooh, nice legs, huh?

Bush: Oof, get out of the way, honey. Oh, that’s good legs. Go ahead.

Trump: It’s always good if you don’t fall out of the bus. Like Ford, Gerald Ford, remember?

Bush: Down below, pull the handle.

Trump: Hello, how are you? Hi!

Arianne Zucker: Hi, Mr. Trump. How are you? Pleasure to meet you.

Trump: Nice seeing you. Terrific, terrific. You know Billy Bush?

Bush: Hello, nice to see you. How you doing, Arianne?

Zucker: Doing very well, thank you. Are you ready to be a soap star?

Trump: We’re ready, let’s go. Make me a soap star.

Bush: How about a little hug for the Donald? He just got off the bus.

Zucker: Would you like a little hug, darling?

Trump: O.K., absolutely. Melania said this was O.K.

Bush: How about a little hug for the Bushy? I just got off the bus.

Zucker: Bushy, Bushy.

Bush: Here we go. Excellent. Well, you’ve got a nice co-star here.

Zucker: Yes, absolutely.

Trump: Good. After you.

[Break in video]

Trump: Come on, Billy, don’t be shy.

Bush: Soon as a beautiful woman shows up, he just, he takes off. This always happens.

Trump: Get over here, Billy.

Zucker: I’m sorry, come here.

Bush: Let the little guy in here, come on.

Zucker: Yeah, let the little guy in. How you feel now? Better? I should actually be in the middle.

Bush: It’s hard to walk next to a guy like this.

Zucker: Here, wait, hold on.

Bush: Yeah, you get in the middle, there we go.

Trump: Good, that’s better.

Zucker: This is much better. This is —

Trump: That’s better.

Zucker: [Sighs]

Bush: Now, if you had to choose honestly between one of us. Me or the Donald?

Trump: I don’t know, that’s tough competition.

Zucker: That’s some pressure right there.

Bush: Seriously, if you had — if you had to take one of us as a date.

Zucker: I have to take the Fifth on that one.

Bush: Really?

Zucker: Yup — I’ll take both.

Trump: Which way?

Zucker: Make a right. Here we go. [inaudible]

Bush: Here he goes. I’m gonna leave you here.

Trump: O.K.

Bush: Give me my microphone.

Trump: O.K. Oh, you’re finished?

Bush: You’re my man, yeah.

Trump: Oh, good.

Bush: I’m gonna go do our show.

Zucker: Oh, you wanna reset? O.K.

Find out what you need to know about the 2016 presidential race today, and get politics news updates via Facebook, Twitter and the First Draft newsletter.

[LeThanhPhong]

MUST-SEE: Jamie Raskin drops WORST NEWS on Trump




CLASS WITH JAMIE RASKIN episode 3: Jamie Raskin takes on the rightwing fallacy that as Commander-in-Chief, the President has both the power to do whatever he wants and absolute immunity from any legal consequences for criminal actions.

SUPPORT DEMOCRACY SUMMER: https://jamieraskin.com/democracy-sum...

00:00 Does the president have the power to do whatever he wants with absolute immunity?
04:09 Congress is an essential check on the president’s power
06:27 Trump attempted to bypass and overthrow the constitution on January 6
11:18 Trump’s claim vs. judicial review
18:25 Trump claims he’s categorically immune from criminal prosecution
23:08 Could the president order an assassination of his political rivals?
24:30 January 6th was an unprecedented assault
29:10 This fallacy is debunked
29:43 Q&A start
32:00 If the Supreme Court rules that Trump has immunity to commit criminal acts with impunity, would this extend to Biden?
33:55 On the complicity of the Supreme Court to take up this absurd question
35:57 What would it mean if Trump was granted immunity, if he were to win in November?
37:59 On Trump’s claim that a president can’t get anything done without immunity
39:40 Civil immunity vs. criminal immunity
40:47 Next up on Class: Emoluments Clause
41:30 Conclusion

Comments:

1/ I wish Congressman Raskin would run for the POTUS in 2028. He is a national treasure.

1a/ Yes! And put George Conway in his Cabinet. Then there’d be two Constitutional Law experts on board.

1b/ No, he should be put on the Supreme Court!

1c/ Raskin for POTUS then SCOTUS! Personally, I would like to see him do one and then the other. He would be amazing for America in both roles.

1d/ Yes...He's brilliant.

1e/ He did say that he wasn’t interested in being POTUS, that he wanted to stay where he is (or Senate?) where he believes he’s needed most. But I would vote for him in a heartbeat.

2/ Raskin is the most influential person in Congress. He is so well spoken and knowledgeable about every aspect of our constitution.

2a/ That's because he's a constitutional scholar!!!

2b/ ​He's also a decent man who genuinely cares about people.

3/ Raskin has the potential to be one of the best presidents in US history. He has the integrity, character, empathy, and education to lead this country.

4/ Love JR (Jamie Raskin) Truly honest and honorable representative. Next have Hakeem Jeffries (HJ) on. Another honorable and honest man

5/ Jamie Raskin is the best! What a relief that someone like him is in Washington. I hope he is thinking about running for POTUS someday!

5a/ He is brilliant! Love his smile dealing with this complete insanity!!

5b/ I was thinking the same thing but I have heard him say he felt he could do more for the country where he's at

5c/ I agree with you 100% I think he would make an awesome president

6/ Jamie Raskin...what a patriot you are! Thank you for everything you are doing to bring forward the outlaws who are trying to ravage our sacred country. We support your valient efforts to save our beautiful country from the attacks from within and return it to the democracy we are so fortunate to be living in.

7/ Jaime Raskin is a national treasure who deserves to be protected. ! No, Trump isn't immune.

7a/ And he still does so much with such a tragedy (his son), on top of being recently free of cancer (lets hope it stays that way)!

7b/ In my opinion, that's what makes him so invaluable. His resilience is something to behold.

7c/ We more like him. Where is Katie Porter?

7d/ Katie Porter, along with Eric Swalwell, are also 2 more of my favorites.

7e/ I would add Jared Moskowitz to that group as well.

7f/ ​2028 maybe, not 2024. He has said he believes he can best serve this nation as a member of the House of Representatives.

8/ Jamie Raskin is a bloody hero. A smart man who does things well, respect!

9/ Can you imagine this strong intellectual man who cares about his country first; as POTUS?

10/ How great was that? A Masterclass for free, with the great patriot Congressman Jaime Raskin. Thank you Brian.

[LeThanhPhong]

Jamie Raskin issues brilliant Second Amendment debunking




CLASS WITH JAMIE RASKIN episode 2: Jamie Raskin takes on the rightwing fallacy that the Second Amendment gives people the power to form private militias to resist federal tyranny and violently overthrow the government.

SUPPORT DEMOCRACY SUMMER: https://jamieraskin.com/democracy-sum...

00:00 Does the 2nd Amendment give people the right to overthrow the government with insurrections?
04:56 This interpretation of the constitution is an excuse for not passing gun reform
11:15 The constitution treats insurrection as a serious and dangerous offense
14:36 Forming a militia and attacking the government is unconstitutional and qualifies as treason
20:03 The constitution doesn’t even guarantee non-violent civil disobedience
24:34 Insurrectionists are not “hostages”
27:10 The 2nd Amendment is not unlimited
31:46 Q&A start
33:54 Our lone-wolf shooters are anything but a well-regulated militia
37:00 Why did conservatives change their tune in the last 15 years?
40:15 They say gun violence is due to “too many doors”
42:21 The say gun violence is due to a mental health crisis, but then do nothing about it
44:36 What is the upside to the NRA taking extreme stances against reform?
47:33 Closing message

Comments:

1/ I wish all our congressmen were as intelligent, educated, and level headed as Jamie Raskin. He seems like a great guy. We are lucky to have him. History will remember him well.

1a/ It should be a prerequisites for all people running for Congress, judges, lawyers, etc. should know the knowledge of the laws

2/ I LOVE Constitutional class time with Jamie Raskin, a genuine National treasure & an educated Constitutional Scholar, working hard for our American Democracy!  Be sure to vote  Blue, my friends!  Democracy is counting on us to save her & to be diligent about it.

3/ Congressman Raskin had me at "I just want them to read it." That seems to be the biggest misunderstanding that MAGAs and most Republicans have regarding the second amendment. I'm 16 years old and the youngest of eight in my family. Both of my parents were in the military, as is my oldest brother. We have all been routinely educated on this issue, as well as the dangers of any firearm. My dad always makes sure his are locked up where not only we can't get to them (out of curiosity), but that we wouldn't want to even be curious. My mom did the same before she passed away. I'm glad to hear such a well thought out and accurate description of the terms of the 2nd amendment. Thank you to Congressman Raskin and to you Brian for bringing this to the attention of viewers.

3a/ You are in a wonderful family!

3b/ Same - that's the way I was raised.  When I was in my early teens my dad got out his rifle and taught me how to use the scope to shoot, and how to use a handgun,  and with some of the gravest seriousness he ever had told me that guns are for hunting only what you'll eat,  or for self- defense,  and to have the goal of never ever having to shoot a fellow human being.  He said to never,  ever,  ever use a gun to intimidate anyone,  and to never point one at someone unless there was no other option except to (excuse the bluntness) end their life to keep from being killed.  
People were to be treated in a way that represents who we chose to be,  not how that person acts,  and that we're all responsible for each other.  

That's, aside from an understanding of the 2nd Amendment in full context,  why Americans need to protect against radicalism whether it's white supremacy,  anti-Semitism like were seeing in these river to the sea chants on college campuses,  attacks on n Muslims and Asians, etc.  When we look out for each other,  the radicals stay on the fringe where they belong.

4/ Jamie Raskin is the most intelligent politician in government. Puts Republicans to shame. His knowledge, wisdom, integrity and energy is  just amazing. Will be an incredible president.

5/ I'm a Canadian but I follow American Politics very closely and I would just like to say that I think Jamie Raskin is a actual Hero, we all know that he showed up to congress after suffering a massive personal loss just before Jan 6 because it was his duty and he continued to go to Congress and stand up to MAGA after Jan 6 and during his fight with cancer. Jamie Raskin is a person that when he speaks, you listen and I always enjoy listening to him and find him to be a great inspiration when dealing with my own struggles.

5a/ Also a Canadian.  I agree with what you said.  Raskin is the wise man that everyone would want to have on their side.

5b/ Thank you, I admire and respect Jamie Raskin also, he’s a great asset in the fight to keep our democracy against domestic and foreign threats! Vote

6/ I love Congressman Raskin! Such a wise and strong man. Thank you Congressman Raskin for standing for the American people!

7/ Thank you, Congressman Raskin, from safe guarding democracy against Trump and MAGA.  I am so glad you are feeling better.

7a/ Brian Tyler Cohen, I am grateful for your presentation of Representative Raskin.

8/ Congressman Jamie Raskin = a true Representative of the people.
(Also a personal hero & one of my favourite US politicians.)

9/ Thank you Congressman Raskin for all you do, and Brian Cohen too

10/ Thank you, Mr Jamie Raskin! You are my hero! I appreciate you immensely and love the work you do for us in Congress, especially working against the evils of the distorted views of the MAGA. God bless you and yours always.

Thank you, Brian! Loved this class! Love your channel. We need you and appreciate your work. Never stop!  

Vote BLUE to save our democracy.

11/ I’m a 72 year old retired attorney.  I watch Jamie Raskin, Adam Schiff, Eric Swallwell, Jared Moskowitz, Jasmine Crockett, Dan Goldman and so many other democratic congressmen at work in the House and senate every day.  These congressmen are intelligent, informed, and VERY effective.  I am so proud of them.  They make me proud to be American.  They are saving our democracy every day.   I love them — really love them.  They will go down in history as heroes.

11a/ And Senator Whitehouse. He is doing a great job investigating the Supreme Court

11b/ As an Aussie trying to learn more about US politics, I have to say that the names of all of these wonderful members of Congress are now familiar to me. I too think they have a special role in saving your democracy. I admire them and I hope their efforts, along with all of the responsible and aware, knowledgeable voters are successful. It is time to dump trump, providing him with his most deserved position, wearing an orange jumpsuit in his own cell, away from  the public to whom he has lied so frequently.

12/ Representative Raskin, THANK YOU for relentlessly defending our democracy in the face of so much personal hardship. You are a man of true character.

[LeThanhPhong]

Jamie Raskin on constitutionality of Trump disqualification




CLASS WITH JAMIE RASKIN episode 1: Jamie Raskin takes on the rightwing fallacy suggesting that Trump can't be disqualified from the ballot.

SUPPORT DEMOCRACY SUMMER: https://jamieraskin.com/democracy-sum...

00:00 Rep. Raskin debunks right-wing myths
01:23 Is it unconstitutional to bar Trump?
03:22 Difference between undemocratic & unconstitutional
08:14 Is Trump being treated differently by being excluded?
12:58 Is it democratic to bar Trump from the ballot?
20:06 Q&A start
25:09 Is a conviction required to disqualify Trump?
27:09 Why no insurrection charge for Trump?
29:05 Judges find Trump engaged in insurrection
30:35 When would Section 3 of 14th Amendment apply?
33:04 The significance of the clause
36:22 Closing message


Comments:

1/ What an honour to be able to take a class with Professor Raskin. His knowledge, integrity and obvious decency are a beacon of hope and stability in a House in disarray.

2/ This is great, we are so fortunate to have Jamie Raskin in office.

2a/ Why is it OK for Jamie Raskin to call Trump a kleptocrat and not OK for Trump to have nicknames for his opponents?

2b/ Kleptocrat has a definition. Trump's name calling are words he personally attributes to people. If you want to refute Raskin's definition, by all means, go for it. Don't conflate the two, they aren't in the same ballpark.

2c/ It's not a pejorative, it's descriptive. See your dictionary. Trump would be happy to agree he is a kleptocrat.

3/ A long time admirer from the UK .Jamie Raskin.Your voice always gives me hope .Rational, wise , intelligent in contrast to the senseless jabbering of your `MAGA nuts in congress .May you shine the light and educate young people everywhere to stand for freedom , democracy and justice .Thank you for your courage , humour and wisdom

3a/ To our friend from the UK....Well said !

3b/ Ditto from Australia.
(I feel like I could listen to Jamie Raskin all day long. And come out a better person for it.)

3c/ Ditto from the North of Ireland.

3d/ Ditto from Canada. Love listening to an educated person. If Raskin is the head of knowledge, Trump is the a..hole!

[LeThanhPhong]

Book - Unthinkable: Trauma, Truth, and the Trials of American Democracy Hardcover – January 4, 2022
by Jamie Raskin (Author)

https://www.amazon.com/Unthinkable-Traum...0063209780

A #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER.

In this searing memoir, Congressman Jamie Raskin tells the story of the forty-five days at the start of 2021 that permanently changed his life—and his family’s—as he confronted the painful loss of his son to suicide, lived through the violent insurrection in our nation’s Capitol, and led the impeachment effort to hold President Trump accountable for inciting the political violence.

On December 31, 2020, Tommy Raskin, the only son of Maryland Congressman Jamie Raskin, tragically took his own life after a long struggle with depression. Seven days later on January 6, Congressman Raskin returned to Congress to help certify the 2020 Presidential election results, when violent insurrectionists led by right wing extremist groups stormed the U.S. Capitol hoping to hand four more years of power to President Donald Trump. As our reeling nation mourned the deaths of numerous people and lamented the injuries of more than 140 police officers hurt in the attack, Congressman Raskin, a Constitutional law professor, was called upon to put aside his overwhelming grief—both personal and professional—and lead the impeachment effort against President Trump for inciting the violence. Together this nine-member team of House impeachment managers riveted a nation still in anguish, putting on an unprecedented Senate trial that produced the most bipartisan Presidential impeachment vote in American history.

Now for the first time, Congressman Raskin discusses this unimaginable convergence of personal and public trauma, detailing how the painful loss of his son and the power of Tommy’s convictions fueled the Congressman’s work in the aftermath of modern democracy’s darkest day. Going inside Congress on January 6, he recounts the horror of that day, a day that he and other Democrats had spent months preparing for under the correct assumption that they would encounter an attempted electoral coup—not against a President but for one. And yet, on January 6, he faced the one thing he had failed to anticipate: mass political violence designed to block Biden’s election. With an inside account of leading the team prosecuting President Trump in the Senate, Congressman Raskin shares never before told stories of just how close we came to losing our democracy that fateful day and lays out the methodical prosecution that convinced Democrats and Republicans alike of Trump’s responsibility for inciting insurrectionary violence against our government.

Through it all, he reckons with the loss of his brilliant, remarkable son, a Harvard Law student whose values and memory continually inspired the Congressman to confront the dark impulses unleashed by Donald Trump. At turns, a moving story of a father coping with his pain and a revealing examination of holding President Trump accountable for the violence he fomented, this book is a vital reminder of the ongoing struggle for the soul of American democracy and the perseverance that our Constitution demands from us all.

Popular Highlights in this book

Attention must be paid to the mundane details. This is how authoritarianism will infiltrate your society and control your life, one little aggression at a time.

Madeleine Albright’s point in her 2018 book Fascism: A Warning, where she argued that fascism is not a fixed ideological system but rather a strategy for taking and holding power.

Editorial Reviews
Review

“[An] extraordinary new memoir of an extraordinary year…It is hard to think of an American political figure for whom the past year brought stranger crosswinds: a tornado collision of chilling loss and rising moral leadership.” — Vogue

“Unthinkable is not a work of emotional austerity; rather, it is an unburdening, a howl, a devotional. The grief is nightmarish, but the love that suffuses the text is even more powerful—the love for family and a lost child, as well as a love for a fragile democracy. It takes its greatest inspiration from the idealism of Raskin’s son.” — David Remnick, The New Yorker

“[Congressman Raskin] is, in addition to everything else, a really good writer. The blow-by-blow of January 6 is riveting. The passages about his son, and his own pain, are sometimes searing.” — New Republic

“[In Unthinkable] Congressman Jamie Raskin, D-Md., is on a journey — moving through layers of excruciating trauma and grief…The journey to make sense of Tommy's death and honor his life has added a new fuel for Raskin to right the wrongs of the Jan. 6 attack.” — NPR

About the Author

Congressman Jamie Raskin has proudly represented Maryland’s 8th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2017. Prior to his time in Congress, Raskin was a three-term State Senator in Maryland and the Senate Majority Whip. He was also a professor of constitutional law at American University’s Washington College of Law for more than 25 years. He has authored several books, including the Washington Post bestseller Overruling Democracy: The Supreme Court versus the American People and the highly acclaimed We the Students: Supreme Court Cases For and About America’s Students. Congressman Raskin is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School and a former Editor of the Harvard Law Review. He and his wife Sarah live in Takoma Park.

[LeThanhPhong]

"Love & the Constitution": Rep. Jamie Raskin on Son's Death, Trump's Coup Plot & Protecting the Vote




As more details emerge about Donald Trump's role in the deadly January 6 insurrection, we're joined by Congressmember Jamie Raskin, who serves on the House select committee investigating the Capitol attack and was the lead manager in Trump's second impeachment trial. Raskin writes about the insurrection in a new memoir titled "Unthinkable: Trauma, Truth, and the Trials of American Democracy" and is featured in the new MSNBC documentary "Love & the Constitution," which follows Raskin during Trump's years in office leading up to the January 6 insurrection and the tragic death of Raskin's son. "We knew that Trump was doing everything in his power to try to overturn the election," says Raskin. "We had prepared for everything except for a violent insurrection overrunning the House and the Senate." We're also joined by "Love & the Constitution" director Madeleine Carter, whose film premieres Sunday.

Comments:

1/ Extraordinary times bring forth extraordinary people! Rep Jamie Raskin is an extraordinary man! Thank you sir for your courage and conviction!  My heart is with you and your family! Peace be with you!

2/ I am reading Jaime Raskin's book...very insightful and thought provoking.
He is a brilliant writer and passionate about what he personally has gone through with the death of his son, as well as the traumatic attack on our
Capitol on January 6 and its effect on him and our country.
Raskin is very detailed about
his role in the chain of events and
is equally perceptive of what led to the unforeseen events of that day.  

Like others here, I would like to see him as our president one day.
He is a true leader!!

3/ I want to thank you for fighting for us, and our children through your heartbreaking loss, I don't know how you do it, but God bless you and you're family. The United States. will not last without you, and people like you fighting for us. I live in Georgia where my right to vote is under attack, I have 2 Children 11 and 8 I fear for them and their future everyday, what kind of world they will grow up in. Thank you for all you have done an continue to do. People like me are praying for you everyday, you are our hope that the US will come back to be what it was meant to be. Please never stop fighting I believe you're Son has his hand on one shoulder as God himself his hand on your other shoulder, God bless you and yours. From a grateful parent.
Crystal Doulas

4/ Jamie Raskin is such a strong man. He's been through so much pain & agony ..My heart is with him as I know what it is to lose your child like he did. Believe me, there's nothing more painful..

5/ Bravo, Jaimie Raskin! I'm half way through, Unthinkable. My thoughts are with you ️ Please except my condolences for your precious son.

[LeThanhPhong]

The average monthly Social Security benefit was $1,907, as of January. Yet, the average household run by someone 65 or older spends $4,345 a month, according to an analysis of federal statistics by the investment firm BlackRock.

Annuities are key to retirement. So why are so few of us buying them?

by Daniel de Visé

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2024/04/30/annuities-are-good-retirement-investment/73437135007/

Annuities are an essential component of the American retirement system, starting with Social Security. Why, then, do so few Americans understand them?

Most of us, it seems, are pretty much clueless about annuities. In one recent study, the American College of Financial Services gave older Americans a score of 12% out of a possible 100% for their knowledge of annuities, based on their performance on a short quiz.

Among a dozen knowledge areas measured in the school’s Retirement Income Literacy Study, the annuity ranked dead last. Respondents knew more about Medicare, life insurance and long-term care than annuities. The college surveyed 3,765 Americans ages 50 to 75 in August 2023.

In another recent survey, researchers from the TIAA Institute and Stanford University tested Americans on annuity literacy with a multiple-choice question that could not have been much simpler:

"Susan worries about living a long life and running out of money, the survey instructed. What is the best way for her to address that possibility?"

The quiz offered these choices: She could buy an annuity. She could buy life insurance. There is nothing she can do. I don’t know.

Roughly half of the surveyed adults chose correctly. The January poll covered 3,876 adults.

“There is this question of why people don’t buy annuities. Part of it is that they don’t understand them,” said Gal Wettstein, a senior research economist at the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College.

What is an annuity, anyway?
Broadly stated, an annuity is a series of fixed, predictable payments made at regular intervals over multiple years. You can purchase an annuity yourself, or acquire one through work. A pension is an annuity an employer pays to a retired employee. Social Security is an annuity the government pays to you.

“I think it’s important for people to understand, they already have an annuity, and it’s called Social Security,” said Chester Spatt, a professor of finance at Carnegie Mellon University.

But when financial advisors talk about annuities, they are generally speaking about commercial annuities, a product sold by insurance companies that delivers a guaranteed income stream in retirement, generally until death. They come in several types. A fixed annuity, for example, delivers a guaranteed rate of return. A variable annuity yields variable returns, based on the earnings of an investment portfolio.

Only about 10% of Americans own commercial annuities, Wettstein said, citing Boston College research. Buyers tend to be upper-middle class, neither very rich nor poor. They are likely to live longer than the rest of us: Good genes, presumably, are one reason why they bought the annuity.

It would be great, many retirement scholars say, if a lot more of us bought annuities.

Why? Because most Americans count on Social Security to cover the bulk of their retirement expenses. And that annuity, alone, doesn’t provide enough monthly income to fund a comfortable retirement, at least not for many of us.

The average monthly Social Security benefit was $1,907, as of January. Yet, the average household run by someone 65 or older spends $4,345 a month, according to an analysis of federal statistics by the investment firm BlackRock.

Americans don't understand Social Security very well, either
Speaking of annuity literacy: Only about two-fifths of Americans understand the nuances of Social Security, according to the TIAA Institute, a research arm of the financial services nonprofit.

That’s how many adults correctly spotted a false statement about Social Security among three items in a multiple-choice question:

"A worker receives Social Security benefit payments if he/she becomes disabled before retiring": True.

"Social Security benefit payments will continue as long as an individual is alive, no matter how long he/she lives": True.

"The amount someone receives in Social Security benefits depends upon his/her earnings during the last two years of full-time employment": False.

The size of your Social Security check depends on average earnings for up to 35 years of work.

That only two-fifths of Americans got the question right "was a surprising result to us," said David Richardson, head of research at TIAA Institute, because Social Security "is so fundamental to retirement security."

He added, "We're not asking deep, difficult questions."

Half a century ago, much of the private workforce supplemented Social Security with private pensions, annuities that offered a guaranteed monthly benefit in retirement.

Are 401(k)s and IRAs doing the job of securing American retirement?
Over the decades, pensions have given way to the 401(k) and IRA, tax-advantaged savings accounts that allow Americans to build their own retirement funds.

The problem with 401(k)s and IRAs, retirement scholars say, is that they aren’t doing the job of securing Americans in retirement.

Wealthy people amass massive sums in retirement accounts. But middle-income workers tend not to save nearly enough, economists say. Fewer than half of Americans have any kind of retirement account, according to Census data.

Millions of Americans risk outliving their savings, retirement researchers say. Subsisting on Social Security alone, they could face a diminished standard of living in their final years.

Annuities could, in theory, erase that risk.

“If you’re within 10 years of retirement, you’d better be looking at annuities to create your own pension, if you don’t have one,” said Dan Casey, an investment advisor in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. “I haven’t met a soul who can retire on Social Security alone.”

Researchers theorize that most Americans don’t seriously consider commercial annuities for several reasons. Annuities are complex. Buying one isn’t so easy as signing up for a 401(k) plan through an employer.

"It's not an easy thing to do," Richardson said. "There's a lot of discussion around making it an easier thing to do."

Annuities are expensive, and they’re counterintuitive: In effect, they insure us against the risk of living too long, which many of us don’t recognize as a risk.

“It’s the risk of outliving your assets, because you lived longer than expected,” Wettstein said. “And that doesn’t sound like a bad thing, because everybody wants to live longer.”

Many Americans mistrust annuities
Many Americans mistrust annuities, sometimes with good cause.

“When you Google ‘annuities,’ you get these messages from people who just say, ‘I hate annuities, annuities are bad,’” said Michael Finke, a professor of wealth management at the American College of Financial Services, a private, nonprofit institution in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.

“Annuities are a frequently abused financial product,” Finke said.

Regulators warn that the industry attracts scam artists, who try to con customers with deceptive sales practices, high-pressure pitches and inflated prices. The annuity industry is prone to scams, partly because the product itself is so complex, spelled out in contracts few people read.

Federal legislation has made it easier in recent years for employers to offer a high-quality commercial annuity as part of a 401(k) plan. And that could be a game-changer, retirement experts say.

On Wednesday, BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, announced the availability of LifePath Paycheck, a retirement savings vehicle that allows older workers to shift some of their 401(k) contributions into an annuity, targeted to an expected retirement year.

“As a society, we focus a tremendous amount of energy on helping people live longer lives,” said Larry Fink, the BlackRock CEO, in his 2024 letter to investors. “But not even a fraction of that effort is spent helping people afford those extra years.”

Daniel de Visé covers personal finance for USA Today and writes our free Daily Money newsletter, which offers finance tips and business news Monday through Friday.

[LeThanhPhong]

Buying an Annuity: A Step-by-Step Guide

https://www.transamerica.com/knowledge-p...an-annuity

By Natalie Montanez

I. Why it matters
Right now, annuities could be a great alternative to a volatile stock market — one that takes advantage of higher interest rates.1
Buying an annuity is more straightforward than you might think.
If guaranteed lifetime income and tax-deferred growth sound appealing, you may want to consider an annuity.
An annuity is a long-term insurance contract that provides the opportunity to receive stable, guaranteed income for life. These contracts can offer tax-deferred growth, protection against market downturns, and a way to address the risk of outlasting savings. They can be a smart way to secure steady income in retirement. Also, annuities aren’t backed by the federal government; instead, they’re backed by the claims-paying ability of the insurance company.

What’s more, annuities are having a moment right now. The stock market’s current uncertainty is driving record annuity sales; in 2022, sales were expected to reach almost $300 billion, passing the $265 billion sold in 2008.1 If you haven’t considered them before, take a minute to learn how annuities work. In this article, we’ll go step by step through the process of buying one. It’s actually much easier than you might think.

II. Benefits of an annuity
First, let’s understand the more common reasons people buy annuities.

1. Premium protection in many cases. Unlike retirement accounts that invest in stock markets, many annuities can offer protection from market downturns.2 While it depends on your annuity contract, you typically can’t lose the money you’ve paid into it. That’s appealing to anyone who doesn’t want to weather market volatility, especially those in or nearing retirement.2

2. Guaranteed income. After you’ve finished paying for the annuity (via a lump sum or installments), you’ll start receiving regular, guaranteed payouts for a predetermined length of time or until the end of your life, depending on your contract.3

And while it may vary somewhat by annuity contract, you’ll most likely continue to receive a steady stream of income no matter how long you live.2 Even if you’ve lived long enough to have collected your entire premium and any earnings, the insurance company will continue to regularly pay you the same amount.2

3. Leave a legacy. By selecting a beneficiary, you can pass your annuity value on to a loved one. Doing so could also help avoid going through probate, something that can take time and money during a difficult period in the lives of your friends and family.2

4. Long term care. Recent research by the federal government suggests that most Americans turning 65 will need long term care at some point in their lives.4 You can help address this potential expense by adding a long term care rider to your annuity contract.2 Annuities with long term care riders usually have more lenient medical underwriting than traditional long term care insurance policies.2 Note that an annuity isn’t considered long term care insurance. Long term care riders are typically available for an additional cost within an annuity and may not pay the entire cost of long term care.

III. How to buy an annuity: A step-by-step guide
So now that we’ve reviewed why people choose annuities, let’s walk through the steps of buying one. Since annuities are insurance contracts, they aren’t purchased the same way stocks and mutual funds are. But if you follow the steps we lay out here, you should be able to easily find an annuity that fits your needs.

1. Understand your financial goals
First, talk with a financial professional. They can help you consider your lifestyle, financial situation, risk tolerance, and goals to determine if an annuity is a good fit for you. But if you’re looking for protection from market downturns while saving for retirement, the potential for lifetime guaranteed income, or tax-advantaged growth, chances are an annuity could be a good choice.

2. Research and choose based on your financial objectives and goals
Do your research and enlist the help of your financial professional for this step. In addition to checking out all the types of annuities and rider options — and there are a lot — you’ll want to understand how an annuity would fit into your investment portfolio.

a. Figure out your retirement date. This is good to know because annuities are often used to supplement other retirement income (like Social Security) to cover fixed expenses (like housing) in retirement. So establish when you plan to retire, calculate how much income you’ll need annually at that point, and then use that information to determine the amount of your annuity.

b. Choose how your earnings will be calculated. Annuities tend to come in three varieties:

c. Fixed annuities. You’re guaranteed a minimum interest rate and a set amount of payouts.5

d. Variable annuities. You can apply your premiums to specific investment options. Your payout is based on how much money you contributed, how your investments performed, and any fees and other costs. Variable annuities are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of principal.5

e. Indexed annuities. This is a hybrid option with returns tied to a stock market index, like the S&P 500. Typically, these offer a cap on any potential earnings and a floor for any potential losses.6

There’s also a relatively new annuity option called the registered index-linked annuity (RILA). This contract links returns and losses to a stock market index, but has the added protection of a buffer — in fact, these annuities used to be called “buffer annuities.”7 The buffer provides protection from losses up to a certain threshold that you specify. Registered index-linked annuities are subject to possible loss of principal and earnings.

3. Choose how you’ll be paid. Do you want to receive an income stream for the rest of your life, for a set number of years, or all at once? Work with your financial professional to determine what makes the most sense for you, and then customize your annuity contract accordingly.

4. Choose who is getting paid. Should the annuity be just for you or should it pay out for the life of both you and your spouse? Who will be your beneficiary? Again, your financial professional can help you sort through these factors. Withdrawals of taxable amounts are subject to ordinary income tax and may be subject to a 10% additional federal tax if withdrawn before age 59½.

5. Select your provider
Typically, annuities are purchased through an insurance company. But you can also buy them from brokerage firms, mutual fund companies, and banks.3 Regardless of who you purchase with, a licensed insurance agent will need to be involved in the final submission of your contract to the insurance carrier.

Because annuities are contracts backed by the claims-paying ability of the insurance carrier, you’ll want to do your research and be sure the provider you choose is reputable.8 To evaluate this, look at financial ratings from agencies like Moody’s, AM Best, and Standard & Poor’s (S&P).8

There are other factors to consider when choosing your provider. You’ll want to examine the type of death benefits offered and understand the minimum guaranteed returns you can expect.9 Also, be sure to ask about surrender fees you’ll be charged if you decide to withdraw funds early, as well as the administrative fees assessed over the life of the contract.9

6. Complete and submit an application
Annuity contract applications are similar to those you’ve probably filled out when you opened a bank or brokerage account. You may need to provide information like your Social Security number, date of birth, address, and the names of any beneficiaries.5

Once you receive your quote from the insurance company, complete your application as soon and as carefully as you can to be sure you get the rate quoted to you.8 Any mistakes or inconsistencies in your application can delay your processing time.

7. Fund the annuity
Depending on your contract, you can pay for your annuity with cash, funds from retirement accounts [i.e., rolling over a 401(k) or transferring assets from an IRA], or a transfer from a brokerage account.5 Note that your transfer must abide by the terms of your previous account. Talk with your financial professional to be sure you understand the tax implications of how you’ll fund the annuity. The IRS also allows a tax-free transfer of an existing annuity contract to another annuity contract of the same kind via a Section 1035 Exchange.10

As always, it’s a good idea to be aware of any fees from a transfer from other funds to your annuity contract. Speak with your financial institutions and a financial professional to be sure you understand any costs and penalties that might be associated with your transfer.

Know that you won’t receive any additional tax-deferral benefit from placing IRA or other tax-qualified funds into an annuity. Features other than tax-deferral should be considered in the purchase of a qualified annuity. When rolling over or exchanging funds, please consider all the costs, such as annual maintenance fees, surrender charges, and death benefits.

IV. When should you buy an annuity?
This question is tough to answer since it depends on your individual situation and needs. If you’ve maxed out all you can put into retirement savings accounts — accounts like IRAs and 401(k)s — then it’s probably a good time to purchase an annuity.8 And keep in mind that the sooner you can purchase a deferred annuity, where the payouts come to you at a later date, the more time the principal has to grow.8 It can certainly feel intimidating to sign a large, long-term contract; be sure to speak with a financial professional to have all your questions answered.

Those are the basic steps involved in buying an annuity. Annuities can be an excellent addition to a retirement portfolio and long-term financial planning, especially when you consider the opportunity for protection against market downturns, guaranteed lifetime income, and tax-advantaged growth they can offer.

V. Things to consider
Talk with a financial professional to understand how an annuity can complement your retirement plan.  
Consider an annuity if you’re concerned about the effects of market volatility on your investments.
If you’ve already maxed out your contributions to employer-sponsored retirement plans, look into how an annuity could provide additional tax-deferred growth.

VI. References
1 “’Ugly Times’ Are Pushing Record Annuity Sales. Here’s What You Need to Know Before You Buy.” CNBC.com, October 2022
2 “Reasons to Buy an Annuity,” Annuity.org, December 2022
3 “Annuities,” Investor.gov, accessed January 2023
4 “Who Needs Care?” LongTermCare.gov, May 2022
5 “How to Buy an Annuity,” Forbes.com, October 2022
6 “What Is a Variable Annuity?” Forbes.com, August 2022
7 “Registered Index-Linked Annuity,” Annuity.org, January 2023
8 “Buying an Annuity,” Annuity.org, December 2022
9 “Annuity Companies & Providers,” Annuity.org, January 2023
10 “What Is a 1035 Exchange? Definition and How the Rules Work” Investopedia.com, December 2022

Transamerica Resources, Inc. is an Aegon company and is affiliated with various companies which include, but are not limited to, insurance companies and broker dealers. Transamerica Resources, Inc. does not offer insurance products or securities. The information provided is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as insurance, securities, ERISA, tax, investment, legal, medical or financial advice or guidance. Please consult your personal independent professionals for answers to your specific questions.

[LeThanhPhong]

Forget neck, shoulder, and back pain




Comments:

1/ Key learnings:
Face moving right, front and left
Face and hand on opposite direction
.
When you are seeing right, your "left hand" is also on right
When you are seeing left, your "right hand" is on left
Face in front then left hand stretches on left and right hand stretches on right

Difficult to explain but delightful to watch.

2/ He did show the slowed down version ......for the pauses.  It demonstrates arm positions.  Then you just add speed/momentum to the movement.

3/ Arms straight out facing forward. Underhand pitch with right arm while turning body left and end up facing backwards, with arms sideways out (like you just threw the ball and followed through). Underhand pitch with the left now, to end up in starting position. Now.. overhand swim with the left arm (to the right side) while turning backwards and ending with arms out sideways again. Overhand swim with the right arm to end back up in starting position. As you progress, you don't have to turn as much (using your hips less and shoulders more) but do it at first, so your shoulder doesn't fall off (figure out how those shoulders rotate).

4/ If you watch the arm it goes to 12 o'clock, 3 o'clock, 6 o'clock, and then 9 o'clock.

5/ okay thats gonna take a minute... but im getting there!