I don't think you realize that we've always been at war with Eastasia.

 

Where were you, tenguy, when George Bush was telling anyone who would listen that Social Security was "bankrupt", and pushing for what he was pleased to call "privatization"? Were you in favor of that?

Why do you think Republicans pushed for the payroll tax "holiday" in the tax cut extension? Could it be that they wanted to turn around at some point in the future and make the "bankruptcy" claim all over again?

They don't often come right out and say they want the program eradicated, because that constitutes political suicide...so what they do is try to chip away at it, and convince an entire generation of young people that the program won't be there for them in the future. Why do you think they do that?

 

Was that hilarity or hypocrisy?

Five House controversies from Week 1: Did Republicans break promises?

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politi...eak-promises/The-Constitution-gently-abridged

 

Right, it's the liberals who are frightening senior citizens. Not conservatives saying that the system is "bankrupt". I mean, those are just the facts, right?

 

How much do you know about the US Constitution?

A quiz:

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politi...-do-you-know-about-the-US-Constitution-A-quiz

 

That is pretty much correct. The SS system is headed for insolvency, the cost to maintain it in the black, will soon outpace the ability to raise enough revenue.

So I'll ask you, do you have a supplemental retirement plan? Do you see your FICA taxes as a good personal investment? What would your retirement plan look like if you had invested half of the FICA taxes privately?

Personally, my retirement plan took a hit, BUT it is still far greater than the amount I put in, plus interest (historical saving bank interest). Today it is back above 2007 levels, with no additional contributions.

 

The last and only public trust the conservative/Republicans have not been able to subject to looting by their wealthy friends in the private sector. Just before the tax payers have to bail them out again.

 

Kimiko your an idiot.....

 

Thank you for that cogent, insightful, well-thought-out contribution.

 

Not true. All the government has to do is pay the SS trust fund what it is owed. Then, with a few minor fixes, the program will be solvent indefinitely, paying full, promised benefits.

I do have a supplemental retirement plan, and I did invest it privately. What it looks like now is one thing. What it looked like 18 months ago is another. If I had had to rely on it to put food on the table back then, I'd have been very worried.

Then you're lucky and/or smart. But that isn't the point. The Social Security program is a safety net, an intergenerational contract. It's not a 401(k), and there are good reasons why it's not. It's not about whether you get out of it what you put into it plus interest. It's about being there for you no matter what.

 

I love it this is great

I have been around for awhile and actually been an elected official that levied taxes and set budgets. I have come to the following conclusion when it comes to the human beings in this country.
1. The ONLY fair tax is the on YOU pay.
2. The Only good government programs are the ones that serve ME.

I have found that greed rules all. Greed for money, power and control of others.

When people use to come to me to complain about their taxes I would ask what they wanted cut and surprisingly it was never a program they used.

They use to always complain about the money spent on welfare and I use to ask if we should just cut them off and let them starve. Well that was not what they wanted. I read all the time about people wanting to do away with government programs but I never see an real proposals in detail.
There is to much magical wishful thinking about how to cure the budget problem.
I am to old to get into the fight any more so I am just going to keep my head down and my powder dry.
But you folks keep at it please I do enjoy the posting.:excited:

 

Those are very good comments. We seem to have created a political environment in which people think they can just cut taxes with no consequences (at least to themselves), and nobody ever has to be specific about what programs will be cut. Ultimately, the programs that get cut are the ones that actually help ordinary people. And that's because the programs that DON'T help ordinary people are supported by some very wealthy and powerful special interests.

 

so true............

 

sorry forgot to mention

Sorry forgot to mention, Kimiko is not idiot, not always right but certainly not idiot and a little better informed than most.

 

She's not an idiot at all, she has an altered view on how we need to live our lives, 180 degrees from my views.

 

You obviously have lived through some interesting situations, may I ask, in general terms, what elected position(s) did you hold? Was this in a municipality, if so, what was the approximate population?

Your observations of how taxpayers want to pay less by cutting programs that do not benefit them seem to be a bit one sided. It appears that no one complained about the wasteful practices that most bureaucracies develop as they grow.

 

There was no point in saying more that was all the facts anyone needed.