Originally posted by 2kitties
Social Security bugs me in first place. I'd prefer to be in charge of my own retirement. The idea that I need to give it to them for them to manage doesn't sit well with me.
I do a fine job planning for that part of my life without the govt.
I agree ... for me personally. I would have no problem managing my money, and living off of it when I got old. However ... the reason that this will never work is that the vast majority of people these days cannot manage their money. Look at the huge increase in personal debt, credit cards, car payments. The majority of people live beyond their means. Acquisition and possesion without regard to cost has become the new American dream. These people, left on their own, would not only not have one thin dime to retire on, they would have mountains of debt, as well. Then what? Let them starve? Our society does not do that - so the government would have to support them. At least now, they have to pay in to Social Security, and get it back when they retire. If we did away with Social Security tax, then they would be paying nothing to government, and collecting welfare when they retired. The government would be paying the money out anyway, no matter what you call it, but it wouldn't have any money coming in.
Amazing how dependent we have become on the program in less than 70 years on the program.
We have become dependent on it, but I don't think it is a direct cause and effect relationship. I think other things have changed in this country that have contributed as well. We have changed from an agricultural base to an industrial base. We have gone from staying put, near our extended families, to moving far away. So, a hundred years ago, mom and dad homesteaded a farm, had a dozen or so kids, and when they got old, they had nothing to worry about. All the kids stayed on or near the old homestead, and took over the hard jobs. Mom and dad were supported in their old age by their kids and grandkids working the farm. Now, mom and dad work for companies in the city that may or may not remain solvent, may or may not have a viable retirement program. They had two or three kids, who moved across the country and have their own lives to live, as they see it. Children no longer seem to feel the obligation to care for their parents as they once did.
If they would stop giving benefits to illegal aliens that would help.
Amen! Amen! Amen!
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I'm tired of going to an amusement park and then having to search for hours and "talk" to hundreds of employees before I can find one that speaks English enough to tell me where the stinking bathroom is. Does anyone else ever have the urge to shout "You're in America, speak English like the rest of us"? I have the feeling that THAT sentiment is a global thing. I try my best to speak Japanese when I'm off base, but the looks that i get when my japanese fails me are unmistakable "You're in Japan, speak Japanese"
12/02
I have to put my two cents worth on this one good post. I'm a single parent and I'm working very hard to get off social security I have two part time jobs cause there is very little full time jobs out here I'm trying very hard to get off it myself. It is hard wondering when your broke when the next meal will come from. They are cutting people down on there income as of Aprill out in British Columbia. There are alot of less people right now and I feel for each and every one of them. I'm happy I built on my two part time jobs cause if they cut me off at leaste I have that but it will be very tight around here. It's hard. I'd rather them cut me off because then I don't have to go by their rules any more I'm so sick of it. It's hard all over. Trayi52 I hear ya. I feel for the single parents out here in British Columbia who do try their best to get off social secirity. I may be picking up anouther third part time job just for extra money. Thanks for posting this one. 
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