[QUOTE=gnu;183948]
Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveZ
The only place where we may not agree is on the issue of Social Security. For as long as I have been alive, SS has been a contract between the government and the people based on the 1920-1940 economy. Only a few years ago the US Government changed its civil service retirement system - which formerly did not have SS contribution/deduction - to one which SS is now involved and marketed as one-third of one's overall retirement package.
I do agree with your statement and should have filled out my thoughts better after saying I wouldn't want to see my folks hurt by SS cuts. The current recipients beyond a certain age (30ish) have based their retirement on their contract with the government. The rest need to be reset to a self funded retirement system of their choice. It is true that we cannot retroactively dump on a lifetime of expectations, but change has to be made in how we continue into the future.
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Social Security reformation is not an impossibility, just as tax reform is not an impossibility. Just like flying to Jupiter is not an impossibility.
Earlier I posted my ideas for budget balancing - what should go and what fiscal restraints are necessary. I stand by those, because I don't see this as "the few funding the many" who may want.
As far as education is concerned, no child should be guaranteed a college education. That just cheapens college worse than it already has been.
Health care (catastrophic) is one thing. Health care (routine) is a personal matter. I know several people who don't have health insurance because it is "too expensive," but at the same time buy a new car every two-three years, have all the latest electronic toys, and manage to vacation in fun spots each year. Why should the person who does not spend their money on the fun stuff and instead does the responsible thing, get stuck with the tab for the good-time-Charlie? It's a matter of choices - and if you make bad ones, take the subsequent hit!
Some people can get very noble about what we should or should not do for our fellow citizens, lawful alien residents and illegal alien trespassers. However, that nobility seems to always be based on "the government" or someone else picking up the tab.
Let's be blunt. The wallet is empty. All this talk about care for this, or need for that, requires money. If we don't have the money, then we don't initiate any new programs, and need to stop funding the fluff stuff.
Sorry about the rambling, but any idea to curtail Social Security, but continue the operation of the Japan-United States Friendship Commission (and other outdated federal agencies) and pay foreign aid to countries who will not take back their citizens who break our laws is utter lunacy.