Bob Barr on Social Security
Bob Barr had a nice piece in the Washington Times this morning on the looming problems with the Social Security system. He makes the point that private investment tools have consistently outperformed Social Security in returns.
I agree with Barr wholeheartedly, for the most part, that social security should generally be transformed into private investment funds owned by individuals. The one point where I'll differ with my fellow libertarians is I think there should be some alternative for people that lose everything, including their retirement accounts, later on in their lives.
That can happen through illness or any number of other ways. We lost our retirement accounts to pay for medical expenses. I'm sure it's happened to others. There should be some sort of safety network for those in situations like that.
However, call it what you want, it shouldn't be our current social security system. It should probably be more along the line of some kind of welfare program that is means tested.
Still, I don't understand those from the Left that criticize those from the center, and rightward, who supposedly want to "end social security". If a private company was running an operation along the lines of our current social security system, those same lefties would be screaming for prison time for that company's executives.
posted by Fred Mangels @ 2:13 PM
11 comments
11 Comments:
Barry Goldwater lost his election for the Presidency in part because he championed "voluntary Social Security" - something everybody in 1964 knew could never work.
George Bush more recently called in "privatization."
But what it is, really, is PIRATE-ization. Letting the rich pirates steal trillions of dollars from the working people of America.
Stealing until they have gotten all they can get. Then they will declare bankruptcy and wash their hands of responsibility for the theft, just as the vast majority of the corporate thieves at Enron did a few short years ago.
Well Fred, I think you're the classic example of someone who hasn't paid into the social security system what they will reap in benefits. Whatever the solution, they need to drop the freeloader like you. They need to drop people who purposefully earn less in order to game the medicare system. they need to drop people like you who own a home but expect the taxpayer to subsidize their lifestyle.
You have plenty of options Fred. But you choose to suck off the tit of government. And you have the gall to call yourself a Libertarian. Ha!
"You have plenty of options Fred.".
Then tell me what they are.
That Socialist, Richard Marks, has been talking for years now about evergreen needing people. You seem like the kind of guy who could run a forklift. 17/hr plus medical insurance that beats the medicare coverage. That's one.
There are several other union shops, such as Safeway. Medical coverage. Sure, it sucks. But there's a few more options.
Perhaps you don't have plenty of options, but you do have options.
One of them is not to fall for economic schemes that hurt the poor, the disabled, all those who do not want to or are poor at playing capitalism, i.e. hoarding money for private gain. America's welfare and healthcare system is a sick joke compared to most industrialized nations' standards. Like the law, if you are poor, you don't get good treatment in America except at those few places where doctors don't care about money, e.g. UCSF Medical Center, Open Door Clinic, etc..
Hurrah!! 'Anonymous 6:17' used the magic word, 'Socialist'. Forget about calling them 'progs' or 'proggies', they are simply socialists. You know, socialists like in 'Union of Soviet Socialist Republics'. Or even the infamous 'National Socialists' who were lead by the ultimate believer in total government control, Adolph Hitler.
Caltrans. Thats probably the biggest one here.
Which form of government would Jesus favor?
Jesus is the Father of the socialist ethic. "Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need."--Acts 2:44,45.
This is where atheist Marx got his "From each according to his ability, to each according to his need." ideology which he attached to the gun to enforce unlike Christians following Jesus' doctrines about wealth.
If it is good enough for Jesus, it is good enough for me! Socialism it is!
(But for treating mental illness, I'll stick with my psychopharmalogical meds, thank you, and not rely on the casting out of demons.)
Whatever..casting out demons worked for Him and She gave us marijuana.
:)
Post a Comment
<< Home