Social Security

[Mutant Funk Drink]

Those of us in this United States who are at a ripe young age know that we aren't going to be getting Social Security benefits whilst old farts do. Thus, my complaint:

Why do we still have to pay for Social Security even though we won't be getting it?

I've been chatting with my friend about this, and each of us have differing arguments.

Originally Posted by My friend

- The retirees who are getting social security were promised it by the government, and therefore the government should hold out on their promise. Because our generation knows we won't get it, we can find other means to retire.

- It is our duty as a society to take care of the old; Especially those who bought in to a system that should have worked and showed great promise at the time.

- The people who are getting social security have earned it and deserve to get it.

Originally Posted by Myself

- The people who solely rely on social security for retirement made a bad decision and if social security can't pay for them, then that's the unfortunate consequence they suffer for taking a gamble. Social security should be used as a safety net, and people shouldn't just rely upon it in order to retire. If most people have to rely on social security in order to retire, then we have a big problem.

- Because people made a bad decision by putting all their eggs in one basket doesn't mean that future generations should have to pick up the slack. Social security is like any other system which experiences entropy, and is therefore fallible. Just because some system makes you a promise doesn't mean that promise will always be there, and if that promise disappears that doesn't make it okay for you to take money from others.

- People should take care of themselves more than expect the government to help them out every step of the way. (in relation to my first argument)

So I'm wondering how Zoklet members feel about Social Security. Are you happy about having to pay for Social Security on every paycheck?

[Mutant Funk Drink]

Really, none of you have an opinion on this? Are you all fucking stupid?

[Slapshot]

When my government steals from me, I will violently revolt.

[Actor]

They make sure that more people pay in that what it pays out. They do that by making sure most of us won't live long enough to collect it by putting cancer/disease causing chemicals and shit in most of the stuff we eat/drink, and making cigarettes addictive and avialable everywhere.

[LSA King]

Good question why should being old give you the right to sit on your ass and do nothing after 65? Only place in the world that gives old people hand outs.

[the phantom stranger]

How'd they make a bad decision? A lot of people rely on SS because their pensions are shit or non existant. Should've had a better job that provided a better pension? Most people aren't able to have whatever job they want. They often have to settle for whatever they can get. Esp during times like these. For the people who paid into it its not taking away money from others. How do you propose that people should take care of themselves more? Work until they die? If the Republicans and Democrats (who coincidentally rely on us and our taxmoney to pay for their free healthcare for themselves and their families and college for their kids) quit borrowing from SS and paid back everything into the system thats been taken, it wouldn't be in the shape its in.

[Mutant Funk Drink]

Originally Posted by the phantom stranger

How'd they make a bad decision? A lot of people rely on SS because their pensions are shit or non existant. Should've had a better job that provided a better pension? Most people aren't able to have whatever job they want. They often have to settle for whatever they can get. Esp during times like these. For the people who paid into it its not taking away money from others. How do you propose that people should take care of themselves more? Work until they die? If the Republicans and Democrats (who coincidentally rely on us and our taxmoney to pay for their free healthcare for themselves and their families and college for their kids) quit borrowing from SS and paid back everything into the system thats been taken, it wouldn't be in the shape its in.

The decision wasn't necessarily bad, but it was a gamble like any other decision you make in life. I don't believe that one should expect others to make up for a collapsed system that you bought into.

But aside from that, I also don't think that so many people should rely on the government for retirement. I'm not implying that it's viable to rely on pensions to retire, but I'm saying that it should be. The system is flawed, and because the only way for old people to retire is to rely on the government, our generation ends up paying for it. It shouldn't be our responsibility because the generations before us not only put all their eggs in one basket but also formulated a system that virtually forces people to take government handouts.

I believe that because the government couldn't hold their promise to those who deserve to retire, they shouldn't be allowed to take money away from the people to make up for it.

[Canuckistani]

With all the people who paid into SS all their lives, there should be money in the system.

But I do believe that the government borrow the money and now they can't pay it back.

People who paid in the system all their lives have been robbed of their pension.

[Mutant Funk Drink]

Originally Posted by Canuckistani

With all the people who paid into SS all their lives, there should be money in the system.

But I do believe that the government borrow the money and now they can't pay it back.

People who paid in the system all their lives have been robbed of their pension.

Right. I think it should come from another source, not by robbing us of our retirement.

[Meguiar]

i dont understand the difference. . .
i thought pensions are what government gave out just like you can also have a private pension. . .

is social security the American version of Britains basic pension?

What would you have old people do?
starve on the streets?

[Canuckistani]

It's Old Age Security.

You pay a part of you pay all your live and at 65 you start to draw.

In other words, the government keeps a piece of your income, is suppose to save it for you, but they spent it and now there is no $$$$ and they say old people cost to much.

Basically, the government FUCKING STOLE YOUR MONEY.



Like Canada MediCare. They take money as a tax, and are supposed to provide care. They used (STOLE) the money somewhere else, and now when you get sick, you cost a lot of money to the gov't.

My dad had hearth surgery. The hospital told him it was an expensive operation. My dad: "It don't cost the government a fucking thing. It's prepaid. I paid all my live into the system. If the $$$ is not there, someone stole it. Do your doctor's business, send them the bill and fuck the government."