Why do I do it?

[draconis]

Some days I wonder why I deliberately try to figure out things when I know they're just going to make me mad.

For example, I was thinking about Bush's proposed plan to turn Social Security back over to the people.

I will admit that I haven't looked too far into this, but there are a few things that just seem really wrong to me.

First, most people do not have the self-disicpline to save for the future. But we're going to make people responsible for their own retirement now? And for some reason we think they are going to develop the necessary self-discipline, before it is too late?

Second, what about the people who've already been paying into the system for years?

We were given an involuntary contract with our government, which basically stated that we would pay in a certain amount out of our paycheck, and in return we would get back a certain amount once we reached retirement age -- both "certain amounts" to be determined by the government.

Looking at my most recent paycheck, I'm currently paying ~$4,000 per year. I've been working full-time for 18 years now. If I'd been paying that amount the whole time, that would be $76,000. However, I realize that figure is too high, so let's chop it back -- Let's say it's only $50,000 that I've paid in so far.

I have a contract with my government, and I've upheld my end -- I've paid my money. If Bush turns things back over to private citizens, what happens to my $50,000? Somehow, I really don't think I'll get it back....

The only way I see to do this with any sort of validity whatsoever is for the government to say, "Okay, we're not going to put anyone else into the Social Security program. Those who are already participating will continue to do so. Those not yet participating will be expected to make other arrangements for their retirement."

I don't like that either, but at least it fulfills the contract the government forced people into.

Comments

[seferin.livejournal.com]

Bush is bought and paid for. We peons are only here to foot the bills.

[alysswolf.livejournal.com]

The problem is that the people just entering Social Security are the ones who would be paying for your retirement checks. The money you're putting into the system is the money the system depends on to fulfill its contract with me, just as my input supported my father. If Bush reduces the amount of money flowing into the program then he effectively starves it into submission while he cries crocodile tears and polishes his image of a concerned conservative out to slay the monster of big government. Feh!