From: pdsmith.mitre.org (Pat Smith)
Newsgroups: alt.politics.clinton,alt.politics.democrats.d,alt.politics.elections,ba.politics,co.politics,ne.politics,nj.politics,or.politics,ny.politics,talk.politics.misc
Subject: Re: VOTE, BABY, VOTE!
Date: 6 Nov 92 18:17:49 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: The MITRE Corporation

In article <BxAwtz.EIB@dptspd.sat.datapoint.com>, dscharfe@dptspd.sat.datapoint.com (David Scharfe) writes:
> 
> In article <1992Nov06.031958.61102@watson.ibm.com> yozzo@watson.ibm.com (Ralph Yozzo) writes:
> >>
> >> [about phase-out of Social Security in its entirety]
> >
> >I agree with this in the case where the person can put aside a
> >certain amount of money (to be determined later) that cannot be
> >used until retirement.  
> 
> You mean like IRAs, except that the money cannot be withdrawn
> for any purposes?
> 
> >                        However, there are a large percentage of
> >Americans that do not have the common sense to do this and these
> >are the ones that need the Social Security System.  
> 
> Good point -- I'll change my statement (this is not meant to
> imply that I believe in trying to legislate away stupidity).
> 
> I propose:
> 
> Immediately eliminate INVOLUNTARY contributions to Social Security.
> If you want to participate, fine.  Whomever pays in for the full
> term is eligible for eventual full benefits.  For those who have
> paid for years, and don't want to pay any more, there should be
> some form of pro-rated remuneration.
> 
> Now, how do we handle the corporations' contributions?  Do we
> leave them as is, and allow cash payments of same to those who
> are not participating in Social Security?  Personally, I think
> this would be fabulous!
> 
> I don't know what ya'll think, but *I* could certainly use the
> approx $250 per month I'd get off such a plan.  I can guarantee
> you that this would provide very nicely for my retirement --
> even were I to invest poorly, I'd still end up with more money
> than I'll be getting from Social Security, which is $0.00.
> 
> Dave
> 
> 
> 
I would take it one step further and give up what I have paid into Social
Security if I could get out of it NOW!.  I would let them squander what money
they have taken if I did not have to pay it anymore and be responsible for
my own well being when I am old.  Believe me I can invest it a lot smarter
and if I screw up - its my own fault.  Why everyone has the mentality that
the Government owes them something and relies soley on the Government for
their elder years is beyond my comprehension. I feel for these old folks you
see on TV who cannot live on their Social Security pension but I must ask
did they not have any golden year financial planning/savings or did they
just assume the Goverment would take care of them?  It is this attitude that
needs adjusment.  I started planning for my old age when I was 18 and I work
hard and spend smart.  I don't try to "keep up with the Jones" and save and
invest like crazy.  Where did I learn this behavior - from my folks.  They
taught me some real useful things about life and where my priorities should
be.  
Xref: sparky alt.politics.clinton:15996 alt.politics.democrats.d:322 alt.politics.elections:22794 ba.politics:6800 co.politics:1607 ne.politics:2737 nj.politics:545 or.politics:444 ny.politics:72 talk.politics.misc:58398