Posted on 07/07/2011 5:32:28 PM PDT by dynachrome
Reforming entitlements
Should changes to the major federal entitlement programs (Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security) be on the table as President Barack Obama and Republicans negotiate to reduce the deficit?
Yes
No
Not sure
(Excerpt) Read more at baltimoresun.com ...
Yes (155 responses)
55%
No (121 responses)
43%
Not sure (5 responses)
2%
281 total responses
(Results not scientific)
There are many countries who should and can pay for their own defense. I do not know the dollar figures, but I'm certain it is huge.
With respect to everything else on the table, I believe fraud is a great concern. Enforce stiff penalties. When people start going to prison, perhaps we may see a surge in 'efficiency.'
You missed the word THREATEN.
In reality, SS, etc., are ALREADY ‘cut.’ They’re broke. The SS $$ is gone.
You missed the part where threatening to confiscate private property is just plain wrong, period.
rabscuttle, we paid into the SS “system” for many years; we paid so that your grandparents, and other’s grandparents and parents received their SS checks. We paid thousands ignorantly into the “scheme” that abruptly changed course in mid-stream; and we didn’t fuss about your grandma getting a SS check back then.
Now, I’ll be 65 this month. I’m willing to pay for my own doctor’s bills & prescriptions. Husband’s almost 68, does draw SS, but works and still pays taxes, too. I’m sure he will be glad to do his part to cooperate in fixing this mess.
Do you mean spousal or children's benefits from a worker who died?
Consider that my parents immigrated to the United States in the early 1980s.
They already took most of social security funds and basically threw the future of many away. What was the total they took $3T?
Basically, yes.
However, "they" were voted into power by those whose funds "they" mishandled.
This is what happens when people trust their government too much.
The game of financial musical chairs has stopped, and someone is going to get stuck without a seat. The sad thing is that we probably would not be where we are today if the U.S. hadn't aborted millions of its own future citizens and if the politicians hadn't frittered away surplus SS contributions to buy votes and enrich themselves.
Anything becomes an entitlement when you exhaust what you put in....but then it really doesn’t matter does it when the money or value of such is gone. We are all playing musical chairs with receiving the Federal dollar and Mr. Debt is taking away those chairs at a faster clip.
I will speak to Social Security. WE as a country are STUPID if we do not do what i suggest!
Starting TOMORROW everyone 54 years and younger must switch their SS accounts to the Chilean Model SS system and if they wish they may roll IN their 401K. Anyone 55 and over may switch to the Chilean system, if they wish and may roll IN their 401K or remain in the present system.
rabscuttle385...you wrote..”No citizen or lawful resident of the United States “deserves” anything from their Government except equal and impartial protection of their God-given rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
There are people who are mentally disabled, and/or physically disabled, and simply unable to care for themselves, much less work. I believe they deserve to be cared for. There, by the grace of God, go I. Therefore, I’m happy to give a portion of what I make to provide for them. I feel the same way about the elderly.
The majority of people did not immigrate to the U.S. in the early 1980’s. So, that was figuratively speaking regarding the majority of past SS recipients.
We’re willing to do whatever needs to be done to fix this. We “paid in” starting in our teenage years, made good money and paid in through the nose.
It’s the layabouts who have made welfare a lucrative hobby that need to have their “benefits” put on the table, right along side my “benefits”. We’re willing.
How Chile’s Social Security System Can Pay American Investors Big-Time
www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2743984/posts - Cached4 Jul 2011 – Investor Place ^ | 06/20/2011 | Bryan Perry ... The privatization of the pension system in Chile has become the quintessential example ... 400 grand (approx) my wife and I and our employers have put into SS & Medicare? ...
If we don’t get control of these the nation is finished.
If they never paid into SS, how do they get benefits?
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