Does Bush truly want to dismantle Social Security ?

[kentuck]

Because it is a government program that he abhors with all his being....If he could, he would get rid of Social Security tomorrow. He has more or less said so. How would old folks live if there were no Social Security? Would there be shortages of dog food? Would they be living with their children and the daughter-in-law that they hate? Would they look back fondly on the good ol' days?

Do you believe the Democrats are strong enough or brave enough to defend the program? Sometimes I have my doubts. And I hate it that I do not have more faith in my Party?

[rwheeler31]

1. Everyone over 62 must die?

You got a better plan?

[Warpy]

3. Nah, everybody over 55 has to move in with their children

to become unpaid nannies and groundskeepers to free up their children to work more hours for the holy corporations.

It will, of course, be sentimentalized in the major media as a return to an idealized extended family. Never mind that the quarters are cramped and the fights constant. Never mind that people who have raised their own chidren really don't want to do it all again for their grandchildren. Never mind that it's all occurring because the baby boomers are really the Robbed Generation, losing pensions and social security alike to corporate greed and congressional thievery.

Will we rise up? Will we hunt every last one of these bastards down and strip them of everything they stole from us? Dunno. We did a pretty good job in the 60s, but we're older and sicker now.

The rest of you are next, by the way.

[pitohui]

6. and never mind that the old folks won't be allowed to move in

you are under no legal obligation to house your husband's parents and i am not the only witchy daughter in law who would refuse

many would have to choose between spouse or parents

if the elder is wealthy enough to pay rent and help out, he or she may be allowed to move in, otherwise, welcome to granny dumping

seriously people can't even pay for their own retirement and children's education, they have to choose, they cannot ALSO pay for their elder's retirement

for my entire life i have put 15% of my income into social security, and even if you are not self-employed, you are paying half that plus your boss is paying the other half for you

they cannot simply steal social security, americans are not able to save for the future on real world incomes because the first 15 percent after you have earned $400 goes to FICA

[spindrifter]

2. Dismantle Social Security--them's fightin' words--

those f*cks do not have the political capital for that frolic.

[Rose Siding]

4. Democrats already proved they can hold him at bay on that one.

Remember? Bush criss crossed the country, dems took it to town halls, creamed the Republicans. Remember?

[Buck Laser]

5. No, he wants to give it away to scam artists.

I'd love to see SS pay a better return, and be put on a solid financial footing. But as long as the policies of the administration are governed by big money, nothing is going to be safe. If he ever does succeed in "privatizing" SS, those of you yet to retire will probably look forward to an even bleaker future. I've been on Social Security since 2000, and I've already had a couple of little nasty surprises. For example, the money I draw from the IL state retirement system is just about completely deducted from my social security. I'm fortunate that SS and state retirement only count for about a quarter of my retirement income.

Anyone who believes that Bush has the best interests of older Americans at heart is sadly mistaken.

[jerry611]

7. Doesn't really matter, it will be gone the next generation anyway

Math isn't political. There will be a shortfall to social security starting around 2015-2020. And within around 20 years, it social security will be out of money.

The reason for this is because we have a population that is growing older and bigger. So the system is much more difficult to maintain today than it ever was in the past. And now with all this amnesty to illegals BS that is being pushed down out throats...that's going to make the situation even worse.
When SS becomes bankrupt, it will begin padding on the national debt. But we are probably going to be a 3rd world country by then anyway.