Privatizing Social Security?

[heidler1]

One of the big advantages to Social Security now is the yearly cost of living adjustment. If SS is privatized the same protection must be included so that the Government cannot steal a persons savings by inflating the dollar, lowering the value of the dollar and or any means of adversely effect the purchasing power of these savings if designated as SS intended.

[The Zanti Regent]

1. Dream on.

Remember that Bush says the churches will help the needy, especially when the stock market collapses and millions of private accounts are wiped out...

[LiberalFighter]

8. And we should reply... did the churches help the needy...

during the stock market crash?

[InformedSource]

2. Privatizing social security is a conspiracy to kill it.

The hard core right -- you know, those guys now running the country -- hate Social Security and believe it's communism, and are determined to kill it off (it's a big part of the government that Grover Norquist wants to "drown in the bathtub"). Their plan is to sell the idea of privatizing, make it sound like a good deal to the suckers in the public, get the money into the stock market where it will disappear into the pockets of the rich, and then it will be gone and the elderly will just have to starve or die in the streets of hypothermia. The churches don't have the resources, or the will, to take on care of the elderly, and families are too stretched thin and scattered to be able to do it.

The process, once it begin, will take time and be complicated and the end result won't be visible until it's too late to reverse it.

[heidler1]

3. I agree that the Republicans have that up their sleeve, but if you make

aware of the advantages they have now you quell the desire fore change.

[Skittles]

4. the desire within whom?

the same stupid, ignorant assholes who actually VOTED for that incompetent piece of shit Bush?

[Catfight]

5. This is exactly right InformedSource, the SS funds will disappear

into the same pockets the dotcom crashes benefited from. As long as there are suckers who'll gladly give their savings up for a pipe dream, there is someone waiting to take that money away. The Right Wing laughs at homeless people, do you think they care one way or the other how they ended up homeless? Say goodbye to compassion and decency when SS goes bye bye.

[Krs216]

6. Privatizing social security is a horrible idea

Its a republican idea, and only benefits republicans.

[Jehanatu]

7. 2 cents

The Repukes are naturally going to try and privitize it: They've done so with the military, research, the media (NBC is owned by GE, for those who don't know), and even the voting. Naturally, they're going to piss on FDR's memory and privitize it.

[LiberalFighter]

9. Should ask the question... who does privatizing benefit?

Financial planners and stock brokers!!

[jwirr]

10. Just a note regarding cost of living increases.

Every January 1 the people who live in my building (mostly 65 and over) get this increase. On January 15th or there abouts their Medicare payment goes up almost as much as the were increased and then their rent goes up for the rest of it. Not many middle class people get anything from this raise. However I believe that at the same time they are "helping" the poor out with this increase it is really the rest of the people covered in this law that are benefiting. That includes all government workers. I am not sure that includes the congress and the prez but I do know that it includes the Supreme Court. As far as I am concerned they can stick their $11.00 a month raise which ends up being only a $2.00 a month raise. It is not helping Social Security recipients.

[EconomicsDude]

11. Actually...

The argument could be made that by privatizing SS, the government would be setting up just the opposite incentive. Cranking up the printing press and thus driving up inflation would be a surefire way to piss off lots of voters who would not want to see their retirement benefits decrease.

With the current system I have no such problem with inflation when it comes to Social Security, and neither do the elderly. In fact, the elderly might like it if the cost of living increase increases with inflation.