Grace,
You are a very solid gal. I found myself nodding in agreement with your entire post. As I have found first hand the same truths.
Message 14460013
I wanted to add this tid bit too regarding not just the middle class soaking most of the juice from the public coffers, but the 'folk' in the drivers seat as well. I will post it below anyway.
But when I went to answer you on Ahs' moderated thread I see that I have been banned for posting my opinion on 9/23. I am sure he will state it was because I stated I would not post there again. He has reminded me that I was correct in my choice. Too bad. Note he also changed his intention statement after my post. I do believe this is what Eric was trying to address.
For you and KB:
Our Congress "persons" don't pay in to Social Security, and of course,they don't collect from it. The reason is ... they have a "special retirement plan" that they voted for themselves many years ago.
For all practical purposes ... it works like this:
When they retire (or just leave office), they continue to draw the same pay until they die and it is increased from time to time for their cost of living adjustments.
For instance, former Senator Bill Bradley, and his wife are expected to draw $7,900,000. Mrs. Bradley would draw another $275,000 during the last years of her life. This is calculated on an average life span for each.
This would be well and good, except ... they paid nothing toward any kind of retirement plan ... nor do any of our Congress "persons".
Their fine retirement package comes straight out of our general fund. It is OUR tax money!
We who work hard all our lives can look forward to only drawing an average of $1000 a month from Social Security which is also considered taxable income.
Imagine ... if you can, a retirement plan so desirable that people have extra deducted from their paychecks so they can increase their own personal retirement income. A retirement plan that works so well for all Railroad employees, Postal workers, and all the others who aren't in it ... would be clamoring to get in it!
That's how good Social Security could be if only a single change were made:
Jerk the Golden Fleece retirement package from our Congress "persons" and make them qualify under the current Social Security system with the rest of us ... then watch how fast they fix it!!!
If enough people receive this ... one or more of us sends this along to others in our e-mail circles ... we might give notice to SOME OF OUR CONGRESS "PERSONS" to actually WAKE up and remember WHO put them in office!!!! |
