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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated
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To: unclewest who wrote (49046)6/7/2004 7:27:10 AM
From: Lane3  Read Replies (2) of 793949
 
The only group I ever heard of preferring the current SS system are John's friends.

I imagine that John has in mind people too poor to put enough away to retire on. It has definitely been a blessing for them. I have elderly relatives who worked hard, who scrimped and saved, but who still have less in savings than you or I get from our pensions in a single year.

It may be a blessing for them, but I doubt it's good for the country. I think we should be honest about it. I would prefer a welfare program that cares for the poor rather than something that poses as a retirement system but really only helps the poor while it is counterproductive for everyone else in addition to being such a political irritant.

There was a time back around the days of the Great Society where the prevailing thinking was that there was a stigma attached to getting charity or welfare so we should package welfare programs as universal programs so no one would be embarrassed at receiving welfare. I understand that approach. If I remember correctly, I bought into the priority of it at the time. But I think that it has backfired by creating an attitude of entitlement to the fruits of the labor of others. This is counterproductive. So, while we need to be respectful of the dignity of the poor, I think that the country would be better off if we were upfront about what are actually welfare programs.
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