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Politics : Ask Michael Burke -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Skeeter Bug who wrote (84698)	10/30/2000 7:53:20 PM
From: Mike M2	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 132070

Skeeter, you'll get pissed if/when they raise the eligibility age. Maybe they won't go broke they'll raise the age to 100 to reduce the benefits payout and the politicians will say we kept our promises -g- ho ho ho Mike

To: Skeeter Bug who wrote (84698)	10/30/2000 9:48:17 PM
From: Knighty Tin	Read Replies (4) \| Respond to of 132070

Skeets, We disagree on this one. I don't think you can find any insurance/annuity/medical coverage plan anywhere as complete or as efficiently run as Social Security. If Steve Forbes contributed, then he deserves benefits, though I think he ought to be a sport and donate them to charity. I will when I pass him on his own 400 list. <g> There are not that many rich old people, and even those who are comfortable could be wiped out with a catastrophic illness. I know, Republicans say to buy insurance privately. Go in to any insurance co. in the nation when you are retired and may need a heart transplant and look how they "compete" for your business. Like Maurice Green, except fast, as they run away from you. <g>

To: Skeeter Bug who wrote (84698)	10/30/2000 10:20:52 PM
From: BSGrinder	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 132070

You miss the point, Skeeter. Social Security has always been designed as a social insurance plan, not a means-tested welfare program. That is the secret to its popularity: everyone contributes and everyone collects upon retirement (though not equally, as you suggest). There is no stigma to receiving benefits. Why are you so anxious to have a system where you contribute, and if you happen to become prosperous in your maturity, you lose your benefits? You are also quite mistaken if you think Social Security benefits are paid to people who do not contribute. Under our laws, widows and orphans are entitled to some consideration under their husband's pension plans. I can't see the point of insurance or pensions if that were not the case. /BSG