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

To: JHP who wrote (84767)	11/1/2000 9:44:58 AM
From: Gary M. Reed	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 132070

So using your argument, I suppose they're all immigrating to the US to take advantage of Social Security? Hehe, just what we need, immigrants coming here to take advantage of the greatest entitlement program in the world. I agree with Ron...Social Security is a gaffe...the only people able to maximize their returns vis-a-vis what they contribute have to hire specialized Social Security attorneys to maximize their benefits. There's no doubt the average Joe gets back less than they contribute...which makes the argument for being able to contribute your SS taxes into a segregated account that belongs to you, in which you dictate how it is invested. Gary

To: JHP who wrote (84767)	11/1/2000 9:58:36 AM
From: Hawkmoon	Respond to of 132070

In WHAT WAY is the Clinton/Gore administration spending the $160 billion surplus on dedicated infrastructure projects? My premise is, John, that were the surplus dedicated solely to infrastructure projects that would benefit the private economy, OR for the purpose of retraining and re-educating American workers seeking to improve their job skills (so they can make more $$$ and pay more taxes later on), I would have less of a problem. But right now the surplus represents a tremendous piggy bank that pork barrel politicians on both sides of the aisle realize must be spent (so why not their own pet projects, they think?). The only way to discipline spending binges by politicians is to limit the amount of money they have access to... Bottom line, the surplus should be invested so as to increase economic output 20 years from now. That is the ONLY way that the social security liabilities will be properly handled. Giving the government an $2 Trillion limit on their FICA financed "credit card" to create even greater government obligations will bankrupt this nation. Europe is already facing this prospect... and Japan will apparently have 1 in 4 citizens entering their '60s within the next 5-10 years. Why do we have to walk that same path? Yes, the times have been good over the past 10 years+.. But for us to ignore the inevitable trainwreck that is approaching 10-20 years from now, when WE KNOW IT IS COMING is nothing more than stealing from Peter to pay Paul... I call it stealing because Paul won't be paying that money back. Regards, Ron

To: JHP who wrote (84767)	11/2/2000 3:56:49 PM
From: Hawkmoon	Respond to of 132070

Hey John!! Remember our discussion about how the government was actually increasing the national debt by taking in surplus funds for the SS trust fund? Well, Martin Gross wrote an awe-inspiring description that details exactly how that is occuring. I posted it at this link and I suggest that EVERYONE give it a good read: Message 14713730 If you've read this and now fully understand why the surplus only results in increased government budgets and pork barrel and entitlement spending, then you know why Bush's concept of partial privatization is so very important. Gore would leave nothing but further governmental obligations that our kids will have to pay for, in addition to those that are accumulating today. It is very important to take that money, have private citizens invest it -if only in AAA rated corporate bonds- and grow this economy. The government simply can't pay down the debt without distorting the currency markets that already are creating an extremely strong dollar and hurting corporate profits overseas. Regards, Ron