Your thoughts on aging? - Page 6 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

aklim · #76 01-03-2011, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

I assume you are (somewhat) joking, but I have never understood that attitude. People who work all their lives, complain about everyone who lives off the system, then have no problem collecting geezer welfare for 30 years when they should still be contributing. I think it's time to increase the SS eligibility age significantly, which would fix several problems. I can't imagine being retired for 5 years, never mind 20 or 30 years like some people.

I guess I don't understand your attitude. I've been contributing all my life and watching people milk the system. My contribution is forced and there is nothing I can do. Now that I can, I want to milk the system for all it's worth to get my payback. What part of that do you not understand?

aklim · #77 01-03-2011, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raymr

It should ensure a dignified retirement, with a roof over your head and some food, nothing more, nothing less.

I don't really understand the concept or why its overall good for millionaires to receive SS.

YOU should ensure your dignified retirement.

Because they were forced to pay into it? How would you like Sam's Club to come into town, force all of you to pay into it and say "Sorry. You don't need the discount so you can't shop here but you still have to pay into it.". Would that be fair?

aklim · #78 01-03-2011, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfloriII

I'll second that for me too!

But it's hard watching my father-in-law who, like Kerry's father-in-law, led a very active life and exercised regularly wither before our eyes. He's now confined to a hospital bed and sleeps most of the day after suffering a massive stroke two months ago. He has a tracheotomy tube to breathe and a hose through his nose to his stomach to eat. He can't talk and also lost his sight. And in two weeks the socialized health care system in Perú will send him home where his wife will have to care for him herself, mostly at her expense.

He never wanted to go this way....

So what is stopping him from pulling out the trach tube and NG tube?

aklim · #79 01-03-2011, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwampYankee

But like any pyramid scheme, S.S. counts on a steady influx of cash to finance those on the levels above. Not only that, those of S.S. age are probably the single-most reliable voting base. There isn't a career politician out there that dares turn that base against them. And since they've been promised those benefits, few dare even suggest changing the system nevermind actually doing something about it to fix it.

When Madoff runs it, we call it a Ponzi Scheme. Obviously he benefits from it.

When the govt runs it, we call it SS although they too reap the benefits of a slush fund.

#80 01-03-2011, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

I guess I don't understand your attitude. I've been contributing all my life and watching people milk the system. My contribution is forced and there is nothing I can do. Now that I can, I want to milk the system for all it's worth to get my payback. What part of that do you not understand?

Personally, I think it's a little sleazy. I would prefer not to participate at all, but I would rather see the eligibility age increased and some means testing included than having my kids fund a bunch of geezers who are too lazy to keep working for the last 1/3 of their adult life. They current system isn't sustainable and it's putting a drag on the economy.

aklim · #81 01-03-2011, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

Personally, I think it's a little sleazy. I would prefer not to participate at all, but I would rather see the eligibility age increased and some means testing included than having my kids fund a bunch of geezers who are too lazy to keep working for the last 1/3 of their adult life. They current system isn't sustainable and it's putting a drag on the economy.

Well, DUH! It is a Ponzi Scheme we are talking about, isn't it? I wish that we could opt out if we so choose too. Not sure what you are defining as means testing but if you are trying to say that you have to be below a threshold to get it, how is that going to be fair to force someone to contribute but cannot use the benefits?

#82 01-03-2011, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Well, DUH! It is a Ponzi Scheme we are talking about, isn't it? I wish that we could opt out if we so choose too. Not sure what you are defining as means testing but if you are trying to say that you have to be below a threshold to get it, how is that going to be fair to force someone to contribute but cannot use the benefits?

No, it's not fair; big deal. I would probably never collect a dime if it was means tested. Honestly, I won't need the money and I don't really want to "milk the system" just because I can. I think of my contribution as additional tax that I will never recover. Fortunately the contribution is only on the first part of income, so it's really a regressive tax that mostly affects the people who are most likely to collect. I assume the rules will change before I ever reach my eligibility age and that I will get nothing.

aklim · #83 01-03-2011, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

No, it's not fair; big deal. I would probably never collect a dime if it was means tested. Honestly, I won't need the money and I don't really want to "milk the system" just because I can. I think of my contribution as additional tax that I will never recover. Fortunately the contribution is only on the first part of income, so it's really a regressive tax that mostly affects the people who are most likely to collect. I assume the rules will change before I ever reach my eligibility age and that I will get nothing.

It isn't so much a case of whether you need the money or not. You paid into it based on the promise that it will pay back later. With that, it is your right to claim it. It isn't fair for you to tell me one thing today and later on change the terms of the agreement. It would be like your bank promising you 5% for your CD and when the economy took a turn, tell you "Sorry Jackass. You lose. 1% only. Nope, you can't take it out now and you have to wait for the term to expire. You lose. Sucks to be you.".

#84 01-03-2011, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

It isn't so much a case of whether you need the money or not. You paid into it based on the promise that it will pay back later. With that, it is your right to claim it. It isn't fair for you to tell me one thing today and later on change the terms of the agreement. It would be like your bank promising you 5% for your CD and when the economy took a turn, tell you "Sorry Jackass. You lose. 1% only. Nope, you can't take it out now and you have to wait for the term to expire. You lose. Sucks to be you.".

I understand your point. Don't be surprised when they change the rules and you don't collect; plan on not having that money available and you won't be disappointed. Personally, I would rather have them screw us than screw our kids for the next 50 years.

aklim · #85 01-03-2011, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

I understand your point. Don't be surprised when they change the rules and you don't collect; plan on not having that money available and you won't be disappointed. Personally, I would rather have them screw us than screw our kids for the next 50 years.

I think both parties are going to be screwed. This is why I absolutely HATE govt programs that are set out to help. They do start with the greatest of intentions but that is what the road to hell is paved with.

Dear Govt,
do me a favor and don't do me any more favors.

el presidente · #86 01-03-2011, 12:24 PM

^^Which is precisely why the federal, state and local governments need to do with fewer of our tax dollars.

#87 01-03-2011, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

I think both parties are going to be screwed.

You're probably correct.

aklim · #88 01-03-2011, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by el presidente

^^Which is precisely why the federal, state and local governments need to do with fewer of our tax dollars.

The problem is that when things go wrong, the question asked is "Why doesn't the govt.......". That compels the govt to act. Obviously, being human, they can't help but add to the problems. That sets us up for the next "Why doesn't the govt......" when things go wrong.

el presidente · #89 01-03-2011, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

The problem is that when things go wrong, the question asked is "Why doesn't the govt.......". That compels the govt to act. Obviously, being human, they can't help but add to the problems. That sets us up for the next "Why doesn't the govt......" when things go wrong.

B.S.

We've bred our own entitlement thinking. That must change....period.

aklim · #90 01-03-2011, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by el presidente

B.S.

We've bred our own entitlement thinking. That must change....period.

How do you figure it is BS? Yes, we have an entitlement thinking but when things went wrong, instead of trying to find a way THEMSELVES, people ask what the govt can do for them.