[Grunthor]

Look up the definition of “Ponzi Scheme” and tell me how it is NOT one.

[outofsalt]

“Look up the definition of “Ponzi Scheme” and tell me how it is NOT one.”

The Feds can print more money, that is the only difference.
I love Santelli!

[jjsheridan5]

A Ponzi Scheme is voluntary. If you are smart or cautious, you can avoid them completely. SS is enforced by the law, thus no amount of caution can allow you to avoid getting scammed.

SS is worse.

[wideawake]

It is not a Ponzi scheme in the same way that the AFL-CIO is not an organized crime syndicate.

[giotto]

Exactly. From Wikipedia:

A Ponzi scheme is a fraudulent investment operation that pays returns to separate investors, not from any actual profit earned by the organization, but from their own money or money paid by subsequent investors. The Ponzi scheme usually entices new investors by offering returns other investments cannot guarantee, in the form of short-term returns that are either abnormally high or unusually consistent. The perpetuation of the returns that a Ponzi scheme advertises and pays requires an ever-increasing flow of money from investors to keep the scheme going.

That might as well have been an entry for "Social Security System," except for the short term part. But returns, at least for older Americans, have been far in excess of what they put into the system.

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

It will be until they come clean and take concrete steps to fix it out in the open.

[cc2k]

Grunthor wrote:

Look up the definition of “Ponzi Scheme” and tell me how it is NOT one.

That's it.

Of course, if the question is ever turned around, or if a candidate ever reads the dictionary definition of Ponzi scheme in a debate, it's game over.

Which is why candidates can speak no longer than one minute in public debate (on the major networks or news networks) and candidates aren't allowed to bring any reference materials/props to the debate (like a dictionary).

The truth can not be spoken or demonstrated in public. The Party Propaganda Ministry will not allow that. Only emotionally charged (though true) phrases and angry emotions can be shown to the great unwashed.

[Dubya-M-DeesWent2SyriaStupid!]

SS is a ponzi scheme.As far as Bernake is concerned the entire Obama admin is defined in the word

trea·son    [tree-zuhn] noun 1. the offense of acting to overthrow one's government or to harm or kill its sovereign. 2. a violation of allegiance to one's sovereign or to one's state. 3. the betrayal of a trust or confidence; breach of faith; treachery.

[jospehm20]

Ponzi scheme participation is generally voluntary, that is the only difference I see.