[skip2myloo]

Our government thinks it's their money -- and they get to enforce their opinion with incarceration and at the end of a gun barrel.

Just look at all these tax-deferred savings plans (401k's e.g.). I can almost understand collecting taxes when funds are withdrawn early, but what's the penalty for ?? A PENALTY for using my own money ??

Of course, if you have a good enough reason (in the judgment of the government) for using your own money, our benevolent government can waive the penalty.

And, don't forget, the government establishes the timeframe you can use YOUR money without penalty by establishing the earliest and latest ages you can take distribution.

Again, this is insane.

[MEG33]

If the bank goes belly up,your money is safe up to 100,000.Before that,the bank makes a bunch of uncollectable loans and bad decisions,the bank fails and you lost your money.

The feds insure that you won't lose.If a bank failed where you had your money in the great depression , you were wiped out.FDIC was established in 1933.

[Badray]

"And, don't forget, the government establishes the timeframe you can use YOUR money without penalty by establishing the earliest and latest ages you can take distribution."

I was at a retirement planning seminar and as I listened to all of the 'you_have_to' and 'you cannot' BS with regard to MY money. Everyone is sitting like sheep nodding in accepting this. It just reinforced my distaste for government involvement in my life.