[CitizenUSA]

“SS was supposed to be a safety net and a supplement to one’s retirement. It was never intended to be the only source of retirement income.”

True, but it is. There’s ideology, and then there’s the real world. In the real world, people are dependent on SS. I wish they weren’t, and I certainly want to change things so future generations aren’t in the same boat. However, it is what it is. That’s why I say I want to drawn down the federal government smartly. There are people who cheer ANY cut, but that’s putting ideology ahead of all else.

The truth is, there are different kinds of government entitlements. A military retiree who served 20+ years actually worked for those benefits. A Social Security recipient probably paid into that program for decades. Those are completely different types of payouts in my opinion than EBT, “mad money” disability payments, foreign aid, ethanol subsidies, etc, etc (the list if virtually endless!). If it comes time to cut—AND WE SHOULD CUT—let’s cut smartly!

[kabar]

True, but it is. There’s ideology, and then there’s the real world. In the real world, people are dependent on SS. I wish they weren’t, and I certainly want to change things so future generations aren’t in the same boat. However, it is what it is. That’s why I say I want to drawn down the federal government smartly. There are people who cheer ANY cut, but that’s putting ideology ahead of all else.

The entitlement programs are the biggest drivers of our debt. They represent over $100 trillion in unfunded liabilities. They will consume the entire federal budget if not reformed. We either have to cut benefits, increase taxes, or some combination thereof to keep them sustainable. The longer we wait, the more pain will be involved. And evenif we act now there will be painful solutions.

The truth is, there are different kinds of government entitlements. A military retiree who served 20+ years actually worked for those benefits. A Social Security recipient probably paid into that program for decades. Those are completely different types of payouts in my opinion than EBT, “mad money” disability payments, foreign aid, ethanol subsidies, etc, etc (the list if virtually endless!). If it comes time to cut—AND WE SHOULD CUT—let’s cut smartly!

In 1950 there were 16 workers to every retiree; today there are three; and by 2030 there will be just two workers for every retiree. We will have to tax people to death to keep the promises made to seniors. The reality is that we have seen a huge transfer of wealth from young to old over the past several decades. It is criminal and unsustainable.

SS and Medicare must be reformed regardless of whatever cuts are made.