[BureaucratusMaximus]

And the social security thing is OUT OF THE QUESTION!

This is what erks me the most out of it all. I believe %8 to %10 of my paycheck goes for the SS tax. This is my money basically being pissed away by current and future recipients of SS. I can't help but wonder that all of the "moderate and compassionate" FReeple regarding this issue are already "getting theirs".

[VRWC_minion]

I believe %8 to %10 of my paycheck goes for the SS tax

SS is a ponzi scheme, the more people participating the better off you are. You should advocate that we include anyone in the world who wants to pay in for a lifetime.

It is a rotten financial deal for the participants. The US taxpayer wins on this.

[jocon307]

"I believe %8 to %10 of my paycheck goes for the SS tax."

Yes, you are correct. Precisely 7.65% of your pay is withheld for Soc. Sec., this is matched by an identical amount paid by your employer, one of the great hidden taxes of all time. It shows up no where, and I'm quite sure most people who do not process payroll, or payroll taxes, are completely unaware of it.

Once you've earned above a certain amount for a given calendar year (I think now it's about $87,000 and assuming you don't change jobs) you "max out" on most of this, but still 2.4% (I think) is withheld, and matched by your employer, this is the medicare portion, and there is no longer any cap on it.

I'd urge passage of a "truth in paystub" law, but I've been doing payroll for over 20 years, and there is no way they could make the print big enough for any but the most savy to pay attention. All anyone ever looks at is their net pay.