[qam1]

Xer Ping

Ping list for the discussion of the politics and social (and sometimes nostalgic) aspects that directly effect Gen-Reagan/Generation-X (Those born from 1965-1981) including all the spending previous generations (i.e. The Baby Boomers) are doing that Gen-X and Y will end up paying for.

Freep mail me to be added or dropped. See my home page for details and previous articles.

[Dubya]

Ruben Navarrette

What a Jerk.

[1Old Pro]

The debate over whether to reform Social Security is full of idiosyncrasies.

No, it's full of idiots. Starting with the AARP and the media.

[thebaron512]

The AARP rag I just read found some moron who said the return on private accounts would not match the current system.

So government black hole of spending is better than money working in the economy?

[2banana]

The "Greatest Generation" turned into the "Greediest Generation"

[Brilliant]

They have nothing to lose if social security goes bust. They won't be here.

[robowombat]

In general I have found people over 65 to be the most trusting of government as well as resistant to any change in social insecurity. The first part of the equation has to do with the perception that big government delivered the bacon by directing the victorious war against the Axis and then presiding over the unprecedented post war prosperity.For social insecurity it seems its more of the same politics of nostalgia similar to those New Yorkers who continued to write in Laguardia's name for mayor of NYC long after he was dead. They knew he was under the sod but continued to vote his name as a sort of pious commemoration of the most exciting epoch in their lives.

[rhombus]

As someone looking at 50 next year I'm not sure what all this will bring for me. Nonetheless, I do support private accounts for younger folks. People need to own the fruits of the labor. However it should be no surprise to any of us that so many are desperately addicted to the nanny state and that monthly check. They (as well as me) were told all our lives that the money that came out of our checks would go for us - of course it was a nanny-state lie. What I'd say to all you Gen-X'ers who are trying to find a way to pay for healthcare, be warry of signing on to nice-sounding universal health care plans for all. Nothing's free.

[ANGGAPO]

I suspect that most folks do not understand that any investment in in the stock option is just that, an option. You don't have to invest if you don't want to. I have noticed that the press fails to mention that, or if they do it is given the old Demotwist.

[Alberta's Child]

So much for "The Greatest Generation," eh?

[Protagoras]

No matter what fix we're talking about - partial privatization, raising the retirement age, means testing so millionaires forfeit benefits, tying benefits to inflation rather than wages, etc. - the most ferocious opposition comes from the demographic that won't be affected either way by any proposal being discussed at either end of Pennsylvania Avenue: Americans already 55 and over.

Of course this is incorrect when one looks at it realistically. Those things in bold will certainly be done by lying politicians.

[A Ruckus of Dogs]

the most ferocious opposition comes from the demographic that won't be affected either way by any proposal being discussed at either end of Pennsylvania Avenue: Americans already 55 and over.

According to the census, the over 65 crowd is the wealthiest demographic in the country. When you start having one segment of the population hogging up a bigger and bigger chunk of federal resources, you're going to have a backlash.

[CIDKauf]

The reason senior citizens are concerned about changes in SS is because the government has been lying to them for longer than younger people. If any politician would own up and tell the truth, that the "contribution" is really just a general fund tax, and that the government would have to replace the income if the system was "privitized" (2004- SS contributions of $522 billion of the 2.92 trillion budget or about 18%)and growing at an increased % rate at about 4% annually, due to be equal in 2018 leaving $26 trillion in unfunded liabilities, then and only then, will the people take a serious look at the "system", and "trust" that politician (oxy-moron) to do what is right for Americans rather than what is "self-preservationist" for himself.

[Plutarch]

But there's no reasoning with the elderly on this issue. I know. I tried.

It is a difficult task, O citizens, to make speeches to the belly, which has no ears.

Plutarch
Life of Marcus Cato

[mewzilla]

They didn't seem to care a whit about the financial strain that future taxpayers will be put under to make that happen.

So much for the Greatest Generation.

[Publius6961]

No matter what fix we're talking about - partial privatization, raising the retirement age, means testing so millionaires forfeit benefits, tying benefits to inflation rather than wages, etc. - the most ferocious opposition comes from the demographic that won't be affected either way by any proposal being discussed at either end of Pennsylvania Avenue: Americans already 55 and over.

Stated as simply as possible, the overwhelming majority of them are functional morons. If ever there is a minimum standard required to participate in the workings of government, as in voting, most of them would be disqualified.

And they all vote.

Any wonder at the sad transformation of our country into a prosperous "third world"?
Our country continues to survive in spite of them. How, I am still mystified about.
Save your flames. I are one of them, in the clear minority.

[Red Boots]

So did the fact that these seniors had convinced themselves that there was no ''crisis'' in Social Security because the best estimates are that benefits will continue to be paid out for the foreseeable future. They didn't seem to care a whit about the financial strain that future taxpayers will be put under to make that happen. This is the real crisis

This is one consistent thing I've noticed in trying to explain the reality to this crowd. I think it's the kind of denial a spouse often uses when they know that they're are living a lie, but have clung to it for so long, that they just won't believe it.

They often end with the phrase, " Well I won't be around, so who care s?". And I think, Well our children will, don't you care what you're leaving for them ? .

In ther interests of full disclosure, I am in the late baby boom generation. I fully expect to get nothing- and I wouldn't want it at the expense of my children anyway.

[Doctor Stochastic]

...the most ferocious opposition comes from the demographic that won't be affected ...

Possibly this demographic has had more experience with being affected by things that "will not affect" them.

[inquest]

One thing that might help with this situation is if Congress could be made to inform SS "contributors" on a regular basis exactly how much of the money they put in goes toward their own retirement, and how much goes toward other purposes (including other people's retirements). That might awaken other demographics within the electorate.

[ex-snook]

"For this crowd, the whole issue of reforming Social Security comes down to trusting George Bush."

I think that's right. Given the problem is fewer workers and longer lives, they think privatizing is meant to pull their plug sooner rather than later. In short, in spite of promises, they don't believe George Bush.