[RochesterFan]

The real problem here is that everybody is frustrated with a situation where they have been sold a bill of goods. As a boomer who has acted responsibly my whole life, I am angry that the government has confiscated social security taxes from both my employer and me over the years and squandered the money. This is money that would make a big difference in my retirement account.

In reality we have a large scale addiction in this country, an addition to "other people's money." All of us have it to one extent or another. Face it, we all expect world-class medical treatment for little or no medical premiums. Hey, I'm worth it! Soak the rich! /sarc>. I am particularly disguted at the TV ads for these motorized scooters - "at little or no cost to you!" Guess who is paying for these.

At the same time, I sympathize with jude24's generation's plight. They face the very likely prospect of a standard of living significantly lower than previous generations, even for those who work hard, get a good education and skills. Lots of motivated, skilled Indians, Chinese and Koreans who can and will work for a lot less than Americans can afford to work are creating great downward pressure on salaries. Add to that the bill for our generation of politicians largesse, pandering, and lack of backbone and you get a predictable result - frustration and anger. An answer of "just suck it up, pay your taxes, and quit your whining" just doesn't cut it.

As a nation we have two choices. We can work and sacrifice together and make the best of this tough situation called "life." We can be neighbors and family who work hard together to help one another and share the burdens. That will include "tough love," - saying those who won't do what they are able to do will suffer.

Alternatively, we can each be selfish and say "I want MINE and screw everybody else." That route will lead inevitably to armed conflict, and we will ultimately all be losers.

[RSteyn]

>Lots of motivated, skilled Indians, Chinese and Koreans who can and will work for a lot less than Americans can afford to work are creating great downward pressure on salaries.<

I've worked with dozens of Indians. A lot less money in India buys a princely standard of living there. The Indians who came here to stay have NO expectation of getting paid less than home-grown Americans.

I'm a boomer, and I have NEVER expected SS to take care of me. Back in the 1970s it was obviously not to be relied upon. I do weary of whiney Gen Xers bleating...I've paid and paid into the system with no expectation of getting anything back, and some of these Gen Xers are ready to tell us all to die for their convenience, or even to round us up to kill us. Some of the comments here make me wonder about the stability of the people making them--perhaps they are simply selfish beyond anything I have known before.