Morally, you are correct, at least insofar as you are addressing the boomers who engaged in this squander.
Politically, however, you know they won't reap what they sowed; they'll push it off on the next generation.
This is why the outlined plan is more humane and more politically possible.
I happen to be one of the government workers he is speaking about. I also happen to know a great deal about this topic. My past experience includes serving my country in the military. Not behind the lines either. I left the military, earned my college degree, worked in the private sector for a number of years (successfully), was self employed (successfully), and then returned to work for the Federal Government.
I watch anti government vitriol of this kind come and go and don’t even blink an eye. But this article was such an example of worthless drivel I just couldn’t help creating an account and replying.
In short, if the author actually knew anything about government workers he would know that it’s the older generation that is usually the problem. You all know the type. They’ve been in the job for a long time. They are tired. They don’t care much (if at all), anymore. They don’t work as hard. They don’t want to learn anymore. They’ve lost their ability to empathise. Or they’ve just plain lost their abilities. Ninety percent of my operational problems come from these people and the author wants to fill the government with these people? Are you kidding me?
Did it ever occur to this guy that the people willing to accept this kind of criticism on a daily basis might actually be the most patriotic people in the country? Dedicated public servants love their country and care about their fellow citizens. They actually want to make a difference. I sometimes long for the days of the 1-2 hour lunch breaks I had in the private sector while I’m wolfing down lunch on my 1/2 hour! I could go on and on.
His facts regarding the state of the trust fund are also grossly inaccurate. If you are receiving benefits now or planning on doing so anytime soon, you have nothing to worry about. If you are from Generation X, then you have a legitimate complaint.
I’m not against personal accounts but most people (especially this author), grossly discount the complexity of the Social Security program. Private accounts will not create the same entitlement program that we have today (meening a lot of people are going to receive less or nothing at all). People who are realy disabled for example. Surviving children of parents who deceased too early in life. I could go on. I’m not necessarily against private accounts but there are serious trade offs if we go with that solution.
The program as it exists is actually a good one. The real problem is that the trust fund has been raided for decades. That’s not the Social Securities Administration’s fault (nor their choice). Unfortunately the damage is done.
Lastly, if you don’t think the average government worker is competent, feel free to put down the golf clubs at your hard working “private sector” job, and come on over to make a difference.
I say that we should just allow the system to run until it collapses. When the monthly SS credits stop showing up in Mr. & Mrs. AARP’s bank accounts, the problem is solved.