[Publius6961]

the main culprit is the government. If I didn't have to put money into the government pyramid scheme (aka Social Security), then at the end of the year, I'd have enough $$ to put a down payment on a new car or perhaps to spend an extra hundred $s per month to get a decent apartment.

I find it strange that, having identified the problem, you leave out the real money pits: the EPA, the ADA, the micromanaging of fuel blends, $185,000 fighter aircraft canopies, the CWA and the other dozen vegetable soup laws that cost us trillions...

And produce zero.

[GingisK]

$185,000 fighter aircraft canopies

If you can make a canopy that promotes laminar air flow around the cockpit, stays strong and in the correct shape at Mach 2+ heating levels, take 9 G turns, and survive a hit from a bird for less money, I suggest you contact the aircraft firms immediately. You have a patentable idea.

[Accygirl]

All those are bad as well... However, my tax dollars are used for some good things such as the Special Forces guys in charge of beating up on Osama and friends so I'm more than happy to give the government that money (as long as continues to be only 10%). My FICA taxes, on the other hand, are used to finance seniors' golfing and playing shuffleboard down in FL. While I like my grandpa and other seniors, I don't think that my hard earned money should be used to finance their retirement, especially since I'll being getting nada when I retire in fifty years.

Social Security is basically a pyramid scheme. This type of scheme is considered fraud, and the government actually prosecutes people for perpetrating similar private schemes.