[GGpaX4DumpedTea]

“Entitlements are a HUGE problem in the US.”

Social Security is not an Entitlement...as long as you think so, you are part of the problem. If my 15% (my and my employer’s contribution) had been invested at the unreasonable low level of 5%, I would be able to live comfortably on the interest and have hundreds of thousands to pass on to heirs...even after paying medical expenses, if I were to have any.

And btw, the reason medical expenses are way out of line in this country, is because the FDA/AMA/Drug Cartels want us all to be unhealthy and to be on all kinds of prescription drugs. They love Medicare and Medicade (Medicade is an entitlement program) because it makes them all wealthy. The FDA/AMA/Drug Cartels are evil, just as the real entitlement programs are evil.

[jwalsh07]

Do the evil capitalists hold you down and shove statins and aspirin down your throat?

[central_va]

If my 15% (my and my employer’s contribution) had been invested at the unreasonable low level of 5%, I would be able to live comfortably on the interest and have hundreds of thousands to pass on to heirs...even after paying medical expenses, if I were to have any.

If if if if if if if if if.

Newsflash, it wasn't invested. It was spent. It is gone. FACE REALITY.

[Girlene]

Social Security is not an Entitlement...as long as you think so, you are part of the problem.

I don't agree. As far as your explanation of why Medicare is so expensive......a bit simplistic, IMHO. We treat our senior citizens well. We give them good care on the average. We value life, so spend extraordinary amounts on end of life procedures...and we pay mightily through Medicare. It's just the way it is.

I'm realistic about where things are at this point in time.

A little side note - It would be nice if more FReepers would try to have discussions in a civil manner that doesn't resort to personal attacks or accusations. When you attack or accuse an individual, you are not dealing with the issue at hand, just merely trying to put the other person on the defensive.

[MontaniSemperLiberi]

Definition of ENTITLEMENT
1
a : the state or condition of being entitled : right b : a right to benefits specified especially by law or contract
2
: a government program providing benefits to members of a specified group