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Social Security was never meant to be what you live on in retiremnt. It was initiated by FDR so that when you had saved money already and retired SSI would suppliment your income. It was a ponzi scheme (a pyramid) from the start.
SSI is not a gift, it is not an "Entitlement" ,as the new PC left has named it, it is money you had deducted from your pay checks over the years you worked. The amount of money you receive at retirement age is computed on the years you made the most money.

After age 65, if you continue working, you still pay into SS but it does count, it ups your payments, on which the democratic congress decided some years ago you pay taxes (on money already taxed when earned) and if you want hospital medicare benefits you pay $50 monthly (Medicare part A).

Medicaid is paid by Feds through the States most of which most do not contribute also. So in CA where the State Contributes you get more money than in FL where the state does not contribute. For those born up until 1937 early retirement with a lower payout for SSI was possible at age 62. Recently congress changed the law so that you are no longer penalized for working after age 65, and at age 70 you no longer pay into SSI. Medicare is not available until you reach 65.

As I understood the immigrant SSI proposal, which has not yet been floated, is that work papers would be given to Mexicans so that they can come here and work, but must go home, they cannot stay here, but while working here they will pay taxes and SSI. They will not be eligible for SSI payouts at age 67. It is simply the cost they pay for being allowed to work here. Fair enough! And it will put millions into the tax base.

What they are going to do with the million of illegals that are here is another thing altogether. There are too many and for too long that are here that it is totally impossible to round up and deport. Giving those who are working amnesty seems reasonable, deporting those who are criminals and a drag on the state also makes sense. President Bush has said from day one that he favors the work program and that amnesty is probable once the crinkles are ironed out.

Any democrat who read this thread would be convinced that conservatives are indeed mean spirited and ugly minded. The time for the administration to do something about mexican immigration was longer ago than G.W.'s administration, and from what I know the Clinton's aided and abetted illegal immigration as it added to the illegal voting for their party, and of course, winning and keeping the power is what it is all about. He and his criminal gang arranged for million of these people to have the proper identification to vote with. I rememeber when he specifically opened the borders to South African's with AIDS. NICE!

The problem with SS is that it's not a fair program for anyone other than current retirees. It's far more expensive than a real, comprehensive retirement programme.

I think that if people do pay into it, they should be entitled to the same benefits anyone else who pays into it gets. To just have the money confiscated is unfair.

Otherwise, I agree with most of your post. The current crop of anti-illegal posters here are simply filled with bile and hate, which doesn't do the Republican side any good. If we actually did dump all our illegals, the adjustments we'd have to make would be wrenching.

I don't love illegal immigrants, but I don't hate them, either. I judge them as individuals, just like anyone else. There are some illegals who are good people trying their best to make an honest wage in a system that's generally stacked against them. There are others who are criminals and malcontents. People who lump them into a group and say "Go away, alien!" are just plain nasty.

Problem is, if you do that, you'll wind up having the criminals stay and the decent ones leave. Not such a hot idea.

D