House of Cards
In response to a letter by Betty and Paul Harmon...
While I appreciate your compassion, I must respectfully disagree. I empathize with making ends meet. And it's not just those who receive a monthly check from the government who are forced to be thrifty, it's also those of us who are putting into the system, while supporting a growing family. This is not an issue of poor verses wealthy. The great thing about the way America is set up, is that it's a place where anyone can do great things. Let's not begrudge someone who has worked hard and succeeded. Isn't that everyone's goal? The idea that wealth should be re-distributed is the root of Socialism and Communism, and it sounds just a bit selfish, too.
However, that said, I think you may be misunderstanding both Ron Paul and Social Security.
Do you know where your Social Security check comes from? Please don't answer "the government." I am sure that you paid in your social security for years, but do you believe that the government has safely stored away your contributions in a trust? Even a bank (a much more financially savvy organization than our own government, by the way) uses the money which we put in it's hands. No, the money which you are being paid monthly comes from my pocket and the pockets of our children and grandchildren.
Most Americans understand that Social Security is in trouble. In the last GOP debates, I believe that every presidential candidate expressed concern over the rapidly failing system that is Social Security.
Mr Paul has repeatedly expressed that he believes that we as a nation should keep our promises to the elderly, who have been forced to pay in to the system all these years, and have come to depend on the government for their very livelihoods.
On his website, Ron Paul states, "Solvency is the key to keeping our promise to our seniors, and I have introduced the Social Security Preservation Act (H.R. 219) to ensure that money paid into the system is only used for Social Security. It is fundamentally unfair to give benefits to anyone who has not paid into the system. The Social Security for Americans Only Act (H.R. 190) ends the drain on Social Security caused by illegal aliens seeking the fruits of your labor."
"... the Social Security “trust fund” is not a trust fund at all. The dollars taken out of your paycheck are not deposited into an account to be paid to you later. On the contrary, they are spent immediately to pay current benefits, and to fund completely unrelated federal programs. Your Social Security administration “account” is nothing more than an IOU, a hopeful promise that enough younger taxpayers will be around to pay your benefits later... The size and longevity of the Baby Boom generation, however, will finally collapse the house of cards." (Quote from Ron Paul)
As I observe the my own generation (20-40) I am amazed at the sloth and laziness which seems to predominate. You will probably agree with me that most of my generation is, sadly, not a very reliable crowd. I am almost surprised when I see a twenty-something who is not a drain on the system, but who is willing to work hard and support a family. So, we have a generation who will not work supporting those who have worked and are now retired. This might possibly hold up, except for one thing. As Ron Paul states, when the baby boomers hit the system, it simply will not be possible to support them. Even if the younger generation did work and pay taxes, the numbers still don't match up. There's not enough of us, to pay for you. The house of cards is awfully shaky.
Are you just hopeful that the system lasts for the rest of your life? What about our lives? What about my two babies? When do you suppose the system will dry up? When will the house of cards finally shudder and fall?
Let's assume you were in the work force for 45 years, making the median income for the US, and paying into SS at the current rate of 15.3%. You have paid a total of $289,170 into the system. Could you have found better ways to invest that money over the past 45 years? Doesn't it seem crazy to give your hard earned money to a group of people who have proven themselves utterly incapable of handling any amount of money?
This is what Ron Paul is addressing when he makes statements about the flawed system of Social Security. And please remember, that the system of social security is taking away from the young, and even unborn children, before they even know that it's happening. That, my friend, is morally impure.
No comments:
Post a Comment