Presidential Race (Respector Edition)

[Sparky speaks]

Sorry Sparky, I frequently write posts and then delete them, I thought I commented on what you said to my inquiries. My bad. You appear to be a very thoughtful and you spend a lot of time trying to express your views. I really don't happen to agree with you. Others expressed counter arguments better then I could. And you even said you might take heat for being crazy, so I went with it. Joking aside, what you are suggesting is off the rails ask not very likely to happen. If come spring we are in a deep depression I will be the first to say I was wrong. But until then I am going to focus my time on the election and my interest in that.

 

Hey, don't sweat it. I'm used to the abuse. I teach high school kids, remember? But, non the less, I get the feeling I have ranted enough here. You all know where I'm coming from. Nothing much left for me to add. Just trying to get you guys to see things a little differently and maybe win a few converts. You are a tough crowd. Just as stubborn as I used to be on these very same issues. I figured one or two would show a tiny amount of agreement or support. Maybe in a few months. Enjoy the debate over the non-issues...

 

By the way, he could be Obama's running mate...

 

[Mr. Heartbreak]

Sparky, I totally understand where you're coming from. I have read a lot about it, and even got scammed by a multilevel marketing group called the Institute for Global Prosperity. Their whole shtick was to talk about The Creature from Jekyll Island and about how the IRS was never properly ratified, blah blah blah, the currency system is a fiat system, we don't really have to pay taxes to the federal government, etc. They really educated me, for a price, of course. They, too, said the sky was falling. This was over ten years ago.

 

Bottom line, the founder was indicted on income tax evasion by the Justice Department. We are still not back on the gold standard. I doubt we ever will be. Yes, the whole system is rigged, but unless we are going to start trading gold nuggets for food, I think we need to work with what we've got.

 

By the way, the entire collapse of the financial system actually did pretty much happen in 2007-2008, but we are still here and we are still seeing the dollar rise and fall, and the price of gold rise and fall, and the stock market go up and down. Relax. The report of our imminent death has been an exaggeration.

[Winston Legthigh]

all the unpopular stuff in there like privatizing Social Security

 

Can I ask the kindly folks here what their position on this is? (privatizing Social Security)

 

I don't know why that view is unpopular, but I'm guessing that the DEMS are against it since they use it like a bank account to shore up their budget plans.

 

I would much rather have control to do the due diligence myself, and put my SS allocation with a portfolio manager I know and trust. And considering that by the time I'm going to retire in 30 years or so that the SS fund is projected to be completely depleted, I'd favor any system that puts that money under my direction NOW. I've been paying in since I was 16.

[calvino]

Other than his childhood in Indonesia, what was Obamas foreign policy exposure?

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Senate_career_of_Barack_Obama

 

 

Committees

• Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (110th Congress)
  
  • Subcommittee on Children and Families
    
  • Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety
    

  [*]Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (110th Congress)

  • Subcommittee on Investigations
    
  • Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information and International Security
    
  • Ad Hoc Subcommittee on State, Local, and Private Sector Preparedness and Integration
    

  [*]United States Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs

  [*]Committee on Environment and Public Works (109th Congress)

  • Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety
    
  • Subcommittee on Private Sector and Consumer Solutions to Global Warming and Wildlife Protection
    

  [*]Committee on Foreign Relations

  • Subcommittee on European Affairs (Chairman - 110th Congress)
    
  • Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs
    
  • Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs
    
  • Subcommittee on African Affairs
    
  • Subcommittee on International Development and Foreign Assistance, Economic Affairs, and International Environmental Protection
    

Source: United States Senate 109th Congress^[25] Source: United States Senate 110th Congress^[26]

[KevinG]

Can I ask the kindly folks here what their position on this is? (privatizing Social Security)

 

I don't know why that view is unpopular, but I'm guessing that the DEMS are against it since they use it like a bank account to shore up their budget plans.

 

I would much rather have control to do the due diligence myself, and put my SS allocation with a portfolio manager I know and trust. And considering that by the time I'm going to retire in 30 years or so that the SS fund is projected to be completely depleted, I'd favor any system that puts that money under my direction NOW. I've been paying in since I was 16.

 

I think it is extremely risky to privatize and make social security like a 401K. Just imagine if SS was privatized and sent to the stock market back when GWB was proposing it. Then the the stock market crashed. Now, on top of 401Ks being gone, social security is gone too. Imagine what that would have done to the economy.

 

Social Security should be a secure government program, the money that is paid into it should stay there. In no way should it be touched by any governmental agency for any reason, other than to pay social security.

 

Also the money that you are paying in really isn't yours. It is your parents and/or grandparents. Just like the money you will be getting when you take SS (it will be there in some form or another in 30 years) will be taken from your kids paychecks.

[Tweedling]

Not a lot. If I recall, Biden's experience on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee was considered one of his strengths, he bolstered the ticket in that way.

I see. Thanks

 

[Winston Legthigh]

Now, on top of 401Ks being gone, social security is gone too. Imagine what that would have done to the economy.

 

 

Well, it would have been gone with the wrong portfolio manager. Some made out quite handsomely during that period.

[Tweedling]

 

 

Can I ask the kindly folks here what their position on this is? (privatizing Social Security)

 

I don't know why that view is unpopular, but I'm guessing that the DEMS are against it since they use it like a bank account to shore up their budget plans.

 

I would much rather have control to do the due diligence myself, and put my SS allocation with a portfolio manager I know and trust. And considering that by the time I'm going to retire in 30 years or so that the SS fund is projected to be completely depleted, I'd favor any system that puts that money under my direction NOW. I've been paying in since I was 16.

Man I agree. It will NOT be around when we are supposed to get it. To think my money is going to pay for other people is crazy. My money should be in there for me. But I've already taken steps to account for social security's failure. It just doesn't make sense. The math isn't there. Pie in the sky the way it's currently set up.

[Guest Jules]

I am 35 years old and not for one day have I planned on social security to be some kind of retirement fund for me.

[ih8music]

No one should plan on living off of social security if they can afford to save enough for retirement on their own. But for many people that's simply not possible -- they're barely getting by as it is. What should happen to these people when they're too old to work?

[Winston Legthigh]

No one should plan on living off of social security if they can afford to save enough for retirement on their own. But for many people that's simply not possible -- they're barely getting by as it is. What should happen to these people when they're too old to work?

 

Logan's Run.

 

I'd be all for starting the epic age wars, if not for the simple fact that both sides might think I'm the enemy.

[bleedorange]

Soylent Green?

[Tweedling]

No one should plan on living off of social security if they can afford to save enough for retirement on their own. But for many people that's simply not possible -- they're barely getting by as it is. What should happen to these people when they're too old to work?

Man I think that's a good question and I guess that's what it was intended for but I know a number of people who have drawn, already in their life, more money than they ever put in...

[KevinG]

Well, it would have been gone with the wrong portfolio manager. Some made out quite handsomely during that period.

 

Well you are lucky, but you are an exception, a lot of people lost a lot of money in the stock market. So really you are putting a social safety net in the hands of a portfolio manager? And if you are smart enough or lucky enough to find a good one, then great. If you are not then your social security is gone and too bad for for you (cat food is just .89 cents a can)!

[Winston Legthigh]

Well you are lucky, but you are an exception, a lot of people lost a lot of money in the stock market. So really you are putting a social safety net in the hands of a portfolio manager? And if you are smart enough or lucky enough to find a good one, then great. If you are not then your social security is gone and too bad for for you (cat food is just .89 cents a can)!

 

I'm just saying I'd rather have control of my own Social Security account - it doesn't have to be in mutual funds, which are handicapped by being long-only. Being youngish, my risk tolerance is medium to high. There's a whole world of things to invest in besides equities.

 

Just give me the option is all I'm sayin.

[gogo]

But the idea behind Social Security (socialism! in the best possible way!) is that nobody keeps their own money (or, not that bit of it, anyway). Everyone pays into a system that eventually does more for the people who need more. Nobody's getting their own money back.

 

My thoughts on social security definitely would include raising the amount that we pay into it. Not the base rate, but keep on applying that rate all the way up the line, don't cap it at an upper wage limit (or, substantially raise that limit).

[Winston Legthigh]

But the idea behind Social Security (socialism! in the best possible way!) is that nobody keeps their own money (or, not that bit of it, anyway). Everyone pays into a system that eventually does more for the people who need more. Nobody's getting their own money back.

 

Oh.

 

Right.

[Tweedling]

But the idea behind Social Security (socialism! in the best possible way!) is that nobody keeps their own money (or, not that bit of it, anyway). Everyone pays into a system that eventually does more for the people who need more. Nobody's getting their own money back.

 

My thoughts on social security definitely would include raising the amount that we pay into it. Not the base rate, but keep on applying that rate all the way up the line, don't cap it at an upper wage limit (or, substantially raise that limit).

Please don't run for office

[Tweedling]

When I hear people talk about "disability check". Is that also a coming out of social security?

[gogo]

Please don't run for office

Ha!

 

I believe most (all?) states have some form of disability insurance. So that's generally another/separate form of payroll tax. I think SS also covers permanent disability retirement, but disability isn't necessarily coming out of social security.

[uncool2pillow]

The age we begin getting social security should be raised to 70 for anyone currently 50-55 and younger. It's never changed while life expectancy has. No idea how many years of solvency that adds and what it does to the job market by keeping people in the workforce longer, but it seems like a no brainer.

[moxiebean]

The age we begin getting social security should be raised to 70 for anyone currently 50-55 and younger. It's never changed while life expectancy has. No idea how many years of solvency that adds and what it does to the job market by keeping people in the workforce longer, but it seems like a no brainer.

I think this is inevitable, but can we wait 2 years until we raise it for folks 50 and under?

[KevinG]

I'm just saying I'd rather have control of my own Social Security account - it doesn't have to be in mutual funds, which are handicapped by being long-only. Being youngish, my risk tolerance is medium to high. There's a whole world of things to invest in besides equities.

 

Just give me the option is all I'm sayin.

 

So give people the option and another financial crisis hits. Your investment guy fails, you end up losing all of it. Millions of others lose all of it. Think of the havoc that is going to bring down on the system. You will have people millions and millions of old poor people who will need other forms of government assistance. If you think paying for social security is hard and messy imagine that.

 

You have the option to put away money form your paycheck into a retirement fund, what is wrong with that? What is the problem with having a small safety net beyond your savings? Social security is will be there in the future (just as long as we don't f it up).

[IRememberDBoon]

Well, it would have been gone with the wrong portfolio manager. Some made out quite handsomely during that period.

 

jesus man are you fer realz? and as far as Dems using SS ummmmm do you remember 2000 when everyone joked a million times about Al Gores lockbox??? We left a SS surplus which republicans raided all to hell so im not sure if you meant republicans

 

ummm hey folks. Social Security is completely solvent and always will be. I dont even know what yall are talking about?

[KevinG]

jesus man are you fer realz? and as far as Dems using SS ummmmm do you remember 2000 when everyone joked a million times about Al Gores lockbox??? We left a SS surplus which republicans raided all to hell so im not sure if you meant republicans

 

ummm hey folks. Social Security is completely solvent and always will be. I dont even know what yall are talking about?

 

The surefire way to make sure social security is not there in 30 years is to "privatize" it or allow people to manage it themselves. The current social security tax rate is 4.2%, not that much. There are options for people who want to use the stock market for retirement (401K) why not use that?