Currently Government employees (certainly Congress) enjoy a much more generous and well-funded program than non-governmental employees - aka the average taxpayer. Would you like to see the merits of this issue seriously debated by political candidates and office-holders?
2007-01-25 12:14:24 · 6 answers · asked by MiddleAgedWhiteMan 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Government
Great question.
Congresses should. they should have to live and die by the same programs they impose upon citizens.
2007-01-25 12:23:51 · answer #1 · answered by sociald 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sure...if we're planning on paying our governmental employees the same salaries as the private sector receives. Currently most public employees earn less then their private sectors receive. They take this because the retirement benefits, health benefits, and vacation benefits are generally better. It's a trade off.
And, you can't compare the average taxpayer with a governmental employee. The average taxpayer doesn't work for a large company...if they did they too would likely receive the same level of benefits.
You have to compare apples to apples and you're not doing that.
But, what I would like to see is Social Security invested in the market. Not by participants by by Trustees for the Social Security System. I think that we should allow 50% of the excees receipts over payments be invested in appropriate index funds. The remaining 50% will remain in Tbills. That would solidify ss for the rest of us schmucks.
Those that want to do away with SS have a fundamental misunderstanding about what it is...they also are selfish beyond compare. The system is not an entitlement system. It is not your money...it is simply a tax. There is no promise to pay anything back...stop thinking of it as such. I'm sure they would howl beyond belief if the rate were reduced and the benefit subject to means testing. However that's what it should be...a way of making sure our elderly don't starve.
2007-01-29 06:51:22 · answer #2 · answered by digdowndeepnseattle 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know why it's such a difficult concept to simply grandfather clause SS. Allow payments for people who have already payed into it substantially, pick a cut-off age, and let people know, you have to save for your retirement. We should have classes in school teaching personal finance, starting at a young age. SS is the most antiquated retirement system in the world. Pay money in, get no interest, and we'll give it back depending on how long you live. Wow.
2007-01-25 12:41:27 · answer #3 · answered by The Scorpion 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Social Security should be done away with. The government cannot balance its own budget, why is the government in charge of my money. The rate of return you get with your SS investment is horrible. SS is a waste of my money...anyone who is not responsible enough to plan for their retirement shouldn;t get my money....i wish i could be a "consciencious objector" to paying SS. there is a clause for the clergy to do so since the government cannot be trusted to handle God's money.
2007-01-25 12:23:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hell no. The government people actually worked for the government. The social security folks worked other jobs and had their chances to make more or less.
2007-01-25 12:20:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Social Security does not exist! Or atleast like you think it does!
2007-01-25 12:26:43 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋