No Taxes or No SS - Which Would You Choose??

[Hyperborea]

People educate themselves. The government only provides the opportunity.

At least to the level that we are capable of. *We are all limited by our genetic gifts or lack thereof. *There's also the huge influence of our upbringing. *So, while hard work and effort are required for success we can be limited by our "luck of the draw". *From those to whom much is given much is required.

And, one more thing. *People may be better educated today
but I see no evidence whatsoever that they are getting smarter.

JG

I suppose the recent US Presidential Election result is ample proof of that.

If you hold Govt. Bonds in your Portfolio, is this part of your net worth? If the SS holds 12 trillion dollars in Govt. Bonds (iou's) would this not be part of their net worth? SS seems to be fine,the Govt.seems to be the one in trouble. If SS is in trouble and are holding Govt. iou's (Bonds), are we, that hold Govt. Bonds in the same trouble.

[wabmester]

I suppose the recent US Presidential Election result is ample proof of that.

Are you referring to the guy who won the election or the people who elected him? If there's one positive thing I can say about Bush, is that he bolsters the presidential aspirations of every below-average kid in the country. Getting C's in school? Do the kids make fun of the way you look and talk? Have a bit of a drinking problem? No worries! You too can be President of the United States.

Are you referring to the guy who won the election or the people who elected him? * *If there's one positive thing I can say about Bush, is that he bolsters the presidential aspirations of every below-average kid in the country. * *Getting C's in school? * Do the kids make fun of the way you look and talk? * Have a bit of a drinking problem? * No worries! * You too can be President of the United States.

So the (massive) dumbing down of the Presidency should be viewed as boosting the level of achievement to which people will aspire?

Following that reasoning, elect Homer Simpson.

Boys, boys! I am gone for 12 hours and you are back
on politics again

Hey Wab, still on the diet. Getting tested again this week. Will report results.

JG

[Michael]

If the SS holds 12 trillion dollars in Govt. Bonds (iou's) would this not be part of their net worth?

Then the solution is simple, just issue a few more bonds. *As a matter of fact, we could double the Social Security pay out if we just issue double the number of bonds. *We could even eliminate the payroll tax by simply adding a few more bonds each year. *Everybody is happy, and everybody wins.

[charlie]

Wab, I was a C+ student in undergraduate school
and made straight A's in grad school. As I recall,
Bush graduated from business school. As an
engineering manager, I never gave a lot of
weight to grade averages when hiring experienced
engineers. It's what you do with what gifts you have
that matters most.

Cheers,

Charlie

Michael , I think SS already holds the iou's (bonds). They do not need to do anything. Let Congress deal with the mess they have created without talking about changing SS as the only solution.

Hey Guest! Amen to that.

JG