Anyone else worried about SS?

[rembrandt]

I agree that nobody needs a $Billion. Having said that, the $Billion dollar winner gets less than half of that. Various taxing authorities get the first dollar of it (and many, many more thousands of dollars - or millions) before the winner gets the first dime. Just MAYBE the gummint doesn't need hall the winner's winnings and could share part of THEIR windfall with SS??

On a different note: Lotteries are probably the most regressive "tax" that gummint has come up with but I don't want to be political about it.

On a more libertarian note, I don't see that anyone has a right to say what any one is entitled to. And, if so, how much? What is a "fair" amount to win at powerball?? Just asking.

"From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs".

 

[TheWizard]

"From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs".

Oh dear...

 

[AudiDudi]

I agree that nobody needs a $Billion. Having said that, the $Billion dollar winner gets less than half of that. Various taxing authorities get the first dollar of it (and many, many more thousands of dollars - or millions) before the winner gets the first dime. Just MAYBE the gummint doesn't need hall the winner's winnings and could share part of THEIR windfall with SS??

On a different note: Lotteries are probably the most regressive "tax" that gummint has come up with but I don't want to be political about it.

On a more libertarian note, I don't see that anyone has a right to say what any one is entitled to. And, if so, how much? What is a "fair" amount to win at powerball?? Just asking.

With SS paying out about $1.3T per year, adding maybe $1 or 2B from lotto winners is like a fly farting in the wind. To answer your question about a fair amount - I'd say the total prize pool. Keep the gov't out of it. You are the one that risked the money, why should anyone share in the reward? My 2c worth

 

[rembrandt]

"From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs".

FYI, I was being a little tongue in cheek.

 

[AudiDudi]

"From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs".

That's great as long as everyone's needs are the same.

 

[Gumby]

"For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more." Luke 12:48 (KJV)

 

[rembrandt]

Ezekiel 25:17. "The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who in the name of charity and good will shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children.

 

[camfused]

I have seen talk of SS being the third rail and politicians won't mess is up, due to them being voted out by seniors. However, I am not so sure that many of the current crop of politicians care if they get voted out later or not.

So, yeah, I am on the worry side of the fence.

 

[Ian S]

Help save SS by cutting out space exploration. If Elon Musk wants to go to Mars, let him pay for it himself.

 

[AudiDudi]

Help save SS by cutting out space exploration. If Elon Musk wants to go to Mars, let him pay for it himself.

NASA budget is about 0.3% of govt spending and about 1/4 of 1 month's SS outlays. (~$22B/yr vs ~$110B/mo) Your Guide to NASA's Budget

 

[rembrandt]

 

[WWDog]

Wife and I took ours as soon as we could and never looked back. It goes in the depository for the kids or for spending later if we need it. I have difficulty trusting most anything now days particularly if it is a promise dealing with promises from the federal government. I hope the incoming administration will prove me wrong!

 

[Gumby]

Ezekiel 25:17. "The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who in the name of charity and good will shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children.

Good movie.

 

[Ian S]

NASA budget is about 0.3% of govt spending and about 1/4 of 1 month's SS outlays. (~$22B/yr vs ~$110B/mo) Your Guide to NASA's Budget

Every little bit counts!

 

[Koolau]

Help save SS by cutting out space exploration. If Elon Musk wants to go to Mars, let him pay for it himself.

Generally, you can make a case that space exploration has paid for itself.

 

[TheWizard]

Help save SS by cutting out space exploration. If Elon Musk wants to go to Mars, let him pay for it himself.

Can we send Elon to Mars and just let him STAY THERE?

 

[Flieger]

It stinks that people hate on a visionary genius, rather than do something bigger and better themselves.

 

[RetiredHappy]

It stinks that people hate on a visionary genius, rather than do something bigger and better themselves.

I think those were disguised political posts.

 

[audreyh1]

It stinks that people hate on a visionary genius, rather than do something bigger and better themselves.

Well the guy’s personality leaves something to be desired, but I absolutely agree with visionary genius who has also been delivering on those visions. Kind of glad his companies seem able to successfully run themselves though……..

 

[Koolau]

Well the guy’s personality leaves something to be desired, but I absolutely agree with visionary genius who has also been delivering on those visions. Kind of glad his companies seem able to successfully run themselves though……..

Most historical geniuses have had character quirks or even flaws. Seems to go with the territory. If we only accepted perfect geniuses, we wouldn't have nearly as much innovation.

Come to think of it, most of US have character quirks and flaws. It's just that few usually notice since we haven't sent rockets into space or invented viable electric cars or conquered polio, etc.

So glad most of you here have accepted (or chosen to ignore) my quirks and flaws (heh, heh, for the most part. ) And I'm not even a genius!

 

[skipro33]

Well the guy’s personality leaves something to be desired, but I absolutely agree with visionary genius who has also been delivering on those visions. Kind of glad his companies seem able to successfully run themselves though……..

You realize he's autistic, right?
Reminds me of the doc on the TV show, The Good Doctor.

 

[audreyh1]

You realize he's autistic, right?
Reminds me of the doc on the TV show, The Good Doctor.

I believe what he has is Asperger’s

I see that has now been merged into ASD autism spectrum disorder.

 

[Koolau]

I believe what he has is Asperger’s

Heh, heh, clearly "High Function."

 

[skipro33]

I believe what he has is Asperger’s

I see that has now been merged into ASD autism spectrum disorder.

Yes, it is important to note that Asperger's is no longer considered a separate diagnosis from autism, and the term is no longer used in the medical community.

 

[Red Rover]

Here is a great website that shows how much various social security 'fixes' will work to prevent insolvency.

Social Security Reformer

According to the site, if all wages above $400,000 are taxed that will be 67% of the way to resolving it and increasing the retirment age to 69 would be 39%. Just those two things alone will be more than enough to solve the issue.

My guess is that it will be a combination approach like this that resolves it and social security will continue as it is. It's a lot easier for politicians to say "Have the rich pay their fair share." and "Raise the retirement age for those who aren't yet near retirement age." than it is to say "Everyone on social security takes a 20% reduction in benefits." The first way only costs them the votes of high income earners and younger people who aren't really dialed in to retirement planning versus costing them the votes of everyone currently on social security.