Robert Samuelson has a wonderful editorial this morning citing a number of statistics which show the dramatically improved condition of our nation's coddled and subsidized seniors. Getting old does not entitle one to the labor of others. Programs designed to reduce poverty among seniors are out of control and have moved far beyond the original mandate. Here's my favorite paragraph from his editorial:
"People do not lose their obligations to the larger society by turning 65. We need to refocus these programs on their original purposes. Social Security was intended to prevent poverty, not finance recipients’ extra cable channels. Medicare provides peace of mind as well as health insurance; wealthier recipients can afford to pay more for their peace of mind. Burden-sharing needs to include the elderly. This is the crux of the budget problem."
As our society ages, we MUST take a hard look at the tax dollars going to subsidize the golf cart life. We cannot afford to do otherwise.
Monday, May 16, 2011
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5 comments:
When it comes to opposing Barack Hussein and everything he and his ilk stand for, I appreciate the efforst of the Tea Party activists. But I do raise an eyebrow when I see a senior citizen on the protest line calling for the government to get out of their lives.
...and before the seniors raise a lynch mob for me, please remember that I have advocated here and elsewhere for policies that negatively impact my own situation, such as higher premiums for my military retirement healthcare and reform of the VA disability system.
I find myself in a quandary. I understand what you are saying and why you agree with the author but at the same time know way too many widows of people who worked for 44 plus years, paid into the system (with no choice) who held to the traditional norm of the 1940/50/60s of stay at home mothering now entirely dependent on a check from the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) program aka social security. I also know of many who after being severely injured (real injury) that just make by via social security. These same people, saw their trust fund bail the government out in the past. The magnitude of the payout ($1T) is important but in context the payment in to the system is far far greater. Robbing Peter to pay Paul is inherited but not caused by those who had to pay in.
Bill--and that's why the benefits should be means tested.
Damned whippersnapper!
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