"Swingman" wrote in message
...

"todd" wrote in message

Then I guess you're missing the point.

Welp, you guess wrong ... you missed the first point, and haven't been
anywhere near it yet.

Just because I'm not responding to whatever point you are, doesn't mean I've
missed the one I'm referring to.

Most of the congress types will end
up not having to count on their retirement plan or SS to be a major
source
of retirement income because it will represent a small portion of their
net
worth.

You can't back that contention up with figures. "Most" of the 535 in
congress aren't "wealthy" and will gladly receive their pensions ... a
much
better deal than you will get with SS..

Fine. You show me the stats on the net worth of congress people when they
leave office and then we'll talk. And I never said they wouldn't be happy
to get it. I'd be happy if you gave me $1000, but it represents a very
small portion of my net worth. If I didn't get it, it wouldn't change my
lifestyle.

There's only one thing they respond to, and that's getting re-elected.
Make
them think they won't get re-elected if they don't modify SS, and then
it
will change.

We been doing it your way for forty years ... hasn't worked yet. Make them
eat their own dog food and the menu will change.

BS. There hasn't been an outcry to change SS in the past 40 years because
the seasoned citizens are the most disciplined voting group in the country.
You go talking about making sweeping changes to SS as an elected
representative and see where that gets you. You tell me when there was a
major voter push to modify SS in a substantial way that would bring the cost
of the program under control.

Absent that, I have a deal to make with the gubmint. I'm 36 years old
and
have been paying (along with my employers), SS taxes for roughly 20
years
now. OK, gubmint, you keep all of that money and just let me off this
merry-go-round. Let me keep my 7.65% or whatever the percentage is that
comes (directly) out of my paycheck each month. I'll add that to my
other
investments and you'll never hear from me again.

Until you show up at the emergency room without the means to pay because
your "investments" didn't pan out, then my property tax dollars will have
to
pay the bill.

Well, I figure about $100,000 has been put in on my behalf so far, so I'll
charge my emergency room stay to that. And I tell you what...don't worry
about me. Maybe you need a nanny state, but I don't.

todd