Quote Originally Posted by gugi View Post
So the choice is between charging the current workers more and giving the retirees less. Of course when everybody only cares for their own the retirees would prefer the first approach, while the workers the second.
So, may be instead of measuring who has the biggest lobby (we know the answer) we could consider what is fair and responsible.

Here are the historical tax rates: http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/taxfa...historical.pdf
The taxable limit has been going up (inflation), but the tax rate has been going up as well.

That second part is plain wrong. Why should somebody put in the system during their working life 10% of their income and when it's time to get retirement ask that the current workers pay 15% to support their pension? The current workers should have to put exactly the same rate, the taxable limit should be going up with inflation and retirees get as much money that translates into. Anything else is one generation mooching off another and/or fiscally irresponsible.
The bottom line is if you cut the benefits there are just too many folks who are totally dependent on SS. Yes, it wasn't designed for that but it's a fact. So if you cut their benefits what are they going to do? T.V shows of 90+ people gainfully employed look great but is doesn't reflect reality. These people will just show up at the states door looking for welfare and foodstamps.

No matter what you pay into SS when it's your turn to retire you know you will be taken care of. it's not an investment scheme where you figure what you put in and what you take out. No matter what you put in whether is 5%, 7% 10% you will get way more than you put in. The attitude that I ain't supporting those old people is just a breakdown of our system.