The boot strap argument kills

[Deleted]

me when discussing Medicare.

Some guy called into NPR this morning and basically said everyone needs to have personal responsibility and pay their own way. the country can't afford it.

I've spent most of my adult life doubting whether Medicare and Social Security are going to be there for me, but even still I've been promised something and paid a shit ton of money into both programs with the understanding that I was pre-paying my old age insurance and annuity.

Is the government going to turn around and refund me my contributions when they take away this benefit?

I'm 38 I still have time to plan for broken promises, but if I'm 48 or 58?

[sydney02]

Some guy called into NPR this morning and basically said everyone needs to have personal responsibility and pay their own way. the country can't afford it.

I JUST addressed this in the "I wish my mom would have aborted me" thread.
I wonder if this guy who called in is anti abortion. Becasue you know, life is only preshus when you are in the womb. After that, every man for himself.

'm 38 I still have time to plan for broken promises, but if I'm 48 or 58?

I wonder how old the guy was. Because even the most ardent bootstrapper for other people expect their SS check if they are close to retirement. I like to see how Mr. NPR thinks he's going to be able to pay for all of his health needs when he's in his 60s and lucky to have a decent paying job.

[ringstrue]

Something also tells me this guy hasn't dealt with paying for cancer treatments OOP.

[pamela]

I fully expect to have to plan for broken promises and I think anyone younger than 40 should as well. I think there will have to be some sort of a bridge for the older generation to get through (maybe something graduated), but I don't expect to see that money again.

My company is one of many suing the government now for a similar "scam" - taking money with promise/obligation to use that money for something in particular. Instead, money (like SS) gets added to general fund and spend elsewhere. They might actually get some of that money back (which really means the ratepayers get it back). I don't expect the same from SS.

[Deleted]

Aug 16, 2012 10:56:40 GMT -5 @septimus said:

me when discussing Medicare.

Some guy called into NPR this morning and basically said everyone needs to have personal responsibility and pay their own way. the country can't afford it.

I've spent most of my adult life doubting whether Medicare and Social Security are going to be there for me, but even still I've been promised something and paid a shit ton of money into both programs with the understanding that I was pre-paying my old age insurance and annuity.

Is the government going to turn around and refund me my contributions when they take away this benefit?

I'm 38 I still have time to plan for broken promises, but if I'm 48 or 58?

Yes, plan for more. If it's even still in place, it is not enough.

My mom has been up to her eyeballs caring for my grandma for last 6 years, fiercely micromanaging the last of my grandma's savings to help make it last. I've learned that I will need more than just soc. sec. and Medicare, or end up in a Medicaid bed in skilled nursing someday. ::shivers::

Other family members actually wanted to squander the proceeds from selling her house (yes, new cars and tvs were discussed) so that she could just go onto Medicaid. Heartless.

Instead, Soc. Security covers about 80% of my grandmother's monthly rent at assisted living. Savings make up the rest of the rent (plus medical expenses that Medicare doesn't cover).

She's 87 and she may need to go into a Medicaid room someday, but not if I can help it. The accommodations are depressing and I don't think she'd last long there.

[sweettooth]

Of course people should save more for retirement, but for those who work for low wages, there isn't a lot of extra to put away. Some people have done the best they can and depend on it. SS has been "borrowed" by Congress since the 80s at least. That is not right--that money was deducted from paychecks and some of it is missing. I see why people are angry.