cwa (01/25/83)
I don't believe that Social Security was meant to be a funds transfer operation. As I understand it, problems arose in the early 60's or late 50's when the always short-sighted politicians decided to use the Social Security funds for WELFARE related expenses. (Aid to Dependent Children for example) They did this by moving the Social Security $$ into the General Fund and justified it by saying that Social Security has so much money we could never use it up! I do believe the fund was, once upon a time, doing very well. I do not think that Social Security is in trouble because their are more people over 65 and less paying FICA taxes. It is just in MORE trouble because of this. The politicians are using the economic times and the changing structure of society as an EXCUSE. They are, as always, very afraid to admit that they BLEW it and honestly work to eliminate the source of the problem (paying out to those who did not pay in). I would gladly (?) pay FICA tax for XX years if I knew towards the end that I would pay no more. Lets pay off all the people over YY years old who have put money into it and then do away with Social Security! My parents, and my in-laws, will not get out of SS all they put into it - and neither will I. Deficits are a big topic nowadays - let's not pass another burden along to the future generations. Carl Amport Naperville, IL. Now that that's problem "solved" let's talk about a flat rate income tax (for incomes over $10K) with no deductions or income adjustments. Can't you hear to those lawyers screaming?