Burdened with the knowledge: Become a millionaire or die in poverty

Say I retire at age 80, I might live another 10 to 20 years. Which means I'll need to have enough saved to support myself for that period, and possibly my spouse.

Now that Social Security will be a thing of the past, will our government just go ahead and quietly execute everyone who reaches a certain age to avoid having the elderly begging on the street?

Barring that... shit I don't know. Charity possibly?

The fundies will always give you a meal, as long as you're willing to sit through a sermon. After all, it's only fair. That's the price you pay for not exercising your Freedom™ to become a Godly Millionaire before retirement, as Jesus instructed. In our new "ownership society," people are going to have to learn that we don't punish success, we punish poverty. Lord knows the poor have been leading a charmed existence until recently, laughing all the way to the food stamp office. Well, Mr. and Mr. Joe Bushbase have had enough. It's time to get tough on poverty. People have got to learn that it's the Bible one way or the other. You either get Biblical now and join God's Own Party, or you'll get the Bible later when they are serving you Ramen noodles at the faith-based soup kitchen.

</sarcasm>

Welcome to DU!!:hi:

That's the entire upshot with the "faith-based" crap.

Honestly, I wonder what they want the poor and middle class to do when they are finally broken? All the jobs are outsourced and the public works privatized...so what are they going to do?

Keep 'em dumb and scared...religion always does best in that environment.

As to what the poor and (formerly) middle class will do after they are broken, can you say "welcome to Wal-Mart?" Can you say "would you like to Super Size that?" Can you say "YES SIR DRILL SERGEANT, SIR?" If you can't, maybe you'd better start practicing.

The monied "elite" will always need plenty of low-paid wage slaves to serve their every need. Currently, Bush is planning to fill that demand through "guest workers," but eventually, they won't need Mexicans to work for 5 bucks an hour, because there will be plenty of Americans with no better options.

You might be able to afford a gumball on that day's salary if you're lucky.

Sir is for officers. Also you have to get branch specific. For the Navy, you say, yes petty officer, or no petty officer. They also have chief's, they have a anchor on their collar and generally run around in Khakis similar to those of the officers. Never call a chief sir or they will also yell at you. Also learn to ID the collar devices, if there is a star above the anchor they are a senior chief, and should be adressed as such, two stars designates a master chief. Three stars and you should shit yourself in terror since they're only two steps removed from the SECNAV. For everyone else it's yes drill sergeant. There is no sir involved unless you're talking to a officer. Then it's sir yes sir. Also depending on the length of your statement, you might say, drill instructor, this recruit blah blah blah has to blah blah blah, drill instructor.

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

I am one of the "Technocrats" that Churchhill says are legitimate targets. I make enough to put money into a 401-K account. Previously, I put moeny into an IRA. If/when SS fails, I will have that to fall back on.

Alternatively, there is the poor slob who was oppressed by our uncaring government. He paid SS all his life, but never made enough to put anything in an IRA or 401K. When he reaches 67 in 2042/2052, he will get only 73% of his benefits, and that will DECLINE every year. The only way to avoid that is to die young.

The only way people at the bottom of the economy will ever be able to put away something that belongs to them is if the government gives then back some of the SS and puts it in an account that they own. Of all the mistakes Bush has made in Iraq, and in the economy, and all the things done to protect corporate America, here is one thing that will actually help the little guy.

Furthermore, minorities die younger. For all us white people, we are letting the African-Americans, hispanics, and asians fund our SS now and even more so in the future. Wouldn't it be better to at least let them pass along some of their SS money to their kids or grandkids rather than let "whitey" keep it all for themselves?

Being "Progressive" used to mean being interested in reform. Isn't that what this site is about? Even a broken clock is right twice a day. Maybe shrub stumbled onto one of those correct decisions by pure accident.

Take a look at the SS plan as floated by Bush. You choose from the plans that Bushco offers you. The government oversees and administers the plan for you. And at the end, if you earn enough from your private account, the government reduces your guaranteed benefit accordingly.

To be honest, I find it racist as hell to talk about poor longevity rates among minorities (nothing personal) and not address the reasons why such rates exist. Instead of condescending to give them money they can "keep," why not fix the societal problems that cause them to die earlier in the first place. THAT would be truly progressive.

Why do all of you always resort to stereotyping people on SS???

You said:
I am one of the "Technocrats" that Churchhill says are legitimate targets. I make enough to put money into a 401-K account. Previously, I put moeny into an IRA. If/when SS fails, I will have that to fall back on.

Alternatively, there is the poor slob who was oppressed by our uncaring government. He paid SS all his life, but never made enough to put anything in an IRA or 401K. When he reaches 67 in 2042/2052, he will get only 73% of his benefits, and that will DECLINE every year. The only way to avoid that is to die young.


I am happy for you that you can make all that money. You are one of the lucky ones and you should be grateful for that. You probably worked hard all your life (at least I hope you have) and earned every penny you have. One thing I don't understand though is why you have a mentality that basically is saying "I got mine, fuck everyone else."

You said:
The only way people at the bottom of the economy will ever be able to put away something that belongs to them is if the government gives then back some of the SS and puts it in an account that they own. Of all the mistakes Bush has made in Iraq, and in the economy, and all the things done to protect corporate America, here is one thing that will actually help the little guy.

SoooOOOOOOOOO....now you believe the government has to help the people, but doesn't that contradict your mentality? You have me confused here. I assume that you lean conservative, which means you want less government? but you want them to make you do something?!?!!? Besides, if you want to help the little guy as you like to so eloquently put it, why don't they pour money into education of all kinds? Education is the cure all for any problem.
But you want the government to run your life and trade the money in your cushy little 'personal' account. What BS!

And then you have to play on minorities. All of you have been doing that lately.....is that comming out of the playbook? This little line is so typical of a republican, matter of fact it seems to be a meme that I am hearing from righties I work with. Do you guys have little radio transmitters in your brains telling you what to say?

Furthermore, minorities die younger. For all us white people, we are letting the African-Americans, hispanics, and asians fund our SS now and even more so in the future. Wouldn't it be better to at least let them pass along some of their SS money to their kids or grandkids rather than let "whitey" keep it all for themselves?


well, this is another one I have heard too, another qoute from the playbook. Not even going to respond to something as GENERIC AS THIS LINE:
Being "Progressive" used to mean being interested in reform. Isn't that what this site is about? Even a broken clock is right twice a day. Maybe shrub stumbled onto one of those correct decisions by pure accident.

At least for now. I can do this because I am relatively young, healthy, and single. Questing for money and the "American dream" is a complete waste of time to me. I've found that I am much happier when living poor and simple. But hey, that's just me and will likely change in the future. Not trying to recommend this path to others, but it is one alternative to dependence upon large amounts of money.

My income is well below the poverty line. I saw this coming a long time ago, and I chose to drop out rather than be a part of it. I agree that our path is not for everyone, but for me, it is a matter of practicing what I preach. I couldn't very well speak against materalism on my cellphone in the SUV. I pay a heavy price for my principles, but it's a smaller price than I would pay by selling them out.

I also agree that as I get older and more prone to health problems, I may not be able to sustain my commitment. I am also not single, and am already taking HEAVY flak in that regard. I consider myself to have been born before my time. The world is still a very primitive place, and the person of principle has a hard road to travel.

by Helen and Scott Nearing is the classic on living in simplicity.

They both lived to be ninety plus and never saw a doctor until someone wanted to do some testing on them as a study. It is quite interesting as you read and follow them down their path. I believe their political leanings was socialist and I believe they were non theists.

But, in today's world, money has to come from somewhere, after all, you cannot grow greenbacks. Property taxes must be paid somehow, but I think the basic idea of embracing simplicity as a way of life is a rewarding one.

Land is available still in some places at a reasonable price. It may not be Palm Beach, may not always have access to shopping and malls and the glitter and the gold, the high paying jobs, the fame and fortune that leads to anxiety, noise and inevitable health problems anyhow.


http://www.simpleliving.net/simpleradio/resource.asp?sku=egl

another link on the subject:

http://www.gallagherpress.com/pierce/stories.htm

They will make sure you do not have access to medical care including medication. Or you will be exposed to the elements living as a homeless person with only garbage scraps to eat.

Ice floes may be in short supply. What to do?

So they say that no one currently 55+ will see their benefits cut? The Cabal of Evil in DC must believe the rapture's coming by 2012 so anyone hurt by the proposed trashing of SS will simply be one of us undeserving sinners left here on Earth after that date.

Gee, with no guarantee against poverty in old age and a global climate catastrophe just around the corner, you youngsters are surely facing "interesting times". But hey, at least gay people can't get married!

Then traditional social security is a real bargain! No matter how long you live, you'll keep getting that check. That's the real beauty of social security -- if you live beyond your life expectancy, it will keep paying out, totalling way more than you ever contributed.

But if you invest in a personal account, once you've exhausted that account -- you're screwed if you live too long.

Private accounts are only to your advantage (well, to your heirs' advantage) if you die young within your life expectancy.