From: utzoo!dciem!mmt Newsgroups: net.politics,net.misc Title: Re: Social Security Article-I.D.: dciem.153 Posted: Fri Jan 21 15:54:08 1983 Received: Fri Jan 21 17:53:16 1983 References: hplabs.1125 The original article contained what looked like very misleading figures, for two reasons (1) they compare start-up time input to the system with ongoing output and income, and (2) they use current dollars, rather than allowing for inflation. The commentary by Sant also sounds like either a self-serving bit of propaganda (I don't want to pay for my retired relations and other old people to survive) or foolish misunderstanding (my dollar now is worth the same as a 1940 dollar or a 2000 dollar). Basically, social security is what we who are now working owe to those who made it possible for us to exist and to work. The business about getting out what you put in is baloney; it's a way of ensuring that we all can share the wealth when we are too old and sick to contribute any more. It is the workers NOW who are paying for benefits received NOW, not workers of 20 years ago paying for what they now receive. I hope our children believe that we should not starve when we are old. If they don't, BOY will there be a revolution!!! If we don't support our dependents, what kind of morals do we have? Will we deserve support later? Martin Taylor