Musings of a Dinosaur

A Family Doctor in solo private practice; I may be going the way of the dinosaur, but I'm not dead yet.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Um, Yeah?

Per John McCain: "He [Obama] wants to take your money and write a check to someone else."

Um, isn't that what's been happening for years? I'm pretty sure it's called "Social Security"?

5 Comments:

At Tue Oct 21, 10:10:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I don't really get it. Taxes are, and always have been, wealth re-distribution in the form of goods and services provided by the government, and sometimes in the form of direct compensation (entitlements). Nothing new here.

"I like paying taxes. With them I buy civilization."

 
At Wed Oct 22, 05:33:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

"You mean the more I earn, the more I get taxed!?!?!" Joe-the-Plumber to B. Obama

"Shocking, my friend, isn't it?" John-the-candidate to J-t-P (paraphased).

I guess it's time to let everyone in on shocking secrets like progressive taxation (the more you earn, the higher your tax rate. But the more you get to keep, too!) I don't know why I'm surprised that this is a shock to everyone: every four years, it's news to many that the presidential election isn't a popular vote.

Here's a vote for reinstituting BASIC CIVICS LESSONS into, I don't know -- the SIXTH GRADE CURRICULUM!

Kensington MD (aka DinoSis, who's aching to call DinoDoc to confirm a self-diagnosis of severe campaign fatigue, except that I think it will clear up in about 13 days. I hope.)

 
At Wed Oct 22, 11:41:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Everyone who works pays into Social Security, and, as far as I know, everyone who has paid into it receives Social Security once they reach a certain age, or become disabled.

It's not a welfare program, nor does its funding come entirely from the wealthy. In fact, FICA withholding is currently capped at the first $97,500 of income, so regardless of what you make, you and I pay approximately the same amount into the system each year.

The real bitch is that we self-employed make both the employee and employer contributions, whereas those who work for others have part of their contribution subsidized by their employer. OTOH, we also get to take all the business deductions employees don't.

So what's your point?

 
At Wed Oct 22, 11:44:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I forgot to mention that your draw on Social Security is tied to your contribution, so those who contributed little get far less than those who contributed a lot, even if the latter don't need the payment (like my father).

 
At Wed Oct 22, 01:23:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Aren't federal legislators exempt and covered by a special plan?

 

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