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Jewish World Review Feb. 27, 2004 / 5 Adar, 5764

Tom Purcell

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Consumer Reports

Vinny the Number Cruncher takes on Greenspan

http://www.NewsAndOpinion.com | "Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said what about Social Security!" I shouted to Vinny the Number Cruncher, my gray-haired accountant.

"You heard him, kid. He says the government has promised way more retirement benefits than it can cover. He recommends cuts for future generations instead of taxes. That will affect people like you."

"But I thought Social Security was an insurance program, not a typical government program."

"Yeah, kid, when FDR signed it into law in 1936, it was considered an insurance program. People contributed money to the program through income taxes. When they retired, they drew money out."

"Then how can the government arbitrarily cut my benefits?"

"The Supreme Court ruled long ago that policy makers could change Social Security's benefit formula to reflect shifting conditions. They can cut benefits anytime, and they've done so many times over the years."

"But that's not fair, Vinny. I'm paying up to $11,000.00 into that program every year."

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"Sorry, kid, but 77 million baby boomers will begin retiring in 2008. The ratio between people paying into the program and people drawing out will change drastically. In 1950, there were 16 workers paying in for every person drawing out. Today there are three. By 2020, there will be two!"

"But Social Security has been running surpluses for years. Surely the government has a huge pile of dough in the bank that they can draw from when I retire."

"You slay me, kid. Look, as the Social Security surplus rolls in, the government doesn't bank it. They spend it. They purchase special treasury bonds, then use the dough to fund OTHER government programs."

"The government borrows from itself?"

"No, kid, the government borrows from YOU. Look, in 2018, the Social Security surplus will cease and huge deficits will begin. To cover the shortfall, the government will need to cash in the bonds. Guess where they'll get the money to pay off the bonds?"

"The taxpayer?"

"You catch on quick, kid. Greenspan says it's a bad idea to raise Social Security taxes, but that's what our Congress will likely do. After all, they've raised Social Security taxes 40 times since 1936. And they'll have to raise them another 50% to cover the coming shortfall."

"Or cut benefits, Vinny?"

"AND cut benefits, kid. All they got to do is push up the age of eligibility. You're 41 now, so you can't begin collecting until you're 67. But younger generations are really going to get hit. Since most of them don't vote, who knows how far off Congress might push up their eligibility."

"There's got to be a better way."

"Funny you mention that, kid. The Bush people are pushing for privatization. Here's how it would work. Instead of sending all 12.4% of your Social Security income taxes to fund the program, you'd be allowed to invest a portion of that dough in your own private account."

"What's the benefit of that?"

"By doing so, you would agree to receive reduced Social Security payments in the future. That would really help to reduce the government's long-term liability. The other benefit is that you'd be able to choose higher-performing investments, such as the stock market."

"But isn't that risky?"

"Kid, since 1802, stocks have earned an average of 7% a year - way better than the measly 2% return Social Security is paying out now."

"Then why is Greenspan the only one talking about the Social Security problem?"

"Come on, kid, you know most politicians are cowards. Who can blame them. As soon as Republicans talk about privatization, Democrats spread mistruths to scare the bejesus out of the elderly. Democrats have been making hay with this issue for years."

"So what should we do?"

"Well, kid, if I was in my 20's, I'd write my congressman and push for privatization. But for you, I recommend a more realistic strategy."

"What's that, Vinny?"

"Find the two young workers who will pay your Social Security benefits and make sure they're on your Christmas list."

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Up


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02/13/04: Dr. Laura plays Cupid
02/06/04: The Investigation
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11/21/03: Thanksgiving, updated for our times
11/14/03: Hang in there, tubby America, your day in the sun will come
11/07/03: Morale at Veterans' Day
10/31/03: The Big Picture
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10/10/03: Men and women and brains
10/03/03: Iraqi Pork
09/26/03: They would not leave
09/19/03: A radical idea
09/12/03: Food Guide Pyramid has a "stupidity factor"?
09/05/03: Flag waving and football cheering
08/29/03: People who have it all, too often don't
08/25/03: Attack of the 'virus twits'
08/08/03: Why not have a whole slew of the world's dignitaries and leaders come by to visit you?
08/01/03: Do you really want to live until 500?
07/18/03: "Ain't-my-fault" lawsuits are becoming more creative
07/18/03: The real story never makes for good summertime drama in Washington
07/11/03: Government bureaucrats, not elected officials, are really the ones determining what people and organizations can and can't do
07/03/03: Overworked Americans
06/27/03: The Metrosexual Male
06/20/03: Crime Etiquette in Washington, D.C.
06/13/03: My Father, the Thief and the MGB
06/05/03: An Open Letter to Bill and Hillary
05/30/03: We are a busy people
05/23/03: Liar, Liar
05/16/03: Laffer all the way to the bank
05/09/03: My mother's house
05/02/03: Teaching the Iraqis how to protest
04/25/03: Iraqi TV
04/21/03: Explaining Democracy to the Iraqis
04/11/03: Major increases to the beer tax? That's a cheap shot right to the beer gut
04/04/03: War humor
03/31/03: Dolphins, PETA and the USA
03/21/03: Traffic Wars
03/14/03: Ronald Reagan's St. Patrick's Day
03/03/03: My Family's Tragic Secret: We're French
02/21/03: I'm worried about my people
02/14/03: George Washington Makeover
02/07/03: Making quiet sacrifices
01/24/03: "Gimme the, goo-goo, gah-gah, remote!"
01/21/03: "Misunderestimated"
01/10/03: Republican night life
01/06/03: Exercise pills
12/31/02: They provide unending joy to those who are wise enough to let them in
12/13/02: Hurried Man Syndrome
12/06/02: In DC, snowstorms have important ramifications --- or, at least, they should
11/26/02: Police advertising
11/15/02: An Interview with Osama
11/01/02: How to vote in America
10/25/02: On edge in Washington, D.C
10/11/02: Giving new meaning to "selling your body"
10/04/02: Bush's Angels
09/27/02: Conservatives, Liberals, Dick Armey and Barry Manilow
09/20/02: Are SUV drivers are the new GOPers?
09/13/02: Bubba is Dubya's man
09/06/02: The Freedom to Picnic
08/16/02: Ah, the $izzle of anti-terrorist pork
08/09/02: Vacationless prez and gutless Americans
07/26/02: Study gives women permission not to hide their emotions
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06/28/02: Eavesdropping on a San Fran classroom
06/21/02: The crowded skies
06/14/02: Contemporary Father's Day: A conversation for the ages
06/07/02: Legal rights for animals?
05/19/02: Advice for prom goers this year: Hold onto your money
05/10/02: Don't take her for granted
05/03/02: Letter to the parents of a tubby teen
04/26/02: Zacarias Moussaoui gets expert legal advice

© 2003, Tom Purcell