How about gold? And I am self employed. And my biz does over !/2 million gross each year. I ain't bragging. Just saying. If I can do without it. I don't mind helping out some less fortunate person with the money I have invested in the system. I suppose it shouldn't be mandatory but how do you get some greedy bastard who doesn't need it to leave it be.

Gold is fine. There are ways to invest in gold currently through most 401k's, you just direct your investments to the right fund.

I don't know why men like Warren Buffett complain about not being taxed enough even while they're cashing their social security checks.

If you really want to, you can always pay more in taxes. Why aren't you already doing so?

Personally, I would prefer to give my excess to charities and I'd be happy to see both you and Mr. Buffett do the same. Why isn't that good enough?

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I like the insurance for the reason it was intended. So Americans could have some type of old age income. I really don't mind finding another way to make it work. But I like the program. I am concerned at how you would arrange the program your talking about. I would be a little worried that our recent deregulation policies from the right has allowed a bunch of foolishness to go on. So just throwing more money at that system without some guarantees would make me a bit nervous. And who would design the investment plan. Charles Schwab or a non partisan commission with zero affiliation with groups that could take advantage of a bad program. I like that we look out for those inneed. Its the kind of country I like. Where people try to help their neighbor. I don't like people taking advantage of these things in a dishonest or unnecessary way though. But many of us have had situations come down that were unintended. When your young you can survive upheaval better then if your in your 70's. Old age is scary enough. But not being able to keep yourself for what ever reason is even scarier.

I know this is unpopular but if you don't want to raise the rate or the retirement age it's about the only thing left...

1st - remove the cap/tax all of everyone's income
2nd - because we'd be taxing all income we could lower the rate to about 3% for employee contribution & 3% for the employer (6% total).
3rd - of course privatizing your [employee] contributions so you have control over at least some of your money & retirement.

Next thing you know is that we'd have a surplus...win, win, win...

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http://thecourier.typepad.com/rightonthemark/

"To educate a man in mind but not in morals is to educate a menace to society." --- Theodore Roosevelt

I used to meet and exceed the cap within just 6-7 months each year.I support removing the cap.

Exactly...

As for ( 3 )..permitting people to set aside or invest their employee contribution as they see fit...this could be a problem. I'm not sure I have an issue with this but some folks who are 50-62 may be concerned that they will end up SOL.


If only it could be sold to the public without some attempt to "politicize" it...

Well then if donating it back doesn't suit your needs, I'll give you my address. I'm a single father struggling to raise a 16 year old daughter. We hope to buy a house within a year or two.

Remove the 'cap' and help us out. If you don't trust me, simply stop cashing your refund checks, for starters. Even if you don't want to help me and my daughter finally, for once in our lives realize the dream of home ownership, at least put you money where your mouth is for a change. Send money to the governement by no longer plotting ways to suck it dry.

If you would like my address, I'll provide it. I am hoping to qualify for an FHA loan, at all of my 37 years and one divorce and one bancktrupcy. Still, I don't accept your 'forced' handouts through government policy. Since you're so generous I expect a simple donation. PM me for my bank information...

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Privatizing wouldn't be required & should allow for opting in & out at will or at least at certain times.

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http://thecourier.typepad.com/rightonthemark/

"To educate a man in mind but not in morals is to educate a menace to society." --- Theodore Roosevelt

And not pandering to the electorate in order to get votes and then do whatever might be in his personal, partisan political interest later.

Like Obama does.

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But, when all is said and done, Senator McCain has not spent decades aiding and abetting people who hate America. http://jewishworldreview.com/cols/sowell060508.php3

Like a gas tax holiday?

Well..at least McCain would never pander for votes...