posted by Dr Winston O'Boogie

Neither SS nor Medicare are broke. That is part of the typical scare tactic references above. Just because you guys want to repeat that mantra over and over doesn't make it true. 

Eh, I think they're more right than that.  Not that the two programs are bankrupt and unable to pay out anything.  Of course, that's not so.

However, at least for Social Security, the projected payouts are lower than the pay-ins.  If I'm being obligated to pay into a retirement account, and when I'm eligible to withdraw, I'm only getting 70 cents on the dollar, I'd certainly call that "broken," whether or not I'd call it "broke."

posted by O-Trap

Eh, I think they're more right than that.  Not that the two programs are bankrupt and unable to pay out anything.  Of course, that's not so.

However, at least for Social Security, the projected payouts are lower than the pay-ins.  If I'm being obligated to pay into a retirement account, and when I'm eligible to withdraw, I'm only getting 70 cents on the dollar, I'd certainly call that "broken," whether or not I'd call it "broke."

SS has always been subject to this condition. It was always a system whereas it would distribute to retirees what's being paid in currently. Sometimes thered be a surplus and other times not. But to say it's "broke" or"going bankrupt" is not true and only a recurring scare tactic

The correct descriptor is Ponzi scheme. 

posted by Dr Winston O'Boogie

SS has always been subject to this condition. It was always a system whereas it would distribute to retirees what's being paid in currently. Sometimes thered be a surplus and other times not. But to say it's "broke" or"going bankrupt" is not true and only a recurring scare tactic

If it's always been subject to this, that's problematic, and effectively, it's equitable to something that will never turn a profit.  That is how companies go bankrupt, so it's not hard to imagine why people would refer to it that way.

As for when it has a surplus, you'd functionally need people to stop living so long, it would seem.  Or you'd need the ones who kick early to do so before their benefits kick in.

I mean, it's one hell of a morbid silver lining to the obesity and heart disease epidemic, but I guess you could look at it that way.

posted by justincredible

The correct descriptor is Ponzi scheme. 

It does indeed fit the model.

Bernie quadrupling down on praising Cuba. These are gonna make ridiculous oppo adds. Who the hell is supporting this clown? English majors that are stoned all the time? 

Bernie must be leading in the polls now. 

posted by iclfan2

Bernie quadrupling down on praising Cuba. These are gonna make ridiculous oppo adds. Who the hell is supporting this clown? English majors that are stoned all the time? 

People who aren't very bright. He's throwing out all of these pie in the sky promises but not a set in stone way to fund them and his dumbass minions are buying it, hook, line & sinker. Read an article yesterday that Batshit Bernie could say just about anything and he'd be teflon, his disciples following him blindly.

Biden, the "moderate", last night said if he's elected he's coming after gun manufacturer's and "taking them down". 

posted by iclfan2

Biden, the "moderate", last night said if he's elected he's coming after gun manufacturer's and "taking them down". 

posted by BR1986FB

People who aren't very bright. He's throwing out all of these pie in the sky promises but not a set in stone way to fund them and his dumbass minions are buying it, hook, line & sinker. Read an article yesterday that Batshit Bernie could say just about anything and he'd be teflon, his disciples following him blindly.

But don't you like Trump and literally just described Trump? Cognitive dissonance is a hell of a thing.

posted by kizer permanente

But don't you like Trump and literally just described Trump? Cognitive dissonance is a hell of a thing.

I don't think I've seen Trump touting the "free shit" angle and these morons are getting hooked like a bunch of dumb fish. Nothing's "free." 

posted by BR1986FB

I don't think I've seen Trump touting the "free shit" angle and these morons are getting hooked like a bunch of dumb fish. Nothing's "free." 

No he just says Mexico will pay for it and anything else he feels like making up. Bernie at least admits he'd institute a payroll tax. He's a hell of a lot more honest than Trump. 

posted by kizer permanente

No he just says Mexico will pay for it and anything else he feels like making up. Bernie at least admits he'd institute a payroll tax. He's a hell of a lot more honest than Trump. 

Bernie's a clown show. Don't know about you but I MAKE money and would like to keep it. Not pay for a bunch of loser "bros" who want to suck off the teet of those who have accomplished something.

posted by BR1986FB

Bernie's a clown show. Don't know about you but I MAKE money and would like to keep it. Not pay for a bunch of loser "bros" who want to suck off the teet of those who have accomplished something.

And so is Trump. But you like him so he's not and the other guy is. That's how our country works lol. 

posted by kizer permanente

And so is Trump. But you like him so he's not and the other guy is. That's how our country works lol. 

Trumps' far from perfect and frankly should stay the Hell away from social media but he's the best this country's had since Reagan. Name the last person who defected from a socialist country that touted all of the "benefits" of being under a socialist regime? I'll wait...

posted by BR1986FB

Trumps' far from perfect and frankly should stay the Hell away from social media but he's the best this country's had since Reagan. Name the last person who defected from a socialist country that touted all of the "benefits" of being under a socialist regime? I'll wait...

I don't play socialist communist game b/c we've seen it before here. We aren't Socialist just like England isn't just like Germany isn't just like France isn't just like Canada isn't. But when we suggest things they have... who all aren't socialist... all of a sudden we're socialist. 

posted by justincredible

How have I not seen this/these until now?

Someone's about to lose some work productivity time.

posted by kizer permanente

 But when we suggest things they have... who all aren't socialist... all of a sudden we're socialist. 

Well, you probably don't want their healthcare for much more than a cold.  And all their best students come here to our top universities...And you DEFINITELY don't want to pay the taxes that they do.  Bernie is going to run out of rich people, quick, for everything he wants to give away.

posted by gut

Well, you probably don't want their healthcare for much more than a cold.  And all their best students come here to our top universities...And you DEFINITELY don't want to pay the taxes that they do.  Bernie is going to run out of rich people, quick, for everything he wants to give away.

Nationalism is rarely a great thing. 

I have a sister who is a nurse practitioner in Sweden. Went to school here. Worked here. Moved there. She's probably not less qualified than if she stayed here. She doesn't have any problems with their care there. 

So if we switched to a different model, would all the doctors just leave America and go to all these other countries that have the same exact system? I'm confused on that part.

posted by gut

Well, you probably don't want their healthcare for much more than a cold.  And all their best students come here to our top universities...And you DEFINITELY don't want to pay the taxes that they do.  Bernie is going to run out of rich people, quick, for everything he wants to give away.

And all of this "free" college tuition he plans on giving away? With the taxes he's looking to impose, who is going to WANT to work? His numbers don't add up but fools are buying into it because it's "new", "fresh" and "edgy." He's their "bro!"

posted by kizer permanente

Nationalism is rarely a great thing.

LMFAO.  My post had nothing to do with nationalism.  I stated facts.  Racism/nationalism/sexism is not an argument against facts that disagree with you.

posted by kizer permanente

I don't play socialist communist game b/c we've seen it before here. We aren't Socialist just like England isn't just like Germany isn't just like France isn't just like Canada isn't. But when we suggest things they have... who all aren't socialist... all of a sudden we're socialist. 

Because people are lazy. I avoid those dicussions at all costs.

posted by BR1986FB

And all of this "free" college tuition he plans on giving away? With the taxes he's looking to impose, who is going to WANT to work? His numbers don't add up but fools are buying into it because it's "new", "fresh" and "edgy." He's their "bro!"

Unless I am mistaken, the President does not set the tax rate and needs Congress to do that. 

I highly doubt anything Bernie campaigns on will see the light of day given the makeup of the Senate. 

I wouldn't worry about all that free shit that Bernie says. 

If Bernie is elected, we will revert back to 2012-2016 where it was gridlock between the Ds and Rs and the Rs will suddenly care about the debt. 

I look at Bernie just like Trump in this way...he says a lot of shit...he just does not really mean most of it. And, even if he does mean it, it will not be policy. People just believe in Bernie's vision, I'd say how the Trump die hards just believe in Trump and his vision.  

posted by gut

LMFAO.  My post had nothing to do with nationalism.  I stated facts.  Racism/nationalism/sexism is not an argument against facts that disagree with you.

I mean.. you're not entirely wrong. I do agree most of the worlds best students come to college here.

It's interesting you avoided every other point though.