Socialist Insecurity

It's that time of year again, when many of us stop riding the gravy train (at least temporary) and start working. Many of us, having graduated, are making that big step into the real world. But when you go to pick up that first paycheck on Friday, you might notice something that should piss you off.

First, the government will tax your income, at a rate determined by how successful and hard-working you are. That in itself is morally reprehensible (and unconstitutional), but it is for another post.

THEN, the government will take an additional 12.6% out of your paycheck and put it in the Social Security "Trust" Fund.

I remember when I started working at Piggly Wiggly in June of 1999; after I looked at my first paycheck I went home and asked Mama: "Do I HAVE to pay this 12.6? I don't trust the government with it."

"Yes, honey, you do. You don't have a choice. In theory, the government will give it back to you when you get old and retire."

"But I don't trust them to do it. Why can't I just take the 12.6 myself and put it into a cookie jar? Certainly I would do a better job taking care of my own money than the government would."

"Sorry, it just doesn't work that way."

This goes back to the whole "If you're paying, I'll have filet mignon" problem. No one knows how better to save and invest their own money than themselves, and no one knows how better to spend and waste money that somebody else. Government officials have already dipped their dirty hands into the trust fund numerous times to fund specialized pork barrel projects, and they will continue to do so as long as we keep feeding this corrupt system.

For years, the Democrats have worked hard (you have to give them credit) on creating an entitlement society that no one can question. According to them, if you support privatizing social security, you must be some sort of extreme right-wing Nazi who doesn't care about old people.

Here at this blog, we will continue to support W. and his efforts to create the ownership society. If you want to keep giving your 13% to the government, that's fine, JUST DON'T FORCE ME TO DO IT TOO. In short, not only should social security be privatized, but it should be abolished in the long run.