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Old 09-15-2011, 02:26 PM   #3
AtLast
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Although it is very difficult for me to deal with, I do think that changes to MediCare is needed along with tax reform in order for the US to find economic stability. Now, I also think that legislation dealing with our safety-net programs ought to have sunset clauses in them- meaning that any changes are for a specific period of time and up for renegotiation. Our economy is and always will be fluid and I have no problem with some cuts here as long as there is a mechanism for reinstatement with economic changes for the better.

I think the US can and should take some big steps to stabilize the economy, but I also think that this can be done without changing the basis of our social democratic philosophies that call on us all to be responsible to all of our people. I had no problems with contributing to generations older than myself for their retirement. I also expect to have this same support now that I am in my 60's, yet, I know that I will have some decreases in benefits when I reach 65. Of course I don't like this, but, I also believe that our commitments to education are extremely important and the fact is that our younger people starting out are doing so in a very poor climate.

This isn't easy as I have been smacked around pretty hard with this recession at a time in my life in which disability health isssues have been difficult. Industries affecting what I put away for retirement outside of SS that contribute to my income are not going to come back any time soon- some not at all. There are many people that invested in retirement lans outside of what their work offered that will never see the kinds of earnings they thought they would. Many public retirement plans are in decline for hundreds of thousands of public retirees at this very moment- and these folks will not be able to return to work to make up for this.

If it were not for physical issues, I would not have retired as early. But I do think that younger people are not going to have the level of upward social mobility that my generation did. I hope I am wrong, but the really wealthy are the ones that keep rising in economic strength and the middle and working class continues to decline.

Also, we here in the US really need to look at world economies and understand that they indeed impact our economic health- or decline. We are so arrogant when it comes to this.

I honestly think that we haven't seen the worst yet- that middle-class populations that are retired are going to see returns decline over the next few years as we double-dip and unemployment soars. Many public retirement plan administrators invested things like teacher funds in segments that will be falling soon that they thought were safe.

I would be very happy to be very wrong about this.
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