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Forum: Opinion Topic: 2004 Election Issue started by: Lynn Posted by Lynn on Mar. 24 2004,10:01 am
I got this information in an email and I thought I would like hear some thoughts on this subject. We should get a bill started to place all politicians on social security for a 2004 election issue. Our senators and congressmen do not pay into social security, and of course, they do not collect from it. Social Security benefits were not suitable for persons of their rare elevation in society. They felt they should have a special plan for themselves. So, many years ago they voted their own benefit plan. Over the years, no congress person has felt the need to change it. After all, it is a great plan.When they retire, they continue to draw the same pay until they die. Except it may increase from time to time for cost of living adjustments. For example, for Senator Byrd and Congressman White and their wives may expect to draw $7,8000,000.00, with their wives drawing $275,000.00 during the last years of their lives. This is calculated on an average life span for each of these two Dignataries. Younger Dignitaries who retire at an early age, will receive much more during the rest of their lives. Their cost for this excellent plan is $0.00. This little perk they voted for themselves is free to them. You and I pick up the tab for this plan. The funds for this fine retirement plan come directly from the General Funds. From our own Social Security Plan, which you and I pay into every payday until we retire (which amount is matched by our employer)- we can expect to get an average of $1,000 per month after retirement. Or, in other words, we would have to collect our average of $1,000 monthly benefits for 68 years and 1 month to equal Senator Bill Bradley's benefits! Social Security could be good if one small change were made. That would be to jerk the Golden Fleece Retirement Plan from under the Senators and Congressmen. Put them into the Social Security plan with the rest of us.. then sit back and watch how fast they would fix it. I personally am sick and tired of the Senators and Congressmen voting themselves raises and perks while we (the common man) struggle to put food on the table, keep a roof over our head, save for our children's future and our retirement.With all our retirement futures in jeopardy, it is time we try and do something about it. |