Maggie's Farm

It is much more complicated than that. The average lifespan for American of Northern European extraction is actually greater than that of Japan. In fact the highest in the world. The average lifespan of Costa Rica is meaningless in comparison because: 1. it is a tiny population and not comparable. 2. Their actual factual reporting is inaccurate compared with the U.S. which is stringently accurate. People die in Costa Rica who never make it into the stats because they are poor rural people.

" I think that 70 years should be enough for anyone. "
I am 74 and I respectfully disagree.

I got a lung cancer diagnoses at age 62. I had already seen a number of our extended family get the same diagnoses and watched a couple of them pass away (4 more since then). I can absolutely assure you that no matter who it is that gets the diagnoses where death hangs over them it may affect you deeply and bring you sadness. But it cannot compare with getting that diagnoses on yourself. It will shake you to your core. I considered suicide, just walking away from the medical treatment, walking off into the woods to die, etc. When it happens to you I know your first thought will not be " I think that 70 years should be enough for anyone."

Congress is solely responsible for over extending SS and Medicare. It would not be in trouble if they had kept their dirty hands off it. But it is a contract. I agreed to pay into it for 47 years and they agreed to give me a stipend after age 65 and a substandard health care insurance plan. They can change the law for new workers/citizens but they must hold up their part of the contract for those of us who paid into it.

“you assume that young taxpayers should be responsible for supporting your thirty or more years of retirement”
You are aware that I put money into the system for 47 years AND I did it under a contract with the government. I essentially bought an annuity. The government decided in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s to take the excess from SS and spend it. They “borrowed” it but now they don’t want to pay it back. But it is a legally enforceable contract. As for the young taxpayers I am willing to let you have your way on that. Elect congressmen who will end SS and end the payroll taxes and I’m good with that. Keep in mind my contract for my annuity that I paid for (not you, not young taxpayers) is still enforceable. Go ahead, vote SS out of existence. I don’t care. But break my contract and I take the government to court.

“I disagree … that Congress can commit to a ruinous entitlement plan on my behalf.”
Again I totally agree. Elect congressmen to end this stupid plan. I’ll vote for them too. But you are still stuck with the contract for us old guys who have upheld our end of the deal. But feel free to opt out for future retirees.

“So please bear in mind, when the tax revolt happens, that millions of people are not going to get the S.S. or Medicare that they expect.”

That could be true. I hope that you would agree that LONG before they end a program that a taxpayer paid for that they would first end all the programs that are true handouts. No more welfare, food stamps and housing. Just think how much money we could save by ending all those programs and firing all the government workers who manage them. So have at it. End welfare and all the handouts and free stuff and then get back to us about the programs we paid for and we can talk. Good luck!


As for "euthanasia". We could round people up and send them by boxcars to camps where they could be gassed to death. I think you are onto to something...