Social Security Reform?

Okay, this seems pretty simple to me. Social Security is a program designed to help basically two different kinds of people -- retirees, and people who have a disability that prevents them from working. It was not intended to be an investment plan, in the conventional sense of the term, but rather a safety net that would be there for whoever needed it. Social Security and investment plans are not mutually exclusive -- anyone who chooses to invest in the stock market, or other investment plans, can do so without jeapordizing their Social Security benefits. Privatization of Social Security wouldn't fix the program, it would destroy it by redirecting funds that normally go into the Social Security fund elsewhere, leaving the program unable to provide a safety net for those who choose not to participate in other investment plans, or whose circumstances preclude such participation. Also, what happens to those whose investments don't earn expected returns and are left impoverished or destitute? They would be left to rot, dependent on handouts from family and friends, with no government program able to provide for them.

It appears to me to be another poorly disguised effort to keep wealth and power in the hands of the rich.

What do you think?

:~)aniel

Message Board

Howdy! Salutations from the high desert. Man, from the mountains to a sailboat to an island to the high desert, it's been a long and beautiful trip. Not without some bumps in the road, of course, they come with the territory, so to speak, but it's still been a beautiful trip -- I'm workin' on that "glass half full" premise, ya know?

Anyway, it seems the older I get, the more important friendship seems to be, and I've been more than fortunate in that area. I've met some great people along the way, and I'll take this opportunity to say "thank you" for sharing part of your life with me. I pray you're exponentially blessed.

Please use this topic (or post, or 'thread,' or whatever you want to call it...) to post a message (if it doesn't fit in one of the existing topics, and if you're in the mood). Leave a simple "hello," a few thoughts, some poetry (perhaps a haiku?), an epic essay on the state of the world, or anything you like.

Namasté...

:~)aniel

A personal note...

Welcome to my blog, friend. The internet is an incredible thing, isn't it? Its scope encompasses just about the entire spectrum of human interest and endeavor, and its potential as a communication tool is virtually limitless. One of the things I've experienced in exploring and learning about it is a sense of being overwhelmed with the possibilities. Being a gregarious sort of guy (on some levels -- on others I'm just a reclusive hermit!) I have been fortunate enough to make quite a substantial number of friends in my life -- and, being fairly active on the internet, from time to time, in forums and message boards, I've become electronically acquainted with many more. The 'downside' to this phenomena is that I am all too often unable to give the personal attention you deserve. I've neglected to correspond with so many of you on a personal level, through email, phone calls, or snail mail, that I'll never be able to catch up, or pay you the proper respect I feel for you but don't seem to have the time to express adequately. Sometimes it's because I'm really too busy, and sometimes it's just because Im too lazy or don't seem to have the time or energy to devote to the task. I'd like you to know, though, that my intentions are much more noble than my actions this regard -- and that, even though I may neglect to observe the prescribed rituals of friendship, and may often seem aloof or withdrawn, you are always in my heart, and in my thoughts and prayers, and I am grateful for the light you share with me and the world.

:~)aniel

Greetings!

In contemplating what purpose this blog might serve, a number of ideas came to mind, but I wound up deciding on a forum for free expression, the exchange of thoughts and ideas, important or trivial. In other words, I couldn't decide what to use it for, or what to leave out! Please post some suggestions for topics you'd like to discuss here, in the comments of this post - I've got a few ideas, and I'll pick some of yours, and we'll start some new topics.

Thanks! Have a fine day!

:~)aniel