Survey of Sorts: Are you a Millennial? Is this how you think?

[palehorse]

Originally posted by: Martin

Originally posted by: palehorse74
Are you looking for, or calling for, further assistance from the government(s)? yes/no

Do you still beat your wife? yes/no

Never have, so the answer is "no."

See how easy that was? I didn't mean to confuse you... I'll be sure to ask easier questions from now on.

People should be primarily concerned with what works and what doesn't rather than the idiotic ideological battles your kind loves so much. Whether government works or not is a function of many things - how corrupt it is, how representative the democratic system is, how large it is etc. What works for people in one state or country is not necessarily what works in another and that's as much of an answer as you're gonna get.

Don't worry, my "kind" understands all too well what you want. We're very used to working extra hard for your kinds' wellbeing.

lucky you.

 

[ZebuluniteV]

Originally posted by: Martin

Originally posted by: palehorse74

Originally posted by: Martin
Good post, I am actually gonna bother writing something here, since this has actually been a topic of conversation between me and my "millenial" friends.

The basic truth, supported by a mountain of evidence, is that the last 30-40 years have been a pretty shitty time for ordinary people. Real median incomes for working men have fallen, median household income has held steady but only because more women have started working. At the same time the cost of many things has increased drastically - post-secondary schooling is far more important and costly today than it was in the past, real median house prices have increased while median incomes have not and so the picture isn't rosy.

Let's not beat around the bush and pretend this isn't modern conservatism's fault. It is, because one of it's central tenets is the explosion of income inequality seen over the last few decades. The US in particular has gone from having a gini index in the low 30s to having one in the mid 40s today - which is same level as in China. The problem isn't capitalism - capitalism is a tool that can be customized greatly and is extremely useful. Its that instead of using capitalism to build a better society that is more meritocratic and that serve's everyone interests and moves everyone forward they use it to build a nasty dog-eat-dog, every-man-for-himself society.

The result is that unless they were born into the upper classes, people my age (I'm 24) have it harder than their parents - they have to go into debt to go to school, they have to live at home far, far longer than their parents had to, they can't afford their own place and after all this they get can to the same place their parents did. What really fucking annoys me is when you see some of the older jackasses in ATOT talk about how they moved out and got a place when they were 19 or whatever and how kids today live at home until they are 25. These jackasses had it easy, their collective decisions made life harder for young poeple today and then they have the gall to make fun of people today.

Now one line of thinking that conservatives love to parrot is the "But you have it way better than your parents, look at all the extra stuff and powerful computers you have that they didn't" line. It sounds nice, but its just one big distraction - yes technology has caused many things to become cheaper, but it has little to do with what we're talking about since had we not had this explosion of inequality we would have had both cheaper tech AND bigger incomes and easier lives.

I spoke in these generalities first, because its important to look at what happens in society at large and not one person in particular. But since you ask and I'm in your target demographic, I'll tell you about myself and my friends.

Yes, I am doing better than my parents were, but this isn't much of an achievement since they grew up in 70s communist Bulgaria. At 24 I am doing well compared to both current and previous generations, but that hasn't exactly been easy - I have a professional degree from a top university, I've worked almost continuously since I was 15, I've lived at home for a long, long time and I've been saving like fucking scrooge for so long I can list all the things I own on the fingers of one hand.

The situation is largely mirrored amongst my close friends (all 23-25 yo) - everybody had to work hard, most people lived at home during university (many of them are still in school in some kind of further education - grad school, dentistry, medicine etc) and amongst the 12-15 people I am talking about only 1 had her own place and only 2 have their own cars with everybody else still living like they were in fucking high school.

So yes, people do get mad they must have it harder than people before them, especially since the rhetoric is quite the opposite of reality. And its likely you'll see a change because at one point people will realize they're getting fucked and will stop being so easily persuaded by distractions and rhetoric.

Are you looking for, or calling for, further assistance from the government(s)? yes/no

Do you still beat your wife? yes/no

People should be primarily concerned with what works and what doesn't rather than the idiotic ideological battles your kind loves so much. Whether government works or not is a function of many things - how corrupt it is, how representative the democratic system is, how large it is etc. What works for people in one state or country is not necessarily what works in another and that's as much of an answer as you're gonna get.

A good point as well, and probably a way more succinct answer than what I posted.

Another point relating to what you posted, in my opinion anyway, is that many seem to confuse the size of government verses transparency as the benchmark towards representativeness and corruption (or lack thereof). Meaning that those who constantly harp on "big government" don't seem to understand that a smaller government isn't necessarily any less prone to corruption than a larger government - or that, as I saw someone post here, that the last thing to go while shrinking government is the potential for abuse (or something like that). What should be the focus is whether said government is transparent - whether decisions are made in the public view, with checks and balances, and so on. Arbitrarily saying "smaller" government is automatically less corrupt ignores this.

 

[Throckmorton]

Originally posted by: ZebuluniteV


A good point as well, and probably a way more succinct answer than what I posted.

Another point relating to what you posted, in my opinion anyway, is that many seem to confuse the size of government verses transparency as the benchmark towards representativeness and corruption (or lack thereof). Meaning that those who constantly harp on "big government" don't seem to understand that a smaller government isn't necessarily any less prone to corruption than a larger government - or that, as I saw someone post here, that the last thing to go while shrinking government is the potential for abuse (or something like that). What should be the focus is whether said government is transparent - whether decisions are made in the public view, with checks and balances, and so on. Arbitrarily saying "smaller" government is automatically less corrupt ignores this.

The "government bad" ideology led to Reagan's doctrine of government sabotage, and massive contractor spending, which continues with Bush. A union busting lawyer nominated to head the labor board? A lumber lobbyist nominated head of the Interior Dept? 10:1 spending for Blackwater mercenaries vs citizen soldiers? To any outside observer, we'd appear to be an insane country.

Government is for the people, by the people. That's why we have elections. Only a brainwashed idealogue would have that bizarre hatred of things like social security and the military, which our ELECTED representatives vote for. You hate government so much-- go and live in the third world, where the only service government provides is a baton to the back of the knee every election season.

Edit: BTW, driving a wedge between the people and their government is a Republican strategy that has worked well for them in the past. Wedges usually do.

 

[Genx87]

College education is heavily subsidized. So much so that hundreds of millions in grant money each year go unclaimed.

You cant force people to better themselves.

There is also an unintended consequence when you subsidize education at the rate we do in this country. The costs go up because the schools see huge influxes of people applying. This puts certain economic classes into situations where they dont qualify for govt aid but cant afford college either.

 

[StageLeft]

I am in the age group. I will do a touch worse than my parents (their professions are higher-paying), though at my age now I'm doing better than they were then (still in school).

My personal optimism is high and my personal reality bears that optimism out, though for many people my age I do see problems for them. I think a lot of people my age are f**k ups and it is the fault of the establishment that taught them mediocrity would be ok; get an arts degree, it's ok, you can get a good job after, go jack up your credit card, bitch and moan if you cannot get your way, etc.

I imagine it's fairly consistent through history--maybe more now, I am not sure--but a lot of people don't put in their hard work for reward, though we see this up through adults now, too. People who are too indolent to exercise, restrain their spending, get an education that has proven and predictable pay off, etc.

The US remains a place of opportunity for people if they put some effort in.

 

[palehorse]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
The US remains a place of opportunity for people if they put some effort in.

QFT!

 

[PingSpike]

There isn't a small government party to vote for so you might as well just focus on getting your piece of the big government pie. I don't see the supposedly more conservative older generation lobbying the government to get rid of their retirement benefits of medicare. Quite the opposite! Remember how old G.W. Bush's SS plan went over like a lead balloon?

 

[Throckmorton]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
I am in the age group. I will do a touch worse than my parents (their professions are higher-paying), though at my age now I'm doing better than they were then (still in school).

My personal optimism is high and my personal reality bears that optimism out, though for many people my age I do see problems for them. I think a lot of people my age are f**k ups and it is the fault of the establishment that taught them mediocrity would be ok; get an arts degree, it's ok, you can get a good job after, go jack up your credit card, bitch and moan if you cannot get your way, etc.

I imagine it's fairly consistent through history--maybe more now, I am not sure--but a lot of people don't put in their hard work for reward, though we see this up through adults now, too. People who are too indolent to exercise, restrain their spending, get an education that has proven and predictable pay off, etc.

The US remains a place of opportunity for people if they put some effort in.

The fact that our mediocre president is on his second term indicates to me that the US is a place of opportunity for mediocre people with the right connections.

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

<-- Going to be 36 in a couple weeks

I don't feel like I'm being left out of the American Dream

Technically I'm still between 18-35

I'm doing better than my parents were at my age (Up until last year I was making more than both of them combined at my age - the change in income was my choice)

I've never had a hard time finding a job. I just signed up with a new company last week - took me five minutes to lock that one up.

Government is the problem... not the solution.

No, I don't want a nanny state.

No, I don't want higher taxes. I want smaller, cheaper, less intrusive government. I want fewer government programs. I'd like to see many programs merged.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
I am in the age group. I will do a touch worse than my parents (their professions are higher-paying), though at my age now I'm doing better than they were then (still in school).

My personal optimism is high and my personal reality bears that optimism out, though for many people my age I do see problems for them. I think a lot of people my age are f**k ups and it is the fault of the establishment that taught them mediocrity would be ok; get an arts degree, it's ok, you can get a good job after, go jack up your credit card, bitch and moan if you cannot get your way, etc.

I imagine it's fairly consistent through history--maybe more now, I am not sure--but a lot of people don't put in their hard work for reward, though we see this up through adults now, too. People who are too indolent to exercise, restrain their spending, get an education that has proven and predictable pay off, etc.

The US remains a place of opportunity for people if they put some effort in.

But what happens when people no longer want to put forth the effort and expect to be fed by the government spoon?

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
But what happens when people no longer want to put forth the effort and expect to be fed by the government spoon?

The US becomes Europe.

 

[palehorse]

I'm much better educated and more successful than my parents were at my age (34), and they were both college graduates as well.

How? Hard work, intellect, and tenacity. Period.

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
No, I don't want a nanny state.

No, I don't want higher taxes. I want smaller, cheaper, less intrusive government. I want fewer government programs. I'd like to see many programs merged.

:thumbsup:

 

[Martin]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
I am in the age group. I will do a touch worse than my parents (their professions are higher-paying), though at my age now I'm doing better than they were then (still in school).

My personal optimism is high and my personal reality bears that optimism out, though for many people my age I do see problems for them. I think a lot of people my age are f**k ups and it is the fault of the establishment that taught them mediocrity would be ok; get an arts degree, it's ok, you can get a good job after, go jack up your credit card, bitch and moan if you cannot get your way, etc.

I imagine it's fairly consistent through history--maybe more now, I am not sure--but a lot of people don't put in their hard work for reward, though we see this up through adults now, too. People who are too indolent to exercise, restrain their spending, get an education that has proven and predictable pay off, etc.

The US remains a place of opportunity for people if they put some effort in.

Ahh, the classic - "Why kids these days..." line. :roll:

People have been complaining about kids these days ever since the written record began. Do you really believe that after tens of thousands of years human nature suddenly changed over the last 20 years and young people today are radically different from their parents? Do you really believe there were no fuckups in the older generations who also spent their money on booze, hookers and gambling?

Remember your little rant cannot explain why the median income has gone down - "not trying hard enough" is something that you can bring up when talking about a particular person, but not society at large.

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: palehorse74
I'm much better educated and more successful than my parents were at my age (34), and they were both college graduates as well.

How? Hard work, intellect, and tenacity. Period.

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
No, I don't want a nanny state.

No, I don't want higher taxes. I want smaller, cheaper, less intrusive government. I want fewer government programs. I'd like to see many programs merged.

:thumbsup:

Palehorse loves conservatism, as long is it doesn't go so far as to remove his government paycheck.

 

[JS80]

I am a millenial and I make way too much money for my age. But basically I am living the American dream right now. What the fuck is Obama talking about?

 

[fskimospy]

Originally posted by: palehorse74

Originally posted by: Martin

Originally posted by: palehorse74
Are you looking for, or calling for, further assistance from the government(s)? yes/no

Do you still beat your wife? yes/no

Never have, so the answer is "no."

See how easy that was? I didn't mean to confuse you... I'll be sure to ask easier questions from now on.

People should be primarily concerned with what works and what doesn't rather than the idiotic ideological battles your kind loves so much. Whether government works or not is a function of many things - how corrupt it is, how representative the democratic system is, how large it is etc. What works for people in one state or country is not necessarily what works in another and that's as much of an answer as you're gonna get.

Don't worry, my "kind" understands all too well what you want. We're very used to working extra hard for your kinds' wellbeing.

lucky you.

Sure you do. The posts that I'm seeing from you guys in this thread are subscribing to what are called in political science and sociological circles "legitimizing myths".

As has been shown repeatedly in other threads, the single largest factor explaining the variance in wealth over time is the wealth of your parents.

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Originally posted by: JS80
I am a millenial and I make way too much money for my age. But basically I am living the American dream right now. What the fuck is Obama talking about?

How can you make too much money?

 

[Martin]

Originally posted by: palehorse74

Originally posted by: Martin

Originally posted by: palehorse74
Are you looking for, or calling for, further assistance from the government(s)? yes/no

Do you still beat your wife? yes/no

Never have, so the answer is "no."

See how easy that was? I didn't mean to confuse you... I'll be sure to ask easier questions from now on.

People should be primarily concerned with what works and what doesn't rather than the idiotic ideological battles your kind loves so much. Whether government works or not is a function of many things - how corrupt it is, how representative the democratic system is, how large it is etc. What works for people in one state or country is not necessarily what works in another and that's as much of an answer as you're gonna get.

Don't worry, my "kind" understands all too well what you want. We're very used to working extra hard for your kinds' wellbeing.

lucky you.

What I understand is that you can't even read a few simple sentences. You see, I do well on my own, but unlike you and the other egomaniacs in this thread, I don't pretend to be a representative sample nor do I extol my virtues and preach that everyone else should be like me.

If there is only thing this thread has made abundantly clear is that you and your gang are far more interested in your little ego-stroking circle jerks than what actually happens in the real world.

 

[fskimospy]

Originally posted by: Martin

Originally posted by: palehorse74

Originally posted by: Martin

Originally posted by: palehorse74
Are you looking for, or calling for, further assistance from the government(s)? yes/no

Do you still beat your wife? yes/no

Never have, so the answer is "no."

See how easy that was? I didn't mean to confuse you... I'll be sure to ask easier questions from now on.

People should be primarily concerned with what works and what doesn't rather than the idiotic ideological battles your kind loves so much. Whether government works or not is a function of many things - how corrupt it is, how representative the democratic system is, how large it is etc. What works for people in one state or country is not necessarily what works in another and that's as much of an answer as you're gonna get.

Don't worry, my "kind" understands all too well what you want. We're very used to working extra hard for your kinds' wellbeing.

lucky you.

What I understand is that you can't even read a few simple sentences. You see, I do well on my own, but unlike you and the other egomaniacs in this thread, I don't pretend to be a representative sample nor do I extol my virtues and preach that everyone else should be like me.

If there is only thing this thread has made abundantly clear is that you and your gang are far more interested in your little ego-stroking circle jerks than what actually happens in the real world.

Yeap.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Originally posted by: bamacre
If anyone remembers the Q&A with the candidates on MTV, the vast majority of the questions were basically "what can the gov't do to help me."

It was kinda funny when it was Ron Paul's turn. :laugh:

I was thinking along the same lines when I read the 1st paragraph.

The problem is Millennials won't achieve the American Dream, not because it doesn't exist or isn't attainable. They won't achieve it because they won't work for it. They want it handed to them on a platter while they play WoW and chat with friends on Myspace.

I'm 30 years old. I make more than $40K a year they say my dad made, and I have no college education. I own my own home, I have 2 children and 2 dogs and a pickup truck. I think I'm living the American Dream, or is the new American Dream being a multi-millionaire sports super star?
I'm happy with life. Do I wish I had more money, sure, but everyone does.
The current generation are a bunch of pussies that were coddled by their mommies to much thanks to Oprah.

 

[fskimospy]

Originally posted by: JeffreyLebowski

Originally posted by: bamacre
If anyone remembers the Q&A with the candidates on MTV, the vast majority of the questions were basically "what can the gov't do to help me."

It was kinda funny when it was Ron Paul's turn. :laugh:

I was thinking along the same lines when I read the 1st paragraph.

The problem is Millennials won't achieve the American Dream, not because it doesn't exist or isn't attainable. They won't achieve it because they won't work for it. They want it handed to them on a platter while they play WoW and chat with friends on Myspace.

I'm 30 years old. I make more than $40K a year they say my dad made, and I have no college education. I own my own home, I have 2 children and 2 dogs and a pickup truck. I think I'm living the American Dream, or is the new American Dream being a multi-millionaire sports super star?
I'm happy with life. Do I wish I had more money, sure, but everyone does.
The current generation are a bunch of pussies that were coddled by their mommies to much thanks to Oprah.

Again, I point you to the quote from Socrates I posted in the beginning of this thread.

 

[Future Guy]

I'm Gen Y/Millennials and I can say that my generation will never achieve the American Dream, not because we won't work for it (I know plenty of people in my generation that are harder working than Boomers or Gen Xers, I also know plenty that are lazy and want everything handed to them so don't group us all under the same umbrella) but because the way the Boomers have fixed this country for their own petty needs. Once the Boomers start to retire, SS and Medicare/Medicaid will collapse and the strain of supporting them will be up to Gen X and Gen Y (which I believe are the children of the Boomers, depending on what 'numbers' you use I guess). I'll be paying to support my parents because they, like so many other Boomers, do not have much in terms of a retirement savings.

It is the Boomers fault. It shall ALWAYS be their fault because they are the ones that are running this country right now. The US has massive deficits and it will only get worse because they can't bring themselves to SPEND WITHIN OUR MEANS. They are the largest segment of the population and will effectively bring us down as they retire and expect us to take care of them.

I don't think I'm doing better than my parents. The cost of living is high now compared to back then. I have a two year degree, which seems to be doing squat for my pay. I'll have to get a four year degree to get a higher salary and I honestly can't afford to do that right now. I have to have roomates to make it 'on my own' because renting a studio or a single bedroom apartment is $600 MINIMUM (which is most of my paycheck). When I look at the great economic picture, I don't see myself doing better than my parents because of many of the things that will happen BECAUSE of them (SS for example).

Government is the problem and will CONTINUE to be the problem until someone can stand up and be a TRUE LEADER. We do not have any true leaders anymore. Obama talks good and all but I don't think he's the one that can make any real changes. We need someone that has the balls to stand up and say NO to corporations and special interests and to congress itself. The government should be forced to spend what it can spend, nothing more. Look at what happened to Enron. Yes, it was bad and they deserved it, but the resulting regulations should also apply to the government. Just think, if the government followed all its regulations maybe it would function properly or at least be less bloated than it is.

I do not want a nanny state but we'll be getting one anyone once the Boomers retire. If I have to go bust my ass in a field to make it by, so be it. I'll hate it but I'll do it if means I can live for another day.

I do not want higher taxes. Higher taxes solves nothing. I also do not want to see this country become Socialist Europe 2.0. I believe that the government needs to undergo a massive 'cut' to eliminate a lot of the fat and dead weight that exists within it. I also believe that SS needs to end. This is just like me asking the government for money because I can't get by. Tough shit. You worked your whole life and never saved for retirement? How smart are you suppose to be anyway? You're preaching to me to 'save' and yet you never did? That's fucking brilliant! With all the investment options available to us today, I do not see why SS needs to exist anymore (other than finishing the 'obligation' for the Boomers, as they feel it is a right they have to see us go broke, SS was never meant to be used the way it is being used). Medicare and Medicaid must stay though as it is expensive to treat elderly people. Some kind of compromise needs to be implemented for SS. For instance, if you are under 40 years of age, you will NOT receive SS when you retire. You will be in charge of saving for your own retirement and will not receive a special check from the government each month. It will cause an uproar but again, we need to have a real leader with balls to do the necessary things.

 

[Slew Foot]

Originally posted by: JeffreyLebowski

Originally posted by: bamacre
If anyone remembers the Q&A with the candidates on MTV, the vast majority of the questions were basically "what can the gov't do to help me."

It was kinda funny when it was Ron Paul's turn. :laugh:

I was thinking along the same lines when I read the 1st paragraph.

The problem is Millennials won't achieve the American Dream, not because it doesn't exist or isn't attainable. They won't achieve it because they won't work for it. They want it handed to them on a platter while they play WoW and chat with friends on Myspace.

I'm 30 years old. I make more than $40K a year they say my dad made, and I have no college education. I own my own home, I have 2 children and 2 dogs and a pickup truck. I think I'm living the American Dream, or is the new American Dream being a multi-millionaire sports super star?
I'm happy with life. Do I wish I had more money, sure, but everyone does.
The current generation are a bunch of pussies that were coddled by their mommies to much thanks to Oprah.

This is mostly correct, I'm in my early 30s and doing great! Im making ridiculous money and will do much better than my parents. Alot of people my age are lazy asses who cant get off their couch except to collect their next welfare check and food stamps. Pisses me off to see my taxes wasted like that.

Though to be fare, the boomers havent helped our generation much. They spent the tax coffers dry, and jacked up housing prices in a last ditch get rich quick scheme. Collapsing the housing bubble and revamping SS would do wonders for my generation, not to mention a smaller government that didnt spend so much.

The opportunities are there, you just have to grab them. Despite what the pussies will try and teach you in school, life isnt handed to you on a silver platter if you "feel good".

 

[Throckmorton]

Originally posted by: Future Guy
I'm Gen Y/Millennials and I can say that my generation will never achieve the American Dream, not because we won't work for it (I know plenty of people in my generation that are harder working than Boomers or Gen Xers, I also know plenty that are lazy and want everything handed to them so don't group us all under the same umbrella) but because the way the Boomers have fixed this country for their own petty needs. Once the Boomers start to retire, SS and Medicare/Medicaid will collapse and the strain of supporting them will be up to Gen X and Gen Y (which I believe are the children of the Boomers, depending on what 'numbers' you use I guess). I'll be paying to support my parents because they, like so many other Boomers, do not have much in terms of a retirement savings.

It is the Boomers fault. It shall ALWAYS be their fault because they are the ones that are running this country right now. The US has massive deficits and it will only get worse because they can't bring themselves to SPEND WITHIN OUR MEANS. They are the largest segment of the population and will effectively bring us down as they retire and expect us to take care of them.

I don't think I'm doing better than my parents. The cost of living is high now compared to back then. I have a two year degree, which seems to be doing squat for my pay. I'll have to get a four year degree to get a higher salary and I honestly can't afford to do that right now. I have to have roomates to make it 'on my own' because renting a studio or a single bedroom apartment is $600 MINIMUM (which is most of my paycheck). When I look at the great economic picture, I don't see myself doing better than my parents because of many of the things that will happen BECAUSE of them (SS for example).

Government is the problem and will CONTINUE to be the problem until someone can stand up and be a TRUE LEADER. We do not have any true leaders anymore. Obama talks good and all but I don't think he's the one that can make any real changes. We need someone that has the balls to stand up and say NO to corporations and special interests and to congress itself. The government should be forced to spend what it can spend, nothing more. Look at what happened to Enron. Yes, it was bad and they deserved it, but the resulting regulations should also apply to the government. Just think, if the government followed all its regulations maybe it would function properly or at least be less bloated than it is.

I do not want a nanny state but we'll be getting one anyone once the Boomers retire. If I have to go bust my ass in a field to make it by, so be it. I'll hate it but I'll do it if means I can live for another day.

I do not want higher taxes. Higher taxes solves nothing. I also do not want to see this country become Socialist Europe 2.0. I believe that the government needs to undergo a massive 'cut' to eliminate a lot of the fat and dead weight that exists within it. I also believe that SS needs to end. This is just like me asking the government for money because I can't get by. Tough shit. You worked your whole life and never saved for retirement? How smart are you suppose to be anyway? You're preaching to me to 'save' and yet you never did? That's fucking brilliant! With all the investment options available to us today, I do not see why SS needs to exist anymore (other than finishing the 'obligation' for the Boomers, as they feel it is a right they have to see us go broke, SS was never meant to be used the way it is being used). Medicare and Medicaid must stay though as it is expensive to treat elderly people. Some kind of compromise needs to be implemented for SS. For instance, if you are under 40 years of age, you will NOT receive SS when you retire. You will be in charge of saving for your own retirement and will not receive a special check from the government each month. It will cause an uproar but again, we need to have a real leader with balls to do the necessary things.

I'm no economist but I think your sentiment toward the government is misplaced. Government spending can't hurt our country-- the wealth stays here. We don't hire Chinese to build roads, maintain the military, etc. Those are all jobs and contracts that are part of the economy.
Social security sure sounds like a bad thing because of how much it costs, but you think that money is flushed down the toilet? No, old people get it, and they spend it in an economy that employs YOU and ME.

 

[Future Guy]

Originally posted by: Throckmorton

Originally posted by: Future Guy
*snip*.

I'm no economist but I think your sentiment toward the government is misplaced. Government spending can't hurt our country-- the wealth stays here. We don't hire Chinese to build roads, maintain the military, etc. Those are all jobs and contracts that are part of the economy.
Social security sure sounds like a bad thing because of how much it costs, but you think that money is flushed down the toilet? No, old people get it, and they spend it in an economy that employs YOU and ME.

I'm not saying that government spending hurts our country. I'm saying that mismanagement hurts our country. What happens to private companies that do not spend within their means? What happens to families if they do not spend within their means? They fall and fall hard and takes years to get back to where you were before you succumbed to debt. The government then steps in to 'enforce new regulations' to try to prevent it from happening again (not a bad thing mind you). My problem with the government is that they continue to borrow money to fund our budget rather than maintaining a balanced budget. Yes, a government can have debt and will need to have debt at times to get by but we should not have massive deficits like we do.

SS is a waste of money. Yes, the old people will spend it but that's not the point. It's a free government handout. Anyone that says people today just want a handout are themselves EXPECTING to receive a handout when they retire. How hypocritical is that? Save your own damn money for your retirement. You'll be spending the money that YOU earned on the economy that employs us. It would also allow the government to put funds towards other things. As I said, the government needs to undergo a 'cutting of fat'. There are plenty of programs that can be cut and plenty of employees that can be as well. One way to fix some of the problems we have is by turning some programs and entities over to the private sector. The government can fund the, but allow the private sector to operate. The program will function much better that way.