Why isn't Retirement a bigger issue?

[Onlooker]

(1) Go to this site:

http://cgi.money.cnn.com/tools/retirementplanner/retirementplanner.jsp

(2) After calculating how screwed you are, go back to the Income tab and change your Social Security income to ZERO.

(3) Now go back to the RESULTS tab. Are you screwed? Do you think a lot of people are screwed?

If Kerry wants to use scare tactics, like Bush uses them, he can at least use them honestly. If Social Security doesn't survive and if we don't have a return to Clintonomics, there will be millions of elderly Americans living in poverty. Kerry should talk to all those middle age people who are worried about finding a way to retire. I know several people who are voting for Bush, and are simply resigned to working until they're very old or living poor. Bush offers no possibility of greater government assistance for retirees. Kerry does. I don't even think Republicans could dispute that (without advocating increased taxes).

[Paradise]

1. interesting.

it tells us who is, actually, controlling the issues in this campaign. "terror and war!"

[0007]

6. .....and protection from prescribtion drugs from Canada!

It appears that more folks are concerned with an ear piece and a lump in junior's back than nailing his ass to the wall.

[Paradise]

8. a lovely image! ;) nt

[oscar111]

2. Kerry's plan?

can you give figures? Curious, not disputing it all.

BTW, how much would be needed to raise ss retirement pay to 2/3rds of the average income... ie, ss equal to about 35K/yr?

http://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/z1/current/accessible/l5.htm

bottom line is what you have to work with.. line 33.

[Onlooker]

3. One of Reagan's big accomplishments`

was to create so much national debt that eventually the government was forced to cut social programs. Now, Bush is doing the same thing. The problem is there are not that many social programs left to cut.

What Kerry wants to do is raise taxs on the rich, which will create more income for the government and reduce the need to tap into Social Security. Also, I think if push came to shove, Kerry would find other areas of government to cut (and shift the burden onto the states).

[wishlist]

4. Health care premium hikes are going to erode pensions tremendously

During this Administration, the escalating health care premiums have eaten up almost all of the cost of living increases. If the new Medicare drug bill allows health insurance companies to drop drug coverage for those 65 and older forcing seniors to pay high Medicare premiums to get drug coverage that is not adequate, retirees will be hit hard.

Kerry and Edwards have been talking about their health care plan this week both in the debate and on the Sunday morning shows today with Edwards and Joe Lockhart. Kerry will certainly talk about it more in the next debate too. It will help if people write letters to the editor about this issue.

[Southsideirish]

5. I thought retirement would be wonderful - it wasn't .

I worked a long time on a miserable job and 'was able to take advantage of an early retirement package a few years ago.

I was "retired" for about 8 long, nervewracking months - most of which I spent looking for a part time job, which I eventually found.

I'm so glad I went back to work and feel sorry for early retiree friends who are pretty much just doing nothing and they don't seem that happy, either.

Frankly, I wouldn't advise anyone to ever retire - its a lot of nothing - an empty plate, in my opinion. When you work you feel vital, like you are still "in the game" - not sitting on the sidelines. Plus, who doesn't need to earn extra money to help them when they are older and not able to work.

[Avis]

7. Cheney

Didn't Cheney say something to the effect that they would TRY to keep social security........ it was very alarming and I don't understand why the media didn't care.