Thompson's social security rollout

Mark Golembiowski, Chicago, IL — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 21:51:22 GMT

Fred Thompson may be a good actor, but a lousy accountant, politician, and economist. Not only is his analysis way off, but it also ignores the political reality of the last seven years. Fred is turning out to be a dud in the mud.

Thompson's social security rollout

TEC-spring-tx — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 22:10:38 GMT

Social Security is one area where those making millions are not paying there fair share. Thompson does not have to worry about social security benefits like his other wealthly friends do not worry. The republicans have been trying to kill social security since it was started. Additionally, federal employees have never paid into social security. They have a different social welfare retirement program, that we pay for thorough income tax. No politican talks about reforming that program, because it would harm there retirement. Everyone in the the federal and state goverment retirement programs are living good on your money. I have paid into social security since I was fifteen years old and I deserve to have my full benefits when I retire in ten years. Raising the cap on taxable income would solve all of the problems of social security. If the goverment had not spent the money already, then there would not be a problem now.

Thompson's social security rollout

ModernDay Publius — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 22:12:22 GMT

This is the kind of solution we need for Social Security. Once again Fred Thompson is about substance not media games.

Thompson's social security rollout

John B, Des Moines, IA — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 22:26:05 GMT

Eliminating the current $95,000 cap on taxable FICA income would produce half the money necessary to keep Social Security solvent for the next 75 years. A little more tinkering with rates and benefits and you're the rest of the way there. How hard was that? A lot less hard than diverting a big chunk of the expected Social Security money into private accounts and still trying to deliver the promised benefits, that's for sure.

Thompson's social security rollout

Jim, Columbia, California — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 22:33:25 GMT

On the contrary, Mark, I think Fred is wise to face the reality of the current Social Security problem. A government matching plan is a novel idea, and is one that will help people see what their account is growing to. Personally, I would keep the two funds segregated, so a person could not "shoot the moon" and lose everything.

Thompson's social security rollout

Marcos El Malo, Los Angeles, CA — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 22:35:51 GMT

As a conservative, I am finding Fred and the rest of the field a complete disappointment, with the exception of Ron Paul. However, even if Ron Paul could get the nomination, it's doubtful he could win in the general election.

The GOP is a failed party. I retain my membership in the hopes that it will one day be able to rebuild itself, but I don't think that day will come anytime soon. There are very few Republican politicians that I can honestly say that I admire or respect.

Thompson's social security rollout

cindy colorado — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 22:41:14 GMT

OH, GEE, I WORKED MY BUTT OFF going to college and getting an excellent job so I can get shorted on SS and can get the same monthly payment as the drunk next door. Sounds GREAT! NEXT!!!!!!!????

Thompson's social security rollout

Chris, Wood River, IL — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 22:53:54 GMT

Is Fred Thompson still in the race? I thought he fell asleep and forgot to file in the early states. I really liked Huckabee's response to Fred calling him a "pro-life liberal on immigration and taxes" on Hardball yesterday.

Huckabee said, "I guess this writer's strike is really hurting Fred, because he needs to come up with some better lines if he's going to stay in this race."

Ouch...how did that feel, Fred?

Thompson's social security rollout

Rick,WC, NC — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 01:06:38 GMT

SS is the mother of all ponzi schemes...right now if you pay taxes on more than 60K you receive no additional benefit when you retire...expanding the taxable level will indeed "fix" the system on paper but the fact is congress will spend all of that money too...

Thompson's social security rollout

Scab, call me — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 02:33:06 GMT

I could write for Fred!

"I know you're out there, I can smell the booze coming out of your pores." Shee-boom!

Thompson's social security rollout

lane filler, Spartanburg, South Carolina — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 03:22:34 GMT

Man, he managed to find the worst elements of everybody else's plan and cobble them together. For some really telling video and an accompnaying column from Thompson's first week on the trail, try this:

http://goupstate.us/index.php/lanefiller/2007/11/05/fred_thompson_for_president_of_what_the_

Thompson's social security rollout

John S. Alexander, Edinboro, PA — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 03:43:51 GMT

"WHICH WOULD BE INITIALLY DEPLETED AND THEN REPLENISHED THROUGH ADDITIONAL TAX REVENUE ACQUIRED BY INFLATION INDEXING"
Sounds so easy, invade a country and win the hearts and minds of the populace, opppps sorry I heard these kind of promises before. Pie in the sky always sounds the same. Put the damn money back and don't touch it for anything but SSI!!!
Vote for me, I'll rob you but I'm a good neighbor, I'll give you this dead dog I just ran over with my new red truck.

Thompson's social security rollout

Utahreb, Veyo, UT — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 14:27:44 GMT

If millions of people are having such a difficult time with money now (lack of it due to rising gas prices, foreclosures, bankruptcies, high grocery prices, health care) how can they contribute to a privatized plan?

And just how would this money be invested? Stocks? Bad idea. Bonds? Not quite as bad. Do I trust someone in the government to invest my money? NO!!!!

If the government would stop raiding the social security funds to pay for other programs, there might actually be something left. And if we put ALL federal employees, from the president on down, on social security that would pay for itself quickly. Look at their retirement money for serving as a "public servant"!

Thompson's social security rollout

rockville maryland — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 15:17:06 GMT

TEC, you're wrong about federal workers. Yes, federal workers use to not pay into social security but that changed in the mid 1980s. Federal workers have the option of contributing to a 401-k plan called the thrift savings plan. But they pay social security and medicare taxes just like any other citizen.

Thompson's social security rollout

Lee in CA — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 15:22:04 GMT

Marcos - I'm a dyed in the wool liberal, and I'm going for Ron Paul.

DOn't say he can't win, because anyone who can get me to register as a republican CAN win. (The rest of the Repug field wouldn't even make good land fill.)

Thompson's social security rollout

Carole Moye, Akron Ohio — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 15:37:33 GMT

Social Security is no joking matter - especially for women who don't have a prayer of earning as much as men - I've worked since I was 15 starting after school and on the weekends - raised 4 children alone with no child support from their dead beat dad who's dead now and could care less - am trying to live on social security and keep my home I worked all my life to pay for - it's practically impossible and the cost of living just keeps going up - get your head out of the sand politicians!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thompson's social security rollout

Carole Moye, Akron Ohio — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 15:38:19 GMT