A Boston Tea Party …(BOO!)

It is the season for ghouls and goblins. The time of year when you are supposed to scare people. In order to get in the spirit of Halloween, Democrats have brought out the Dracula of politics: Social Security. Guaranteed to suck the life out of any senior citizen. Social Security reform is the Democratic party’s version of the poison apple. Take a bite and a secure retirement is over. For some of us it takes a lot more to be frightened.

Does your 401k frighten you? Imagine social security set up in a similar manner. The federal government gives you the CHOICE of opting out of the government S.S. plan for something that offers you a better chance at actually seeing a payback. (scared yet?) The plan is tightly regulated just like your 401k. You are not allowed to take out a loan against it. Your contributions are administered just like your current 401k with an amount taken out of each check. (scared yet?) The difference between this plan and your 401k is that you cannot invest in anything remotely speculative. Your options of investment are narrowed to only secure stocks and bonds that provide a return of 3%-6%. The current government plan returns only around 2%. (scared yet?) You receive your benefit at retirement just like your 401k. You are in control of YOUR money, not Uncle Sam. (I know, now you’re really scared.)

The truth is the Democrats are scared to death of reform. The Trick is trying to scare the public into believing it is a bad idea. The Treat is they get to spend the money you contribute into Social Security while making you believe they don’t touch it. The real poison for congress is the cost of transitioning from the current plan to the new one. That is what really SCARES them. Any dollar spent on transitional costs is a dollar not available for pork spending. Now you don’t have to be scared, I just turned the lights on!