by Marlon Adams

Created on: June 22, 2007

Its actually kind of silly question. Its almost like asking "should we clothe and feed the elderly and disabled, or should we just allow them wallow in their own feces?". Forgive my vulgarity, but for anyone who has ever had to care for an elderly person, this is exactly what can happen to some of them if you aren't there. But out all the arguments I've read supporting the abolishment of social security, I noticed these three being repeated the most. I will address them one at a time.

1.) "Social security is unfair to hard-working Americans while others can "milk the system" and receive income for doing nothing":
Yes, it is true that some individuals will take advantage of systems like this. But I think this is more a reflection of the "me-first" culture that has been fostered in America-but that is another story. It is cruel and hypocritical for the US to call itself humane, and to say "all men created equal" when we cannot even care for the elderly and the disabled. The people who take advantage are a separate issue-they need to dealt with in other ways, but not by abolishing the system that many need to survive. And I hardly think that elderly citizens are "milking" the system. What would you have them do instead-dig ditches? Work at McDonald's?

2.) "It would be better to have citizens manage their own retirement portfolios, rather than leaving it in the hands of the government":
This is a great idea, and one that should be taught more extensively in public education. It is true that Americans have become very poor at saving and managing finances. But who do we have to show us otherwise? Paris Hilton? George Bush, with his ranch? Or all the other celebrities and sports stars we have as our role models, leading lives of unimaginable decadence and luxury, while we are told to live frugally? It is true that Americans should learn how to invest wisely and secure their future, but not at the expense of social security; rather, personal investing should be coupled WITH social security. The whole point of social security is that when the market fails, or your business goes under, you will have something to fall back on; you will have SECURITY, peace of mind. Without this we are just creating a society based on the distorted Darwinian notion of "survival of the fittest". That is not humanity; we are humans, we care for one another, even the sick and elderly. This rhetoric about individuals needing to do their own investing will only leave us dependent on the whims of

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