On the subject of democrats, K2, I got this in email today. Enjoy the laughs.
trkyhntr
Social Security
>>
>> Pop Quiz on Social Security:
>>
>> Q: Which party took Social Security from an independent fund and put it in
>> the general fund so that Congress could spend it?
>>
>> A: It was Lyndon Johnson and the Democratic-controlled House and Senate.
>>
>> Q: Which party put a tax on Social Security?
>>
>> A: The Democratic party.
>>
>> Q: Which party increased the tax on Social Security?
>>
>> A: The Democratic Party with Al Gore casting the deciding vote.
>>
>> Q: Which party decided to give money to immigrants?
>>
>> A: That's right - immigrants - moved into this country at age 65 and got
SSI
>> Social Security. The Democratic Party gave that to them although they never
>> paid a dime into it.
>>
>> Then, after doing all this, the Democrats turn around and tell you the
>> Republicans want to take your Social Security.
>>
>> And the worst part about it is, far too many people believe it!
>>
>> ************************************
>>
>> Perhaps we are asking the wrong questions during election years. Our
>> Senators and Congressmen do not pay into Social Security and, of course,
>> they do not collect from it. Social Security benefits were not suitable
for
>> persons of their rare elevation in society. They felt they should have a
>> special plan for themselves. Many years ago they voted in their own benefit
>> plan. In more recent years, no congress person has felt the need to change
>> it. After all, it is a great plan. For all practical purposes their plan
>> works like this: When they retire, they continue to draw the same pay until
>> they die, except it may increase from time to time for cost of living
>> adjustments. For example, former Senator Byrd and Congressman White and
>> their wives may expect to draw $7,800,000.00 (that's Seven Million,
>> Eight-Hundred Thousand), with their wives drawing $275,000.00 during the
>> last years of their lives. This is calculated on an average life span for
>> each.
>>
>> Their cost for this excellent plan is $00.00. Nada. Zilch.
>>
>> This little perk they voted for themselves is free to them. You and I pick
>> up the tab for this plan. The funds for this fine retirement plan come
>> directly from the General Funds--our tax dollars at work..! From our own
>> Social Security Plan, which you and I pay (or have paid) into--every payday
>> until we retire (which amount is matched by our employer)--we can expect to
>> get an average $1,000 per month after retirement. Or, in other words, we
>> would have to collect our average of $1,000 monthly benefits for 68 years
>> and one month to equal Bradley's benefits..! Social Security could be very
>> good if only one small change were made. And that change would be to jerk
>> the Golden Fleece Retirement Plan from under the Senators and Congressmen.
>>
>> Put them into the Social Security plan with the rest of us and then watch
>> how fast they would fix it. If enough people receive this, maybe a seed of
>> awareness will be planted and maybe good changes will evolve.