Replies to post #106611 on Tornado Alley (PROG)

[hotdog1012]

So give seniors 90% of their Social Security checks, or cover 90% of their medical costs?

Sadly, I think it's a train wreck ready to happen. I wish it wouldn't, but Social Security, while meant with good intentions in it's original design, is unsustainable unless we change up our spending priorities.

This year was the first year that SS actually went into the red cash flow wise (lower revenue higher payout). it was not expected to cross until at least 2016. See New York Times article: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/25/business/economy/25social.html

I'm 49 and I've been basing my long term planning on the perception that it will be gone by the time I retire. I truly believe that SS will go bankrupt in my lifetime.

In the meantime, I have increased the support of my parents by having them move in with us (to help them lower there expenses and better take care of them). And we provide for many needy in our area through our church missions (food kitchen, elder support, etc.)

My wife works for a new healthcare program (private business) that works with the elderly who are on SS and Medicare. This program has delivered 15-20% savings back to the Feds for these participants. And the elderly get better all-around healthcare and provisions than ever before, so I know it can be done.

So spending can be curtailed...the question is will we take the steps to do it? What courageous leaders will step up and lead? Or do we just wait until we are a bankrupt nation and then the cut isn't by choice and it's not 10% but 100%?