If Republicans had gotten their way on Social Security "reform" where would seniors be today?

[dconstruct]

Dubya was evangelizing the benefit of privitizing social security only four years ago. The idea was to allow seniors to invest their savings in the stock market.

So now that the DOW has taken the biggest hit in the balls since 9-11, and Wall Street is hurling its guts up on the pavement, how many Republicans are willing to admit that 1)they were wrong then and 2) if they had gotten their way, there would be a crisis of financial ruin being visited on pensioners right now?

[Ernest V]

They would be fine if they were diversified.

I work in the semiconductor industry, and yes, even our stock took a hit, but nothing as sever as the financial industry. Our economy has some problems, but it's not over ... and frankly if our economy gets so bad that even diversified portfolios won't do well, even money from the government will be worthless since it won't be getting any from the business sector or payroll taxes.

To McCain is a Liar ... you don't know what or who I (and other Republicans) care about and don't care about, so don't even try to start that war of words. You may find it more uncomfortable than you know.

[steepnorth020]

Homeless,Starving and Freezing

[Murray S]

good point. Bush wanted to get his hands on that money and would have manage it terrible just like IRAQ, THE HOUSING CRISIS, KATRINA, VALARIE PLAME, FIRE US ATTORNEYS AND the economy

[Brian]

Not me as those that were planning to retire before now four years ago would not have been able to make this switch. The stock market is a long term investment. All that money the government has taken from me over the last 30 years would be worth quite a bit now, even if invested conservatively..

[pink_angel]

Well, to the neocons it's just one battle that they've lost. Remember the wealthy? They used to create wealth, now they just steal it from the poor and middle class folks...don't worry, they still have their eye on the elderly and that big fat Medicare budget.

[Frank]

homeless and dying in the streets.

[betmoneyonit]

They would be just fine as they were to be forced to stay with their old .049% return at age 54.

As for everyone else, they would be able to get great returns over time and have a much higher standard of living at retirement if they chose to own their own destiny.

You really don't want to defend the current system.

[Ruth]

It might also occur that seniors cannot live on Social Security and are as aversely affected by investor bad news as anyone.

I don't know if it was right or wrong, it was tabled by a Republican-controlled Congress. Please stop thinking we are all stupid.

[Courage]

They never have nor will they ever care about any one but themselves. They are heartless monsters who were only wanting to make their Wall Street friends rich by giving them Our Elders money to play with.

All of the elderly do not have families.