Posted by killdeer (anonymous) on July 28, 2008 at 12:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Home Sweet Homeland Security!

Posted by Jerry (anonymous) on July 28, 2008 at 9:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You know you can apply for one of those sweet jobs by going on-line. Of course you may want to check to see how many of those jobs have been contracted out to the lowest bidder. It could be that the person you spoke with was not even a federal worker, as many are not.

Posted by brighteyes (anonymous) on July 28, 2008 at 10:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

yeah, good column. theres so much fat that could be trimmed off of our government. i'll bring the scalpel!

Posted by birider (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 8:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Julianne should send this letter to Letterman or Leno. I think that they might like it.

Posted by DougHCo (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Gee, I did 22 years as a federal emloyee and never had or ran across those conditions!

Granted, brown-nosing was expected in some places (Corps of Engineers)--that's why I moved a lot <G> but my direct phone number was always available to the world--and it's still online.

My last supervisor wanted us so available that we had to wear mobile headsets! After all, it's supposed to be Civil SERVICE and I think that's appropriate. But I did draw the line when she wanted me to carry a cell phone when I was away fromt the office (after hours).

I'll admit that it's next to impossible to find, much less communicate with, some federal employees and that's wrong-they work for us. On the other hand, many offices are short-staffed and the requirements that DC imposes on them don't allow for much-needed interaction.

The real tragedy is that guards are required at most federal locations these days. After all, would you really want to feel as vulnerable as you are in church when you visit an IRS or SSA office?

Posted by mgdbottled (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 9:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Consider yourself lucky you weren't strip searched. Your Constitutional Rights now end at the front door in a Federal Office. That's what happens when our Supreme Court is cherry picked based on their political leanings rather than their qualifications. Patriot Act anyone? Here, have another serving.

Posted by fergusfallsmom (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 9:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I wonder how the employees would respond to this article???

Posted by Generally_Misunderstood (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 9:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, it will be interesting to see how this changes when the ultimate "me" generation of baby boomers has to start waiting in such lines. How dare they have to wait in a line! I can just see the rioting now! Maybe a new march on Washington for such injustice? hahaha

At least my "X" generation won't have to wait in these lines! Seeing as the FICA deduction I have stolen out of my check today and the benefits awarded from it won't exist in the 30 or so odd years that I'll be eligible for it. So you're welcome for your security today, but forget about my own. Oh what I could do in my own personal retirement account with that few hundred dollars each month!

Just another social program that is the bane of my future existence! Let's have others pay for someone else's security today and count on that others in the future will do the same for you. Yeah, that's a brilliant idea! It's all about personal responsibility. We all know we are going to grow old one day and be unable to work. So save today for tomorrow you can't! Depending on any sort of external entity for your own future will only cause you to eventually crumble waiting for them to "save" you.

Rise Up!

(Yes there's sarcasm in there, so if you're offended, grow a sense of humor)

Posted by mimiokems (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 11:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I am not exactly sure where this office is that this person visited. I am a Claims Representative for a Social Security Office in Calfornia. It is 8:57 am and we already have 37 people in our lobby waiting for service. On average we typically have 50 people waiting in the lobby. We see and average of 300 people per day. I take anywhere from 5-10 Disability and Retirement claims every day. I am in a unit that should have 7 employees and we have 3. I have not taken a 15 minute break in years because I don't have time for that. About a month ago I was threatened by a member of public who told me she was going to come after me and I needed to watch my back. We are always expected to do more and do it faster. We do not have a budget for pens or post it notes and not even hand soap for the bathroom, which we must provide for ourselves.

I agree that there are some government workers that could use a reprimand or too. But are there not retail employees that could use a lesson on customer service? Or restaurant workers even. There are people everywhere, in every kind of career and job who are less than satisfactory. Now, don't get me wrong at all, I have made my fair share of comments about employees at various agencies and employers who SEEMED to have a "sweet job" but I always try and remember that things are always as they SEEM. Pop into my office sometime, you won't think my job is so sweet anymore.

Posted by Generally_Misunderstood (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 11:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Mimi... If it's so horrendous there why stick with it?

Oh wait, the gov't health insurance and retirement plans are quite good I hear, ah yes, I forgot about that. Far better then what my stolen FICA money will ever get me!

On another note, I'm sure the armed officer is Washington, DC mandated.

Posted by fergusfallsmom (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 11:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This isn't California. It is rural Minnesota.

Posted by JL (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 11:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

SHE DOESN'T HAVE TIME TO TAKE A 15 MINUTE BREAK, BUT YET SHE HAS TIME TO CHECK OUT THE FERGUS JOURNAL AND WRITE COMMENTS WHILE ON THE CLOCK HMMM AM I MISSING SOMETHING HERE?

Posted by mimiokems (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 11:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Generally Misunderstood, you misunderstand! My health benefits are not that great actually. I pay out my bum each month for health insurance for my family. Plus, I pay into Social Security just like you do. My retirement benefit is not any better than yours, people stopped paying in to CSRS (Civil Service Retirement System) in the 80s at Social Security.

To answer your question, I don't know why I stay here!! I have hope and faith that perhaps someday I will make it out of the field office to the payment center, where the real "sweet jobs" are. ;o)

Posted by tsy86h (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at noon (Suggest removal)

Does anyone see the irony in mimiokens comment? She said it is now 8:57 am and they have 37 people waiting, yet she has time to log on to the daily journal and even add a post. She hasn't taken a 15 min break in years. When I am working I don't have time to read the paper online, I do that on my breaks! I am not saying that government jobs are easy, nor are other jobs out there. I just found her comment to be funny.

I have been to the SS office for name change stuff. When I was there I also had to take a number. There were many people waiting and I had to wait for over 30 minutes. All of the employees that I could see there were helping someone while I was waiting. I was actually thankful for the number and chairs to sit in. It was better than standing in line for over 30 minutes so I didn't loose my place.

Posted by mimiokems (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 12:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You are all absolutely right...you got me there! This article was actually sent to us in the office from someone who thought it was funny as well. After I read it I took the time to make a response, and now here I am again responding! I want it to be known that I am not upset nor offended. I simply was trying to make a statement that there are people everywhere that seem to have cushy jobs, or don't have good customer service skills.

And for the record, not that it matters, I don't work the front counter so I was not causing anyone to wait unneccesarily-which I agree is not acceptable-by logging on to this site.

Take care everyone, and let's all hope to find a sweet cushy job someday!! :o)

Posted by Apples (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 1:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The employees park in the back. Customers park in the front.

I too have been in there and laughed at the high security. When we were in there they said it was a busy day for them.. four groups of people came in.

We only saw one employee at the window that day. One security guard.

This is a rural area. This is not a bigger city like Fargo where there needs to be a security officer. At least in my own opinion.

Posted by silly272002 (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 1:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You are going to eat those words when someone snaps and something bad happens at the SS office in little, safe, rural Fergus.

The same people would be complaining if the complete opposite of this situation happend. If they had to wait too long, if there wasn't security, etc.

Posted by wwjdt (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 2:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thank you for the good laugh of the day - unbelievable!

Posted by Stonewall (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 3:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Based on your grammer, sentence strucure, and sarcasm, I'm sure you are not quaified for that job anyway. lol

Posted by BaddaBing (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 5:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Stonewall? Maybe you should check your spelling. I'm just saying...

Posted by SunnyD (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 6:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I want a job there! Oh wait, i'm not from the good ole boys club in Fergus..so...guess i'll just keep my fingers crossed and something changes. Fergus is Fergus..always has been, always will be!

Posted by theweasel (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 6:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To Generally Stupid, the so - called personal responsibility system, that you advocate, was what we had before the current social security system, guess what? It did not work! You sound like some leftover right wing hack still bitching about Franklin Roosevelt. When your time comes you will be first in line to get your check and I’m sure you will still be bitching when you cash it. The only way your check will not be there is if you and some other free trade reactionary deregulators give the system away to your “me generation” wall street crooks.

Posted by theweasel (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 7:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I just love it when this “X” generation comes along and blames previous generations for their problems. Lets see, we have taken care of your old age pension for you, eliminated the draft, so you don’t have to serve, made advances in medicine so you can live longer and complain about it longer. Advanced science so as to provide your boney ass with every electronic trinket you can stick in your ear, eliminated child labor so you could cool your heals in front of the television set with your game boy until your parents finally tossed you out on your 26th birthday and made you get a job flipping burgers at minimum wage. And now you are here whining about social security because you think it won’t be there when you finally arrive and all this based on what? Some rumor you heard about on you tube? From some generation “X” sitting in his basement in his jammies blogging in the internet.

Posted by mgdbottled (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 7:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm a member of the baby boomers!! When I was a youngen, I paid social security so my parents could get their check every month. I just considered it an old people tax and a dang good one at that. Now, that I'm approaching retirement age, I fully expect that this so called generation X that expects everything for nothing to pay social security so I can get my check. I also expect their kids to pay their social security so they can get their check, and so on and so on through the generations. That's the way the system was designed. It's just a shame congress decided to use the social security trust funds for operating expenses so no fund really exists today. Oh well, it'll just have to be paid back. Those funds weren't meant for things like the Iraq war. Social security will not go away despite what you hear.

Posted by williamlikens (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 8:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This shouldn't have happened. I would blame the specific employees in question. They obviously were not doing their job, nor motivated to provide good customer service, doing a disservice to the many hard working civil servants who concienciously do their jobs.

Posted by freda (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 8:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I had the same experience there too!

Posted by andtongs (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 8:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Lets hear it for the weasel.

Posted by OhYou (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 10:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I didn't see this letter as being anything more than an observation. And the most obvious thing that I got from this letter is how rudely this person was treated. Forget about all the bells and whistles of the system; she was being blatantly ignored. It's just plain rude and totally unprofessional.

Comparing a CIVIL SERVANT job to that of someone working in RETAIL is just silly and I can't believe you could even make that comparison, mimiokems . That's like comparing Walmart with the Social Security Administration. Is that really how we should look at it?

Personally, I applaud this individual for taking the time to voice her experience. Apparently she's not the only one. We have forgotten the meaning of civil servant and quite possibly the meaning of we the people.

Posted by OhYou (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 10:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"And the longer they talked the more unimportant I began to feel. Feeling unimportant in an important place that your tax dollars are supporting..."

This sentence said it all to me.

Posted by flyguy (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 11:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

As a person who visits the FF SSO on a regular basis due to a disability, I have several questions and comments regarding this letter to the editor.

1. I have never seen D.J. type microphones at the SSO.

2. I also have never heard an intercom system that calls your number.

3. A number rather a name (for privacy).

4. Security Guards are mandated due to things like the court house shooting in Little Falls and 9/11.

5. I feel safe having an armed guard at the door, rather than intimidated or offended.

6. Fergus Falls maybe a small town but looking at the county jail website who knows what can happen in our backyards.

7. I have always had professional and curteous service at the SSO over the years.

8. I agree with many of the comments about our Federal Programs and the butt-kissing that goes on. $$$ wasted.

I've never had a bad experience, a long wait without reason, or a impolite service. I appreciate the people that work at the SSO, and I am sorry this article had to be printed.

Posted by fester (anonymous) on July 30, 2008 at 7:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Sorry, FlyGuy--I have to tell you, I work in a local healthcare facility. I've heard this same story from MANY of our clients. Most of them, being of SS benefit age, are just flabbergasted that it has come to this. And rightly so.

Posted by Generally_Misunderstood (anonymous) on July 30, 2008 at 9:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Theweasel... Far from a right wing nut job, quite moderate actually. You're making some assumptions, and we all know what assuming does... More like know that I control my own destiny and relying on some antiquated system that has been robbed blind to fund the inadequacies of past and present leadership will only result in more failure.

Where do I get my information from that SS won't exist? Pretty much any news source from the last few years has stated the simple fact that there are more baby boomers who will be retiring then there will be their children and grandchildren in the workforce funding it.

Easily Googled facts:

2017 - There will be more paid out then collected.
2027 - To continue to meet monthly obligations the principal of the SS trust fund will need to be tapped.
2031 - All baby boomers now over 65, 3.3 payees per collector goes to 2.1
2041 - The trust fund will be fully exhausted.

And neither side of the aisle has even come close to a solution for this quickly approaching problem because of the election hotbed that it is. The situation isn't completely bleak, but something needs to be done and soon. And I don't have that much faith in the type of leadership our society has cultivated over the past few decades to get this done.

Source #1 - http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB1...

Source #2 -
http://www.ssa.gov/pressoffice/basicfact...

Source #3 -
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/...

How many more sources do you want?

Posted by Generally_Misunderstood (anonymous) on July 30, 2008 at 9:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

<sarcasm>
I guess I'm of the current generation of 30 somethings which are such slackers that a simple fact finding mission to supply facts for my own argument is too overwhelming. </sarcasm>

My momma's basement may be a bit damp, but what rock do you reside under that these facts aren't clearly apparent and easily found on trusted sources? I thought your generation that provided my beefy ass so much and taught me to question everything spoon fed to me wouldn't be so accepting of things. Quite funny how 40 years ago the government couldn't be trusted by your generation, but today they're your savior to be trusted with your security in your golden years. Even Alanis Morissette would find that a bit Ironic. Yes, a pop culture reference.

Please, provide me with facts for your counter argument that everything is fine and I have nothing to worry about. I won't be holding my breath.

As for blaming past generations. Yes, I have and will continue to do so. For the Boomers had the opportunity to truly change this world and they squandered it by becoming exactly what they despised. The 80's yuppie was the 60's hippie. All the revolution you started all went the way of the Dodo as soon as you got the Benjamins rolling in. Funny what money does.

So it gets down to this for me. If you're not saving for your own future, then you get what you deserve for not preparing for it. Harsh, yes, but I was taught that hard work, perseverance and cognitive effort of planning for the future will get you much further then trusting that any government program can have sustained longevity.

I do enjoy a good discussion. Gesh, I am a bit of a verbose bastage huh?

Posted by JOSIE (anonymous) on July 30, 2008 at 10:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I shared a very similar experience at our local Social Security Office. I had a request from one of the agents to drop off some information for her. I entered the office with this information in an envelope and proceeded to the window to present the receptionist with this envelope. I was told in a very unfriendly voice to check in. I tried to explain that I was there only to drop off this envelope for one of the employees, however she would not allow me to speak. I checked in. I happened to be NO. 34. I was the only person in this office. The 2 ladies behind the bullet proof glass proceeded to visit for the next 10 minutes while I set and waited. My number was finally called, and I was able to present my envelope of information to the receptionist. I was than told that I needed to check out and she had to have my Social Security Number to do so. I understand the frustration that Julianne felt. I don't know if this is a commom practice in all government offices, but I do know that anyone operating their business in this manner would not survive if they treated their clients or customers this way. Also if I had employees that treated my clients in that manner they would be looking for a new job.

Posted by theweasel (anonymous) on July 30, 2008 at 1:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If anyone doesn’t like the way they were treated at the local social security office, they could complain to their boss….George Walker Bush…ya that will help. But I guess if you have built your political reputation on saying that government doesn’t work, this is exactly how you would want your employees to act. Then when the right wing introduces a bill to farm out social security to the good old boys on wall street you may agree with them.

Posted by davieboy (anonymous) on July 31, 2008 at 12:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Is that really true? George Walker Bush is to blame for how people are treated at the local Social Security office in Fergus Falls? Darn that guy......he seems to ruin everything. Yesterday I heard he caused the fish not to bite on Swan Lake. What's with him? Does he enjoy making people miserable? Here I thought the reason people were treated poorly in this town by anyone in a Service profession was because most of them are just nasty, rude, self centered people with no personality........you know......Fergus Fallites!!!! Now I find that George Walker Bush is responsible for that and many other things. We haven't had a good rain for a while....yah, I'll bet old George is at the bottom of that too. I wish he'd just stay out of local things. He's caused enough problems nationwide lately. I see he made Californication have an earthquake and Iowa is still ticked at him for the floods he sent. I heard he even made the Twins lose tonight. What an evil man...........he has way too much power. I can't wait for someone else to get elected in what is it.....97 more days or so. They'll fix everything and things will finally get straightened out. We can look forward to friendly people at the SSO, good fishin',rain and all sorts of great things, including a gush of oil on the market to force gas prices down, the stock market will straighten out as will the housing market. All those things that went up with gas prices will come tumbling down along with gas prices because heck,they always do. I mean why would prices stay up when the excuse for raising them no longer exists? Man it's gonna be great when George Walker Bush is gone. I just never knew that one person had that much power & control. It's too bad that the other party couldn't of had at least a little of that power or control over things.....it's just not fair. I'm sure they'll fix things good and proper when they're elected, because all politicians, except George Walker Bush, are honest, caring people with only the best interest of the country at heart. They'd never put their own personal interests ahead of the country. Everything was going so great b/4 that big meanie came along. Well I can't wait for November. Social Security will be saved, Healthcare costs will come down to affordable levels, everyone's taxes will drop like a stone.....Gosh....won't it be great? And of course, pigs will fly, the Vikings will win the super bowl and hell will freeze over too! Guess I'll be taking lots of awesome pictures!!

Posted by killdeer (anonymous) on July 31, 2008 at 12:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I noticed there seems to be very little regard for the privacy of the SS recipient, at the FF office. I was there waiting for a friend, and could have easily written down the name ,address and SS # of the 5 or 6 people I overheard being questioned, while I was there. Identity theft doesn't seem to be a concern in our peaceful local office.

Posted by Jerry (anonymous) on July 31, 2008 at 10:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Well said Davieboy. When Barrack Hessian Obama AKA Robin Hood gets in office, life will be a bowl of cherries. Robin, Nancy Pelosi, and Henry Reid said they want to "steal from the rich and give to the poor" and we shall thrive. Oh that's right, the Democrats have already been in charge of Congress for 2 years!! I'm still wondering how many of the complainers have bothered to qualify, get a education. and apply for one of the Fed jobs. Of course you will have to relocate from your hometown to where the jobs are actually located. If you are not personally preparing for your retirement, I wish you luck!

Posted by BloopTriple (anonymous) on July 31, 2008 at 11:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

2005 called. It wants it story back.

http://www.fergusfallsjournal.com/news/2...

Posted by theweasel (anonymous) on July 31, 2008 at 12:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Way to jump to conclusions davieboy, if you wanted to complain about a rude employee who would you complain to? His boss dufus, the boss of federal employees is G.W. Bush. I did not blame Governor Bush for all that other stuff, you did. But I guess you know your hero better than anyone else.

Posted by theweasel (anonymous) on July 31, 2008 at 12:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

And then we have jerry, who still thinks Obama is a Muslim. There are always 10% that never get the word or don’t get it when they do.

Posted by Generally_Misunderstood (anonymous) on July 31, 2008 at 1:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Theweasel is sure quick to the name calling to those he/she/it is diametrically opposed to, but when a 'slacker' from Generation "X" provides legitimate facts to sustain their own argument the efforts go ignored. Are you really that bitter that you can't have a civil argument and present data to back up your opinion?

Social Security is nothing more then a government sanctioned Ponzi scheme. Forget even privatizing it. Just let me have my money and do what I want with it. I don't believe this form of safety net is necessary combined with subsidized housing. If I don't save for the future it's my own damn fault and I should deal with those consequences. I know that I could achieve a far better return from just a basic money market account on my monthly 'investment' of the FICA deduction then what my annual Social Security Statement says I have earned to this point. So why should I be subject to this form of coercion from my check because others are too inept to save for themselves?

Posted by theweasel (anonymous) on July 31, 2008 at 3:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Your “legitimate” facts are nothing more than opinions, mostly from sources that have an interest in giving the trust fund to Wall Street speculators. Social Security is much more than a pension plan, it is also an insurance plan for those who become disabled and/or the spouse and children of a dead pensioner. Further if you fail to provide for your own retirement in a private system it effects more than yourself but rather the rest of society which must pick up the tab for your failure to plan or save, such as in the old system poor farms that went along with your ideal plan. Like I said before we tried your way before, it didn’t work.

Posted by Generally_Misunderstood (anonymous) on July 31, 2008 at 3:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

They were facts right from the Social Security Administration and the Census Bureau. How does either one of these entities benefit from a privatization in your opinion?

True, Social Security does fund more then a pension plan, but aren't there other programs set up for these individuals to take part in? Why does there need to be such an overlap?

If you die and don't have your own life insurance, why am I responsible to cover your ineptitude? If a business takes the hit from the loss of payment then they are responsible for creating a profit margin and insurances that protect themselves from it. Sure costs will be passed onto the paying consumer, but isn't that how a basic free market system should respond? If can't be competitive in business then need to find a way to be or move out of the market and let others who can do the business. Why is it necessary for some bureaucratic agency who is too slow to adapt to change bail everyone out who got themselves into the mess in the first place?

Posted by TEO812 (anonymous) on July 31, 2008 at 3:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Just an observation. A simple adjustment to Social Security will keep it running in perpetuity. However, it involves either raising payroll taxes a bit, lowering the benefit structure a bit or a combination of both. The actuaries of the world could do this is a second, but no one will step up to the plate and get this done because they will be attacked politically and they are afraid they won't get re-elected. Also, the reports of SSA's deaths, by newspapers trying to keep subscriptions up, is greatly exaggerated. If NO ONE DID ANYTHING, in 2041, Social Security will still be paying 77 cents on the dollar for its retirees without borrowing from the govt. So someone would should get $1000 a month would get $ 770 if we can't get the politicians to step up to the plate. Not the best scenario, but at least it shows how easily the problem could be resolved with some action and backbone.
Social Security is the second best legislation Uncle Sam has come up with. Only the GI Bill after WWII, which created a middle class, had more of a beneficial effect on society.
Worry about Social Security? Not me! I am spending my time fretting about Medicare! THAT IS A REAL PROBLEM!!! Where is my scotch??

Posted by Jerry (anonymous) on July 31, 2008 at 3:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It is amazing when anyone mentions taking control of their own future, and not having the government make all decisions for them, they are afraid of it. I assure you that Wall St and I can do better with my money than can the SSA. If SS is all you have, well that is not my problem. Get an education, work hard, prepare for retirement. Of course getting an education and especially working hard is not a goal for many---government handouts are easier!

Posted by Generally_Misunderstood (anonymous) on July 31, 2008 at 4:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TEO812, Yes having a either side of the aisle stand up and put forth real changes could as you say keep SS running perpetually. But is this the correct course? The simple notion that more people using a system then pay into it can only sustain itself for so long without drastic reductions in benefits provided. How is this a sound fiscal invest for my dollar? When I could clearly take the same dollar amount over the same time frame and drastically increase my end result? Providing for others who didn't plan correctly may provide a warm fuzzy feeling inside, but at the detriment to my own survival is not an activity I wish to acquiesce to!

The Medicare nightmare is whole other issue that only seems to illustrate to me that government is incapable of sustaining any sort of security program with any sort of longevity.

Jerry, you mean that people are capable of rising up and moving beyond whatever circumstances life has presented them with a bit of hard work and determination? That your own decisions and actions affect how life will be? That they themselves control their destiny and blaming where they came from or what they've been through is nothing more then a crutch to rest their banal laurels upon? No, that's just not a Kosher thing to be saying publicly. It's just not politically correct to hold people accountable for their own actions or inactions. People need an escape goat to make their own ineptitude a little bit more palatable. Why should I be penalized in the form of a tax because someone else sucks at life and is unwilling to rise up and take care of themselves? Is this an oversimplification, sure it is. But I don't see a system that relies on the future promises of others to exist today being a sound fiscal investment.

I am throughly enjoying this sort of debate. I hope others are as well. I don't pretend to have all the answers, more questions then not. But if we don't start asking the hard questions and expecting real answers all the while holding our leaders accountable, then we are only destined to continue down this road to our own demise.

Posted by theweasel (anonymous) on July 31, 2008 at 6:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yes G.M., you are not your brothers keeper, you owe society nothing, you can do everything better yourself. Why should you care if some widow and her children can’t make it. If she weren’t so lazy and poorly educated she would not have allowed her husband an early death. There is always the poor farm for her and the work house for the kids. Perhaps a few years of eighteen hour days will teach those lazy brats to get a usable degree and a 401k so you don’t have to contribute to society. If I knew who you were I would send you a copy of “A Christmas Carol” but I know you would want to buy it for yourself. (and then resell it at a profit)

Posted by OhYou (anonymous) on July 31, 2008 at 6:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"Why should I be penalized in the form of a tax because someone else sucks at life and is unwilling to rise up and take care of themselves?"

This is really an unfair statement. Not all suck at life and are unwilling to rise up and take care of themselves. Maybe they don't suck at life, and have risen up and taken care of themselves. Then something catastrophic happens, something beyond their control. Something debilitating happens and before they know it every cent of their savings is gone. Nevermind that they've busted their ass all their life, paying their own way, paying their taxes, and expecting no free hand-outs. Maybe they have pride. And then, wham, the rug is pulled out from under their work boots. Where's the common wheel then?

Some of you sound like you are the only ones who work around here. Some of you act like you're carrying everyone else on your shoulders. That's unrealistic and more than a little conceited. We're all in this boat. Just remember...in the blink of an eye, your whole world could come crashing down. Not everyone screws the system. Not everyone sucks at life. And not everyone is unwilling to rise up and take care of themselves. Maybe they just can't anymore.

Posted by MyFurryFriend56537 (anonymous) on July 31, 2008 at 11:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tsy86h:
There is no irony in mimiokems comment: she is in CA, and CA is 2 hours behind us. She didn't write her comment @ 0857 her time, and she probably didn't do it during her downtime from helping folks with their Social Security. Unless, of course, the Social Security offices in CA open at 6 AM.

Posted by Generally_Misunderstood (anonymous) on August 1, 2008 at 1:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Let me preface this with the knowledge that my previous posts have a very judgmental and harsh tone. I will not deny that. But my point is that life is fragile and can be changed quicker then the clichéd blink of an eye and we all need to prepare ourselves for the possibilities that it can happen to us. Not to just wait for the knight in shining armor to come rescue us whenever trouble comes knocking. Also, the "sucks at life" was a bit on the baiting side of things to see what could be stirred up. All in good fun.

Theweasel, I do owe society all that I can offer. To work hard, offer my neighbor assistance as I can whenever and however without the need to be asked by them or be forced to through some extraneous do gooder tax that once had good intentions. I do my best to live by the golden rule, nothing more nothing less. As for the widow with kids you speak of, is it wrong to question their priorities for not having some form of life insurance to pay for the "what if's" in life that can arise from the completely unexpected? I guess that's what I thought the definition of insurance was. But I could be wrong since the mustiness of momma's basement might be playing havoc with my young naive brain. (yes that's sarcasm) Is this not a direct consequence of their own inaction or forethought on the 'what if's' of life? Would I be willing to help, of course, but just throwing money at their problems won't necessarily solve any for them. I do not horde money, actually I live paycheck to paycheck. The end of the month does get tight, but I do know that I have at least used a small portion of it to make sure I won't lose everything because of my own inaction. Sure I can't prepare for every possible circumstance that could befall me, but I have at least put a forth a cognizant effort to protect those around me in my absence.

As for the Dicken's classic "A Christmas Carol" you wish to send me. I have actually been quite blessed with the gift as a child to see the Guthrie's production on multiple occasions. The lessons from it left quite the impact. That a man in an ivory tower clinging to the tangibles in life loves no one and is not loved in return. But when granted the gift of insight that life is more about the intangibles then the material goods one surrounds themselves with, the gift of love can be achieved. Interesting that you would ask this of me. Since I would give up all the tangible things I've earned up to this point in life for just one more day with the man that helped meld me into the man I am today, my dad. For all I questioned was where is the personal responsibility in ensuring one's own future and how their own money could be better spent. Was it so wrong to question a system that is clearly set to fail without prompt action from our increasingly inadequate leadership?

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I hope I've at least clarified my position a bit.

Posted by tsy86h (anonymous) on August 1, 2008 at 1:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Fury friend-
go back and read again, she was the one saying that it was 8:57 (her time it shows the time she posted our time to be 11:10). If you would have read that before you commented you would have seen that she was saying there were customers currently there. She also posted again and admitted that she was at work, and explained herself a bit more.

Posted by davieboy (anonymous) on August 2, 2008 at 8:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The Weasel.....I was just kidding around in a sarcastic manner. On the other hand, when it comes to politicians, I have no hero. Too many from both parties have let our nation down and sold it down the river. You talk about jumping to conclusions...and what's with the name calling? I didn't call you any names. I'm not your enemy. I respect your opinion. However, you seem to lack a certain degree of tolerance for those whose opinions differ from your own. Everyone has a right to their opinion, even if it's wrong. That's the great thing about this country.
Further down you said: "Like I said before we tried your way before, it didn’t work."
The failure belongs to both parties.....they've both had ample opportunities over the ages to fix this thing. The real problem is that most of them aren't interested in working together anymore, and that's what it's going to take if our nation is going to survive. I understand your point, but it's no one persons or one parties fault. They both need to work together to fix it.
And for the record....I'm not a dufus. A dilweed maybe, but definitely not a dufus. That really hurt!

Posted by Josephine (anonymous) on August 3, 2008 at 2:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

My parents visit the local SSO in FF and have never had the treatment stated in the letter to the editor. More like "flyboys" visit: kind, curtious--etc. (this article sounds like something from a bad dream from eating something wrong before going to bed)

Posted by 20yrs_old (anonymous) on August 15, 2008 at 2:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Just 3 little points I would like to make:
1) Social Security is a pyramid scheme, pyramid schemes are illegal

2)Charities are set up to take care of the sick and poor, if we didn't pay so much in taxes, I bet that charities would get more donations.

3)As for a Politician that is a hero, Bobby Jindal