The Privatization of Social Security Essay -- Social Security Privacy

The Privatization of Social Security Many people don’t understand how the Social Security system really works. There are no separate Social Security "accounts" set up for each taxpayer to which he contributes his Social Security "tax" each year. Many people believe these accounts exist, that the money they pay into their accounts grows each year until retirement, and when they retire they get back what they paid in with interest. This is not true. Most people are unaware of the fact that our current Social Security system is a "pay-as-you-go" program, which means that the revenue the federal government raises each tax year for Social Security benefits is paid out that same year to beneficiaries. Many economists believe that our Social Security system is in need of a major overhaul if today's workers are to receive future benefits. Thomas R. Saving, Director of the Private Enterprise Research Center at Texas A&M University says, "What is wrong is that the Social Security system was never set up to be a sound investment-based retirement system." Karl Borden, professor of financial economics at the University of Nebraska recently wrote, "Social Security is an unfunded pay-as-you-go system, fundamentally flawed and analogous in design to illegal pyramid schemes. Government accounting creates the illusion of a trust fund, but, in fact, excess receipts are spent immediately." Robert M. Ball, former commissioner of Social Security said, "Some of the trust fund money should be put into the stock market. I want to do it to get a better return for the Social Security system. Historically, long-term government bonds have had a real return, after inflation, of 2.3 percent a year, compared with 6.3 percent for stocks." Paul W. Boltz, economist for the T. Rowe Price mutual fund said, "When we examine the pending financial crisis of our Social Security system, we find, in effect, the characteristics of a government sponsored Ponzi-type scheme." Michael H. Cosgrove, of the Dallas-based newsletter, The Econoclast says, "People need to take the responsibility of investing their own funds for their retirement. The Social Security system assumes people can't make that decision and government can do it better. The result is a bankrupt Social Security System." These economists believe that by investing ... ...oss would have to be made up either by hiking taxes, increasing borrowing or drastically cutting benefits to current retirees. The present Social Security system faces a long-term shortfall of between 1 percent and 4 percent of total payroll, depending on your projections of future economic growth. But the existing pay-as-you-go system could be rendered solvent by a judicious combination of increasing the retirement age by two or three years and slightly raising taxes. Also there is the question of whether to privatize the whole system, or whether to add a second tier. We might keep the basic system but supplement it with self-directed IRA-like funds. The basic tier would be redistributive and pay-as-you-go. The supplementary layer would be private and based on individual contributions. A further question is who bears the risk when investments go sour. There is no such risk under the current system. The stock market looks like a great retirement vehicle in the 1990’s, but it wasn't so reliable in the 1970s and 1930s. The program was deliberately designed as a social guarantee of retirement income, not a system of government-mandated private savings.

Two Found American Writers

Anne Bradstreet and Edward Taylor were two deeply religious American writers of different backgrounds. They wrote with devotion to their Christian faith. These two Puritans showed dedication to their families and to their writing. An analysis of Anne Bradstreet and Edward Taylor’s poetry revealed two noticeable differences: the audience and their views of death. Bradstreet and Taylor wrote with the same purpose. Both accepted God’s will even if it was not to their advantage. They praised God through sickness and in health. In â€Å"To My Dear Children† Bradstreet writes, â€Å"Not to set forth myself, but the glory of God† (235). She wants everyone to know that she is a good writer but that she writes to glorify God. In the same poem she writes how even through illness she, â€Å"communed with my heart and made my supplications to the most High who set me free from affliction† (235). She makes it clear that she did not blame God for her illness but continued to praise him through her affliction. Bradstreet was often sick through her lifetime and probably through child birth. In â€Å"To My Dear and Loving Husband† she praises the heavens for her husband, â€Å"The heavens reward thee manifold† (226). She was thankful for everything God had given to her, especially for the love of her husband. Unlike Bradstreet, Taylor did not suffer from illness, but a few of his children died at infancy. He praised God for taking his children from the suffering they were experiencing. In â€Å"Upon Wedlock, and Death of Children,† Taylor wrote â€Å"In Prayer to Christ perfumed it did ascend† (303). He was not angry that his children had died and accepted it as God’s will. He wrote as personal worship. These two writers wrote to preserve the teachings of God but their audiences were different. Bradstreet wrote to her family and children, reaching out to them through her writings. She wanted her children to learn from her mistakes and to be grateful to God just as she was. In â€Å"Contemplations† she write how thankful she is for God’s creations, â€Å"Admired, adored for ever, be that Majesty† (216). In â€Å"Before the Birth of One of Her Children† Bradstreet writes, â€Å"No ties so strong, no friends so dear and sweet,† making it known to her children that they should be good to God and not worry about pleasing other people but themselves. Through her writing she writes to teach her children her own Christian faith and beliefs to guide them through their own personal developments. She empathizes the importance of understand the importance of doing God’s will. Edward’s writes to prepare himself for meditation. He writes for his own benefit and to better understand his purpose in life in the way it will please God. Taylor sees himself as an instrument of God. In â€Å"Upon a Wasp chilled with Cold† Taylor compares himself with a wasp saying, â€Å"Lord, clear my misted sight that I May hence view Thy Divinity† (305). In other words, Taylor asked that God clear his sight so that he can do God’s will. Taylor writes for his own benefit so that he can build a closer relationship with God. Bradstreet and Edward had different views when it came to the way they perceived death through their writings. When Bradstreet wrote about death it was about separation and it caused her a great deal of sorrow. Through her writing she tries to prepare her family for death. In â€Å"Contemplation† she writes about time being the enemy on earth and that, â€Å"Here’s neither honor, wealth, nor safety; Only above is found all with security† (222). In â€Å"Before the Birth of One of Her Children† she writes that death is part of life, â€Å"irrevocable† (225). Further she tells her unborn children to remember her and to protect her other children from a stepmother if she is to die. In â€Å"To My Dear Children† Bradstreet writes, â€Å"if I perish, I perish: but I know all the Powers of Hell shall never prevail against it† (238). Bradstreet prepares herself for death, she is not afraid, but wants to prepare her children for when the time comes. Taylor’s purpose is to build a closer bond with God. He wants to reach out to God and create a unity worthy of him. He doesn’t write to ask that his family follow his footsteps, but he writes to God directly. In â€Å"The Soul’s Groan to Christ for Succor† written by Taylor is a good example of him writing to God to forgive his soul because he has been inclined to sin. He writes to God to let him know that the dog or sin is causing him to, â€Å"from Thy Pasture stray† (299). He wants God to help him keep the sin away so that he can find Grace, preparing for the afterlife. In â€Å"upon Wedlock, and Death of Children† when Taylor loses one of his children he says, â€Å"At that unlooked for, dolesome, darksome hour. In Prayer to Christ. † Taylor knows that during a time of mourning most people would be angry, but he is not and instead he prays. Taylor takes the negativity of death and use is it to reach peace within him by praying to Christ. He saw death as a necessity to the order of life. Bradstreet and Taylor both show love for their spouses and families. They were truly devoted Puritans who through their writing expressed differently their righteousness and sovereignty of God. Although, both choose different audiences and had different views of death they had a common purpose to accept God’s will through any difficulties in their lives and praise God always through sickness and in health.

Essay on Platos Ideas of an Inefficient Democracy

Platos Ideas of an Inefficient Democracy Platos Republic describes precisely how he feels about society and what the true meaning of justice is within that society. Plato feels that a city can only function if each of pieces does its part and nothing else. He also thinks that a perfect society should run on a distinct social scale. This scale descends in the order from the philosopher kings to the guardians to the craftspeople. His ideal society would be run in the form of an aristocracy where the philosopher kings use the guardians to ultimately rule the lowly craftspeople. He deems that justice fits nicely into an aristocratic community. Plato does not believe, however, that a democratic society is beneficial or even has the†¦show more content†¦He comments on how lovely a democracy appears to be, just like a coat with many multicolored ornaments that fascinates women and children (Republic 228). In doing so he not only takes a cynical stance toward democracy, but he also ridicules the position of women wit hin a society. According to Plato, the average person lacks the knowledge and mastery of emotions necessary to make informed and rational decisions about various government laws and practices. He thinks that the general public is driven by its own self-interest in the world and therefore cannot act in a politically smart manner. Plato infers that letting these people, who are guided by emotion and ignorant to procedures of the government, run the State or democracy is a bad idea altogether. He decides that only the philosopher kings, whose main goal is to help maintain good for the entire community, should be allowed to rule a government. And he goes on to imply that the rulers need not be tempted by living simply to improve their own lives, rather they continue working to benefit everyone. Platos idea of democracy stated in the Republic sounds ideal in theory. If a society could function in this manner normally, it would be a utopian society basically. The only problem is tha t history has proven that societies based on this method and these procedures have generally failed. In ancient city-states, such as Athens, the democratic style of government proved to beShow MoreRelatedThe, Democracy, And Leadership1486 Words   |  6 Pagesassociate democracy and leadership as an antidote to conflict and corruption. This may also be the case since Greek culture illustrates that the polis was the final form of political association during the time when Aristotle was setting out his ideas. But even if this was the case, there is still much about politics we can learn. 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Using the Plays “Much Ado About Nothing” and “the Rover”,...

Using the plays â€Å"Much Ado About Nothing† and â€Å"The Rover†, discuss and compare each play’s treatment of women. The Renaissance comedy, ‘Much Ado About Nothing’, written by Shakespeare in 1600 during the Elizabethan era, addresses male inconstancy and female persecution; how women are controlled by the prevailing patriarchal system. Hero, the conventional heroine, is a ‘shrinking violet’, who suffers character assassination through male actions. ‘The Rover’, written in 1677 for the Restoration society of Charles II where men were hedonistic, uncommitted and brimming with bravado, also explores gender conflicts. However playwright, Aphra Behn, in this Restoration comedy, critically comments on male attitudes, and - through female rebellion†¦show more content†¦Hypocritically he assumes the role of victim, accusing her of leaving a â€Å"cob-web door to catch flies†. However Behn offers the audience a scintilla of justification from this attempted rape, Wilmore blaming the â€Å"cursed sack† he has drunken which might excuse him from the Restoration crowd, if not later audiences. Worse is to come in 4/2 when the masked Florinda hides in Blunt’s lodgings from her brother. While Wilmore is afforded drunken stupor as an excuse, Blunt’s actions are motivated by misogynistic revenge. Blunt’s hatred for Lucetta the prostitute turns Florinda into an opportunity to â€Å"wreak his righteous revenge on womankind†. Frederick’s involvement also implicates the cavaliers’ behaviour as he joins Blunt. Even Belvile’s honourable status is doubted, Frederick referring to him as â€Å"a cormorant at whore and bacon†. It is unsurprising that 18th century productions censored Blunt’s most vicious imagery to protect public tastes. The atmosphere becomes graver still as Florinda’s brother ironically wins the ‘lottery’ using the length of their swords; an explicit phallic connotation, to take Florinda first. Even the Restoration audience recognises Behn challenging male hypocrisies, by creating a situation where the patriarchal protector himself is responsible for the loss of female virtue. The swiftness with which Florinda accepts their apologies â€Å"I heartily forgive you all† provides the males, especially Blunt, with undeserving

Jane Eyre s Cold And Fiery Motif Essay - 1160 Words

Jane Eyre’s frigid and fiery motif The definition for a motif is essentially an important idea or subject that is repeated throughout a book (Merriam-Webster). A motif of fire and ice was present in this novel through a binary of love and hate. In Jane Eyre, written by Charlotte Bronte, binaries were created using different elements within the novel, symbolism, imagery, etc. While profoundly reading Jane Eyre, I tracked the image/motif of fire and ice. The fire and ice are used throughout the story to thoroughly develop a binary between love and hate. Fire was seen as warm, passionate and loving while ice seemed to be sharp, destructive, and bitter. Each element is associated with specific characters to show this contrast. For example, obviously Jane is represented with fire and Mrs. Reed is associated with ice. Even though fire is more destructive then ice, it serves a positive role in the book. Opposite to fire, ice serves a negative role in the novel. Fire is a symbol of emotion in the novel and is involved in deep moments of love and hate. There were various examples of ‘fire’ that develop love and hate in the story. The two most important ‘fires’ in the novel are literal and both committed by Bertha Mason. The first act of arson occurs in Volume 1, Chapter 15 when Bertha sets Rochester’s clothes on fire. â€Å"Something creaked: it was a door ajar, and that door was Mr. Rochester’s, and the smoke rushed in a cloud from thence† (148). Out of love, Jane doused her crush in

The Heart and Christian Bernard free essay sample

The Heart and Christian Barnard Christian Barnard, the man who performed the first human heart transplant. Christian Barnard was born in Beaufort West, South Africa on November 8, 1922. He was the fourth of five sons. His father was Adam Hedrick Barnard who was a reverend in the Dutch reformed church, he preached to a non-white congregation. His mother was Maria Elisabeth Deswart Barnard who had been a school teacher before marriage. Both parents were also Afrikaner missionaries. Christian Barnard grew up in a poor environment in Beaufort West, a town on South Africa’s semi-arid Great Karroo plateau. Christian Barnard attended a local high school he went on and received an M. D. degree from the University of Cape Town in 1953. He received a Ph. D degree from the University of Minnesota in 1958. He returned to the University of Cape Town in 1958 to teach surgery. He specialized in open-heart surgery and in designing artificial heart valves. We will write a custom essay sample on The Heart and Christian Bernard or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The first human heart transplant was performed on December 3, 1967, transferring the heart of a 25 year old woman into the body of Louis Waskansky , a 55 year old grocer. He died 18 days later due to double pneumonia as a result of his suppressed immune system. The second transplant was on January 2, 1968 which was for Philip Blaiberg, who lived for 563 days after the operation. Christian Barnard spent the beginning of his adult life in the United States where he gained recognition for research in gastrointestinal pathology and later went back to South Africa and introduced open-heart surgery to that country and designed artificial valves for the human heart. Christian Barnard made a huge impact and contribution to healthcare when he attempted and accomplished the worlds first human heart transplant which was a huge success in the medical field. His accomplishment led to further investigation in heart transplants and which now is a normal surgery that is performed all around the world today. Christian Barnard had been bothered by rheumatoid arthritis since he was young, and advancing stiffness in his hands forced his retirement from surgery in 1983. He took up writing, however, and wrote a cardiology text, an autobiography, and several novels, including a thriller about organ transplants. He passed away on September 2, 2001. Christian Barnard has made a huge impact on healthcare and the study of medicine. Christian Barnard is a hero to me because he was brave enough to take a chance and put his reputation on the line to make a difference. Christian Barnard’s contribution to health care has changed the years to come in medicine and his contribution will always be remembered.

The 20S Essays - Conservatism In The United States, Fashion

The 20'S Jazz clubs and bobbed hair, isolation and revolution, all of these were things that, in one way or another, made the 1920s roar. The twenties were a time of economic and social growth for many Americans, but it was also a time of great hardship for many. The 1920s were fascinating in the way that there were so many changes occurring in society. It is still difficult to decide though as to whether or not the 1920s were a time of rebellion or a time of conservatism. During the 1920s there were trends of both conservatism as well as rebellion occurring simultaneously. Many women from the middle to upper class were beginning to change their appearances and attitudes. Many of these women could be deemed rebels simply because of the way they began dressing. These women were wearing shorter skirts, cutting their hair short and even wearing mens pants. These new trends were seen as horrid and indecent. Women were also beginning to wear make up, which only a few years earlier was only worn by prostitutes. This was not the only way that women were breaking the mold though, women were now entering new fields in the work force. Women were now doing jobs that many people had felt women could not do. Not everything in the twenties was about pushing the envelope though. There was also a trend now where a woman was expected to keep up both her appearance as well as her home. Parents were now supposed to show more affection for their children and spouses as we ll. These are more conservative trends that were very prevalent throughout the 1920s. The economy played a huge role in all of the trends that occurred in the 1920s. People who were in the middle to upper classes were doing very well. The economy was doing well and many people becoming rich off of the stock market. When the economy rises people begin to worry more about fashion and appearance because they can afford to. This is what was happening during the twenties, people were doing well and were showing themselves off a bit. A major factor that contributed to the huge success of people in the urban areas of the country was due to the governments generally conservative nature during the 1920s. The governments main focus during this time was on US industry. With the tariff acts of 1922 and 1930 the doors were swung shut on any foreign competition for US business. This gave all of the domestic market to US industry. This was the major factor in giving US business its huge boost. This is also the indirect cause for all of the social changes that were occurring in the middle to upper classes. These government policies are also the cause for why farmers in rural parts of the country were doing horrible. When WWI was going on farmers were doing better than ever due the new demand from foreign markets, but when we put up the large tariffs so did other countries which cut off all foreign market for the farmers. So during the 1920s while everyone else was prospering farmers were struggling. The 1920s were a time of great change in the US. The twenties effect us to this very day in the way we run business, the way our government runs our country, and it has even affected the way we dress. There is no way though to say that the 1920s were simply a time of rebellion or a time of conservatism. It could be said though that the mix of rebellion and conservatism has helped shape our country and will continue to do so in the future. History