What is Digg?423 Comments
- itsradBrad, on 07/21/2008, -84/+375He is old and he receives SS benefits. Where's the story?
Oh, he said the SS system is broken... wait, we've know that for years.
Yeah, no story here people move along. - eeg3, on 07/21/2008, -20/+172People that pay into a system shouldn't get what they paid for? Interesting.
- Charlotte_Web, on 07/21/2008, -12/+151McCain spent his whole life paying into the system, why shouldn't he get his money?
- 3tcp, on 07/21/2008, -12/+113It's unreasonable to expect anyone to turn down free money from the government when it's offered to them. McCain isn't robbing the system either. He had to pay FICA taxes just like everyone else does and he's won't get back as much as he paid in (unless he lives until he's 90-something).
Besides, do you really think the government would be able to spend it more responsibly? They'd spend all $23k to buy three chairs and a table. Take the money and give it to some charity or a university that can do far more with it than the government can. - smartguy4932, on 07/21/2008, -11/+100These stories are kind of getting ridiculous.
- sphoony, on 07/21/2008, -11/+84Oh please! Who here would turn down money, especially when it comes from a system that they've been contributing to all of their lives. I know I want my money back when I turn 65 or 72 or whatever age it is now.
Any yes, I know that the money that he gets now is money that we are putting into the system. But unfortunately for him, his money has already been sent to some other old fart years ago. - DanielQ, on 07/21/2008, -13/+84Why shouldn't he get his check? he paid into the system. Regardless of how wealthy he is, he still contributed so he should get his share.
- flink405, on 07/21/2008, -10/+74Democrat Senator Ted Kennedy receives Social Security.
Democrat Senator Harry Reid receives Social Security.
Democrat Senator Dianne Feinstein receives Social Security.
Democrat Senator Robert Byrd receives Social Security.
Democrat Senator Herbert H. Kohl receives Social Security.
Former Democrat Senator John V. Tunney receives Social Security.
Former Democrat Senator Mike Gravel receives Social Security.
Former Democrat Senator Mike Gravel receives Social Security.
Former Democrat Senator Gary Hart receives Social Security.
Former Democrat Senator Max Cleland receives Social Security.
Former Democrat Senator Zell Miller receives Social Security.
Former Democrat Senator Birch Bayh receives Social Security.
Former Democrat Senator Paul Sarbanes receives Social Security.
Former Democrat Senator John Glenn receives Social Security.
Former Democrat Senator Sam Nunn receives Social Security.
And the list could go on and on and on.
Democrat President Jimmy Carter receives Social Security. - inactive, on 07/21/2008, -16/+65Socialist Digg Nation is upset because a man who probably paid more than anyone on the board into Social Security is getting a pittance out of it.
Commie *****. I hate Social Security. If they said I could get out of the system now, but I'd get no benefits from anything I've put in, I'd be out in a heartbeat.
And Comrade Obama wants to raise the Social Security tax cap. OOOF. - DanielQ, on 07/21/2008, -2/+50The social security system is broken. If not broken, it's breaking. With time it will only get worse.
- megaton, on 07/21/2008, -71/+115Wait, what's that? The Presidential candidate needs Social Security? Even after his $40.4M net worth? Nothing wrong with that picture...
- fuhcough, on 07/21/2008, -8/+52First of all, if I am worth $40M in 30 years, I'll still very much expect to draw some SS because I'll have spend 47 years of my life paying into it. That's how the system works... you pay in so that you can collect the payout later.
Don't get me wrong - the last thing I am is a McCain supporter. But you guys are going a tad too far.
Next thing you know you'll be bitching because he doesn't spend all his interest income and dividends on feeding puppies.
I will agree that the system is broken though, if McCain is pulling almost $2K a month when I saw a very old Vet sitting outside Camden Yards yesterday begging for handouts. - DaDrake, on 07/21/2008, -1/+42Social Security isn't a system based on "need".... and it certainly isn't a welfare system. Social Security is like your parent mandating you put 10% of your allowance into the bank ... it IS your money... you DID earn it..... you are ENTITLED to it when you retire.
The system is flawed and so far, administration after administration has ignored it. But that doesn't change the fact that he is entitled to the money he unwilling placed in there. Just because you are rich doesn't mean you are required to be a philanthropist. Furthermore, even if the top 10% didn't cash out their checks, the system is still set for failure. - inactive, on 07/21/2008, -7/+48In 2007, the Arizona senator reported $405,409 in total income and contributed $105,467, or 26 percent of his total income, to charity.
In 2006, Mr. McCain said he had $358,414 in total income and donated $64,695, or 18 percent of his total income, to charity.
So can You STOP bitching about this SS check now??!!!! - Oatlord, on 07/21/2008, -7/+47He paid into the system his whole life, just like everyone else, so I see no problem with him or anyone else getting their money back out of it. This is a non-story. The system is broken not because it doesn't pay out to people who are retired, but because soon it will be unable to afford to pay out to people who are retired. There aren't enough people paying in to pay for the people taking out.
- vexingmodstwo, on 07/21/2008, -14/+52I guarantee you he's put more into Social Security than he's getting out of it... so STFU.
And I'll fault McCain as soon as I see some very rich Democrats who believe that the rich should pay more taxes voluntarily pay more than their alloted tax bracket. - zooplibob, on 07/21/2008, -7/+40You realize that its HIS money he's collected? Over his lifetime he's paid MUCH MORE than he's ever going to college to the Social Security office. Now you're telling him to throw it all away because he thinks the system sucks?
You seem to think that the SS money is a government handout that he should be noble to refuse. Its his moeny, and he has every right to reclaim as much as he can. - Carl306, on 07/21/2008, -0/+32I'm definitely not some McCain troll, but I can't agree with this. EVERY person who contributes to Social Security has a right to collect on it once they reach the proper age. Granted he may not need it given his net worth, but he is still entitled. I would hope he at least donates that money or puts it to use in some form of charity.
- theutopian, on 07/21/2008, -0/+31Social Security is not free money. He's paid into the Social Security system his whole life and as a result he (and every other American who has paid) is entitled to receive the benefit.
- chukd, on 07/21/2008, -2/+32He also receives a military retirement check. Does he deserve that too?
You people need to get a grip on reality. It is money he paid into the system. He has every right to that money. - 3tcp, on 07/21/2008, -14/+43The fact that someone believes a system is in need of reform doesn't mean that they're a hypocrite if still use what they believe to be a broken system.
If you don't like corporate welfare you have to grow all of your own food, spin your own thread, make your own clothes, make your own shoes, etc.... otherwise you're a hypocrite.
If you advocate campaign finance reform, you're a hypocrite if you vote.
If you don't like FISA you must cancel your internet and telephone, otherwise you're a hypocrite.
When your argument is applied to things it is laughable. Utilizing a system that you believe to be broken doesn't make you a hypocrite.
Social security can't be reformed after people have payed into it anyway. McCain already purchased his SS plan when he was younger, the transaction is complete and its terms cannot be altered after the fact. If he wants to reform the system for younger people who will be screwed by it when fica taxes cannot pay all of the ss payouts, that has nothing to do with his own situation.
Also... that "socialist health for elected officials" would be more accurately described as "employer provided health care". Would you deny them their job benefits that they earned by working because they're affiliated with a party that doesn't want the government to purchase these benefits to people who aren't employees? - zooplibob, on 07/21/2008, -6/+32Its his own money he paid in over his lifetime! He has every right to reclaim it all and do what he pleases with it.
- wacki, on 07/21/2008, -3/+29In 2006 McCain donated 19% of his gross adjusted income to charity, In 2007 he donated 27.2%.
http://www.johnmccain.com/mccainfinancial/
Clearly he donates more money to charity than he gets from social security. Whether this is too little or not enough is up for debate. It would be interesting to compare McCain's donation rate to others in his position and see how he compares. - NickHodges, on 07/21/2008, -4/+29Exactly -- of course he should get his Social Security --- after all, it's /his/ account and /his/ money he put in all those years.
- Flappity, on 07/21/2008, -2/+26Does Mike Gravel receive it twice?
- stevetrojanman, on 07/21/2008, -3/+26@TheUngod
You are a dunce. He spent 35+ years of his life having the government take a portion of every one of his paychecks to fund social security and now he's not allowed to take some of it back?
I assume that since you think the social security system is broken you won't be taking any money from it (assuming it's still around) when you retire too. And because of that, I'm assuming you're for privatized social security. More conservative than you thought, eh?
/sarcasm - trispear, on 07/21/2008, -7/+30People like him? Old people? He paid into it just like everyone else his entire life. He can do whatever he pleases with it.
- michaelpinto, on 07/21/2008, -6/+28I say this to you as Democrat: Social Security is your money not charity, so if McCain put in he deserves to be able to take out. But it is hypocritical of him to claim that the system is broken and not to set an example. Sadly I bet he doesn't even notice the $23k either way...
- norman619, on 07/21/2008, -0/+21It's not "free" money. It's your own money. Look at your paycheck stub if you don't beleive me.
- cg4et, on 07/21/2008, -28/+48This makes me wonder why people don't give more serious consideration to means testing social security so that people who have millions of dollars in the bank aren't allowed to draw out of the social security trust fund.
- drmangrum, on 07/21/2008, -2/+22OK, I don't like McCain either, but this is just stupid. He paid into the system. He's of age to collect his benefits. What's the problem? Social security isn't just for the poor. The rich collecting a relative pittance is hardly the issue ( and 1900 a month is a pittance ). It's the fact that the poor are collecting only 1900 a month and can barely survive. McCain also collects military benefits ( half base pay for the rest of his life, free health care via the VA, etc ), people want to bash him for that as well.
I'm all for giving people a hand up, but bashing those that actually EARNED their benefits is getting damn close to communism. That's all "redistribution" of wealth is. Hate the man for his lack economic knowledge. Hate him for his foreign policy. However, don't hate him because he actually lived his life in an intelligent manner. - TheOther1, on 07/21/2008, -0/+19Ted "The Drunken Murderer" Kennedy collects and his family has a ***** of cash from bootlegging during prohibition. What's your point?
- norman619, on 07/21/2008, -5/+23You don't understand logic all that well. Do you even know what SS is? We all pay into in so that when we hit the magic age we get that money back. McCain is old enough and is only getting back the money he paid into it when he worked. SS is not free money but you seem to think it is.
- flink405, on 07/21/2008, -5/+23Should we also name Democrats?
Democrat Senator Ted Kennedy receives Social Security.
Democrat Senator Harry Reid receives Social Security.
Democrat Senator Dianne Feinstein receives Social Security.
Democrat Senator Robert Byrd receives Social Security.
Democrat Senator Herbert H. Kohl receives Social Security.
Former Democrat Senator John V. Tunney receives Social Security.
Former Democrat Senator Mike Gravel receives Social Security.
Former Democrat Senator Mike Gravel receives Social Security.
Former Democrat Senator Gary Hart receives Social Security.
Former Democrat Senator Max Cleland receives Social Security.
Former Democrat Senator Zell Miller receives Social Security.
Former Democrat Senator Birch Bayh receives Social Security.
Former Democrat Senator Paul Sarbanes receives Social Security.
Former Democrat Senator John Glenn receives Social Security.
Former Democrat Senator Sam Nunn receives Social Security.
And the list could go on and on and on.
Democrat President Jimmy Carter receives Social Security.
And I am sure Hillary & Bill Clinton and Barack Obama will also receive a monthly Social Security check when they reach the proper age. - Ruqsaq, on 07/21/2008, -4/+22its a horrible broken system because had mccain taken the same money "forced" from his paycheck by the government and invested it conservative mutual funds he'd be making 6k a month. u
- norman619, on 07/21/2008, -2/+20TheUngod:
Your ignroance qualifies as a natural wonder. - Chairboy, on 07/21/2008, -4/+21For all the folks saying he shouldn't receive any of the funds he's _paid into his entire life_, let me ask you a question. Since your arguments collectively seem based on the idea that because he's well off, he doesn't deserve anything, how would you like that finger pointed back at you?
You have a computer and shelter, you posted here. If someone walked up to you and said "This homeless person has neither, so give them half of the money in your wallet. Also, give them your television. You have a PC, why not just use a TV card if you want to watch television? Oh, and that rebate check you just got from Best Buy? Yeah, he's not as well off as you are, so go ahead and sign that over too. kthxbai"
Of course, I know, it's different for some reason. For some undefined reason. - twoboxen, on 07/21/2008, -4/+20Politicians developed the program... i'm sure they did so with themselves in mind first and foremost.
- inactive, on 07/21/2008, -7/+22I guarantee you he's put more into Social Security than he's getting out of it... so STFU.
- mediaspree, on 07/21/2008, -1/+16Wow, I could not agree with you less. Reward those who didn't work hard and earn a decent living? Who didn't save anything? And its funded through garnishing MY paycheck every week?! I'd really like to know what you would consider to be x.
- justjoehere, on 07/21/2008, -7/+21The only solution is to kill Social Security, kill Welfare, ADC, WIC, and all other forms of government entitlement programs. Who cares if people die due to starvation or lack of health care, it just means there will be less demand on the government for services. Besides, since when is it the government's responsibility to take care of able bodied citizen's? I don't mind contributing my fair share in helping those who can't help themselves; but for those that can help themselves, I have an issue. The United States isn't supposed to be a form of communism.
Let the digging down begin. - Charlotte_Web, on 07/21/2008, -10/+24Want to know what's REALLY hypocritical? All of these rich Democrat politicians who want to raise taxes... well, they are free to pay more into the system if they truly believe the wealthy need to pay more. But they don't. In fact, they take every loophole and advantage they can.
For example, it was interesting to find out in 2004 that John Kerry made more than George Bush, but Bush paid more taxes because Kerry did a better job of sheltering his income. - zooplibob, on 07/21/2008, -3/+16Do the accounting any way you want, but over his life he put x amount of money in this retirement fund, and he will withdraw y dollars over his lifetime, and x >> y
- DestroyFascism, on 07/21/2008, -3/+15Another case of the general attitude of Privatize the profits and socialize the losses.
- msheidi, on 07/21/2008, -2/+14He's paid in, he is due is payment. Shees, guys. I have a problem with illegal aliens receiving benefits not citizens of this nation who have spent their life working h ere.
- norman619, on 07/21/2008, -0/+12Your homework for tonight is to find out why SS will collapse by 2018. You do this and you will understand why government is not the one who should be managing the social security system. Here's a freebie. The federal government has raided it many times to cover its over spending. They have done it so much that they can not afford to put back what they stole. What has happened to companies who have done this? (See ENRON) They were closed down and the people who ran it arrested or committed suicide to avoid prison.
- wilsondus, on 07/21/2008, -0/+11I agree...my first reaction was "Is that all?" I would think for sure, he'd get a lot more than that... my grandfather who has lived on less than 50k/year (and a relative amount years back) for his whole life gets more than that...
- justjoehere, on 07/21/2008, -0/+11That's illogical as no one gets denied currently because there isn't enough money in the system. That won't occur until 2020.
- Falcorn, on 07/21/2008, -1/+12Oh, so the people who actually earn money, pay into the system and live responsibly get nothing out of it, and those who don't work and live beyond their means get the money hard working, responsible people put in. Makes perfect sense to me.
- compdude32, on 07/21/2008, -0/+11You do realize under the SS reform passed by Bill Clinton you cannot refuse your check, right?
-
Show 51 - 100 of 428 discussions
Digg is coming to a city (and computer) near you! Check out all the details on our 
© Digg Inc. 2009
— Content created and posted by Digg users is