families and ss

[Jeremy Kidd <jeremy.kidd@mail.house.gov>]

I would like to introduce an idea for discussion.  Before the
institution of Social Security, many seniors lived in poverty, we
all know the statistics, but there was, at least, the concept that
families should take care of their own.  In most countries, this
concept still exists, and generations of families live together,
or at least near one another.  I fear that the Social Security
program, well intentioned though it was, has eliminated that concept
from our society.  While there may be some families who cannot take
care of their elderly, and are therefore in need of help from local,
state, or federal governments, I believe that most families could
take care of their elderly, if they had to.  I believe that doing
so would strengthen the family unit, and work to eliminate other
ills in our society.

I guess what I am trying to say is that I disagree that Social
Security should be universal.  Governments exist to ensure a level
playing field, but not to provide everything for everybody.  I
believe the vibrancy of the U.S. economic system shows that an
economy based on personal responsibility, risk, and rewards, works
much better, and provides better, than the failed Eastern Bloc
socialist countries, or the quasi-socialist countries of Europe
today (note:  I use the term socialist in its technical form, and
in no way intend it as a derrogatory term).