Why I am greatful that Hawaii is a "welfare state"

[malolo]

By the way, unless I'm mistaken, and unless of course the OP coined that neologism in the subject line intentionally, I believe the correct spelling may be "Grateful?"

[gakeating]

The social security act actually has a provision for donating your monthly benefit back to the system. It would probably be better for our community to just take the money and waste it on things like goods and services. Most people will get their FICA tax back in benefits in something like 18-36 months. Social Security is an insurance/annuity program. Young people are insured. Old people are entitled. You are insured against disability and death if you are young. I can tell you from experience that those widows and orphans are not complaining about how much old people are getting out of the system.

[kalakoa]

I guess Hawaii is part of America after all: here we are bickering about retirees who receive THOUSANDS of dollars from "The Government" .... while that same government spends BILLIONS of dollars building hospitals and schools in Iraq (or Afghanistan, or wherever).

If all the Social Security payments were recalled, how many days of war would that money buy?

[malolo]

Good question, kalakoa...
....one can do a (very!) quick check here:

http://costofwar.com/

.....and wonderful observation/analysis gakeating.
Thanks!

[Kapohocat]

Trying to bring it back to Puna....

Instead of giving your check back, if any of the "wealthy" SS recipients have extra money Hospice of Hilo is a great place to donate money, and or time.

Plus since Pam is there now, makes it an extra good reason!

[jlgerk]

Isn't it nice that all us "wealthy" SS reciepents that live here in Puna, spend it here in Puna, so that it can be taxed AGAIN to add to the local economy. It's my way of giving, again.

[Kapohocat]

I meant the "wealthy" in quotes to be irony or sarcasm

I guess I should have done this [:p][:p][:p] instead....[]

[jlgerk]

I know K cat, I know you did. I agree.

[dmbwest]

afwjam ... I would say more like B.S. paTROLL ... just callin' (out) like I see it.

Mahalo nui for the totinos thread link jlgerk ... this is what i am talking about aloha,pog

[Frank]

my pleasure on the link malolo...glad it came from a bi paper