Every year we hear the same news… people are living longer. These “studies” say the average expectancy now is 72 years old. Me, personally, know a lot more people who have died at a younger age than actually living until 72+. In fact, a just heard a friend of mine say her Mom died in her sleep just a few days ago. She was 54. Yesterday (3/5/13) we got the news one of the biggest managers in wrestling’s history (WWE) died and he was 58. His WIKI page is here. I honestly don’t believe the hype coming out of these “studies”. The realty is that everything you hear on the news/media, government, or these “age studies” needs to really be analyzed. All these organizations have a motive and propaganda to change your mind on issues. The scarcity or news (for or against) helps to convince the public to vote yes or endorse specific measures. Bending the truth to enhance their agenda is very common. One example is the unemployment rate I discussed in another article. If after searching for a job for a few months and give up – You’re not even included in the numbers (unemployment rate) of those being unemployed! The real unemployment rate is much MUCH higher.
The push for increasing the life expectancy rate is needed because social security is a broken system. No politician will touch the issue (especially President Obama) because the public won’t support it even being raised even 1 year. They tried to do that previously and it didn’t go over well at all. It’s basically political suicide if anyone tries messing with it.
We could privatize it which in my opinion is the best solution. It was have to be a slow approach for the younger generations but it certainly would be better than what we have going now. However, the politicians and government hasn’t made any effort to offer that. Since that hasn’t happened yet I have to think the government is using the money in other ways and dug themselves in hole so deep we are stuck with this setup forever. They can’t afford to have the American people go private.
If these studies are true and people are actually living longer then we are going to have a big issue. First would be pensions and continuing to pay the retiree over a longer period. Second, would be more health care expenses which costs more money since they are living longer. If we don’t have the money now (and we don’t) then we the system surely isn’t going to work that way it is now.
There is no real solution here except making the program completely transparent immediately. The public needs to know where the wasteful money is being spent and who is responsible for what spending associated with the social security program. This will mean political suicide for many individuals but it needs to happen. Second, would be cutting out the people in the cookie jar. I’m expecting to hear much more about the social security issue in the next few years. Unfortunately, Obama won’t touch the issue in the next 4 years. It’s just to risky for him.
