Study: 44% of social security users say "No, I have not used a gov. social program."

[a completely inoffensive name]

Study here: http://tucsoncitizen.com/mark-evans/...at_mettler.pdf

I am starting to think that the problem might not be with the extremists in America blocking compromises...our citizens just don't live in reality.

To be honest, I don't what a 529 or Coverdell is so I can't say if the 64.3% of respondents who claimed they have not used government social programs are idiots or not.

However, 43.1% of pell grant and 53.3% of student loan users say they don't use government social programs? Seriously? I knew people my age are stupid, but come on.

The chart is on page 7 for those who don't want to read the entire article.

EDIT: Also, biggest LOL for 25% of food stamp users saying they have not used a government social program. I have to laugh, otherwise I would cry.

EDIT 2: OH GOD SOMEONE HOLD ME

[Strike For The South]

People don't understand how important government is nor do they understand what the stabilty the government provides brings in

The rest of the AAA credit ratings, you know the ones that are the safest to invest in? Are all in Social democracies.

People don't think those things are government programs becuase the extremists have succefuly boogeymanned the governement and its aid into evil incarnate. They have built a fantasy world where there are people living high on the hog, starting with Reagan and his welfare mother with a cadalliac

[PanzerJaeger]

I didn't read the study, but I think people probably confuse 'social program' with 'welfare'. Most see Social Security as just getting money back that has been paid in, regardless of the fact that it is not an exact exchange and can be very one-sided depending on income and livespan. The same goes with student loans. Since people are required to pay them back, they don't consider themselves on welfare. Obviously both are 'social programs', but that may be where some of the denial is coming from.

[ICantSpellDawg]

This fact makes me furious. I see all around me how these old fogies retired at 60 and began collecting social security as soon as possible, all while working another job. They have the audacity to suckle at the dole and then join the tea party and complain about taxes being too high. Our grandparents are too stupid to care about their kids. Social security is for people like the woman who lives in my house. After having 6 kids, her husband ran off to Florida with his mistress when she was in her mid 70s. She is now in her 80s with a terrible back and no income. Social security keeps her from starving to death. On the flip side, john mccain recieves it. My other neighbor pulls in 200k and relieves it. The people who accept social security when they don't need it should be ashamed of themselves. We need to really bost the ages. There will always be 66 year olds who qualify based on hardship, but this thing has become gambling money for already rich americans.

[Ronin]

KEEP THE GOVERNMENT OUT OF MY MEDICARE! GOD DAMN IT!


tea baggers actually cheering for the credit downgrade and their role in it.

are these people even aware of what they are cheering for?

a basic IQ and minimal knowledge test before you are allowed to vote is starting to look pretty good right now...
not complicated stuff.....I´m betting 'what year are we in?' would stump some of these Einsteins.

[Vladimir]

You're from Portugal right? Do you understand I take anything you say regarding debt and spending with a considerable amount of salt?

If you're a small group and your enemies credit you for something huge and coin a phrase after you, I'd celebrate too.

[Adrian II]

You're from Portugal right? Do you understand I take anything you say regarding debt and spending with a considerable amount of salt?

If you're a small group and your enemies credit you for something huge and coin a phrase after you, I'd celebrate too.

Whoah, at least the Portuguese know how to go bust in style. These Tea Baggers haven't a clue as to what's what, all they know is Obama is a mooslim and gubmint is ur worst enema. Man oh man, what a bunch of morons.

AII

[Vladimir]

Whoah, at least the Portuguese know how to go bust in style. These Tea Baggers haven't a clue as to what's what, all they know is Obama is a mooslim and gubmint is ur worst enema. Man oh man, what a bunch of morons.

AII

Sadly yes.

Go big or go home.

[Ronin]

You're from Portugal right? Do you understand I take anything you say regarding debt and spending with a considerable amount of salt?

at least I know the situation we are in is bad.......

if ignorance is bliss those people are in heaven.

P.S. - and you can listen to me as a Portuguese citizen that pays his taxes and puts in more than what he takes out of the state.
I´ll take responsibility for mine if you do for yours.

[PanzerJaeger]

You're from Portugal right? Do you understand I take anything you say regarding debt and spending with a considerable amount of salt?

[Jolt]

You're from Portugal right? Do you understand I take anything you say regarding debt and spending with a considerable amount of salt?

A man from a country who runs into the dozens of trillions of debt (With full monetary control!) says that anything coming from a man of a country whose finances were destroyed by the markets for no reason other than speculation, is to be discredited from the get go. Funny.

[Centurion1]

A man from a country who runs into the dozens of trillions of debt (With full monetary control!) says that anything coming from a man of a country whose finances were destroyed by the markets for no reason other than speculation, is to be discredited from the get go. Funny.

First dozens of trillions of debt is a hyperbole. There are not multiple dozens of trillions of debt.

Your telling me your economically suffering purely because of speculation in the markets.......... I daresay that portugal is in quite a bit more trouble than wht arose from market speculation.

http://www.economist.com/node/17902815

The US is in dire straits yes but a bail out (which would be impossible) is not needed.

[Papewaio]

There is the aged pension (and disability and widows and etc) in Aus.

Most of us however pay 9% on top of our income into Superannuation for when we retire... so essentially after 40 years of income one should have at least 4 years plus compounding interest to live off at retirement.

[Centurion1]

This fact makes me furious. I see all around me how these old fogies retired at 60 and began collecting social security as soon as possible, all while working another job. They have the audacity to suckle at the dole and then join the tea party and complain about taxes being too high. Our grandparents are too stupid to care about their kids. Social security is for people like the woman who lives in my house. After having 6 kids, her husband ran off to Florida with his mistress when she was in her mid 70s. She is now in her 80s with a terrible back and no income. Social security keeps her from starving to death. On the flip side, john mccain recieves it. My other neighbor pulls in 200k and relieves it. The people who accept social security when they don't need it should be ashamed of themselves. We need to really bost the ages. There will always be 66 year olds who qualify based on hardship, but this thing has become gambling money for already rich americans.

The real problem is

A. the people who think you are supposed to be able to live on it comfortably which quite a few elderly try to do

B. the people who factor in social security into their retirement plans. It was devised as an emergency supplement not never ending golden goose........

[Papewaio]

BTW why would university loans count as social welfare? or university scholarships for that matter?

If that is the case then 100% of the nation is on or has had some sort of social welfare i.e. schools, roads, hospitals, police, army, firemen all have a component of tax money in it.

[Centurion1]

they are given for financial reasons perhaps?

they are loans not scholarships. Huge difference between the two.

[Papewaio]

Hang on so if a loan is welfare:

Do pensioners pay back?
Do unemployed pay back?

Are all the bank loans out there social welfare?