Note to our Fearless Leader

[moonwise]

HOW'S ABOUT STEM CELL RESEARCH, BIG BOY?

Also, special message from me to you: I already know Social Security is fucked. Making Social Security private is kind of like handing a bunch of slot machine-addicted seniors a bucket of quarters and saying "Here! Make your retirement out of this!" I already expect to carry your generation on my back. Don't add insult to injury.

Comments

[arafel.livejournal.com]

Your point is well taken, but my feeling is that the average American citizen is not that good at managing his/her money. It's become an American tradition to be in debt. I wonder whether these people who have their accounts privatized will understand that they are now in charge of their own future, whether or not they are competent to do it.

You and I differ on the stem cell issue. Yes, Bush allows stem cell research on existing lines. However, only about 10-20 lines of the 50 or so that were grandfathered in are actually viable, and there's concern that the lines are contaminated. I do not have a problem with using unwanted IVF embryos for stem cell research. Infertile couples created them, decided the rest were disposable once they got what they wanted, and now those fertilized cells are left to sit in cold storage until time takes its course and renders them inviable. The parents don't want them, so let's save someone's life.

[lordraziel.livejournal.com]

I think that private investment for retirement is becoming much more popular. A lot of employers offer 401(k)'s to their employees, and a lot of them take advantage. I have also heard talk (not sure where) of other ideas - moving the retirement age up again, cutting or eliminating benefits for wealthier people, etc. Even the Navy is starting something like this called the Thrift Savings Plan. It's basically a 401(k) that you can invest in if you want. I see this program taking over the traditional military retirement like I'm going to get in the not too distant future. People are need to fend for themselves, it is obvious the government can't do it.

On issue #2, you have to draw lines in the sand for places where we as a society think research shouldn't go. We just draw them in different places. ;)