tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3288462925756379716.post2031336235786331674..comments2013-01-03T05:53:29.294-08:00Comments on Left Right Across and Hold: Bernardo de la Pazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13311733730523945450noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3288462925756379716.post-72601901968549284882011-05-20T11:11:45.170-07:002011-05-20T11:11:45.170-07:00It goes without saying I disagree with you on the ...It goes without saying I disagree with you on the advantages of traditional marriages. But of course I don't have any objection to promoting them - so long as it is not government which is doing the promoting.<br /><br />This post is basically an exercise in considering how cut-backs in Medicare and Social Security would affect society. If retired persons have less money to finance independent lifestyles, what would be the alternatives?<br /><br />No, I don't long to go back to the "good old days". But if the contemporary model of government financed retirement is not sustainable, it seems to worth considering alternative models.<br /><br />Neither would I want to live in China, either. My point was that for a society to rely on multi-generational families need not be looked on as a weakness. A household comprised of three generations might easily be considered to have several important advantages over households comprised of one or two.<br /><br />Like I said, maybe this is an over-simplification, but consider: mom, dad, the kids and grandkids buy and maintain a home large enough to house all three generations. This advantages the household with added financial resources, time and skills.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02107206395412209448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3288462925756379716.post-19838812282494984162011-05-20T08:24:10.240-07:002011-05-20T08:24:10.240-07:00Boy, you’re opening a wide-ranging and varied can ...Boy, you’re opening a wide-ranging and varied can of worms, aren’t you?<br /><br />I’ve give a few simple answers to kick things off…<br /><br />Should we (as a society) promote “traditional marriages”? Yes.<br /><br />Should we (as a society) promote “traditional families”? Yes.<br /><br />Is there a (direct) role for *Government* in this process? There *is*, operationally, but there should not be: I disagree with all attempts at social engineering using the power of government, no matter how well-intentioned. It all comes down to: "Who decides?"<br /><br />Now, as to Social Security (and by extension, Medicate/Medicaid)...<br /><br />I think the (stated) INTENTION of Social Security is well-known. Under the guise of a government-run insurance program, the (publicly stated) INTENT was to ‘protect’ workers and covered family members against loss of income from the wage earner's retirement, disability, or death. [IMHO, There are many other purposes behind the SSA, some of which would be highly unpopular if generally realized by the public.] <br /><br />Using the classic "risk pool of funds", the Social Security program tries to "spread risk" just like any insurance program (public or private). Everyone in the pool is insured against the same risks, but not everyone will benefit to the same extent, for obvious reasons. <br /><br />What Social Security has BECOME is a wealth-redistribution program with the express purpose of buying votes. I shouldn’t have to justify that statement: it is what it is. In simple terms, it’s Ponzi scheme.<br /><br />Now, we can go down the road of INTENTIONS and REALITY for the SSA if you wish. A quick look at Wikipedia covers a lot of the basics. There are other sources. We need not repeat those discussions of cause-and-effect here.<br /><br />On the larger, cultural issue of how families live and exist together in symbiosis... that might be worthy of discussion. Again, some interesting aspects of cause-and-effect will be uncovered. However, when looking at “what we’ve lost”, don’t overlook those things we have “gained” over time. Whether these changes are tipping the scales in the direction we want (or whether that direction is correct) is certainly open for discussion.<br /><br />In short, while there *may* be cultural advantages to the lifestyle in China using your example), I - personally - would still rather live here than there. I'm not sure the two styles are mutually exclusive, but I'm just as unsure if they can co-exist on a large scale, either: at least in the modern world.<br /><br />Are you simply longing for the Good Old Days - when times were simpler, and we all died sooner? Be careful what you wish for. ;-)<br /><br />- SteveSteve Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11281228341784551551noreply@blogger.com