Doing the Math

We, here in America, treat this entire economic calamity as if we are not a part of the problem, and in that perspective have also determined, someone else needs to come up with a solution. The old saying, "if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem . . ." Well, according to the going trend here in America, most of the citizenry appear to believe we are all simply victims of the error or lack of responsibility of someone else. That simply isn't true. I can prove mathematically why our economy is where it is and not likely to change, regardless of the smoke that's blown out of DC or Wall Street. The economy will not recover doing the same old thing and it cannot sustain what we are doing. After crunching the numbers, here's what I have and it has nothing to do with the top 1% or the 99, although there are percentages and fractions, it's why the 99% cannot continue to sustain itself or be sustained. I will say this, though. I think the 1% should be ashamed to collect any social program, since taxation is a requirement of citizenship! I've heard them defend it though! Now, back to the math. 1 in 9 Americans are over the age of 65, so that means 1 in 9, which is a little over 11% are eligible and most likely collecting Social Security with or without other pension options or inheritances. 1 in 5 Americans claim a disability. That is 19% of our population, but about half of them are over 65, so only about 10% of the would-be workforce are disabled . . . Keep in mind, though, expense wise, everyone on disability for two years under or over 65 is eligible for Medicare, which is an abyss of it's own. One in six Americans are on food stamps, which is about 15% of the population and one in 10 is unemployed, which is 10% of our nation's work force. We certainly cannot omit the percentage of Americans that do not even belong in the work force, unless Newt Gingrich gets his way, which are children and that figure is 26%. A number of the boomers have done such a fabulous job of teaching values that a vast portion of those between 18 and 25 are not working full time, either, but are wracking up student loans . . . America has incarcerated 1% of it's population and that cost is minimally $18,000 per year. Just when all this seems overwhelming, let's factor in the work force that also requires tax dollars. Eight percent of all jobs in America are government jobs, so that means even of the few that are working, some 12 million paychecks are provided by tax dollars. So, how does this add up or break down? I, personally, know of two situations in which women are in their 90's living on social security and doctor's appointments are basically their social life, and they have the benefit of family inheritances that include not one but two horizontal inheritances. By horizontal inheritances, I mean from siblings or contemporaries that were childless. Let's consider that for just a moment. The boomers remember grandparents or great grandparents that literally did not pay into a social security program at all. Not because they were dead beats or tax evaders, but rather the Social Security System did not exist until 1935. My great grandparents were in their 50's and their kids all raised. When social security was started, it was figured to be funded by the next generation. So when the first generation collectors turned 65, families were larger their kids were all paying in. In that next generation, though, someone got the idea they were paying in for themselves . . . And for those that had no children and lived to be 85 or more, the deficit was already established. The idea that someone is paying in for themselves does not make it a mathematical or economic fact! Now, fast forward to the present. I actually know families in which there are two generations already retired and doesn't every family have at least one person with some sort of disability? Let's not forget the incarceration rate in this country and the decline of employment . . . We've got basically, in a good economy, a work force of about 150M. Now figure, subsidizing nearly 10% of that figure, as well as another 10% of that figure has simply fallen off the stats, because unemployment is figured upon those collecting. Once someone has searched and collected until they are no longer eligible, they are no longer part of the statistics . . . If my math is anywhere close to right. Roughly speaking, we have about 35% of the country, supporting the other 65% and we're still not changing our ways. The real problem here, is the inheritances that are being given to nursing homes will no longer exist for the next generation, and the generation after that will inherit only debt.
The fact is: someone is going to have to bite the bullet, pay the taxes, pay FICA withholding, refrain from debt, and not collect any social benefits . . . and not be in the top 1%. Somebody simply has to take the high road!
. . . Y'hhsuwah said to him, What is your opinion, Simon? from whom do the kings of the earth get payment or tax? from their sons or from other people? And when he said, From other people, Y'hshuwah said to him, Then are the sons free. But, so that we may not be a cause of trouble to them, go to the sea, and let down a hook, and take the first fish which comes up; and in his mouth you will see a bit of money: take that, and give it to them for me and you. words of Messiah in the New Testament