@another eocbb dad - I am a "whiny gray hair". Sounds to me like that fits you more than me. And I know very well how the "system" works, although notice you had nothing to say about what has happened to all of the money that has been replaced by IOU's. Many years ago my husband and I tried to get out of SS - offering to sign any kind of statement they wanted to never make a claim. However, were told that only federal workers, railroad workers and teachers could "opt out" of SS. So, again, I do know how the system works - or how it was supposed to work. But don't take someone's money at the point of a gun - that goes for those drawing out what they were forced to pay in as well as those being forced to pay in today - then tell them the money is gone. This might have been a good system back int eh days of FDR, but it doesn't work anymore. Retirement should be self-funded, or at least a portion of it - and the government should butt out. But they won't - they will never give up this "free" money they can use.

RE: "We have paid our dues."

No sir. Age and whether we have school-age children is irrelevant. We all rely on our education system, and we all benefit from it--every minute of every day. Public education isn't welfare for those with school-age children; it's an investment from which we all enjoy the returns. Education for all separates the industrialized world from the developing world. It's what helped to make America great and, fundamentally, what created our large middle class. As long as one benefits from our education system (i.e., as long as one lives), one should contribute.

@another ecobb dad: For your information, I have been paying into SS since I was 18 - I am now 71, so don't give me this junk that you are paying my social security. et us not forget that it was the Lyndon Johnson administration, and all that came after who took up his position that the SS trust fund was for ther "general good" (pork projects), not a lockbox in which to hold people's contributions. And, depending on your age, you probably won't see a dime, as my son and his wife will not. But where do you get off blaming those of us who have paid in for all of our adult working life for collecting now. Why don'tyou ask your politicians "where's my money"? any individual has come up with this scheme they would be where Madoff is now because this is the biggest Ponzi scheme every perpetrated on the American people. But, stop trying to blame those of us who have paid into this failed system - we didn't create the system, we didn't change the system, we didn't steal from the system. We played by the rules and did what we were told. Your anger needs to be addressed to those taking out of SS who never contributed, and those who are now seeking SS benefits due to disabilities (like those who have depression because their unemployment has run out), and illegals who have never paid a dime in incoem tax or SS benefits, but now are able to get benefits, who are bleeding this fund.

I agree with your argument the senior tax break should be left alone.

However, when you make a comment such as calling out my generation as being "ungrateful" and "disrespectful" it angers me. Which generation is more responsible for the national debt? Which generation is going to be stuck paying off the debt that yours has racked up? The national debt is your tab and don't get worked up when this "ungrateful" and "disrespectful" generation has to find ways to deal with the problem. How's about taking some responsibility for the problems you're leaving behind?