Dr. Tom Coburn tells the wife of a brain-injury victim to suck it up.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I know this won't faze you, Bill, but this is the SSA's response to those Right Wing Nuts who call it a ponzi scheme...

There is a superficial analogy between pyramid or Ponzi schemes and pay-as-you-go insurance programs in that in both money from later participants goes to pay the benefits of earlier participants. But that is where the similarity ends. A pay-as-you-go system can be visualized as a simple pipeline, with money from current contributors coming in the front end and money to current beneficiaries paid out the back end. As long as the amount of money coming in the front end of the pipe maintains a rough balance with the money paid out, the system can continue forever. There is no unsustainable progression driving the mechanism of a pay-as-you-go pension system, and so it is not a pyramid or Ponzi scheme.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Securi...or_Ponzi_scheme

No, that is somebody's theory as stated on Wikipedia. Find the actual reference from the SSA.

[Ban Hammer 14,295]

i'm sure the house prices are almost double - there's a lot of suckers up in virginia

and btw, your envy of texas is obvious.

I must touch a nerve of guys who just so happen to have Brazilian wives.

By the way, your shitty truck couldn't beat my audi running on one cylinder.

mkay big guy, you keep thinking that when you're stuck in the snow.

i'm sure it would smoke you in a quarter mile as it's quick off the start in 4 wheel drive.

Lets forget the audi as its in a class of it;s own, aka you have to have money.

Maybe we can compare a G8 to any truck. The G8 in neutral could beat your shitty truck. Heck the G8 with holes cut into the floor, Flintstones styles, could beat it.

and my truck can pull both of those out of the ditch during the winter, which is probably where you find yourself frequently.

[luckytxn 2,265]

It's called paraphrasing....you know like calling end of life counseling, death panels.

Again, my poor understanding of the language is getting in the way. I always thought paraphrasing meant to repeat the original by rewording it without changing the meaning or intent. I guess I've always misunderstood.

I also misunderstood that you disapproved of this sort of thing, but your practice of it either makes me mistaken or you a hypocrite.

He's on a roll. Don't stop him now.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

You realize that ponzi schemes are illegal under U.S. Law. So I only need to get real to see your nonsensical POV? Oye.

To paraphrase Nixon, "It's not illegal when the government does it!"

No. It just requires using your intellect to understand the difference between a fraudulent scheme and a pay-as-you-go system. You're just parroting some Libertarian mumbo jumbo without understanding there's a difference.

That is very close to the definition of a ponzi scheme.

A Ponzi scheme is a fraudulent investment operation that pays returns to separate investors from their own money or money paid by subsequent investors, rather than from any actual profit earned.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponzi_scheme

Good grief, Bill. Can you really see no difference between an illegal Ponzi scheme and Social Security??? You really are way out there. Just curious. Where did you first get this idea? Don't tell me it was from those librul professors in college.

B.S. Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Sonoma State University (1988)

You had a professor in college tell you that Social Security is a Ponzi scheme?

Sometimes, you can apply your own intellect to the knowledge you have acquired over the years, and come to your own conclusions.

Edited August 29, 2009 by Mister_Bill

[luckytxn 2,265]

You realize that ponzi schemes are illegal under U.S. Law. So I only need to get real to see your nonsensical POV? Oye.

To paraphrase Nixon, "It's not illegal when the government does it!"

No. It just requires using your intellect to understand the difference between a fraudulent scheme and a pay-as-you-go system. You're just parroting some Libertarian mumbo jumbo without understanding there's a difference.

That is very close to the definition of a ponzi scheme.

A Ponzi scheme is a fraudulent investment operation that pays returns to separate investors from their own money or money paid by subsequent investors, rather than from any actual profit earned.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponzi_scheme

Good grief, Bill. Can you really see no difference between an illegal Ponzi scheme and Social Security??? You really are way out there. Just curious. Where did you first get this idea? Don't tell me it was from those librul professors in college.

B.S. Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Sonoma State University (1988)

You had a professor in college tell you that Social Security is a Ponzi scheme?

Sometimes, you can apply your own mind to the knowledge you have acquired over the years, and come to your own conclusions.

Not if your a Socialist. Welcome to the dark side.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I know this won't faze you, Bill, but this is the SSA's response to those Right Wing Nuts who call it a ponzi scheme...

There is a superficial analogy between pyramid or Ponzi schemes and pay-as-you-go insurance programs in that in both money from later participants goes to pay the benefits of earlier participants. But that is where the similarity ends. A pay-as-you-go system can be visualized as a simple pipeline, with money from current contributors coming in the front end and money to current beneficiaries paid out the back end. As long as the amount of money coming in the front end of the pipe maintains a rough balance with the money paid out, the system can continue forever. There is no unsustainable progression driving the mechanism of a pay-as-you-go pension system, and so it is not a pyramid or Ponzi scheme.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Securi...or_Ponzi_scheme

No, that is somebody's theory as stated on Wikipedia. Find the actual reference from the SSA.

Doesn't really matter who the hell it's from. The logic is sound. But whatever, Bill. You seem content with embracing such wild and nutty ideas....who am I to get in your way?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

You realize that ponzi schemes are illegal under U.S. Law. So I only need to get real to see your nonsensical POV? Oye.

To paraphrase Nixon, "It's not illegal when the government does it!"

No. It just requires using your intellect to understand the difference between a fraudulent scheme and a pay-as-you-go system. You're just parroting some Libertarian mumbo jumbo without understanding there's a difference.

That is very close to the definition of a ponzi scheme.

A Ponzi scheme is a fraudulent investment operation that pays returns to separate investors from their own money or money paid by subsequent investors, rather than from any actual profit earned.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponzi_scheme

Good grief, Bill. Can you really see no difference between an illegal Ponzi scheme and Social Security??? You really are way out there. Just curious. Where did you first get this idea? Don't tell me it was from those librul professors in college.

B.S. Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Sonoma State University (1988)

You had a professor in college tell you that Social Security is a Ponzi scheme?

Sometimes, you can apply your own mind to the knowledge you have acquired over the years, and come to your own conclusions.

Not if your a Socialist. Welcome to the dark side.

I am not stuck with the one true faith, am I? I can pick and choose the best ideas from a broad spectrum of possibilities.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I know this won't faze you, Bill, but this is the SSA's response to those Right Wing Nuts who call it a ponzi scheme...

There is a superficial analogy between pyramid or Ponzi schemes and pay-as-you-go insurance programs in that in both money from later participants goes to pay the benefits of earlier participants. But that is where the similarity ends. A pay-as-you-go system can be visualized as a simple pipeline, with money from current contributors coming in the front end and money to current beneficiaries paid out the back end. As long as the amount of money coming in the front end of the pipe maintains a rough balance with the money paid out, the system can continue forever. There is no unsustainable progression driving the mechanism of a pay-as-you-go pension system, and so it is not a pyramid or Ponzi scheme.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Securi...or_Ponzi_scheme

No, that is somebody's theory as stated on Wikipedia. Find the actual reference from the SSA.

Doesn't really matter who the hell it's from. The logic is sound. But whatever, Bill. You seem content with embracing such wild and nutty ideas....who am I to get in your way?

The mere attempt in making the distinction is not sufficient if the argument fails to make the distinction.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I know this won't faze you, Bill, but this is the SSA's response to those Right Wing Nuts who call it a ponzi scheme...

There is a superficial analogy between pyramid or Ponzi schemes and pay-as-you-go insurance programs in that in both money from later participants goes to pay the benefits of earlier participants. But that is where the similarity ends. A pay-as-you-go system can be visualized as a simple pipeline, with money from current contributors coming in the front end and money to current beneficiaries paid out the back end. As long as the amount of money coming in the front end of the pipe maintains a rough balance with the money paid out, the system can continue forever. There is no unsustainable progression driving the mechanism of a pay-as-you-go pension system, and so it is not a pyramid or Ponzi scheme.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Securi...or_Ponzi_scheme

No, that is somebody's theory as stated on Wikipedia. Find the actual reference from the SSA.

Doesn't really matter who the hell it's from. The logic is sound. But whatever, Bill. You seem content with embracing such wild and nutty ideas....who am I to get in your way?

The mere attempt in making the distinction is not sufficient if the argument fails to make the distinction.

Whatever.. Your views are extreme to say the least. But I'd encourage you and your tinfoil hat brigade to take this all the way to the Supreme Court as a matter of principle. It's your country too, dammit. Fight for what you believe!

[luckytxn 2,265]

Not if your a Socialist. Welcome to the dark side.

I am not stuck with the one true faith, am I? I can pick and choose the best ideas from a broad spectrum of possibilities.

Hey I do that with religion and it has worked well for me.

I agree with you on the SSA being a Ponzi scheme. Eventually there will not be enough people to prop it up.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I know this won't faze you, Bill, but this is the SSA's response to those Right Wing Nuts who call it a ponzi scheme...

There is a superficial analogy between pyramid or Ponzi schemes and pay-as-you-go insurance programs in that in both money from later participants goes to pay the benefits of earlier participants. But that is where the similarity ends. A pay-as-you-go system can be visualized as a simple pipeline, with money from current contributors coming in the front end and money to current beneficiaries paid out the back end. As long as the amount of money coming in the front end of the pipe maintains a rough balance with the money paid out, the system can continue forever. There is no unsustainable progression driving the mechanism of a pay-as-you-go pension system, and so it is not a pyramid or Ponzi scheme.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Securi...or_Ponzi_scheme

No, that is somebody's theory as stated on Wikipedia. Find the actual reference from the SSA.

Doesn't really matter who the hell it's from. The logic is sound. But whatever, Bill. You seem content with embracing such wild and nutty ideas....who am I to get in your way?

The mere attempt in making the distinction is not sufficient if the argument fails to make the distinction.

Whatever.. Your views are extreme to say the least. But I'd encourage you and your tinfoil hat brigade to take this all the way to the Supreme Court as a matter of principle. It's your country too, dammit. Fight for what you believe!

I am letting my opinions and arguments be heard, the same as you, my missguided comrade. My views are not as extreme, or unpopular, as you may think. My bussiness takes me out into the public on a near daily basis, and even in the "safe" Democratic district where I live and do bussiness, not many folks think the way you do, my friend.

Edited August 29, 2009 by Mister_Bill

[Heracles 417]

and my truck can pull both of those out of the ditch during the winter, which is probably where you find yourself frequently.

It's called engineering. These vehicles practically talk to the road. I understand that people in that part of the country are not familiar with this concept of engiwhaaaat..

Edited August 29, 2009 by haza

[luckytxn 2,265]

and my truck can pull both of those out of the ditch during the winter, which is probably where you find yourself frequently.

It's called engineering. These vehicles practically talk to the road. I understand that people in that part of the country are not familiar with this concept of engiwhaaaat..

I see we have someone that can't quit the BS once they start.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

and my truck can pull both of those out of the ditch during the winter, which is probably where you find yourself frequently.

It's called engineering. These vehicles practically talk to the road. I understand that people in that part of the country are not familiar with this concept of engiwhaaaat..

I see we have someone that can't quit the BS once they start.

I thought understatement was the essence of Anglican humor.

[Heracles 417]

I thought

Bravo for this monumental achievement.

Then again, you are the person who just equated health care reform to a ponzi scheme.

Edited August 29, 2009 by haza