Yeah, NH Dave, I'm fully aware of the ins and outs of the Social Security system. Nevertheless, if I am required by law to pay into the system for my entire working life, then I feel perfectly justified in cashing my monthly Social Security check. From my end, it's the same as if I'd paid insurance premiums over a long period of time, which, incidentally, would by voluntary, not compulsory. I would certainly be justified in expecting the insurance company to make good on its end of the deal.

This doesn't mean that Martin Gibson is supporting me (as he apparently tries to imply) because he is required by law to pay into the system. In fact, I think I would prefer to cut my throat rather than have to accept anything from the likes of Martin Gibson.

The more I look into the way some European countries handle things like education, health care, public transportation, Social Security, etc., the less truly civilized I think the United States is.

Yeah, yeah, I know! Now is the time for some half-assed super-patriot to say, "Well, if you don't like it here, why don't you move somewhere else?"

Believe me, I'm thinking about it!

Don Firth