Do you think Social Security will be there for you?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
For the first time ever 60 percent of American workers don't think they will get any Social Security when they retire.
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/07/21/art.social.security.jpg caption=""]
A USA Today/Gallup Poll shows six in 10 Americans who haven't retired yet say there will be nothing for them when they stop working.
That's the most pessimistic outlook since the question was first asked more than 20 years ago.
Younger Americans are least likely to believe they'll one day get Social Security... while those older than 55 are confident they will get benefits.
A majority of retired Americans think their benefits will be cut. Which is especially troubling when you consider that 54 percent of retirees say Social Security is their major source of income - more than any other single source.
Our government has yet another crisis on its hands, one that's been coming down the tracks in plain sight for years - yet it's not being dealt with.
Already this year Social Security will pay out more in benefits than it collects in contributions. Plus there's the whole issue of the "trust fund"... which is filled with nothing more than IOUs.
Social Security monies that are collected are siphoned off into the general treasury and spent on other things.
With a high unemployment rate, people retiring earlier than expected… and more and more baby boomers getting ready to retire, something's gotta give.
Is anybody listening?
Here’s my question to you: Do you think Social Security will be there for you?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
British prime minister flies commercial to U.S., lesson for our politicians?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
The British Prime Minister broke protocol big time during his trip to the U.S. - he flew commercial.
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/07/21/art.british.air.jpg caption=""]
As one British reporter put it, David Cameron was "slumming it in business class" on the flight from London to Washington.
How refreshing. Cameron didn't take his own private jet, he didn't even fly first class. Turns out Cameron is actually walking the walk when it comes to fiscal austerity. Britain, like much of Europe, is in the midst of making drastic cuts to many government programs in order to keep its economy afloat.
Under normal circumstances, Prime Ministers travel on their own planes. They either charter a Boeing 747 or 767 or use military jets. But Downing Street officials say that Cameron's commercial flight saved $300,000. In the grand scheme of things, the amount isn't that significant - but the gesture is huge.
As one British official tells the newspaper The Sun: "When we are asking the country to tighten their belts as much as we are it's very hard to justify hiring big jets to swan around the world. It may make his travel a little harder, but the Prime Minister believes it's up to him to set an example."
Are you listening, Nancy Pelosi?
Of course, having top government officials fly commercial can cause nightmares for security-types. And it's certainly not as convenient. According to The Sun, Cameron's meetings in Washington had to be scheduled around British Airways' schedule.
Never mind all that. It's just great. Imagine the money U.S. taxpayers could save if more of our lawmakers slummed it with the rest of us on commercial airplanes.
Here’s my question to you: Is there a lesson for our politicians in the British prime minister flying commercial to America?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
@jackcafferty on Twitter
Recent Comments