Using non-technical language and a dialogue format, this short, free ebook explains the problems with social security privatization and misleading privatization arguments. Logical fallacies and economic concepts are presented in a Socratic discussion.

Steve Baba, the author, has a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Maryland at College Park and has taught economics in the United States, Europe and Asia.

The FREE eBook can be read online at http://www.SocialSecurityBullShit.com and covers the following topics:

– Introduction – Family Values and Paris Hilton
– Free money for families and claim the moral high ground of family values.
– Transition Costs – Paying Double
– The cost of risk
– African-Americans and the cost of annuities – The insurance company’s cut.
– What if we don’t require people to buy annuities?
– Throw Yourself From the Train at 64 and your family can inherit.
– All or Nothing Fallacy: Privatization or Bankruptcy
– False Analogies
– The false analogy that what is good for an individual is good for everyone: The Fallacy of Composition
– Free Lunch – Just eliminate wasteful government programs.
– If wasteful government spending could be cut, it could also be cut to save the current Social Security system.
– Corporate bonds and starving the beast (government)
– Let’s All Get Rich in the Stock Market
– Diminishing Marginal Productivity: Diminishing Profits
– Regression to the mean and other hazards of using past trends.
– Money is a veil.
– You can save money, but you can’t save most goods. You can’t carry your retirement on your back to avoid burdening future generations.
– Aliens (foreigners, not space aliens) will buy our stock and produce our goods
– Appeals to Authority and Personal Attacks
– Present only selective facts. Half the story.
– The magic of compound interest is not interest and is not magic.
– Less Government is Better Generalization
– More Choice is Better Generalization
– Choice has more search costs
– Using charts to make Social Security look bankrupt.
– Big Scary Numbers
– Privatization is always better generalization. Privatize the entire government?
– Individuals make better investment decisions than government: requires separation of government (social security) and stock market.
– The externality of having your mother-in-law live with you.
– Gaming the System and Bailing Out the Stock Market Losers
– Ownership with no insurance discourages entrepreneurial risk taking.
– Growing our way out of the problem.
– Taxophobia
– You have no legal rights to Social Security. Scare Tactics
– Leave if you want – but guarantee you won’t be a burden. The Slippery Slope.
– Leave if you want – but pay your share of the transition costs before you leave.
– The use and misuse of polls. Everyone wants more for less.
– The use and misuse of opinions and forecasts: trying to have it both ways
– The Current Social Security System: the worst system except for all others?
– Ten Point Summary

Read the entire eBook for free today at http://www.SocialSecurityBullshit.com.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,184846,00.html

Comment by I-RIGHT-I — February 13, 2006 @ 3:15 pm

You didn’t!

Comment by unbelievable

That’s not dating.

Comment by I-RIGHT-I — February 12, 2006 @ 2:53 pm

I recall you getting in trouble a couple months back for dating a couple women from your Bible study at the same time… That’s not practice?

Comment by unbelievable

I’m a little bit out of practice but I know how the game is played.

Comment by I-RIGHT-I — February 11, 2006 @ 11:07 am

Like you’d actually be paying attention to what I was saying, or eating…

Comment by unbelievable

Only if you promise to leave your psychology book at home and eat a cheeseburger.

Comment by I-RIGHT-I — February 10, 2006 @ 9:06 am

You mean like a second date? :)

Comment by unbelievable

Spudge is probably married and gay. That was fun, let’s do it again sometime.

You should go read some of your old posts. It’s all I’ve ever seen you do. I’ll concede that there are cultural similarities due to us being social animals – but that’s as far as I go on that train wreck. Most of my friends are the exceptions to your stereotypes. So, if anything your archetypes are the exceptions themselves, and not the rules. Most people are similar deep down. Unfortunately it‘s the shallow and superficial exterior upon which you are so hung up. And why nothing will ever satisfy you.

I’ve had a little experience with drop dead gorgeous women and frankly, none of them good.

I’m not drop dead gorgeous anymore. Even though times have changed, I am 39. Society no longer uses that label for women over 35. The silver hair is starting to sprout and I imagine there will be wrinkles at some point. Gravity is persistent, you know.

RA was something of an exception but then we did do the fall in love thing and that colors the experience though it doesn’t change the final outcome. I loved her and she loved her more than me. Shit happens and even Hollywood hunks don’t have what it takes to keep a beautiful self absorbed woman engaged in the trial of the mundane intricacies of being man and wife…..Damn, I’m good. Just not quite good enough to do the impossible.

Jesus Christ… Then why are you even talking to me like this? If there’s no hope, then why bother. You sound just like my ex-boyfriend. Underneath, that scared little boy who has been so badly burned in the past that he could only sabotaged the present because it was just so much easier than taking a risk.

In the second millennium I’m not prepared to say that a person blessed with extreme good looks is lucky. I’d be willing to bet we could find memoirs of beautiful women of the ages that curse their beauty. I know it’s been a problem for me a time or two though the older I get the less I seem to be enamored by my own image in the mirror. I think it’s just those crappy Red Chinese import mirrors.

I’m sure you are right. Humanity is a sad, sad species. We’ve evolved a consciousness, but not an ability to appreciate it. Silly monkeys, the lot of us all. But, you know, if you were ugly, you’d probably be a liberal… because then you’d understand what it’s like to have to fight for things. A tall, good-looking, white, American born man with a brain and a sense of humor is not likely to understand oppression. So, I say, that if you had the choice to be beautiful or ugly, you’d pick beautiful every time.

Here’s an option – if you don’t like the Chinese imports, then don’t buy them.

Too deep for me. All I really want is a Moretti and a good bowl of pasta. If the cook happens to be an attractive beer and meatball toting goddess with a taste for a big ugly mean and totally Neanderthal liberal hating right wing truck driving (the Z’s steering wheel didn’t adjust high enough) alpha male with an ego bigger than his pecker then I’ll just consider my fair due.

Pig.

The fact is I’m not looking because I know I’m full of shit and the girl I’m looking for I left at the altar when I was 23. Life sucks and then you realize it didn’t have to.

Then what are you doing? Feeling sorry for yourself and inviting me to the party? No thanks. I don’t do pity for people lying in the same beds that they themselves made. Deal with it and move on, before you find you’ve wound up with another regret. And no matter what you say, more often than not, we regret the chances not taken the most…

Nope. We don’t know each other well enough for me to give you any fine details. I’ve been a bad boy for a number of years and if you’ve looked for love in all the wrong places you probably already have my picture. But, we’ll see. As it is I like you just the way you are.

You’re not a bad boy. You just like to play one to assuage your fear. It’s one of my abilities. To see through the bullshit to the real person. It’s also one of my vices, because I always think it matters.

You don’t like me. You just like a challenge. And what bigger challenge than a liberal, vegan, tree-hugging Atheist? I don’t think you could find a puzzle with more pieces in it if you tried. And that’s what you like. I have nothing to do with it.

In fact I’m sorry that you sent your pic. It’s possible you’ll be pissed because I don’t cut you the slack that you’re used to. That’s a good thing.

Is that how it works with you? Want what you didn’t order, instead of what you did? Are you ever satisfied? It’s a serious question, and for once, instead of ignoring my questions, you could answer one. That mysterious crap is irritating. I know you like it. But I don’t. I like your humor (when it’s not demeaning), and the sensitivity inadvertently exposed in between the macho bullshit you espouse. Gregor genuinely believes you think women shouldn’t be allowed to vote.

You didn’t give me any slack when you thought I was a hairy, unkempt lesbian. Why ever would I expect that to change now that you know I’m pretty? Especially when you know it’s the source of chemistry between us. That’s why people get bored or boring – they stop playing. Settle down and grow roots. How interesting would a game of chess be if both people always made the exact same moves each time? And yet, isn’t that what most people do? Grow lazy, fat and dull in relationships?

I like the goddess. For a non religious Jew she’s got her stuff together. I bet she’s not hard on the eyes either.

Then go ask her out. I’m sure she’s an easy catch.

Possibly that’s something you two females can get together on. You could have a little mutual admiration society going. How cool would that be? OK…I admit…I’m thinking threesome. Sue me.

So when you said you weren’t into two women at the same time, you were lying? Or are you making another joke? It’s so freaking hard to tell in here without the inclination of tone and the unspoken visuals.

Hey, by the way…don’t you know the losers are going to get a kick out of this?

Out of what? Us having a conversation? They already give me a hard time for speaking to you at all. And like that has ever stopped me. In fact, I recall defending you over that bitch incident… Though, I have to point out that this is the most real I’ve ever seen you, even though it’s still mostly encased in your tough-guy armor, because letting down your guard is yet another act that makes you feel guilty after the fact. But what men don’t seem to understand is how overwhelmingly attractive a big strong man being willfully vulnerable is. Why do you think so many women buy those trashy romance novels? You guys just make the mistake of being vulnerable to the wrong women while pushing the right ones away. It’s why I keep telling you that you have to start with friendship. Not lust.

One more thing. Where are you and does SW Airlines go there. I’m thinking peaunt fare.

Just one? I have a feeling there’s more than just one… :)

Nope. We don’t know each other well enough for me to give you any fine details. Besides, if you’re not looking then why do you ask? What is it you want – a fling? No thanks. I can do better than that. Not better than you, better than being your something to do because you have no other options. Sorry, I’m not that pathetic. And if this is your ego boosting, finger-wrapping thing that you mentioned, I’m so not feeling uplifted here.

Spude…eat your heart out loser.

Over what? I’m not a trophy. And considering most of these guys are married or gay, I doubt that they really care in the way you want them to.

Comment by unbelievable

I don’t think I do that (all that much)but let’s face it, stereotypes are true (as a rule exceptions withstanding)

It is me. Those were the only professional photos I ever had taken. The posing was the photographer’s direction. And any similarity to your ex-wife is coincidental. Though I’m sure you’ll now hold that against me as well… you’re so unyielding some times… sheesh…

I’ve had a little experience with drop dead gorgeous women and frankly, none of them good. RA was something of an exception but then we did do the fall in love thing and that colors the experience though it doesn’t change the final outcome. I loved her and she loved her more than me. Shit happens and even Hollywood hunks don’t have what it takes to keep a beautiful self absorbed woman engaged in the trial of the mundane intricacies of being man and wife…..Damn, I’m good. Just not quite good enough to do the impossible.

I’m a couple years older than when they were taken, but we’ve already had that conversation. People still think I’m in my twenties and I’ll be fourty the end of this year. Some people get lucky with genetics. I got lucky with a lot of things,

In the second millennium I’m not prepared to say that a person blessed with extreme good looks is lucky. I’d be willing to bet we could find memoirs of beautiful women of the ages that curse their beauty. I know it’s been a problem for me a time or two though the older I get the less I seem to be enamored by my own image in the mirror. I think it’s just those crappy Red Chinese import mirrors.

but I also was unlucky with a lot of things too. Growing up with an angry alcoholic father who got cancer and withered for 12 years probably offset a lot of the lucky stuff. It’s why I am down to earth, and very, very protective of those who are weak and defenseless. I repeatedly say that I was born into the wrong body. I shouldn’t look like this. It attracts the wrong type of men – the ones who care about looks too much. But, I thought it was time to shatter your perceptions that smart, sensitive and independent women can’t be sexy, because they are taught to be ego-centric. I was not. I was taught to put others ahead of myself to my own detriment. It’s been the last few years of dealing with my codependency that have taught me to love and value myself first (which you are misreading, as usual).

Too deep for me. All I really want is a Moretti and a good bowl of pasta. If the cook happens to be an attractive beer and meatball toting goddess with a taste for a big ugly mean and totally Neanderthal liberal hating right wing truck driving (the Z’s steering wheel didn’t adjust high enough) alpha male with an ego bigger than his pecker then I’ll just consider my fair due. The fact is I’m not looking because I know I’m full of shit and the girl I’m looking for I left at the altar when I was 23. Life sucks and then you realize it didn’t have to.

I’m only half Italian. Not that it’s true about all of us being fat anymore than it’s true about all of us having big noses.

So there it is. Deal with it. And if you have the spine to do so, you can reciprocate.

Nope. We don’t know each other well enough for me to give you any fine details. I’ve been a bad boy for a number of years and if you’ve looked for love in all the wrong places you probably already have my picture. But, we’ll see. As it is I like you just the way you are. In fact I’m sorry that you sent your pic. It’s possible you’ll be pissed because I don’t cut you the slack that you’re used to. That’s a good thing.

You have an email address so you don’t have to post it here for someone else to run across and use against you. And I won’t either. You may say that you don’t know me, but you do enough by now to know that I like to play rough (verbally only), but that I wouldn’t intentionally hurt anyone. Not even to Aphrodite, and I really don’t like her.

I like the goddess. For a non religious Jew she’s got her stuff together. I bet she’s not hard on the eyes either. Possibly that’s something you two females can get together on. You could have a little mutual admiration society going. How cool would that be? OK…I admit…I’m thinking threesome. Sue me.
Hey, by the way…don’t you know the losers are going to get a kick out of this? One more thing. Where are you and does SW Airlines go there. I’m thinking peaunt fare.

Spude…eat your heart out loser.

It is me. Those were the only professional photos I ever had taken. The posing was the photographer’s direction. And any similarity to your ex-wife is coincidental. Though I’m sure you’ll now hold that against me as well… you’re so unyielding some times… sheesh…

I’m a couple years older than when they were taken, but we’ve already had that conversation. People still think I’m in my twenties and I’ll be fourty the end of this year. Some people get lucky with genetics. I got lucky with a lot of things, but I also was unlucky with a lot of things too. Growing up with an angry alcoholic father who got cancer and withered for 12 years probably offset a lot of the lucky stuff. It’s why I am down to earth, and very, very protective of those who are weak and defenseless. I repeatedly say that I was born into the wrong body. I shouldn’t look like this. It attracts the wrong type of men – the ones who care about looks too much. But, I thought it was time to shatter your perceptions that smart, sensitive and independent women can’t be sexy, because they are taught to be ego-centric. I was not. I was taught to put others ahead of myself to my own detriment. It’s been the last few years of dealing with my codependency that have taught me to love and value myself first (which you are misreading, as usual).

I’m only half Italian. Not that it’s true about all of us being fat anymore than it’s true about all of us having big noses.

So there it is. Deal with it. And if you have the spine to do so, you can reciprocate. You have an email address so you don’t have to post it here for someone else to run across and use against you. And I won’t either. You may say that you don’t know me, but you do enough by now to know that I like to play rough (verbally only), but that I wouldn’t intentionally hurt anyone. Not even to Aphrodite, and I really don’t like her.

Check again.

Comment by unbelievable

I thought that was funny….

OK, got it. In fact I got it yesterday but thought it was some sort of ad for an escort service. Really.

OK, let’s say that’s really you. Two things come to mind. First, your good looks explain why you’re so self absorbed and into meaningless liberal claptrap. Second, you look to much like my ex wife for comfort. She liked to do that pouty lip glamour shot thing in the mirror all the time. One more thing…just to be sure…got any cheesecake? I know you Italian girls tend to have a weight problem.

Comment by I-RIGHT-I — February 9, 2006 @ 4:25 pm

You know, being a pig is not funny either…

Check again.

Comment by unbelievable

I’ll be more careful this time and not delete the email that offers a bigger and longer lasting erection.

Comment by I-RIGHT-I — February 9, 2006 @ 8:54 am

What’s to stop it from getting caught again and deleted again?

Comment by unbelievable

Yep, I checked that addy yesterday afternoon. Sorry, it must have got caught up in the span and deleted. You can send it again if want to. I-RIGHT-I@ivotedforbush.com

The addy has to be just like that.