The MSM seems determined to keep Social Security privatization alive in the public dialog, and I'm sorry, I still don't get it. This Republican Social Security privatization plan still doesn't quite add up to me. They never seem to have answers to these questions:

How does taking money away from Social Security help Social Security? I assume it doesn't. Maybe that's the point? I don't know. The whole premise of this "crisis" is that "Social Security is in danger of bankruptcy."

How do the Republicans figure these annuity payments they're projecting? They talk about our money going in, and then the federal government takes it all and gives out an annuity. The only difference I can see is that with the Republican plan you can run out of money, and reach a point where you get no more benefits, while in the existing system you cannot. How exactly is this a good thing?

Is the Stock Market a source of "security"? How? My mother has lost 50% of her retirement accounts in the stock market. Was she stupid? No -- unless having your account managed by Merrill Lynch is stupid.

In Republican projections, have they deducted all the broker fees? Or do those come out of the account benefits? You know, whether you make money or lose money in the stock market, your broker gets paid. Where does that money come from?

Why is it that Republicans start off every answer with reassurances that their plan does not affect anyone over age 55? If it's such a good deal they're offering, then why are they so eager to cut half the American population out of the plan? Could it be that it's not such a good deal after all?

What happens in the case of a stock market crash? Social Security was started in the Great Depression, after the Crash of '29. In other words, Social Security was formed when the stock market was proven to not be a reliable and secure way to invest for a secure future. What has changed now? Is the Stock Market suddenly now risk-free?

What happens if I live to a ripe old age? Do I still get money after my "private account" has been drained?

These questions always go unanswered by the Republicans. Why? Why can't they give a straight answer on this? They're so big on straight answers (straight everything, really), so where's the straight answer now?

Maybe it's because nobody wants to answer this question:

Who are the big lobbying backers of this plan? Would you believe it if the banking and Wall Street lobby were not campaigning hard to get lawmakers on board? Remember, win or lose, the bankers and brokers always get paid.

So maybe a Republican can anwer these questions. Oh, and it would be nice if he or she refrained from epithets, hate speech and appeals to the glory of the fatherland.

[Update Tues 3AM EST: I just found this lovely bit of number crunching by the Dark Wraith, looking at everything from a personal return perspective. Very sane, very interesting.]

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