CONGRESS CASE STUDY - PART ONE
Submit as a "New Post" to the CONGRESS CASE STUDY FORUM

The financial crisis in the Social Security system has spawned a number of attempts to put it on solid footing. These have all failed in Congress due to an inability to bring all the interested groups to a consensus as to the proper remedies.

 Growing frustration among members of Congress has resulted in one seemingly simple plan presented by Congresswoman Self of Montana. Congresswoman Self has proposed a simple and direct solution: eliminate the social security system and turn the money over to those currently paying into it. Require that money withdrawn from social security be reinvested in a private retirement system within one year or it will be taxed at a 60% tax rate. Any additional retirement activities are strictly voluntary and free of tax incentives. People and companies are free to engage in retirement planning activities at their own discretion. The Government assumes no responsibility for the safety of honesty of any plan, for the individual or complain decision to participate or not, or for individuals when they reach retirement age. 

The justification for this program is that the market can better serve the retirement planning function and those with initiative will benefit the most, but that others will have an incentive plan for retirement because they know that they have only themselves to rely on.

After careful study of the scenario above, review the textbook, your notes, and use the WWW Search feature of this Web to construct your best answer. After serious reflection and critical thought, go to your Word Processor and type at least a three page response. Do not use just opinion, feelings, or you own personal beliefs. Site facts, cases, court decisions, laws, or other generally accepted documentation. When satisfied that your response represents your best legal and ethical views, Select and copy your text and click on the "Go To Discussion Forum" button below and Paste your response there. Post as a New Topic to the Discussion Forum Below. Be sure to post to the Civil Rights discussion forum. Be sure that you are registered with your first and last name as your user name for grading purposes.

PART TWO
Submit as a "Reply" to any other students posting for the above assignment

Return to the Threaded Discussion and respond with a one page summary of your thoughts about the way one particular student resolved the situation. Your response may be to a posting that you think is particularly appropriate and insightful, or to a posting that you find problematic. If you are posting a negative response, use only the kind of criticism you would reserve for a close friend. Post as a "REPLY" to the Discussion Forum link below.

Go To Discussion Forum