You're right; the news is the news, but the way it is reported is not reality. It is someone's view of reality. Everyone has an agenda. Am I cynical? Yes. With good resaon? Yes.

With regard to SS: I am 39 years old, and I don't expect Uncle Sam to be sending me a check every month when I retire. I am not counting on that money. Period. I worked in industry for a number of years and have seen too much waste in the private sector to rely on the government. So, after making money for others, my wife and I recently started our our investment company. It's very exciting, and the prospects are good.....Colin