1a: What part of "mathematical exercise to show how bad social security is" do you not comprehend?
1b: Social security is not a pre-tax withholding SURPRISE
1c: Social security is already taking 7.5% (employer contributes another 7.5%) and you are complaining about my 4% (wich results in a much higher return at the end)... go figure
2: And if you leave it alone, it will all be back (with a decent fund). You did notice the thing about leaving it alone for 5 years didn't you? 95% of all 5 year periods in the history of the market have been an increase. When you get within 5 years of intending to draw money out, you do different things, but this is not a discussion on market strategies. You can believe me or no, I really don't care.
3: BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH snort Rich family... heh... yeah, riiiiight. It is "BAD" because it is. The math absolutely SUCKS. I would damn nearly do better if the government forced me to bury the money in my back yard. Does the term "negative return" mean anything to you? If you are 45 or under, you will spend more on social security than you will ever receive in benefits. It is a bad plan. It isn't the social welfare aspect I object to, it is the waste of my money versus what it could do for me.
How about actually paying attention to what I am actually saying instead of your own personal political ideology for once?