[A Quiet Boom]

I made money on my 401k and other investments straight thru the recession and all. I did this by simply spending a few hours each week checking fund performance and adjusting accordingly. This past year has been a boon for me. I'm 34, I don't expect to recieve any SS benefit and as a capitalist I'd much prefer to invest my SS contribution as I see fit. This is simply how I feel, I hate paying taxes and nothing anyone says will change how I feel. Basically any chance I get to have greater control over my money and future I will take it. Generations ago we had a population that understood the value of saving. Today we have a population intently focused on buying things they cannot afford, I was guilty of this in the past and it hurt me financially. Now that I have "seen the light" I realize I don't need a bigger house of a new car every year, what I need is the piece of mind of knowing that I will be financially secure do to my investments. If I could invest my SS contributions myself I'd be better of today AND tommorrow. I'd bet there are a lot of younger Americans who feel just like I do and that is why SS reform will be pushed.