Here's a soft lie that must be debunked before it gets off the ground!

[Plucketeer]

32. Did I hear wrong???

Simpson explains that the life expectancy was 57 when SS was set up - THAT'S why the set the age of retirement at SIXTY-FIVE - cause they figured no one would ever make it to 65 in the future! So, if I may use this as an example...... I buy a new car and decide to purchase an exdtended warranty on it.... But this warranty I'm gonna pay on every month - it does nada for me UNLESS my car lasts thru 30 years of regular use. Now, I KNOW - and the DEALER KNOWS - that cars are lucky to make it out to 20 years of age. Still, as my car ages, I'm dutifully paying my monthly installment on the warranty I hope to make use of one day. The premium payments add up to a tidy sum after a few years - a sum that I could've USED to keep my car maintained so it would last longer. But I steele myself that I'm doing the right thing for my future. It's a capable vehicle and if I never have to buy a new one, that warranty that only kicks in when the car hits 30 - that warranty's gonna be my salvation!

Well, in a miracle of motoring, my stalwart old dobbin makes it to age 30. It's still serving me, but boy.... would a good tune-up and some fresh tires be nice! And I tell the aging dealer that as I stand there with my extended warranty plan in my hand.
"Welllllllllll......" the owner of Simpson Motors drawls "that warranty's not worth much these days. See, foreign competitors came into the market with better quality - longer lasting cars. OUR car industry had to match their quality and build cars that had a real chance at seeing 30 years of age. The warranties we sell nowdays are for cars that are lucky enough to persevere through 40 years of use - so now HOW would it be fair to these new warranty suckers if we paid folks like YOU when your car made it to thirty? Don't be distraught though. Those premiums you paid? Look at the fine improvements they've made possible for the dealership! Think of the jobs created thanks to the extra CPAs and facilities maintenance folks your premiums required to keep track of.
I'll tell ya what - how's bout we give you a tank of gas and a new set of wiper blades and call it even? Would that make ya feel better??? C'mon, you're not gonna be able to keep drivin' much longer anyways - wiper blades and gas - how can you beat that? For FREE, no less!"