2) We need to not pay benefits to people who don't need benefits. In other words, if you have been lucky (and smart) enough to squirrel away enough cash to not need the government's help at the end of life, then don't take the help. Wealthy people don't panhandle. Why do they take money they don't need from you and me in the form of a social security check.

Are you kidding me? You think I should pay a TAX into a system my entire career and then receive nothing in return. Just because I am well invested I should not get MY money back. This is crazy. This is supposed to make it easier for the laziest people in our society to keep getting their entitlements. We all need to remember that this money is our money. This money is not the government’s money to redistribute as they see fit. This redistribution of wealth is a socialist philosophy. From those with means to those with needs. This is a bunch of BS. I started with nothing. I have worked hard and live well within my means. I do not rack up incredible debt buying useless items on my credit card and I invest 20% of my income every month. You are telling me that because I sacrifice now, and yes paying taxes is a sacrifice, that I should be punished later for being well prepared. This is not a good thing. I will use my social security check to make my BMW payment and provide for the charities of my choice. People need to wake up and be responsible for their own actions.
I agree the system is broke. It needs to be fixed. When the new deal began the intention was that this tax would work as a savings account for the individual that paid it and they would be comfortable in the golden years. Soon after the system changed. They were no longer investing the money it went into the general fund (surplus amounts). The system will now fail when there are more people receiving social security than there are paying in.
The Bush proposal for individual investments is merely going back to the original plan. An investment for the future. I, personally, feel that I can do a better job with my hard earned money than the government can. I would rather take my chances with this 6 + percent tax and invest the entire thing. I understand that most people aren't comfortable balancing there own checkbook and aren't responsible enough to have a credit card but they would still have the option to stay in the system as it is and go down with the sinking ship..

"3) We need to do away with the "death tax." Just cause someone dies, doesn't entitle the government to their money or property. If people know that their loved ones can have the money they have in the bank once they're done, maybe they won't be as greedy ... yes I said greedy ... late in life."
I agree we need to do away with the death tax. It is not right that I am punished for leaving my family well provided for. I don't really understand your greedy part. I believe people that work hard and attain wealth should be able to do whatever they want with it. I will continue to travel the world in my golden years. The three vacations I take a year now still leave me wanting more.
Just for the record. I am a 33 year old male that worked my way up the ranks of corporate America and now live quite comfortably. I pay nearly 6,000 in property tax and I won't even get into how much my wife and I pay in income tax and social security. I will not rely on the government to provide me anything beyond the basics.

As for the current cap on Social Security needing to be lifted. As I am sure most of you know this will impact the successful small business owner the most. I am willing to contribute more as long as I know it is a loan and that I will get it back in the end. Otherwise call it what it is. Another leftist money grab designed to redistribute the wealth I have worked so hard to attain.