Again with the numbers - Real Clear Politics: "Social Security, entitlements - the facts say fix them."  This part may provide a clue as to why young Americans (see below) can't get ahead: "Also in 1940, there were approximately 160 workers paying Social Security (FICA) taxes for every beneficiary. That ratio has dropped almost steadily during the intervening decades. In 1950 it was 16.5 to 1; in 1960 it was a tad over 5:1; and today it is less than 3:1. That arithmetic is simple, too, as are its implications."