Social Security Reform: An Analysis of the Ball/Altman Three-Point Plan
This article describes and analyzes the costs and benefits of a three-part Social Security reform proposal introduced by Robert Ball and endorsed by Nancy Altman. The Ball/Altman proposal consists of (1) gradually increasing the maximum earnings base until it reaches 90 percent of earnings; (2) dedicating the estate tax to funding Social Security beginning in 2010; and (3) investing a portion of the Social Security trust fund in equities. The article concludes that while the Ball/Altman proposed solution is not costless, it deserves serious consideration.
'Death Tax' Repeal Unfair to Those Who Owe 'Birth Tax'
Those in favor of permanent estate tax repeal talk of the need to eliminate the death tax, but only 1 in 200 deaths will actually result in estate tax liability this year, and only 1 in 300 by 2009. Estate tax relief benefits the very few richest households, yet imposes the tremendous and unavoidable cost of a higher federal debt--a birth tax--on all Americans.
Calculation of Complex Radiant Heat Load From Surrounding Radiator Surface Temperatures
Abstract A method for calculating the radiant heat exchange between an absorber and individual radiating components in its surroundings is reported. Radiator surface temperatures, ambient and absorber temperatures, and configuration factors for radiating components in the surroundings are used in the customary radiant heat exchange formulae. Simplified methods for calculating or estimating configuration factors for radiators of various shapes solely from angles, subtended at the absorber by the radiators are presented. The method has been verified in the laboratory under controlled conditions and has been used to advantage in the field studies. The method has advantages over the globe therometer method in certain applications.