via Atrios. Here's the money quote:
Studies have shown that overall the rate of return for African-Americans is as good or better than for the overall population, when disability, survivor benefits, and level of contribution are taken into account.
His full post is below the fold...
Missing
Bush administration initiatives to improve African-American life expectancy. Discuss.
To recap, life expectancy at 65 is fairly close for blacks and whites (2 year gap roughly). Much of the difference is due to differences is infant, childhood, and for males, young adult mortality.
Such people pay little or nothing in social security taxes. Many of them, however, receive social security survivor benefits.
Bush has yet to address the high infant mortality rate of African-Americans. Discuss.
Anyone making the argument that social security is "unfair to blacks" without pointing out these facts is a liar. Studies have shown that overall the rate of return for African-Americans is as good or better than for the overall population, when disability, survivor benefits, and level of contribution are taken into account. Your mileage may vary, depending on your income, date of death, and other life circumstances.
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I didn't see a story about this in the main section, recent, or recommended diaries. Apologies if anyone diaried this before, but so thorough and easy a debunking of one of Bush's primary lies on SS deserves to be out front and center, IMHO. Steve Gilliard has a good post on this, btw.
I am not hopeful that this story will make much headway into the so-called mainstream media (NPR is too busy reporting "average" people's uninformed opinions on the matter) but would love to be proven wrong. PLEASE report MSM sightings of this analysis in the comments if you find any.
Oh, and even more important, please write LTEs pointing out these facts. Perhaps we can shame the media into reporting the truth.
Thanks.