Social security was created in 1937. From 1937 to 1990 S.S. contributions were raised 20 times. Since 1990, the only change has been a temporary reduction in 2011. It's time for the rates to increase or the salary cap to be raised, so that social security is placed on a sustainable level! Increasing the cap will impact less than 10 percent of all wage earners. The one percenters will not be impacted.
The Medicare withholding started in 1966 and hasn't been changed since 1986.
Medicare and Social Security are insurance policies. Medicare might be compared to a long term care policy for anyone surviving past age 65. There's a guaranteed payout for those surviving past 65. Social Security functions as an annuity with survivor benefits. Both are democratic in nature. They apply to the majority and pay off for the majority.
For those individuals feeling imposed upon by big government, it still makes sense to participate. The alternative is unacceptable. Don't participate if your willing to be turned away from the doctors, hospitals or grocery store unless you pay cash up front.