Social Security is OUR money

I think the Social Security debate all comes down to one thing.

Bush and conservatives think the Social Security tax is THEIR money. They think that the government is giving people Social Security as an entitlement. On the other had, most people think of this as OUR money, with the government just doing the administrative bookkeeping.

If you are like Bush, and you think of FICA as simply another source of revenue, you are going to be very upset about losing this to pay Soc Sec benefits. If you look at it like most people, as OUR money in the first place, Bush's whole philosophy falls to pieces.

This is where Bush is way off in his assessment of reality. Social Security is OUR money. It is not an "entitlement" program that the government gives us. The Social Security fund is generated by a legally separate dedicated tax that is paid equally by workers and employers. Just because the money comes out of our checks -- same as income tax withholding -- doesn't mean this money going into the general fund. It is OUR money. This Social Security payment is a very real part of our compensation for going to work everyday (I even think the matching funds from employers is part of MY compensation, because they would not be paying this if I wasn't working for them.)

Bush seems to think since the government is signing the Social Security checks; the money is coming from the government. This is totally wrong. This is just like your bookkeeper pretending like "your" money is "his" money just because he takes care of your bills. This is like a bank thinking the money you deposited in their bank is "their" money just because it resides in their vault. Social Security taxes ARE NOT the government's money. It is OUR money.

Social Security IS NOT an entitlement program. It is our money invested in a big group insurance program. This leads to another key difference which Bush doesn't understand.

Social Security IS NOT an INVESTMENT program. Social Security is an INSURANCE program. Just like any insurance program, some people need it more than others. Just like any insurance program, pooling the resources of the masses lessens the risk for all. Just like any good insurance program, the only way it is affective is if everyone joins.

Social Security is a wonderful program. Don't let Bush tell you it is a government handout. Don't let Bush tell you it is an investment program. It is neither of these. Bush is flat-out lying about the nature of Social Security.

If you are offended by Social Security, and don't want to take part in our collective group insurance program, I suggest you move to another country.

Bush's "plan" to cut Social Security payments for 94% of Americans (predominantly the working class) is all part of a massive bait and switch, with the money being transfered to millionaires and billionaires like Paris Hilton, in monthly cuts of between $200 and $500 per month for working class Americans.

How do you feel about having your Social Security benefit cut by substantial amounts all the finance more tax cuts for millionaires?

BTW, if your cut in payments is $300 (which is very realistic), and you live to be 95, your cut in benefits would be over $100,000.00, not including interest. Thank god this will pay Paris Hilton's bar tab for the year.