Needless to say this admonition, did not sit well with me.
It was in regards to a discussion, about the back-room wheelings and dealings for structural reforms to the Social Security Disability Insurance program -- without even the luxury of "open debates".
And it was from a well-informed, 40-something Independent, whom I normally respect for his balanced and reasoned opinions.
After also being told flatly that "Entitlements had to be cut -- because they are the BIGGEST Budget issue facing the country" ... "And it's going broke" ... "Medicare too"
... and after expressing my dismay at the parroted Rightwing Talking points (hook line and sinker) ...
I calmed down and realized, that I had some 'explaining to do' -- as this well-informed Independent Voter had never heard of the Social Security Trust Fund. And its relationship to our routine payroll FICA deductions.
Which I proceeded to explain like so, in a much calmer and sober email:
Here are a few facts on the Social Security Trust Fund -- which far from being broke -- had a 2.7 Trillion dollar 'balance' as of a few years ago:
What Happened to the $2.6 Trillion Social Security Trust Fund?
forbes.com -- Jul 13, 2011
[...] Social Security has a trust fund, and that trust fund is supposed to have $2.6 trillion in it, according to the Social Security trustees. If there are real assets in the trust fund, then Social Security can mail the checks, regardless of what Congress does about the debt limit.
President Obama’s budget director, Jack Lew, explained all this last February in USA Today:
“Social Security benefits are entirely self-financing. They are paid for with payroll taxes collected from workers and their employers throughout their careers. These taxes are placed in a trust fund dedicated to paying benefits owed to current and future beneficiaries. … Even though Social Security began collecting less in taxes than it paid in benefits in 2010, the trust fund will continue to accrue interest and grow until 2025, and will have adequate resources to pay full benefits for the next 26 years.”
[...]
"Social Security Facts." by James D. Agresti and Stephen F. Cardone. Just Facts, January 27, 2011. Revised 4/15/15.
* Perception about Social Security's finances:
The only reason Social Security is in trouble is that our "leaders" have looted it for years. That is not the fault of Social Security. It would be fine if it were administered honestly.[198] [199]
* No money has been taken from the Social Security program.[200] [201] By law, Social Security surpluses must be loaned to the federal government,[202] [203] which is a requirement that was established in the original Social Security Act of 1935.[204] [205] [206] [207] The federal government is legally required to pay back this money to the Social Security program with interest,[208] and it has never failed to do so.[209] [210]
[...]
* Perception about Social Security benefits:
I am entitled to the money. It's my money. I've saved it.[190] [191]
* All taxes that have been paid into the Social Security system since its inception have already been (1) spent to pay for benefits, (2) spent to fund the administrative overhead of the program, or (3) loaned to the federal government.[192] [193] [194] [195]
Remember when Al Gore was talking about "safe-guarding the SS Lockbox" ?
Well this is what was talking about -- The Social Security Trust Fund and about all the Government IOUs being written against it?
And the GW Bush Administration borrowed from the Trust Fund to finance its wars.
And by Law our current Government (and current Taxpayers) need to honor those IOUs -- and pay the "Trust Fund" back. ie. It's time to 'pay the piper' for all our War Spending.
And NOT just whiddle away the Benefits going out the door today, that workers have paid for; just like several Rightwing Think-tanks keep arguing for -- as the only solution to the "Entitlements problem."
Funny how they never call it the "War Debt" problem -- because that just doesn't have the same rhetorical ring to it, now does it.
I would add in all seriousness now -- "We all need to
be Adults about
our 'War Debt' problem."
We ALL need to pay THAT piper -- one way or another. SOMEONE will end up paying BIGTIME.
Three guesses on Who that will be -- if those Rightwing Think-tanks keep winning the rhetorical day, in middle America.