Social Insecurity

After receiving an email forward from a friend, I've decided to point out a couple of things regarding Social Security. Now, I understand that not one is particularly concerned about social security as a topic right now (which is to say the media isn't talking about it, no politicians are particularly motivated about it right now, and we have more pressing concerns such as the Superbowl) but I do take forwards seriously.

Well, allow me to clarify. I take seriously forwards which are 1) political in nature and 2) which are written to help or hurt a person or cause. My reasoning is that most people (being predisposed toward apathy with respect to politics) will take forwards at face value or will completely discard them altogether.

In the case of this forward I think neither of those approaches is appropriate. It raises some legitimate concerns, though not comprehensively. It offers no solutions either, other than a transparent one which is inadequate. I'll try to make some points and offer a solution in the end.

With all of this in mind, here's the forward:

Your Social Security

Just in case some of you young whippersnappers (& some older ones) didn't know this…It's easy to check out, if you don't believe it. Be sure and show it to your kids. They need a little history lesson on what's what .and it doesn't matter whether you are Democrat of Republican. Facts are Facts!!!
Our Social Security
Franklin Roosevelt , a Democrat, introduced the Social Security (FICA) Program. He promised:

1.) That participation in the Program would be completely voluntary,

2.) That the participants would only have to pay 1% of the first $1,400 of their annual incomes into the Program,

3.) That the money the participants elected to put into the Program would be deductible from their income for tax purposes each year,

4.) That the money the participants put into the Independent "Trust Fund" rather than into the General operating fund, and therefore, would only be used to fund the Social Security Retirement Program, and no other Government program, and,

5.) That the annuity payments to the retirees would never be taxed as income.

Since many of us have paid into FICA for years and are now receiving a Social Security check every month -- and then finding that we are getting taxed on 85% of the money we paid to the Federal government to "put away" -- you may be interested in the following:
-------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Which Political Party took Social Security from the
independent "Trust Fund" and put it into the
general fund so that Congress could spend it?
A: It was Lyndon Johnson and the democratically
controlled House and Senate.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Which Political Party eliminated the income tax
deduction for Social Security (FICA) withholding?
A: The Democratic Party.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Which Political Party started taxing Social
Security annuities?
A: The Democratic Party, with Al Gore casting the
"tie-breaking" deciding vote as President of the
Senate, while he was Vice President of the US .
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Which Political Party decided to start giving
annuity payments to immigrants?
AND MY FAVORITE:
A: That's right! Jimmy Carter and the Democratic Party.
Immigrants moved into this country, and at age 65,
began to receive Social Security payments! The
Democratic Party gave these payments to them,
even though they never paid a dime into it!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Then, after violating the original contract (FICA), the Democrats turn around and tell you that the Republicans want to take your Social Security away!
And the worst part about it is uninformed citizens believe it!


If enough people receive this, maybe a seed of
awareness will be planted and maybe changes will
evolve. Maybe not, some Democrats are awfully
sure of what isn't so.
But it's worth a try. How many people can
YOU send this to?
Actions speak louder than bumper stickers.

AND CONGRESS GIVES THEMSELVES 100% RETIREMENT FOR ONLY SERVING ONE TERM!!!


Some questions, points, musings, and thoughts on this topic:

* Yes, FDR implemented social security. Something not often pointed out is that the payout started at roughly 62 and the average life expectancy was roughly 65. (I say "roughly" because I'm not sure of the exact ages, but I'm within a year or two of each. It was never designed to be a retirement plan, it was designed to be safety net for people who may not be able to afford heat, housing, or food.

* Yes, the Democrats have raided the funds and simultaneously given themselves a nice retirement plan in the process. Yes Republicans were equally (not incidentally) responsible for that. Look at the votes!

* Yes, FDR said only 1% of 1,500 would go to FICA. So what???? Every time I go to Wendy's the prices go up, should we put handcuffs on them preventing an increase?

* Why didn't the Republican controlled congress, senate, or white house do a damn thing about it when they were in power?

* Why do Republicans get the same retirement pay out as Democrats?

* During Clinton's presidency, he did try to reform social security and was stonewalled. By whom?

* In a state with many retirees which is also conservative (Florida) Republicans have used not only social security but low (to no) taxes on older citizens who vote to get elected.

Here's my suggestion, keep a safety net for people that will not be able to survive without some sort of assistance in the form of Social Security while allowing people who are young and planning their retirement to set aside for it by putting money in stocks and specially designated retirement plans.

Oh wait, we do that!
If you're young, get a 401(k), 403(b), SEP, Roth IRA, Traditional IRA, Whole Life Policy, or Annuity. (Scratch that, annuities are a rip-off).

If you're old and you're on Social Security, life sucks because the "security" is nothing close to "retirement" and you should tell those "young whipper-snappers" to start saving for the latter or they'll be stuck in the former.

True, this is not a Democrat or Republican thing, so why are we only being shown one party's errors???? The solution is for us to hold both parties accountable for the failing Social Security. Neither should get a pass as they've both participated in the corruption and they've both failed to rectify the problem. We can, as voters, hold them accountable but unfortunately that will require more than forwards and blogs, it will require true civic engagement. Sorry... there's no magical formula, we just have to get involved.