Social Security

Got an e-mail forwarded from a friend this morning on Social Security and I went off on a rant. Follow along if you like.

Here is the note that I received:

"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,
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 U.S.

Q: Which Political Party decided to start giving annuity payments to immigrants?
A: That's right! Jimmy Carter and the Democratic Party. Immigrants moved into this country, and at age 65, began to receive SSI Social Security payments! The Democratic Party gave these payments to them, even though they never paid a dime into it! Then, after doing all this lying and thieving and violation of 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!
Perhaps we are asking the wrong questions during this 2004 election year!
If enough people receive this, maybe a seed of awareness will be planted and maybe good changes will evolve."

And here is the rant that I sent back to him:

"Got your note on Social Security. I'd seen it before but my thoughts are a little bit different - not that I truly disagree but I find myself saying, "so what?"

First, Social Security should be completely abolished. SOCIAL Security is Socialism pure and simple. I am completely anti-socialism. In the Bible it says if you don't work you don't eat. Why do Americans think they have a "right" to retire at age 65 (or any other age)? I don't get it. Some folks are wise and save their money so that they can retire. Others don't. Wisdom in your youth should determine whether you retire or not. We reap what we sow. We should all be accountable for our decisions. If you don't plan for your retirement you don't get to. Simple and easy. Now, as much as I would like them to scrap the program right now, no further payments, nor further collections, that ain't gonna happen. Too many folks have planned on Social Security to be their retirement. So you phase it out. Folks who are 65 now get full benefits as planned. Those folks who are 20 right now don't pay and receive no benefits, ever. Those at age 42 now get their payments cut in half and will get half the benefits when they retire. Etc.

Second, I view FICA as simply another tax that we have to pay. There is no "crisis" and it doesn't "run out of money". The politicians have already monkeyed with it. All of FICA goes into the general fund. All benefits come out of the general fund. When there isn't enough money to pay the benefits they will do one of two things: reduce spending elsewhere or raise taxes to cover it. And you know that as much as they ought to reduce spending they won't. Taxpayers have to sign a blank check every year.

It doesn't matter - Republican or Democrat. Their policies are one and the same. Spend more, tax more, regulate more, control the citizens more - bigger government. The policies that Clinton couldn't get in place because the Republicans fought tooth and nail have been implemented under Bush. I'm referring to Homeland Security, the USA Patriot Act, federal control of voting, campaign finance reform, federal control of schools, etc.

So, while I don't disagree with your note I still have to ask, "So what?""

And that's all I have to say on that subject (at least for now).