Good site for talking points on Social Security

[yankeedem]

http://www.socsec.org/publications.asp?pubid=503

The one that is most profound to me is that 37% of SS recipients are NOT retired. The wingers are pushing SS as a "poor investment", but the truth is, it's not an investment, it is a safety net.

This point is effective to me because virtually everyone has some friend or relative collecting who is NOT 65. I have been pointing this out to people who say they want SS "reform", and they really have no answer, outside of regurgitating their talking points.

[papau]

1. Good Point - a safety net that the GOP want the media to help them end

And indeed the media seems hell bent on never saying that the GOP tells only partial truth lies.

The idea that our media could do some analysis and reveal that analysis every time the GOP push a fact that is not on point but which is only said to convince folks that the truth of the SS situation is not really the truth - well that idea seems impossible in our "we are not controlled by the right wing GOP - we just act that way" media world.

[jody]

2. If it's a safety net, then why do millionaires need a safety net? n/t

[papau]

5. Because it is universal - or should be - and not a means tested welfare

benefit.

Universal would tax all wages and give a benefit based on all earnings. Because of the structure of SS that tries to help the poor, the result of "universal" would be a halving of (or at least a very major reduction of!) the SS payroll tax rate - a major benefit to the middle class.

[StClone]

3. SS is Insurance: a very effective one

The SS Privatization thrust will be a study in propaganda.

[Dr.Phool]

4. I didn't pay into SS

But I paid into Railroad Retirement for 31 years. It's older than SS and was the model that Social Security was built on. We have much better benefits, but we pay a lot higher taxes (as does the employer). It works great for us, and I feel that once they destroy Social Security, they'll come after us, as part of our benefit is based on SS benefits.

[Jazzgirl]

6. I am still paying Railroad Retirement.

What you are saying Dr.Phool is exactly what I've been feeling too. I figure they'll try to take Railroad Retirement and screw it up as well. Phil Graham tried for years to get his hands on Railroad Retirements money. I see the chance for another push to take it.

[Dr.Phool]

9. I'm on occupational disability

Just got a $52 raise per month today.

[HuskiesHowls]

7. And part of that 37% are kids

Minor survivors of deceased parents can receive Social Security as long as they are under 18 AND in school.

I know...it helped me out as a kid after my mother died!!

[LizW]

8. There's also a good article on Social Security

in the January 2005 issue of The Progressive. Clear, concise and rational. Here's the link to the online article:

http://www.progressive.org/jan05/com0105.html