Thom Hartmann: The Age-Old Social Security 'IOU' Argument

[ProfessorPlum]

Run time: 08:37 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvsK6Fr8v74   Posted on YouTube: June 06, 2011 By YouTube Member: thomhartmann Views on YouTube: 298   Posted on DU: June 07, 2011 By DU Member: ProfessorPlum Views on DU: 1007

 
This conversation fascinates me. Thom has a conversation with a doctor who begins with the old trope of "SS is just a pile of IOUs."

I've heard this argument from conservatives from time immemorial and I've never understood it. Thom wears her down until she is just babbling nonsense.

The bottom line is that Social Security is a great, nay, brilliant program that works fantastically, and if you think there is a problem with it you either 1) don't understand it or 2) just don't like old people getting money. Period.

Great job, Thom - it must be boring to you to have this conversation again, I'm sure you've had it about a hundred other times. But it is important to keep hammering it home because this "IOU" issue never seems to die.

[rurallib]

1. Thank you for posting this.

That woman doctor's premise seems to be that we should not pay back any government bonds? Man what a strange argument.
I often wonder what the Chinese think when they hear these arguments.

[ProfessorPlum]

2. The basic point of "contention" that this argument seems to make is

that since the government _could_ choose just to steal that money and not pay back the bonds, then Social Security is a bad program. ???? I've never seen why that is a problem, since the people should (hopefully) scream bloody fucking murder if someone tries to rip them off like that.

Attention Obama - don't you pull this shit either.

[rurallib]

3. RWers seem to think bonds bought by citizens (or in their name)

was just money thrown away. Wonder how they think of bonds that they have invested in? Especially when they make this argument on SS.

[wxgeek7]

4. No wonder she babbles this nonsense....

She's the executive director of the wildly conservative Association of American Physicians and Surgeons. Here's some interesting info from Wikipedia:

"The organization opposes mandatory vaccination, universal health care and government intervention in healthcare. The AAPS has characterized the effects of the Social Security Act of 1965, which established Medicare and Medicaid, as 'evil' and 'immoral', and encouraged member physicians to boycott Medicare and Medicaid. AAPS argues that individuals should purchase medical care directly from doctors, and that there is no right to medical care. The organization requires its members to sign a 'declaration of independence' pledging that they will not work with Medicare, Medicaid, or even private insurance companies."


Simply disgusting how some people can be sooooo cold-hearted *shakes head* :(

[ProfessorPlum]

5. thanks for the info.

A strange occupation for someone who doesn't want to care for other people.

[wxgeek7]

6. Ur welcome!

Thanx for the vid! And yeah, exactly!

[Enthusiast]

7. "wildly conservative" = batshit.