Social Security, and the dying heart of America...

[Zorra]

I lived and traveled in third world countries for several years. In third world countries, disabled people sit on the streets and beg for money. People with no legs. Blind folks. Terminally ill folks. People with every spectrum of severe disability that can still function enough to beg for mercy.

It is seriously heartbreaking. Believe me, if you have not witnessed it firsthand, it is absolutely crushing to anyone with at least half a heart.

Third world countries do not have Social Security or any other form of substantial social safety net. The sick, dying, and disabled have to rely on private "charity" to survive.

Ah, yes, good ol' private "charity" - what republicans tell us could take the place of social security. And yeah, of course, private charity is a great thing.

However, depending on private "charity" is why these folks in the third world have to sit in the streets in the hot sun, begging people, imploring people that can actually walk, to drop a few pesos in their cup, so that at the end of the day they might be able to get some beans and tortillas, or maybe some medicine...and sometimes it's for their kids.

The truth is, private charity can never even come within a million miles of filling the role of a solid public social safety net like social security. It never has, and it never will.

I remember thinking, while walking the streets of central America, about how totally awesome it was that my country, the good ol' USA, had Social Security to help out or less fortunate folks.

That social security is the real heart of my country, and my government of, by, and for, the People. I'm not a flag waver by any stretch of the imagination, but social security is actually one thing that makes me feel a bit proud of my country.

That, as a nation of people, we have the kindness and common human decency to choose by law to allow our government of, by, and for the People to help folks that could not take care of themselves anymore survive.

That when our family, friends, and neighbors, and ultimately even ourselves perhaps, got sick or got old, we would provide for them.

To me, this is a wonderful example of what human decency, love and kindness and goodness is. Saying, "Yeah, sure, cool, I totally agree to let you take some of my income to help those in less fortunate circumstances than me - go for it". No questions asked, we're totally glad to be able to help.

But now, wealthy private interests and their dedicated representatives in government, the republicans - the GOP - they have this idea of making our government of, by, and for the People so small that they can drown it, and us, in a bathtub. They have greedily sucked up almost all the wealth and resources of the world, and now, apparently, they want the rest of it.

And Third Way Democrats are right in there with them, assisting them by using our money to make bombs and bullets and kill people in war and protect corporate investments on the other side of the planet, or wherever, using our money that could go toward the truly beautiful collective program that helps us care for so many of our less fortunate family and neighbors.

So when I see garbage like the content of the article below that follows this diatribe, it just really pisses me off so much I want to scream. Our economy was ruined by the uncontrollable greed of the financial sector. We are involved in 3 military conflicts to protect the interests and property of the super rich in countries other than our own. The Defense Budget, which exists primarily for the protection of multinational corporate interests, consumes over half of our federal outlay of public funds.
http://www.warresisters.org/pages/piechart.htm

One of the main reasons that this really pisses me off, (the primary reason being that it is a disgusting and sickening offense against humanity) is because this money could be used to assure the solvency of both Social Security and SSI disability.

It seems that the GOP and the Third Way Democrats only want to make that part of our government that helps the less fortunate small enough to drown in a bathtub so that they can have more money to protect the interests of their transnational corporate masters and other wealthy private interests.

I mean, really, they are just so totally full of shit. They, (whoever they actually are), apparently misused and depleted the Social Security Trust Fund by using it for purposes other than what the Trust was designed for, and are now telling us that there is not enough money in the Trust, without explaining how they lost the money or what it was being used for when they lost it. And how can we trust the GOP and Third Way Democrats to tell us the truth about the solvency of Social Security? I seriously wouldn't even buy a used car from any of them.

The fact is, we can't trust them. They have other priorities, allegiances to wealthy private interests that far supersede our interests and the interests of our less fortunate sisters and brothers that basically depend on social security for their survival.

What is the solution? Maybe a big part of the solution would be to tax and prosecute the sociopaths that ruined our economy into submission, levy higher taxes on the wealthy, and stop spending half our money on the God damned wars and use the money to help people instead of using it to kill and bomb them to increase profits.

Until that happens, I personally just don't fucking ever, ever, ever want to hear or see any more of this type of half-truth bullshit:

Social Security disability on verge of insolvency

The disability program "got into trouble first because of liberalization of eligibility standards in the 1980s," said Charles Blahous, one of the public trustees who oversee Social Security. "Then it got another shove into bigger trouble during the recent recession."

http://news.yahoo.com/social-security-disability-verge-insolvency-090119318.html

(BTW, Charles Blahous III is a republican, is a research fellow at the Hoover Institution, is a public trustee of social security)

Social security is awesome beautiful. It is our collective heart, one great reflection of the real soul, the spirit, of the collective goodness and kindness people of our country.

We totally need to prevent the mean, greedy people from messing with SS, and do our best to stop them from stabbing us in our collective heart and stealing our collective soul.

Peace & Love - (with a big shout out to FDR)

[Autumn]

1. I am seeing so many people standing on the

street corners holding signs asking for help. When I come out of a store, people have stands asking for donations to help vets, bake sales for medical help. Never have I ever seen it like this in my life. K/R for an excellent post that lays it all out.

[dkf]

2. The biggest threat to social security is not fixing Medicare.

That is what is eating up our future GDP.

[Donnachaidh]

3. the biggest threat to SS is our reps using it as a petty cash drawer

Let the government pay US back for the trillions they've STOLEN to fund tax cuts for billionaires.

[sabrina 1]

28. There is NO threat to SS other than greedy politicians

who do not want to pay their creditors and want to keep increasing the SS fund so they can keep borrowing from it.

It is the most solvent program in this country's history. The Fed. Govt should be run the way the SS system is run.

The Fed Govt has run up a debt. It has plenty of assets and will have no problem paying its creditors once it accepts the fact that when you borrow money, or when you issue bonds backed by the full faith and credit of your Govt, you must sell off some of your assets if you have to, but you have zero choice regarding paying your debt.

All this kicking and screaming and multiple commissions etc, and staged 'debt ceiling crisis' is all about them not wanting to give up their favorite hobbies, like their War Games and Bailouts for their buddies when they get in trouble, and the free rides they want to give their rich friends and themselves. Sorry, we the people cannot afford them anymore, we can't keep them in the style they have become accustomed to. They will have to pay up.

It would be appreciated if we did not have to see that rightwing lie about SS on this board. SS is fine. The Fed Govt is another story. They are two totally separate issues and never, ever should be talked about in the same sentence. I fail to understand why this keeps happening.

[Desertrose]

35. Thank you!!! +100

Keep repeating this Sabrina!!! we need to get the truth!!

[sabrina 1]

50. Hi Desertrose, thank you, I will!

Slowly they are breaking people down and we should not allow that to happen. At least if they do succeed in destroying these programs, their names should go down in history because the public should at least understand what they have done.

[Raster]

42. There is NO threat to SS other than greedy and dishonest politicians!

[sad sally]

46. The plan to bankrupt and abolish Social Security is in phase 1 right now.

That is the absurd idea in the form of a "payroll tax holiday," which our President pushed last fall after the elections, got enacted into law January 1, 2011, and now is pushing very hard to be extended at least another year.

Additionally, the employers "payroll tax holiday," being touted as a way for employers to create millions of jobs, is also being planned and "floated." Another bogus plan.

Not paying/funding into the SS system is like saying "I have a college fund established for my chilren, but I'm not going to contribute to it; but don't worry, when the kids are ready to enroll, somehow somewhere we'll have the money." The idea that contributions to SS can be reduced or even stopped and not affect both current and future retirees is crazy.

Do people really have faith in the idea that the government who's been stealing, oops using/borrowing, SS funds for years will ever return the billions not being paid into it in 2011 and maybe 2012? Call me a fool, this tax holiday is a well thought out plan to abolish the SS system.

[sabrina 1]

49. Good comment. I think people are beginning to see what is going

on and I agree with everything you said. It made no sense to claim, otoh, that SS needs funding and then on the other, to cut off that funding. Seems pretty deliberate to me, unless we want to believe that these are the stupidest people on the planet.

No Republican President would get away with this, that's for sure. I am still hopeful that someone who has the power to do so will manage to stop them.

The Deficit Commission didn't quite get the job done, so now they have the Super Commission on the job. And this time, Congress has had its power to stop them, pretty much removed. It is a crime imho.

[defendandprotect]

52. True -- K/R --

[RaleighNCDUer]

39. Oh, so now you're out to 'protect' SS? Denfend the 'ponzi scheme'

as you've put it so often?

Now that the person attacking SS is Obama, and the Republicans have decided to sucker people in by 'defending' it against him?

:eyes:

[defendandprotect]

51. Biggest threat to Social Security is Obama and Third Way ....and GOP ....

Medicare needs to be open to every American of every age --

and we need to curtail medical expenses based on preventive care --

and negotiation on drug company prices --



EVERY DRUG COMPANY HAS DEFRAUDED MEDICARE -- THINK ABOUT THAT !!

AND NONE OF THEM HAVE BEEN BARRED FROM FUTURE DEALINGS WITH MEDICARE !!

[Bryn]

4. K&R

If any politician reads this and laughs he has no heart and is soul-less. Shame on politicians for allowing the greedy rich people to destroy America's Economy as well as start wars just to protect their interests. They are sociopath and should be held accountable.

[Bryn]

5. Just one more thing ...

down with "Third Way" democrats. Pffffft! They can go to hell. They are no better than repugs.

[Dragonfli]

6. Actually, they are Republicans, the infiltrator brigade

They do more damage with their false flag operations than the "wear the R on the jersey" brigade that run as the Republicans they are.

[Enthusiast]

22. That is right.

And they are being led by the Infiltrator in Chief.

[indepat]

7. BHO's lasting legacies for America imo will be: (1) continuing most of junior's

ruinous initiatives, wars, and fiscal/tax policies; and (2) setting up the framework wherein social security and Medicare will be systematically eviscerated for any one believing the repugs won't take this puppy and run with it until both are wiped from the face of America is living out there in la-la land. :patriot:

[blkmusclmachine]

8. Social Security disability on verge of insolvency:

It appears that everything is going according to plan.

[Zorra]

11. It really does seem that way doesn't it? nt

[dkf]

12. It wasnt meant to have a cash balance. It's supposed to be pay as you go.

[w0nderer]

9. k&r n/t

[russspeakeasy]

10. Great post....who is going to prosecute these assholes. ?

We won't even admit that there was any wrong doing.
We are in a sad, sad situation. :evilfrown:

[lib2DaBone]

13. We can't even take care of the sick and elderly? WTF?

How much PROFIT is enough for Republicans? How much more caviar and champagne can they stuff down their throats at one time?

What is the point? Greed for greed's sake?

Less than 1% control more than 50% of the wealth in this country. They control the lawyers, the Courts, the Congress .

When you soil your own nest and it all collapses..who wins? I just don't get the Republican mind-set?

[Enthusiast]

23. "How much PROFIT is enough for Republicans?"

Remember those great Charles Dickens novels?

"When you soil your own nest and it all collapses..who wins? I just don't get the Republican mind-set?"

Their nest won't be soiled. Our nest will be soiled. They will live in clean gated environments where they will not have to see poverty, sickness, pollution and other un-pleasantries. This is the way it has been for most of history. We are just going back to the way it was before this great experiment in justice, liberty and humanity we call the United States of America.

[lib2DaBone]

36. Well said. We are just going back to the good old bad days....

The Robber Barons running rough shod over everyone and everything in sight.

Feudalism... economic slavery.. it's all happening right before our eyes.

[RaleighNCDUer]

40. Watch 'Soylent Green'.

It lays it all out - the middle-class cop (RW icon Charlton Heston) living in squalor, only 'middle-class' by dint of simply having a job, investigating the murder of a tycoon who quite literally lived above it all, in a penthouse condo, with wealth unimaginable to the people on the streets.

Not quite as literary a reference as Dickens, but closer to the coming reality.

[defendandprotect]

54. Uncle Sam in disgrace ---

Obama has just given $150 BILLION for new nuke warheads -- think that's GE!! --

We have to end MIC and national security state which is a threat to all of us ....

in the end that's what an armed state is -- a threat to its citizens!!

And, now TORTURE is back in the picture --

the primary way to control one's citizens -- even just the mention of it!

[sulphurdunn]

14. Why do we debate

Libertarianism in this country as though it possessed some kind of merit or bestowed benefits on anyone but rich criminals? If you wish to experience the fruits of Libertarian economics just wade the Rio Grande heading south. Stop to wave at the multitudes you pass trudging north.

[annabanana]

15. How can this eloquent and heartfelt post have so few recs?

The generation that lived through the great depression is nearly gone now. My parents told me of running out of coal and the house being frigid in the winter... of sitting down to dinner and coming up short a few portions.. putting cardboard in the shoes to get a few more weeks out of them before going barefoot...

bread lines. . food riots.... .tent cities..

How have we allowed America to forget what happened such a short time ago?

[Enthusiast]

24. "How have we allowed America to forget?"

It was no accident, I can assure you.

[Raksha]

16. K & R

[Little Star]

17. Great OP! Thanks. k&r

[TBF]

18. I will give a shout-out to Eisenhower as well - for the big expansion under his watch

Dwight Eisenhower was the principal force behind the greatest single expansion of Social Security beneficiaries in the history of the program. He led the legislative drive to add over ten million Americans to the system. Here’s how it developed...

http://www.eisenhowermemorial.org/social-security.htm

Our president Obama could learn a bit from Mr. Eisenhower.

[Enthusiast]

25. Obama is ideologically rigid

and opposed to the New Deal and the Great Society.

[TBF]

32. It is very telling that his positions are to the right of Eisenhower.

:scared:

This isn't the "change" I was hoping for.

[hifiguy]

48. Ike supported much of the New Deal

and thought it would be idiocy to try and dismantle it.

The Current Occupant clearly has no love for the New Deal.

[chervilant]

19. I've said before, but it bears repeating:

I read Rachel Carson's Silent Spring when I was 12. When I finished Carson's iconic treatise, I made two fundamental decisions: 1) I would not bear children, and 2) I would be an activist for the rest of my life. I am thankful that I've achieved both these goals, considering our species' imminent ecocide.

During my 55 years on this planet, I've witnessed:

~heavy metal pollution of virtually all of our groundwater

~inexplicable declines in honeybee populations

~nutritional deficiencies in almost every fruit or vegetable harvested since the 70s

~vast swaths of soil erosion and silt runoff

~measurable declines in the quality and flavor of most produce

~GLOBAL monopolies on seed stocks

~cross contamination of vegetable foodstuffs from cattle and dairy operations

~inhumane treatment of cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, calves, chickens, turkeys, geese and ducks

~Bhopal

~Chernobyl

~Fukushima

~oil spills in the Gulf

~the nationwide existence of 'Superfund Sites' that are so toxic, massive amounts of our tax dollars have been allocated to 'clean up' these abandoned, hazardous areas (visit Superfund websites and you'll find "Superfund for Kids!")

~destruction of the planet's rain forests (actually, widespread deforestation)

~global climate change, resulting in extreme weather conditions worldwide

~a pile of floating garbage--in surface area, twice the size of the state of Texas--in the doldrums of the Pacific Ocean (and another similar carpet of plastic in the Atlantic...)

~a measurable decline in the amount of food fish we pull out of our oceans and lakes (with toxic levels of mercury in tuna and other large fish)

~an exponential increase in obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and other diseases directly linked to the consumption of refined sugars (let's not even BEGIN to discuss hydrogenated oils...)

~a growing percentage (almost half) of functionally illiterate (thus, easily manipulated) adults in the US

~a now ubiquitous 'message delivery system' (television) that has turned a significant number of humans into distracted, misinformed zombies

~a dangerous economic system that concentrates the wealth of this planet into the hands of a VERY few at the expense of the VERY many

~destructive, endless 'wars' based on lies and profitability (don't get me started about Depleted Uranium)

~a radical shift to exponential growth (read 'change') that few recognize and even fewer discuss.

Sigh...

We are like a plague of locusts on this planet, fouling the air, water, and land while destroying entire ecosystems. AND, in these exponential times, the catastrophic economic 'transformation' we're witnessing in our global economy promises to inflict challenges we have yet to envision.

Did you know that a third of US students surveyed do not expect to live into their old age? (In case you don't remember, for teenagers thirty is old age...)

The 'whining' Obama and his sycophants denigrate is actually the justifiable grumbling of the hoi polloi, as more of us awaken to the reality of the jack boots of the uber wealthy clamping down across our necks. These vile corporatists are daily increasing their stranglehold on our lives and our livelihood. Do they expect us to go quietly into their dark night?!

Our species has reached critical mass. The decisions we make RIGHT NOW will determine whether we continue to evolve into the erudite, peaceful and creative beings we KNOW we can become; or devolve into the ignorant, aggressive, and fearful beings we vociferously deny being now and in much of our past.

At this unavoidable fork in our evolutionary path, which way do YOU think we'll go?

[Zorra]

20. I don't know which way we'll go. I don't think that

evolved human beings generate much profit for transnational corporations, so there will probably be a continued concerted effort to keep us in the cave.

[Enthusiast]

26. Yes.

Yet even here, on the DU, some will argue that human population growth is not a problem.

[Karenina]

27. Game over.

Back in 1960 I got into a row with my 5th grade teacher over WHAT ABOUT RADIOACTIVE WASTE??? She assured the class that there would be a solution down the road with our cadre of smart scientists. I replied that I was certain there were people smart enough to solve the problems but there were many times more stupid people who would prevent them doing so.

[Enthusiast]

21. "prosecute the sociopaths"

That's out! This DOJ doesn't operate in the interest of justice. Jesus Christ, I thought the it couldn't get any worse than the Bush DOJ with Ashcroft and Gonzales.

We must look forward. According to the President we worked to elect that has betrayed us at every turn. If Obama had not signed a bill to extend the Bush tax cuts we would not be having this discussion -remember that.

[fasttense]

29. Finally, a post that explains that charity and churches don't meet the needs of the weakest among us

That's been one right-wing talking point I could not argue. That charity and churches should be taking on the burden of helping the weakest among us. And you said it plainly.

Charity and churches are never sufficient enough. When Social Security was passed after the 1st RepubliCON Great Depression, the leading cause of death for the elderly was starvation and hypothermia. Most everyone's Grandmothers and Grandfathers were dying from lack of food and lack of heat. Where were the churches and charity? Why did these institutions, that according to RepubliCONS and Teabaggers are the ones responsible for the care of the weakest, allow the elderly to die such miserable deaths?

Because charity is never enough. The richest and most powerful among us are also the most greedy. In any comparison of how much the poor and middle class give to charity as compared to the very rich, the poor and middle class always give more as a percentage of their income. The especially wealthy are also the especially greedy. They don't give to charities that help the weakest. They prefer to give to political think tanks and other minor things that don't improve the lives of the weakest among us.

If charity had worked to alleviate the suffering of the injured and weak, then Social Security, Medicare and food stamps would never have been invented.

[GTurck]

30. Generally good...

thread except for the thinking that Social Security is only for charity. It is not!
When you pay into a fund for a lifetime as a hedge against growing older and sicker it is not charity,
That is a dangerous statement and approaches GOP thinking on the social safety net including the Affordable Care Act. Some think that they will never have to use Social Security because they will be so well off they can manage their retirement and agings physical entropy.
Maybe yes but probably not.
Social Security is beyond charity as is Medicare since we are "entitled" to get back what we have laid aside no matter what our wealth is.

[Zorra]

41. That's an excellent point, SS is not totally for charity.

The OP came about because of an article stating that SS disability was on the verge of insolvency, so it was basically written as a gut response to the article.

SS disability is not only for those who pay into SS. It also provides a safety net for folks born with serious life challenges and for kids that suffer an accident and become disabled.

So while I completely agree that SS is not totally for charity, I still see the program as a measure of the basic kindness and good heartedness of the majority of the people of this country.

I may not live to the age where I am eligible to collect SS. But nevertheless, I'm totally stoked that my contributions to SS help someone else to have a better quality of life.

That said, in the OP, I should also have pointed out how totally wise it is to have a national insurance program like social security. It has been a great investment for millions upon millions of Americans since the New Deal.

Thanks!

[4_TN_TITANS]

31. We have had several generations of social security

and plenty of time for people to forget what the landscape would be without it. This country has such a short memory.

[orbitalman]

33. K & R

[MissDeeds]

34. K&R n/t

[SaveAmerica]

37. Private Charity = Pull yourself up by your bootstrap! How do we counter the crazy ideas that are

planted by the Republicans and Fox 'news'? A friend put on her FB status that SS is not an entitlement, it is something that we put into as we're working and get back when we retire. I think to myself 'excellent, she gets it' then one of her friends writes that SSecurity is stealing money from her pay and giving it to the poor people of the US and she will never get any of it. I don't know where she gets her news but it's my bet that it has to be Fox. Is that a Fox talking point? I've never heard anything like it.

[CrispyQ]

38. Every politician who advocates private charity over the public safety net

should have the last 25 years of their tax returns examined & release just how much that particular politician gave to charity. You know what we'll find out? You can't count on rich people to be charitable.

[whathehell]

43. Love your post, Zorra...As for specifics, in 1983, workers starting paying DOUBLE taxes for SS, so I

don't know what Mr. Blahous is talking about regarding "liberalization of eligibility standards in the 1980's"?

The only change I remember from the eighties is that they DOUBLED our tax investment

Since 1983, workers have been paying for their own AND their parent's retirement...How

dare they cry "broke", now?:shrug:

And you are right: This IS the heart of America, and certainly the heart of the Democratic

party...Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and SUPPORT for Labor Unions...If we don't have

those we do NOT have a Democratic party anymore.

[Zorra]

44. Well, I love your post as well, wth.

Spot on, and thanks for adding specifics.

Mr. Blahous, I believe, has ulterior motives for the inaccuracy of his statement.

That AP article was some pretty serious propaganda, IMO.
:hi:

[whathehell]

45. Thank you, Zorra!

I wasn't going to let mister bla bla blather on without

reminding folks that we have every right to REVOLT Big time

if they try to take our Social Security away....That Is my line in the sand!

Now, I'll read the AP article in full...The "rightwinging" of the mainstream media

is pretty alarming.

Back at ya! :hi:

[defendandprotect]

55. They created a bigger SS slush fund on the shoulders of the poor and middle class...!!!

[sfpcjock]

47. Well, it's not dead yet. But it is a possibility.

[undeterred]

53. My first trip out of the US was to Nairobi Kenya

which is an international city with skyscrapers. This was almost 30 years ago. And I saw people with polio who had never been vaccinated who were begging in the streets in the city, and lots of other people begging. You don't see that in the US. But you do see veterans begging.