Forum Post: Super committee dems caving on social programs
Posted 12 years ago on Nov. 4, 2011, 12:14 p.m. EST by Faithntruth
(997)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
A petition to dems on the committee (on credo, linked to huffington post).
http://act.credoaction.com/r/?r=231766&id=29903-4622203-Wqz7F8x&t=9
My comment:
To any member of the legislative branch: cut those social programs and I vow I will work endlessly to ensure you are not reelected, then will lead protests and boycotts against any company that hires you... I will make it my life goal to ensure that you will experience the despair of hopelessness and betrayal that you now choose to foist upon the weakest people of our society. Follow your conscience, and do the moral thing instead of caving in to ideological posturing.
I also have tons of resources and contacts and experience working within politics.
Do the moral thing and respect the taxpayer's wallet. Do the moral thing and respect your oath of office to uphold the Constitution (hello 10th amendment).
social programs = corruption
I will work endlessly to ensure they are re-elected.
Woo democracy!
I hope you experience exactly the same amount of kindness, empathy, and caring in a very near time of need that you now have for others.
Thank you. In the last month I've helped habitat for humanity, donated food, over a thousand dollars to the poor, and have donated clothing to Occupy DC.
Luckily I tend to enjoy the same deep level of warmth and caring that I extend to everyone - even those who disagree with my politically.
May you also be lucky enough to return what you've given.
Umm hmm. I believe your claims because you took so much time to craft an intelligent response instead of a smartass quip in your first response. It so clearly demonstrated your devotion to maintaining the contract with the elderly their government signed on to, and toward helping those who have disabilities. Yes, yes, I could feel the warmth flowing over my soul as i read your comment, the heartfelt outpouring of compassion had me on the verge of tears--really--i thought, "what a true humanitarian, an example to us all!".
It really doesn't matter if you believe me or not. I know what I do and so do the people I aid. Contracts are vitally important. I am all for allowing those who were lied to and abused by politicians to fulfill their contract. I am also all for ending the system that was abused and lied about by those politicians so they can profit from it no more.
I do wish you all the best in your personal life. I won't by surprised that your cynicism and partisanship won't allow you to believe that though. I've already met lots of individuals in this movement who are willing and eager to push away people who share common goals.
Medicare and Social security are unsustainable in their current form. Do the math. It aint pretty. If the programs are not cut, they will completely consume the federal budget in the next 20 years, even if you tax the 1% at 100%. There has to be some cutting.
The "great society" started by Lyndon Johnson has become an unwieldy monster. All of the social programs that you think help the weakest in society are in reality facilitating a culture where 15 year old mothers and 30 something grandmothers raise children in households with no father. As long as the checks keep coming (AFDS, HEAP, Medicaid, food stamps, etc.) and the federal government subsidizes housing, it will not end. It will only grow. Do you think that is really OK?
Yes, there has to be cutting. And it has to start now.
Flame on...
So your problem seems to be single parent housholds headed by women.
God, you people disgust me. Dont look for solutions--no--just focus blame on the group of your personal ire and rip the rug out from everyone. Your comment amounts to advocating for letting people starve, leaving the elderly to die on the street, taking healthcare away from children and the disabled. Ah, yes, lets return to those good old days...
You just don't get it. The welfare state has created an environment where you can behave recklessly and without any responsibility. I'm not saying all recipients of aid should be stopped. It should be a bridge, a temporary system of help. The problem is that an entire culture has emerged where it's perfectly acceptable to go on forever, collecting welfare and getting free healthcare.
Social Security was designed to be self funding, that is why it was created as a TRUST fund. The interest which was being drawn by the trust fund was redirected to the general fund, monies were 'borrowed' (to the tune of 2.8 trillion dollars) and an IOU substituted.
The interest alone on the current trust balance and the 'loan' to the general fund would be enough to cover the costs of SS and Medicare, with the fund growing proportionately with contributions from the taxpaying public.
At this time the FICA tax paid by both employees and employers is lower than it has ever been.
Do some real research instead of spouting political talking points.
FICA tax lower than it ever has been? I don't think so.
Yes, SS was designed to be self funding, when life expectancy was 65 and the payouts were fixed. Congress changed that in the 70s when they instituted the automatic COLA adjustments.
Yes, the trust balance and the loan would be enough. But the reality is that the government decided to throw it all in the "general fund". Again, it started with Lyndon Johnson, to fund the Vietnam War so he wouldn't have to raise taxes. Why don't you do some research.
SS used to be taxed at 7.5% for the employee and an equal amount for the employer, self employed people paid in at 16%. Currently for 2011 the tax is lower.
From the SSA website. http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/240/session/L3RpbWUvMTMyMDQyNzIxMy9zaWQvVF9vUXZoSWs%3D
Employee/Employer
For 2011, the maximum taxable earnings amount for Social Security is $106,800. The Social Security tax (OASDI) rate for wages paid in 2011 is 4.2 percent for employees and 6.2 percent for employers. For example, an individual with wages equal to or more than $106,800 would contribute $4,485.60 to Social Security in 2011. The employer would contribute $6,621.60.
For Medicare's Hospital Insurance program, there is no limitation on taxable earnings. Tax rates under the Medicare program are 1.45 percent for employees and employers and 2.90 percent for self-employed persons.
Self Employment
For 2011, the maximum taxable earnings amount for Social Security is $106,800.
For Medicare's hospital insurance program, there is no limitation on taxable earnings. Tax rates under the Medicare program are 1.45 percent each for employees and employers, and 2.90 percent for self-employed persons.
I did do MY research, I didn't point fingers as you did, I merely pointed out the 'loans' and the interest being redirected.
Not pointing fingers, just forgot about the current temporary rollback in emloyee portion of SS. I'm also generally pissed off at FICA because I'm self-employed. So I've been paying both halves for a long time now. Some years, my FICA tax is higher than the federal income tax. Given the state of the "fund", I just don't think it will all be there for me.
Thanks for the detailed explanation.
I've been self employed all my life, so I keep track of where the tax rates are.
The entire issue with SS is the redirection of the interest and the repayment of the 'loans' which are separate from the interest issue.
Whether or not it is there for me doesn't bother me so much as the potential loss of fluid funds in the economy. Most of the recipients of SS benefits use those funds for basic necessities, rent, food, etc which in turn 'keeps the ball rolling'. Reduction of benefits and the other proposed cuts would affect the economy harshly, creating even more problems than we are currently dealing with.
Since there is the cap on FICA deductions at $106,800.00 at this time, that is earned income, income from IRAs, annuities, and investment income is not taxable for FICA.
By the way, you are welcome for the explanation and I hope this bit of info I added helps also. The SS website has a lot of information that may be of more help.