Get Ready for the Coming Social Security Fight

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Administration has found reasons for funds to be pulled away from Social Security toward other ends, but this may prove dangerous for a number of reasons. The borrowing that has taken place from Social Security has created a substantial government liability to the fund. Many point to the enormous general deficits and argue, justifiably, that the federal government may not be able to honor its commitment to Social Security.
Even if the government is able to repay what it has borrowed, however, this does not address the true danger. As the government continues to shift money between the two funds, the delineation between Social Security and other programs will become muddled and distort funding priorities. This was not the intention of the creators of Social Security when they made provision for a distinct trust fund and a separate revenue form in the payroll tax.
Should the government wish to continue to ignore the intended autonomy of the Social Security trust fund, it should take this policy stance to its natural end: Social Security revenues and liabilities should be pooled into the general budget (http://bit.ly/y5hMvv).

Carly EngageAmerica of NY 2:08PM June 11, 2012

I AGREED THE S.SERCURITY IS IN BAD
SHAPE NEED TO CHANGE TO HELP THE
RETIRED PEOPLE WHO HAVE WORKED+30Y.
WE NEED TO RAISE THE % PEOPLE PAY
TO 8% EACH MONTH, FORBIT CONGRESS
FROM RAIDING THIS FUND, RAISE MIN
MONTHLY PAYMENT TO $1000, MAX $3000.
TO DO THIS PEOPLE NEED TO HAVE A JOB
SO THEY CAN PAY TAX. CONGRESS NEEDS
TO LOWER TAX RATE FOR ONLY COMPANIES
THAT CREATE 2/3 OF THEIR JOBS IN THE
US TO FLAT 15%

Robert Allen of CA 1:58PM June 11, 2012

The money in Social Security is earned by us the working people. Not Congress or the President so them taking it to do pay off their debt is once more proof of just how crooked they have gotten in DC.

Lindsy of TX 1:22PM June 11, 2012

"Washington gridlock continues to prevent serious attention" Each political party has controlled everything and did nothing. No reality Our education system has produced too many people who cannot do the math, including the media.

Bob of IL 1:20PM June 11, 2012

Tweak nos. 1, 4 6.
Include employer paid benefits (ie. health insurance, and other employer paid misc. beneits, etc.) as a taxable benefit
increase retirestment age 1 year by 1/2 any mortality increase.

John H. Alvey of KY 1:11PM June 11, 2012

Social Security should be done away with. Allow at least three years for folks to set up retirement plans then shut down Social Security and give a lump sum payment to those already in SS.Give me mine with interest and I am out of the system. This will put more money into the hands of taxpayers and corporations.

Bob of NJ 12:45PM June 11, 2012

Anyone that is getting SSI & Medicare knows that for what we went through to get these donations knows that it ain't enough the way it is - but these politicians always wanna cut SSI & Medicare to fix the countrys problems - they need to look elsewhere - Senate & Congress - lets cut their wages, they are not doin much anyway & they are overpaid anyway - do away with their chaufer driven vehicles, expense accts, paid for living quarters/houses & insurance all paid for by us - lets start there - trips - airplanes, for starters how much does this add up to - these milkmen & women need to start doing their job & fix this great country...>Snap out of it..<

Chet of FL 12:41PM June 11, 2012

Don't you think it would help if the Government would pay back everything that they have barrowed for SS and stop paying benefits to the people on Drugs and mexicans also the people in our jails.

John pasquale of OH 12:30PM June 11, 2012

It seems unfair to me, that social security beneficiaries should have to shoulder the cut backs when they have (paid) their entire lives for something that was supposed to be there for them. I think we should take a look at cutting the benefits that Congress, and the Military are receiving, long before we cut the benefits of American retirees.

Belinda Baardsen of FL 5:11AM June 11, 2012

I would just like to get out what I paid into the system. Being self employed I paid in a lot of money. Unlike some government pensions where the retiree pays in a relatively small amount and gets huge benefits.

Bill funk of TX 5:14PM June 10, 2012