You know what would really strengthen Social Security, Leader Pelosi ....

[WCGreen]

Stop using the trust fund as a way to disguise how much the Defense Budget and Republican Tax Cuts are truly costing the taxpayers...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. NO KIDDING.

And it would do more than that.

It would allow us to trust our leaders to do the right thing.

What a concept.

[MiniMe]

2. Or stop borrowing against the SS trust fund

[WCGreen]

3. I thought that is what I said...

[Trailrider1951]

4. Or eliminate the cap on income, from about $110,000

to infinity. We old farts could not spend all the money, and there would be much left for our younger citizens when they retire.

[Blanks]

6. That's what I keep saying.

If the fund needs more money. Get more money. If it doesn't need more money; leave it alone.

[jeff47]

5. What would you like done with the trust fund?

Would you like the money to just sit there?

The reason we've invested the trust fund in US securities is they pay interest, but are utterly safe - if the federal government collapses, Social Security checks aren't going to be a problem.

That interest is actually rather important - it's why Social Security is still in the black at this moment.

[Blanks]

7. Invest the money in infrastructure.

Instead of defense.

Or alternative energy; instead of defense.
Or any kind of improvement where bonds can be issued to pay it back from property taxes; instead of defense.

We are borrowing from it to pay for defense spending. If we are going to spend the money on defense; let's at least make sure that it makes good economic sense to spend it. Make sure that we are getting our money's worth and it's not going into the pockets of the Halliburtons of the world.

[jeff47]

13. It is invested in infrastructure. And alternative energy

And everything else the government does. Because it's invested in the government.

We are borrowing from it to pay for defense spending

No, we are borrowing from it to pay for all government spending.

[Blanks]

15. Over half of which is defense spending. eom

[WCGreen]

8. Valid Point....

When program revenues exceed payments (i.e., the program is in surplus) the extra funds are borrowed and used by the government for other purposes, but a legal obligation to program recipients is created to the extent this occurs. These surpluses add to the Trust Fund. At the end of 2011, the Trust Fund contained (or alternatively, was owed) $2.7 trillion, up $69 billion from 2010.[1] The fund is required by law to be invested in non-marketable securities issued and guaranteed by the "full faith and credit" of the federal government.



But these Bonds are not let out to the public but are funds lent to the US Government. If debt grows beyond a point point there would be a massive cash flow problem.

[jeff47]

14. Except it won't be growing much more.

Because shortly the fund will no longer be in the black.

[reformist2]

9. Or how about raising the cap, instead of lowering the benefits.

Oops. Sorry for the repetition!

[daleanime]

11. Don't worry....

we're going to have to say that often and loudly if we want Washington to hear us.

[Blanks]

16. I'm sorry. I didn't hear you.

Would you mind saying that again.

[WillyT]

10. HUGE K & R !!! - Thank You !!!

[BainsBane]

12. if the Repugs split on the speaker vote

it could happen. And the Tea Baggers are nuts enough to do it.