What does Social Security have to do with the Deficit, Debt, Debt Ceiling? [View All]

[sabrina 1]

Why is it even being mentioned in this debate over the Debt Ceiling as 'something to cut' or 'something to slash' or better question, why is it even 'on the table' during this debate?

Social Security had absolutely zero to do with the deficit.

I'd like someone to explain how cuts to SS will contribute anything to reducing the deficit.

By 'cuts' I mean:

1) Raising the Retirement Age

2) No COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) for Seniors

3) Obviously any kind of cuts in benefits earned regardless of age of retirement.

4) Chain-weighted CPI

Or any other deceptive plans to take away money from those who earned the benefits they are receiving or will receive in the future.

The Social Security Fund belongs to those who paid into it. Anything 'saved' by any kind of cuts, goes into that separate fund. The only way it would help pay down the debt would be if it is taken out of the fund and 'borrowed'. Raided is probably a better word. Is that what they have in mind? I hope not.

It should not even be mentioned in the same paragraph, speech, sentence as the words 'Deficit' 'Debt' 'Debt Ceiling'.

So, why do we keep hearing about Social Security?

Why are we not hearing more about creating jobs?

Why are we not hearing a lot more about the Bush Tax Cuts which contributed 2 Trillion $$ to the Deficit?

Why are we not hearing a lot more about the other major cause of the problem, the Wars/Military Spending?

And has anyone even mentioned The Economic Meltdown, the Bailouts etc. as a major cause of the current fiscal problems and/or starting investigations into those who caused it, as recommended in the recent findings of the bi-partisan Senate Committee to the DOJ?

Iow, why is it even being considered that the most vulnerable Americans pay the debts of the most corrupt, the most wealthy who are actually responsible for them?

'Shared Sacrifice' 'Austerity'! This sounds like the US is being subjected to the same programs implemented in Greece, in Ireland and elsewhere by Global Entities whose main goals appear to be to protect those who created the problems from taking any responsibility for them.


Franklin Roosevelt signs the Social Security Bill in Washington on August 14, 1935.

Anyone who ties Social Security to the current problems with the Debt Ceiling should be ashamed of themselves.

Edited to add:

And regarding the President's statement that 'SS is not a major driver of the deficit'. Someone needs to tell him that it is not any kind of driver of the deficit.

In fact, someone has: Obama: WH deficit meeting constructive

But Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., said she would "absolutely" vote against any package that included savings in Social Security spending. "Social Security has zero to do with the deficit. Nothing. It is a completely separate discussion," she said.

She said she opposed "the very idea of having these essential programs on the table, being forced to put them on the table by Republicans who want to protect the wealth of the wealthiest Americans."

The President however has not been clear at all on this subject:

Obama ignored a question about Social Security during a photo session at the beginning of the meeting. Carney also declined to discuss options before the negotiators.

I think we need clarification on this from the WH and from Congressional Democrats since only a few so far have made clear statements such as the one above from Rep. Jan Schakowsky. It's not that hard.