Joe Conason: Why Do They Hate Social Security?

[marmar]

from truthdig:




Why Do They Hate Social Security?
Posted on Feb 16, 2011

By Joe Conason


Among the mysteries of modern politics in America is why so many of our leading pundits and politicians persistently seek to undermine Social Security, that enduring and successful emblem of active government. In the current atmosphere of budgetary panic, self-proclaimed “centrists” are joining with ideologues of the right in yet another campaign against the program—and yet again they are misinforming the public about its purposes, costs and prospects.

Among the puzzling aspects of the crusade against Social Security is the zeal that animates its enemies, as if the present and future recipients of those monthly checks were somehow fattening themselves at the expense of future generations. Whatever drives these well-fed but poorly informed commentators, it isn’t the facts.

First, let’s remember that Social Security actually provides support at a very modest level. Last year, the average retirement benefit was $1,170 a month, or about $14,000 a year, with the average disabled worker or widow receiving slightly less. (It would be wonderfully educational for the cable talkers and newspaper editorialists to live on that amount for a few months—they would not only lose weight but gain empathy.)

Remember, too, that despite our status as the largest and most productive economy in the world, Social Security is among the least generous retirement programs among all the developed nations. As a percentage of the average worker’s pre-retirement wages, the benefit has been declining for years and will continue to fall without any further cutbacks. .............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/why_do_they_hate_social_security_20110216/

[CTyankee]

1. Conason is a national treasure! I have always loved him, since he was a regular

on Al Franken's radio show back in 05 and 06.

I'm glad he is OK. I read several months ago that he had had a heart attack on Martha's Vineyard and was airlifted out for treatment. That really alarmed me. I hope he's made a full recovery.

[bemildred]

2. They hate the idea of a government that serves all its citizens.

They want an aristocracy of money, not a republic in which all citizens are equal before the law, participants in governing, and the primary object of the governments care.

[TomClash]

3. I can see it now

Social security derivatives - futures, swaps, options vanilla and exotic, etc.

There's money to be made and lost at the world's casinos.

[randr]

4. They hate to see any pile of money they can't get their hands on

It started with the HUD scandal, then the S&L collapse, then the most recent raid on mortgage and security funds. The real gem of the corporate piracy has always been the Social Security funds. Sooner or later they will fix the rules and this too will disappear into the pockets of the Kleptocracy.

[seabeckind]

5. randr comes close

but it goes deeper. Getting their hands on the money is already accomplished. They've been spending it for years.

They hate taxes and having to kick in an employers portion they consider taxes. They don't give 2 shits if the fed runs a deficit. That's a canard.

They also hate the minimum wage. They want to decide what a piece of meat is worth.

They want you to work until they tell you you can go home. And then they'll tell you when to come back.

It's all about money. Theirs.

You obviously need to be reminded of your place.

[yurbud]

11. ouch! well said.

[Enrique]

6. desperate old people work real cheap

what a waste, all those old people sitting around when they could be slaving for peanuts and skewing the labor market in favor of the bosses.

[Uncle Joe]

7. They don't hate Social Security, they just hate the American People.

Their allegiance is to the dollar, not the nation as a whole and having "In God We Trust" engraved as a daily reminder has turned American currency into an idol.

Thanks for the thread, marmar.

[yurbud]

8. they hate us, but they'd love to get their hands on that SS trust fund

[seabeckind]

9. They already did

Now they don't want to give it back. That's what it's about.

They used it as collateral to borrow money to fight a "war" and now they need to pay the note. But they don't have the money, so...

[yurbud]

10. unfortunately, that's entirely accurate and what they mean when they say SS is part of the deficit

and it's the one creditor they think they can stiff--us.

[Joanne98]

12. Because they hate America!

[Oldtimeralso]

13. Does Anyone Remember the Term "Lock Box"? n/t

[Overseas]

14. Sad K&R. //nt

[lame54]

15. They love SS - What they hate is sharing...

They are drooling over the huge wad of cash that they see as their own