Ok, here it is, my LTTE .....

[madmom]

yesterday I asked for help from DUers in debunking a LTTE in our paper (www.crescent-news.com), thanks to every one who helped with links. so here's the result any input would be greatly appreciated.

In a recent letter (dated Aug.21) a reader stated that democrats harmed social security and are destroying America. He also says our future depends on us "not being brainwashed, to search for facts and vote accordingly, we must separate facts from lies." Well okay let's do just that.
Lie#1 Social security was to be:
a. voluntary
Fact: Persons working in jobs covered by social security are subject to FICA payroll taxes, like all taxes this has never been voluntary.
b. deductible
Fact: There was never any provision to make social security taxes deductible. In fact the 1935 law expressly forbids this.Section 803 Title VIII.
c. non-taxable
Fact:Originally social security taxes were not taxable income,though this was not a provision in the law, or anything Roosevelt could have promised.It was the result of rulings issued be the Treasury Dept. in the early years of the program.
Lie#2 Clinton imposed heavy taxes on social security.
Fact: The taxation of social security began in 1984 following passage of amendments in 1983.President Reagan (a republican) signed these into law in April 1983.
Lie#3 President Johnson abolished the trust fund.
Fact: The social security trust fund was created in 1939 as part of amendments enacted that year. The trust fund has always worked the same way. The social security trust fund has never been put into a general fund.
Lie#4 President Carter gave social security to immigrants if they are 65, even though they never paid in.
Fact: Neither immigrants nor anyone else is able to collect social security without paying into the payroll tax system.
SSI however is a federal welfare program and no conditions, from immigrants or citizens is required. The SSI program was initiated and signed into law by President Nixon (a republican) in Oct.1972.
These facts can all be verified at www.ssa.gov/history. This is the social security administrations own web sight. Where did Mr. Mastin get his "facts", Rush Limbaugh,or some other Fox puppet correspondent? He like most right wing radicals like to spew lies and hatred without backing them up. So I also say, don't be brain washed, search for facts, separate facts from lies and vote accordingly.


well what do ya think?

[tk2kewl]

1. Perfect.

:thumbsup:

[Whoa_Nelly]

2. Congrats, madmom!

You put a lot of energy and thought into creating a cohesive reply.

Will be interesting if you elicit responses. If you do, please share. :hi:

[GreenPartyVoter]

3. Very good except for "web sight" at the very end, & add a ' to s. *hugs*

[madmom]

5. Ok thanks correction have been made on the hard copy.n/t

[SteppingRazor]

4. Two small things --

Web site, not Web sight.

Also, it should technically read "Rush Limbaugh or some Fox puppet correspondent." Take the "other" out, because Rush isn't a Fox correspondent.

[madmom]

6. noted..corrections made..thanks..n/t