Washington Post says Hillary Clinton has no social security plan
October 1st, 2007 by Brendan SteinhauserThe Washington Post writes that Hillary has no plan for fixing social security.
At an AARP forum for presidential candidates in Iowa two weeks ago, Ms. Clinton dismissed the “people on the other side of the aisle who never wanted us to have Social Security and Medicare” and who “run around all the time sounding the alarm.” Since President Bush took office, she noted, the insolvency date has moved from 2055 to 2041. “So the first thing is, let’s get back to doing what worked in the ’90s to shore up Social Security.”
Unfortunately, the Post believes that the program is fine, given some minor tweaking and huge tax hikes.
At least Mr. Obama was willing to broach one possibility — raising the cap on payroll taxes, currently $97,500, though it’s hard to see how such a significant tax hike squares with his proposal for new middle-class tax breaks. Former North Carolina senator John Edwards has raised a different, promising idea — leaving the existing cap in place but putting a surcharge on income over $200,000.
Until this debate becomes about ownership and freedom, politicians and editorial boards will continue to talk about how to “fix” one of the most fiscally irresponsible programs we have. Younger workers should have the option of not participating in social security, which won’t be there when they retire. Instead, they should be free to choose personal accounts that they own and control.
It’s high time the GOP presidential candidates started talking about this issue in these terms. Otherwise, the Democrats and the Washington Post will frame the debate. And that won’t lead to anything good.
November 29th, 2007 at 6:46 pm
In May 2006, 24 Democrats and 7 republicans voted to give Social Security to illegal aliens.
Which Political Party took Social Security from the Independent “Trust Fund” and put it into the General fund so that Congress could spend it, eliminated the income tax deduction for Social Security (FICA) withholding, started taxing Social Security annuities, and decided to start giving annuity payments to immigrants that never paid one red cent in? In case you don’t know, it was the Democratic Party.
Just two days after a major immigration overhaul plan (AMNESTY for over 20 million illegal aliens) died in the Senate, thanks to the efforts of millions of concerned citizens, Democratic presidential candidates vowed if elected to push for legislation that would protect (illegal alien) workers and give them a path to citizenship.
I know all this information is repetitious, but it needs to be repeated over and over, up to the elections so people will remember and vote these traitors from office. Our forefathers did not fight and die for our country to be made over by the invaders into another third world banana country.
I have asked the AARP repeatedly to stand up for American citizens and against any type of Amnesty for illegal aliens and to ask for reductions in the numbers of legal immigrants allowed into our country. The AARP has abandoned American citizens that have paid into the SS system all of their adult lives and refused to stand for our Rule of Law.
Our country is fast becoming a third world nation with the continuing flood of illegal aliens coming from the South. They abuse our systems to the detriment of tax paying citizens. They cross our border illegally to have their children, many born with major health defects. Once born they are instant citizens and are enrolled in tax paid disability. They can cross back into Mexico or any other country and tax paid benefits will be sent to them monthly. Upon reaching the age of 21 they are enrolled into the Social Security Disability and can cross back into the USA and bring their extended families, who can then receive Social Security with never having paid one red cent into the system.
The AARP did and said nothing against the failed Amnesty and will fail to stand up for the Rule of Law and our citizens.
“We are facing a situation, where if we don’t control immigration, legal and illegal, we will eventually reach the point where it won’t be what kind of a nation we are, balkanized or united, we will actually have to face the fact that we are no longer a nation at all.”
January 16th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
If Social Security is such a great deal, then I challenge EACH and Every Congressman and Senator to forgo thier Legislative Pension and pay, contribut retroactively into the Social Security Fund. Don’t tell me that you can’t, due to federal law, as you are the ones who can change that law.
Social Security must be reformed in several ways. Yes, we must keep it for those nearing or at retirement, with no reduction in benefits. Then, we should also raise the annual caps to pay more into the system. Also, it benefits should be means tested: If you are married, filiing jointly, and your AGI is over 150,000, then you start losing, dollar for dollar, your SS Pension for every dollar over 150,000. The richest paid in the most, collect the most per month, and need it the least.
Also, enact a three tiered system: Those over 55 keep the current system. Those between 25-55 can opt into a modified system: Get only half of what they would, and would be allowed to take 3% of the approx 6.5-7% paid in FICA and invest it in some mutual fund (similar to the Federal TSP). The employer would still contribute the employer FICA into the fund to keep the fund solvent for those over 55.
For those under 25: Same as above, but allow them 6% to invest, while the rest, and employer FICA go into the general SS fund.
This is doable. Yes, it may cost a little initially, but then, there is no money in the lock box anyway, as congress uses it for current funding.
By the way, I find it interesting that the Federal Government taxes me to pay for the interest on the T-Bills, which are used to fund the so called growth in the SS Fund. So, I am paying for the growth on my SS funds anyway. Just be honest and tax us all fairly, as stated above, if we recieve benefits and well enough to do without the benefits.
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:13 pm
February 25th, 2008 at 8:27 am
What is this Anon says?