There are many people who for one reason or another depend on Social Security. It is hardly the “monstrous lie” that Gov. Rick Perry says it is.
Unless we want half or more of the people in the United States to work until they die, or seniors or the disabled starving or doing without medicine because they are too poor, something like Social Security is needed.
Americans want to help others; not give free rides, but help out. Social Security was supposed to do that. Social Security now helps somewhat less than it used to, unless you were someone who did well, had decent jobs and were able to save (a lot) before you retired. If you want to retire at close to what you were earning at the end of your career, you need more than 10 times that in savings. Imagine trying to do it without Social Security.
Today Social Security pays out more than it takes in for most retirees. And there are fewer people paying in now for the projected benefits to be paid. Why? Because the politicians took money that was supposed to be saved for Social Security and used it to avoid raising taxes or not funding some other federal program.
Politicians ignored the change in America’s health and insufficiently changed the program to work for a population whose average life span has increased from 63 when Social Security started to 78 today. (Yes, when started, the typical beneficiary would collect for one year, not today’s 15 or more years.)
Politicians added more beneficiaries than the original program and then complain that Social Security taxes are too high. And so on.
It is time for us to elect politicians who have the courage to change Social Security so it is the assistance it was intended to be. There are many options available, including higher eligibility ages, and Social Security taxes applied to higher incomes.
If you look up the Texas Employee Retirement System website you will see that Gov. Perry is entitled, after eight years as an elected state official, to a lifetime pension at his highest monthly payment, plus benefits, starting at age 60!
Shame on you, Gov. Perry, for taking the hypocritical stance of calling Social Security monstrous when you have a sweetheart deal where you will collect a 100 percent pension and Social Security. Shame on you for your lack of willingness to help make the Social Security system work. You are unworthy of my vote.
Mike Smith Jackson