Thursday, May 07, 2009

Somebody Call the Gray Panthers!


According to an article I read the other day, someone in the Obama administration wants to freeze Social Security payments for the next two years. AND, at the same time, raise the Medicare premiums from $96 to $123!

It is possible that this is only a trial balloon, but if it is, it's full of lead. This smells like a Republican scheme to me. You know, they want to do away with Social Security altogether. The Democrats didn't accomplish a whole lot during the Bush years, but they did hold the line on Social Security "reform". But, just in case it's the warped idea of some delusional Democrat, we'd better tell the AARP to take a break from selling insurance and get busy mobilizing the seniors against this threat.

Social Security was set up as a self-sustaining entity, the theory being that workers would pay in a certain percentage of their earnings and by the time they were ready to retire, they would receive monthly payments to help out with their sunset years. This is the only social program ever devised that worked exactly as it was supposed to, until about the 60s, when various administrations started nibbling away at it to supplement other, not so successful programs.

Today, Social Security is said to be "in trouble" due to those same people who allowed it to be watered down. They're called Baby Boomers, and they are about to reap what they have sown. Of course, the rest of us will reap it, too.

But, I have a solution. I have a solution and/or opinion about most everything. It's called being opinionated. Something that is ok for men but not for women. But, that's another matter. Today, I'm ranting about Social Security.

President Obama has been busily bailing out the banks, the auto industry and the homeowners. So, why not throw a Billion or so at the Social Security coffers to shore them up? Then, he can decree that, henceforth, not one penny of it would be "borrowed" to use for any other program from now on. That infusion of cash would help Social Security remain afloat until future generations of workers pay in enough to sustain it.

The Republicans and the Media joined forces to make fun of many things that Al Gore said during his campaign for President. I guess nobody is laughing at his Social Security "lockbox" now.

Stay tuned.

10 comments:

Going Like Sixty said...

I think you are referring to the "cost of living" increases. Since the cost of living is not increasing, the cost of living increase will no longer be needed.

:)

Queen-Size funny bone said...

I don't know where the above commenter lives but my cost of living is still going up. The people on Disability SS better get in there and let someone know how they will be affected. And a increase in Medicare won't give better health care for those that need it. Medicare is not what its cracked up to be.

Looking to the Stars said...

Thanks for keeping us posted. i hadn't heard about this and i don't like it. Hopefully, Obama will not support this. keeping fingers and toes crossed :)

Cazzie!!! said...

Betty, you rant all you want, we will be here to read it.
Meantime, have a great weekend ok :)

Tincanman said...

Being opinionated knows no gender boundries--go for it. This is the first I've heard of this SS 'plan'. Thanks for the post. And for what it's worth, I think Al Gore should have been President, lock box and all.

Arkansas Patti said...

I have all ready recieved my notice from my tiny state pension that there will be no "raises" this year. Actually I was relieved for since we get cost of living increases, what was to stop us from getting poopy economy decrease? Fair is fair.
A lot of people are really suffering in this down turn so I don't mind doing my part in biting the bullet.
To protect the SS program itself is a major concern though. They really need to quit dipping into our fund to finance wars and such. Al had it right.

Nancy said...

"We'd better tell the AARP to take a break from selling insurance and get busy mobilizing the seniors against this threat."

Funniest line I have read in a long time. I am still chuckling.

Good one, Betty

bikehikebabe said...

I'm concerned that people are griping about the cost of prescriptions going up. If they don't want the medicines that they had 50 years ago, the cost will go up. Write about that one, Betty.

Anonymous said...

Unfortunately those that "have" often comfortably forget about those that "have not". While many are devastated by the loss of their investments, a piece of their retirement, a vast contingent relies solely on SS as their only retirement plan. I like your solution.

Now lets rant awhile about feminine opionados!

Going Like Sixty said...

@Queensize funny bone: that wasn't my statement, that's what gummit says. Since I'm not collecting it yet, and my wife just signed up and has yet to get a check, we won't miss what we didn't get used to.

"COLA is determined by a formula set by federal law, and it roughly parallels the consumer price index, though the two formulas are not identical. Senior citizens can get a ballpark estimate of their likely annual benefit increase from the consumer price index's rise."
http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/05/08/no-social-security-cola-in-2010/