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If neither dominant party represents you, consider the Libertarian Party.
Safety Nets
It is time to address the elephant in the room. These programs were thrust upon taxpayers generations ago. They are now unsustainable. We owe taxpayers a discussion on ending these programs.
For far too long it has been unpopular to discuss the Third Rail of Politics … Social Security and other safety net programs.
Political discomfort can NO longer be tolerated. It is a time of action.
Social Security (SS)
Since its inception in 1935 (80 years ago!) … much has changed. In fact, in 1939 SS was changed from an insurance program (taxes paid to determine an individual future benefit) to an unfunded mandate. And in 1935, the age at which payments were to start was the age of life expectancy; less than half would NOT receive a benefit (and yet pay into the program).
The passage of 80 years, the staggering additions of benefits, and the medical advances that extend life demand a revision to Social Security.
SS is simply NOT sustainable.
IMO, SS is like any other part of the federal gov't. It must be subject to a plan to incrementally reduce the size, scope, and reach. Reducing paid benefits annually by 4% and reducing FICA taxes 4% annually would trim this outdated program like trimming the rest of the corpulent federal gov't.
As the benefits to this program would become negligible for future taxpayers, a choice should be given to younger workers to participate or NOT participate. I propose that those with 10 years of employment or less can simply opt out. Workers with more than 10 years of employment would ride the system out seeing a diminished future benefit. This would, in effect, have the current workforce generation pay for benefits for their parents' generation.
Yes, SS was an unconstitutional Ponzi scheme. Six New Deal schemes prior to SS were ruled unconstitutional.
Medicare and Medicaid
Likewise, CMS programs would be incrementally diminished – 4% annual benefits reduction and an annual 4% payroll tax reduction.
Other Federal Safety Net Programs
The program to pay the massive federal debt would include ALL safety net programs as that federal department was incrementally trimmed.
Life, Liberty!, Property
added Feb 2024Web Author - Mike Kolls