President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the president the working class will always remember as the greatest who ever lived, signed the bill establishing social security in 1935. Its design was flawless. Contributions by employers and employees would insure that it was self-sustaining; requiring absolutely no funding from the federal government.
Up to the present day, 20 changes have been made to the once perfect plan. Congress has added other programs to social security, and found ways to use some of the funds for “pork-belly projects.” When you hear that social security will be “broke” in the future, you must blame your congressmen in Washington.
The fact is that it is nearly impossible for any social security recipient to receive payments equal to the amount paid by themselves and their employers. At present, full payments begin at age 66, if the recipient waits until that age to begin receiving those payments. Early payments can be received at age 62, at a reduced rate.
Millions of Americans, including yours truly, have no other income than social security. I’m proud to say that this is not a “gift” from the government, I earn every penny after working for 45 years; frequently more than 40 hours each week.
President George W. Bush attempted to change the way social security is funded. He wanted to “privatize” the system, linking it to the stock market. Republican congressmen continue in their attempts to destroy FDR’s perfect plan.
During the Republican “debates,” Marco Rubio stated that if he were president, he would raise the defense budget to one-trillion dollars. The Pentagon already receives five-times more yearly funds than all other “super-powers” combined, and records prove that they waste at least one-half of that money each year. But Rubio does not want to increase social security benefits for the working class.
“While reducing discretionary spending is an important goal, Washington is devoting a disproportionate amount of time to a tiny slice of the budget while ignoring the fact that continued inaction on saving Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid is bankrupting our country,” Rubio said in a press release after his election to the Senate.
It’s always interesting that those who live lives of privilege and power pass the blame for their failures onto the American people. 435 Representatives, and 100 Senators receive a base salary of $174,000 each year, not including extraordinary healthcare and retirement benefits. That is a cost to taxpayers of $93,090,000 each year, and they do nothing to earn it. That is only a base salary; added to that are bonuses for many committee chairmen, and of course the leaders in both houses. They do not rely on social security for their retirement, and they don’t want those they represent to have it either.
It’s time for a “clean-sweep” in Washington; they all need to go. The only way that will happen is to force congress to establish term limits similar to what is required for the president. We have learned that most of the voting public do not vet the candidates, and far too many vote for a party and not the candidate. It’s time for change.
We, the American people have allowed those who “work” in Washington to amass wealth and power without concern for ourselves. There is no reason to be proud of “serving” five terms in the senate; that is 30 years of privilege, and breeds corruption. Case in point; Mitch McConnell. He continues to promise to do nothing, but collects his salary without a single hint of guilt.
Your vote may not count for the president, thanks to the Electoral College, but you can remove all incumbents from office.
Our congress does not deserve our respect or support; please repost, and I thank you.
Op-Ed
By James Turnage
Photo Courtesy of DonkeyHotey
Follow me on twitter; @jamesturnagenov
The Truth With No Restrictions 