STOCK MARKET WATCH -- Wednesday, 2 January 2013

[Warpy]

8. OASDI is an insurance program, so I tell them that

if they allow means testing for it, they can expect means testing for other insurance.

"Your accident claim has been denied. Our records show you have enough money in your bank account to buy a new car so your claim is disqualified. Thank you for your business." Never mind the money was being saved for a down payment on a house or for retirement or for a kid's college tuition.

"Your claim has been denied. Our records show you have adequate equity in your home to pay for the chemotherapy treatments. Thank you for your business."

"Condolences on the death of your spouse but your claim for death benefits has been denied. Our records show that you are making an adequate income to support your children alone if you'll just be an adult and move to a cheaper apartment."

You see where that could go. Unfortunately, the Republicans have decades of convincing idiots that Social Security is some sort of welfare, money for nothing, even though recipients have paid into it their whole working lives.

And this is why means testing is a really, really bad idea.