Will raising the SS cap turn SS into a welfare program?

[nickshepDEM]

Ive been thinking about this idea and Im starting to be more and more against it. Would'nt raising the Social Security cap essentially turn Social Security into a welfare program?

[KaliTracy]

1. Don't know -- would sending tens of thousands of jobs overseas to

get lower wage workers have anything to do with SS being in trouble?

on edit -- tens of tens of thousands... millions?

[nickshepDEM]

2. Definitley. n/t

[papau]

13. No - the extra benefit is given for the extra tax

:-)

[rfranklin]

6. No, the fact that Reagan and Bush looted the Trust Fund has...

everything to do with it. There are treasury bonds that Bush Jr. now claims are worthless sitting in a drawer in Washington, D.C. This is a crime against our Constitution but the media and most Americans are such dumb fucks that they say nothing.

[E_Smith]

14. the treasury bonds are not worthless

they are backed by the full faith and credit of the US Government. The trust fund is sound.

[KaliTracy]

16. isn't it both, plus other issues too? I agree that Reagan and daddy B

did things to it that people have ignored or forgotten (or just plain don't know about). But doesn't outsourcing to other countries have something to do with this when Our own workers aren't back in the workforce yet -- or have been forced to take much lower pay?

[applegrove]

3. You have a point - those dam 80 year olds don't do a dam day's work

No - taxing all income just means that SS will be fixed faster. They are not going for a profit here - just some security in old age or if you are a widow.

How exactly is it you think that raising the cap will cause welfare?

[E_Smith]

4. I'm not sure

It would cause more redistribution of wealth. I suppose if you combined that with means-testing it would get even closer to welfare. But there really is no other way to keep the benefits the same other than raising taxes in some way. Raising the cap seems like the most logical thing to do.

[Eric J in MN]

5. They could raise the cap instead of eliminating it, without

changing the nature of the program.

[sally343434]

7. Welfare?

Social Security has no "means test," so it doesn't meet the criteria of a "welfare program." But nevertheless, why would you be "more and more against it" even if it were? Do you have something against welfare programs? I hope you haven't bought into the "welfare queens" lie.

[nickshepDEM]

10. No, nothing against welfare programs for the most part.

But SS was never intended to be a welfare program.

[papau]

15. I agree - so no means test - and give extra benefit for extra tax. :-)

:-)

[StephanieMarie]

8. Hello! How about raising the minimum wage to $7.50 an hour?

It hasn't been raised in over a decade, and that alone would shore up SS and make raising the cap unnecessary.

[nickshepDEM]

11. I like that idea. n/t

[Coastie for Truth]

9. No. Means Testing would make it a welfare program

--to be killed when (Heaven Forbid) "JEB" or "George P" gets in.

[punpirate]

12. Exactly what do you mean by "welfare" program?

The plan is overfunded now, but won't be in the future. Raising the cap will alleviate that shortfall.

And, if the cap were completely removed, the plan would be adequately funded and the overall rate could go down.

SS is an entitlement program--that means you've paid into it, therefore, you're entitled to benefits. It's an income insurance plan. Changing the cap doesn't change that basic premise. If you've spent your entire life working, and paying into it, how does that constitute welfare?

[KaliTracy]

17. I fail to see how this would be welfare. If they simply raised the cap

from 90k to 250 or 300K then it would be a start, would it not? And if it upset all of those unfortunate six figure salary earners maybe they would push for Minimum wage to be increased (ok, that probably wouldn't happen...)

[nickshepDEM]

18. Maybe Im confused....

If you raise the cap from 90,000 to 140,000 like some are talking about. Will those who pay in 140,000 dollars receive all 140,000 dollars upon retirement?

[Warpy]

19. No, it will still be INSURANCE

However, removing the cap will force the people who have robbed it for 20 years to pay back what they stole.

Besides, it will give the rich that no deduction flat tax they've been yelling about wanting for years.

We'll see how they like it when they have to PAY it.

[Imalittleteapot]

20. Social Security has been called a "welfare program"

since it's inception by Republicans who don't like the idea that a Democratic idea works and works well. "Welfare" is one of those hot button words like partial birth abortion, liberal, Hollywood, Michael Moore and rape rooms that they use over and over to work their sheeple into a frenzy.

SS is not welfare. IT IS insurance that Americans will live their final years in a semi-state of dignity.