Well, it’s not like we (public/society) weren’t warned, and it’s absurd at this point for the public not to hold politicians responsible - they are masters at blowing smoke but they can’t wriggle out of THIS mess.
Who wants to explain (gently) to Grandma, that while the “trust fund” monies are counted as debt, there is no legal requirement that they be paid out? That’s right boys and girls - your foreign lenders are first in line.
Of course, so were GM bondholders, and we saw how _that_ turned out.
But this “feature” of the social security program has been known for a long time - and so at least we get to see the pols squirm and try and explain how and why they spent the monies ostensibly set aside for the most vulnerable, so that they don’t starve or be set out in the streets.
The BS meter is pegged with all the rhetoric out of Washington, good luck with that guys.
My dad has been retired for about 10 years now. He was fortunate/blessed/wise enough to have other investments besides social security (because he always knew it was supposed to SUPPLEMENT on’es retirement plan, not replace it). It took 3 years of talking with him before he finally realized that the social security is ending, with his acceptance or not.
IT’s funny, because people also ignore that once upon a time, social security contributions were also lower and limited, and you only had to pay in so much. Later it began to be paid on all income. Throughout my younger days, dad mentioned several times, how he didn’t see how it could add up, and he could pay in 30-40 years at very small amount, and somehow be supposed (I say “supposed” because it never would nor should have worked that way, but was purported to) get out another 20-30 years of a livable income.
It’s hard, but I think the non entitled seniors already know that social security doesn’t work (and thus prepared accordingly, and knew it was to be supplemental at best). However, a lot of other either were naieve enough to believe the political snake oil (they’re gifted liars), or simply were lazy (laziness was refined millenia ago, and is not new), hoping the “next guy” would pay for their ease.
It’s sad because a lot of good people paid into a corrupt, unworkable system, some by choice, many by being forced. The fact remains that they (those forced to pay), DID NOT stand up when they should have, before the funds were raided, and the system so established. Now, if they have ANY honor, they’ll work with the next generation to abolish this idiocy and not try to force them to pay for it. Thankfully, my dad has seen the light, he’d rather have no social security and give his posterity a chance (by choice), than try to force his children grandchildren and greatgrandchildren (one so far) to pay his generations debts (with foreign creditors’ loans), until the system collapses.
For those that understand there is no money, but still want the productive to support them, they feel entitled and deserve nothing. For those who think there is money, they need to get a clue. And for those who acknowledge their wrong in not fighting with all they had to abolish the socialism (or those who did, but were unsuccessful), and support that fight anew, may they receive more charity than they have room to receive.