Social Security reform debate stirs in Congress (media admits SS taxes used to fund Big Government)

Reuters ^ | Richard Cowan

[rabscuttle385]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - While Congress brawls over how to shrink a $1.6 trillion budget deficit this year, an even tougher battle has begun over cutting popular Social Security retirement benefits to achieve long-term savings.

It's unclear whether Congress will be able to agree on how to reform the massive government pension program, which has provided a social safety net for the elderly since 1935.

That in part will depend on whether President Barack Obama throws his weight behind a reform effort that politicians of all stripes fear could be full of political risks. While the president has invited a conversation on Social Security reform, so far he has not offered specific proposals.

Undercutting Social Security reform efforts is the fact that if left alone, the retirement benefits will keep flowing unimpeded until 2037, according to government estimates last year.

Social Security has been generating surplus tax revenues for years. But with the surplus vanishing because of an onslaught of new retirees and because the surplus has been used to finance tax breaks and other government programs, the Social Security now has to be paid back.

[Uncle Sham]

"I am on SS disability and I advocate a gradual reset of the retirement age and a means testing to qualify."

I support elimination ENTIRELY of social security and folks like you getting the help you need from the good will of heart-felt kindness rather than a heartless bureaucracy.

The fact that the trust fund is empty means that we all really pay for social security TWICE. Once, during our working years and then again to finance the debt to the trust fund we are repaying. This program is a total fraud. End it.

[thethirddegree]

I support elimination ENTIRELY of social security and folks like you getting the help you need from the good will of heart-felt kindness rather than a heartless bureaucracy.

And how much shall we put you down for, you kind-hearted compassionate soul?

[Uncle Sham]

"And how much shall we put you down for, you kind-hearted compassionate soul?"

Kindheartedness is a gift, not an entitlement.