“The payments went to the General Fund and got spent.”
So did your money when you bought Treasury bonds. The government spent that money to. But it promised to pay you back with interest, just like it promises to pay back the Social Security system with interest. The surplus from Social Security has been used to purchase government bonds, the same way private individuals like you and me buy government bonds. And yes, the money gets spent - with a promise to repay. You’re not saying that your bonds shouldn’t be repaid at the promised interest rate, are you?
LOL! How much can the taxpayers pay?
Not arguing the legalities. Am pointing out the politics.
Despite the law, the young will only take so much punishment from the government without results.