First of all, cut out the ALL CAPS.
Second, Leslie Stahl needs to redo her math. I just checked the form I receive every year from the social security administration. My employers and I have paid in over $142K in contributions. By the time I retire, we will have paid in enough to cover the 'benefits' for 10 years. And, that doesn't include 'interest'. Now if you wish to include interest, fine, I'll take the stock market rate of return.
you are forgetting the obvious-the last 20 years the fica taxes have kept on rising on young workers, but for the first 50 years the fica taxes were a pittance. also when the elderly realized they were getting a great windfall they created lobbying groups like AARP and became bloc voters to maintain the status quo (or increase it with generous colas etc.)
as to your math-duh-why do you think we call it a PONZI scheme?