And it’s only getting worse.
Like many, I’ve paid into SS and Medicare for many years. I’m 65 and still employed and still paying into the system – never taking a nickel out.
I turn red when I hear SS and Medicare called ‘entitlement programs’… as if to somehow change the meaning of the words to ‘give-aways programs’.
If nothing more, the government that took the money needs to at least pay back every dime they stole from the people who’ve paid into the system. To do less is nothing short of robbery – a dangerous scenario that will not go down easy with its victims.
Social Security and Medicaid/Medicare are considered welfare programs, because our illustrious leaders have expanded eligibility so much that many, many people on the programs have never paid into them in to any significant degree. As another FReeper mentioned, it isn’t the retirees so much as all the others who are getting a free ride.
Look at the present state of SSI programs. Why is ADHD so common now? How about payouts for alcoholism? Most Americans have no problem with taking care of the TRULY disabled, but we’ve expanded the definition of a disability way, way beyond the ability of taxpayers to pay.
Big government programs are inherently inefficient and full of fraud. I don’t understand the disconnect that most people have. They joke about how bad the post office is. They complain about having to fight the government to get anything done. Then they turn around and ask the government to do more things!?!? It boggles the mind.
Truth be told, a lot of these programs could probably survive if benefits were limited to the truly old and infirm, but the temptation to expand them is always there. That’s how politicians stay in office, by promising more benefits for more people, and they are very good at it. Once the constitutional firewall was breached and government seized roles it was never intended to perform, the die was cast.
Good luck reigning any of this crap in short of total economic collapse. That doesn’t mean we give up, but the chances of any serious reform are slim. They will probably have to break it before we conservatives can fix it.