Posted on 07/03/2014 11:57:08 PM PDT by quesney
Obamacare has pushed us over the entitlements tipping point. In 2011 some 49.2 percent of U.S. households received benefits from one or more government programs—about 151 million out of an estimated 306.8 million Americans—according to U.S. Census Bureau data released last October.
Currently, around 6 million to 7 million Americans who have signed up for Obamacare are receiving taxpayer-provided subsidies (though the administration’s numbers cannot be trusted, it’s all we have to work with). There are another 3 million who have signed up for Medicaid.
That means some 10 million Americans—or a total of about 161 million—are now getting government subsidies (though the final number might be somewhat lower since some may have been receiving benefits already).
Thus, perhaps 52 percent of U.S. households—more than half—now receive benefits from the government, thanks to President Obama. And Mr. Entitlement is just getting started. If Obamacare is not repealed millions more will join the swelling rolls of those dependent on government handouts.
(Excerpt) Read more at forbes.com ...
Yes. Yes, you’re correct. Pardon me while I go find a straight razor with which to slit my wrists.
See you on the other side...
It wasn’t bigoted of Romney to decry government welfare, it was bigoted to only oppose welfare to the poorest citizens. It was incorrect to say that people getting government assistance will automatically vote for food stamps over a growing economy and good jobs. It was politically stupid to insult potential voters and bigoted to not include the big banks and the crony capitalists in his list of takers. But what would you expect from an elitist socialist like Romney.
For the record, it disgusts me to watch someone buy a load of luxury groceries with their ebt card and load them into their nearly new car.
I guess the collapse comes when the takers are outnumbered by the makers.
It looks like Obama remorse covers a lot of bases on both sides. But most of the Obama voters and those who sat out the election won’t admit it.
306 million Americans?
I have the same question about SS “benefits”. As I see it, for those who have paid into the system most of their adult working lives, it is an account payable for government. It is not a government benefit.
For the purposes of this conversation, I would generally agree - however it is not strictly correct. The government has no specific legal obligation to make a specific level of payment. Congress decides what the payment level and the contribution will be, as entirely separate acts.
That is correct. The payments are set by law. And the law can and will likely be changed. The law also governs how many government deadheads are on the payroll at any given time. That too, can and likely will be changed.
It’s all a matter of priorities.
Very astute observation in how things are framed.
No to you, per se, but, for a forum/people that loves to bitch about the ‘perversion of language’ most sure love to use the same perverted words/phrases. Contribution, entitlement, promises, etc.
Gov’t doesn’t have dollar ONE, unless it takes it from someone else. Just because they have promised to steal your own $$ to ‘invest’ it for your retirement, or promised goodies to stay in the military (sorry all. I’m not knocking the military, they do a good job with the BS they have, but the boat is the same), or any other snake-oil, it remains...snake oil. And, you’re still wrong to expect any promises from gov’t to be honored; as they have none, and no authority to take from one to give to another.
Now, as to your point: they may have the ‘easy’ answer, but it’s 180; they had little to do with the mess and easiest to get out and make it right for themselves. The seniors, on the other hand, have had numerous votes to correct the same, but never have.
When the Gen XYZ+ finally have enough of getting their pockets picked so grand-mom/pop can hit the Bahamas again this month, it’s gonna be messy...to say the least
“Still others get the Social Security retirement they contributed to during their working lives. I do not equate the above with TANF, SNAP, SSDI, unemployment insurance, worker’s compensation, Section 8 or the like, do you?”
Depends. Those with low paying jobs that are getting Social Security are subsidized by those that paid in the max and will never get all their money back. This doesn’t even include their employer’s contribution. It is socialized security.
Two different kinds of social security.
The 16th Amendment says otherwise. Of course, I wish that particular amendment didn't exist, but it does. Maybe our focus should be repeal of said amendment.
“But SocSec is not that. It is a redistribution, goverment enrichment and populace control program. Nothing more or less. We all get sucked into supporting it because “I paid into it”.”
Thank you for seeing socialized security for what it is. The low earners get back all they paid in, plus much more. Those that work the hardest will not get back what they were forced to pay in, and will be the first ones cut when the gov. realizes the system is broke.
(This is for those retiring at 67 and paying in the max for 10+ years, any other situations I don’t have the calculations at hand. I just did the numbers for my husband, who wanted to see if he needed to keep working until 67 for SS benefits. Haha, there is NO point to his working 17 more years and supporting this fascist government. He would pay in close to $175k and only receive $50k more if he lives to 83. Oh, and that doesn’t include what his employer pays into the system on his behalf!)
America needs to wake up and realize how they are being screwed.
yes, not all benefits are the same thing.
What gets me is that the people who did nothing to earn theirs, the governments calls their benefits “entitlements” for goodness sakes!
“Somehow, the stigma of “entitlement” doesn’t fit. It isn’t like I was some illegal who popped up to draw benefits—I’ve been paying in for half a century.”
I agree with you.
You were forced to pay into it, as I was.
The problem is that the money you paid was never saved, and people that never paid are getting SS as well.
It is bankrupt.
So it is a touchy subject with the younger set because they know they will not get their money back. Nor do many of those getting it soon that paid in at the max rate. It is extremely socialized, so the only ones that benefit are either ones who never paid in or were low wage earners.
It makes the rest of us mad. As socialism does to any one with a work ethic or sense of fairness.
My view is that the Death Panels are going to do a pretty good job of slicing the ginormous SocSec and Medicare financial deficits.
Every year sliced off the life expectancy is HUGE in reducing the projected shortfalls.
“Please don’t misunderstand me, and I don’t think you do, but just to make sure I’m clear: I’m not talking about what’s right/deserved. I’m talking about reality. The reality is, from a purely financial perspective, there is no “pension fund”. There is no savings safebox where everything you contributed has been held. It’s all been spent.
The money being paid to social security beneficiaries comes out of general tax revenue paid by an ever-shrinking number of ever-poorer, ever-more-burdened (on average) working taxpayers. From a pure, financial-reality perspective, it’s a government benefit and, politically, will be treated as such. The government is using other people’s money to pay your benefits. It’s not drawing on any secured stash of your past contributions - those contributions are all gone.
Government benefits are government spending paid for tax revenue from current taxpayers (and borrowing).
The time to argue about that is long past, after years of government spending more or taxing less and saving less than it should have and never treating your contributions as your property in the first place.
Is it right, no? Is it reality, yes. Is it going to get uglier, absolutely. Brace yourself.”
Brilliant post.
The problem is not whether people deserve their social security or VA benefits.
We can see that even here people become defensive and proprietary about them.
So they will vote for whoever will keep those payments coming.
Even if the country is going bankrupt.
THAT is the problem with so many getting a check from the government, earned or not.
This was planned long ago. And now more are added to the list -federal workers have increased, EBT recipients have increased, SSDI recipients have increased, free lunch recipients have increased, welfare recipients have increased, Medicaid recipients have increased thx to Obamacare, and of course Obamacare subsidies recipients have increased.
That’s a big pool of people wanting the status quo unchanged.
“Two different kinds of social security.”
Unless I am not understanding you, it is the same program and even the same calculation.
Those with an AIME below the first bend point have 90% of their earnings in their calculation. IMO, these are the leeches.
Those with an AIME between the first and second bend points are getting all their money back if they don’t die young. Fair enough.
Those with an AIME beyond the second bend point are getting screwed royally. Those retiring at 67 in this category will never get all their money back. And this will be the first group to have benefits cut.
All were forced to pay in, so I don’t see it as an ‘entitlement’ like welfare.
But it is Socialized Security, where those that work the hardest just get stolen from. Sad how few people bother to take the five minutes to understand the system we are forced into. Although I am glad to see many here have done so.
“G*d save America, because it doesn’t look like Americans will.”
A depressing thought on this Independence Day. So if you truly believe that, what is your plan for the future of your family and tribe?”
While waiting for quesney to answer, I’ll tell you my quick story. We are luckily old enough to have lived when the US was still somewhat capitalistic, so have saved some money. Not what I would call a lot, since it needs to last us another 40+ years, what with CDs at 1%. And social security going bankrupt.
Nevertheless we are going to quit feeding the beast. Hubby will quit work next year and we will buy a farm (small one) in a conservative area where we can be self-sufficient should the economy collapse.
A simple life is one we are after. Relentless pursuit of material things doesn’t net happiness and we’ll have the added benefit of paying little to this fascist government. And we’ll be ready in case more like us have the courage to rebel.
Join us?
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