Posted on 12/19/2002 6:43:40 AM PST by BallandPowder
Edited on 12/19/2002 8:53:16 AM PST by Admin Moderator. [history]
Pushed by the Mexican government, the Bush administration is working on a Social Security accord that would put tens of thousands of Mexicans onto the Social Security roster and send hundreds of millions of dollars in benefits south of the border.
White House and Mexican government officials say discussions on an agreement to align the Social Security systems of the two countries are informal and preliminary. But excerpts from an internal Social Security Administration memo obtained this month say the agreement "is expected to move forward at an accelerated pace," with the support of both governments, and could be in force by next October.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
My friend was involved in building a computerized system that easily found the fraud in one state. The system found people getting benefits that were married when they said they were not, found various assets that excluded the person from benefits, etc,etc. It worked so well that they state quit using the software.
My friend says that if each state simply pulled each SS# from their computers and compared them with all the other states they would find a large number of people double or triple dipping like you describe. Doing something like this would cost almost nothing.
The problem with the story that started this thread, which is a different problem from the Food Stamp/AFDC fraud problem, is that someone can pay into SS here for a few years then get the benefits forever. Which is similiar to the problem with illegals coming across the border and getting all sorts of free services. They have never invested a penny in this country but receive benefits native Americans that come from families that have paid in for generations cannot receive.
But what if Congress allows this? Big deal? This is the like system they have. The taxpayers pay most of Congress's freight and after a few years they get benefits forever.
This is no way to run a country.
Kinda sums up Jorge Bush's entire border policy, doncha think?
I'll concur with your patch and ball sentiments, but as a former soldier. Therefore, breathe...relax...aim...squeeze.
Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!
PLEASE calm down....you are being QUITE condescending. WHERE did you see this policy was for ILLEGALS?
Hence my comment about calming down. No need to turn EVERY discussion on immigration into a free-for-all, is there?
Then Bush shouldn't hand over the cash, but stop them from paying SS here. Don't include them at all. That way the US doesn't get screwed carring the burden.
Opps. I get it now. (DUH!)Bush went the wrong way.
I wonder if that 'Board of Governors' deal has some conflict of interest now that Bush is president. Could it be he made some deals with the other Mexican border governors while he was in Texas?
First,employees are not making a contribution into a retirement program, but are, in reality, paying a "special income tax" which is deducted from their wages and paid to the federal government by the employer. The tax is an indirect or excise tax imposed on the employee for the "privilege" of being employed by an employer.
Second, employers are not making matching contributions into a retirement program for their employees, but are, in reality, paying an excise tax for the privilege of having individuals in their employ.
Third, there is no retirement trust fund. The Court stated:"[t]he proceeds of both taxes are to be paid into the Treasury like internal-revenue taxes generally, and are not earmarked in any way."Since these income taxes are not earmarked in any way, there are no individual retirement accounts. Both taxes are general fund income taxes, which are used to pay the general expenditures of the federal government. This means Congress can spend these so-called "retirement contributions" to pay for military appropriations, foreign aid, salaries of federal employees, etc.
In 1960, in Flemming v. Nestor (363 US 603), the Supreme Court provided further insight into the nature of the Social Security program. The Court stated that "...eligibility for benefits...[does] not in any true sense depend on contribution through the payment of taxes." Since the Social Security program is a form of welfare, an individual who has not paid a penny in Social Security taxes can receive various benefits under the program.
The Court also ruled that individuals paying Social Security taxes do not acquire any property or contractual rights as they would in an insurance or annuity plan. In addition, the Court stated: "[c]ongress included in the original act, and has since retained, a claim expressly reserving to it "[t]he right to alter, amend, or repeal any provision' of the Act."
Additionally, Congress does NOT participate in Social Security!
Boonie Rat
MACV SOCOM, PhuBai/Hue '65-'66
Just a reminder ... In the 2000 election, there was a candidate who gave the Immigration Problem top priority - Pat Buchanan - he was practically crucified by many on FreeRepublic. Pat was not even allowed to participate in the presidential debates to raise the issue.
Or move to sunny Mexico. What are taxes like there? No doubt I could retire there in my present financial situation. It will take another 7 or 8 years to retire and live here. Not many terrorists trying to blow up the super power that is Mexico.
Why did the article topics get reduced/deleted from what they were set at? This article is VALID for every item I posted it to? I'd appreciate an answer from the moderator instead of just getting bumped...
ballandpowder
From the last paragraph of the excerpted article posted above:
"In addition to the flurry of new claims, an additional 13,000 Mexicans entitled to benefits but cut off by provisions in recent immigration laws could also begin receiving their checks. In a 1996 immigration reform law, Congress decreed that foreigners not legally residing in the United States could no longer claim benefits, unless their home countries were subject to a treaty.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.