Social Security

Introduction by Dave Brownlow

Did anyone ever imagine this would turn into a $500 billion a year entitlement? What a nightmare! We did, however, make a deal (albeit a bad deal) with the current retirees, and we need to honor that. We also need to repeal the income tax we imposed on their benefits because a tax on money that the government has held on to for up to 45 years is just plain wrong.

Question for the retired folks: After a lifetime of putting 15% of your income into Social Security, would you rather have several million dollars deposited in a bank account with your name on it, or would you rather wait for the government to send you a $1,000 check each month and then hope for an increase of 1-2% a year? Even a bank deposit at Money Market rates would have dramatically outperformed your Social Security "investment". And you - and your children - would own the (funny) money! Let's not saddle our children with the same Ponzi scheme we were sold.

The solution to the Social Security mess is to let all current workers opt completely out of the system by collecting all the money they and their employers have paid in to the "Social Security Trust Fund." (Don't hold your breath.)

By the way, there is no "Social Security Trust Fund" and there never was. The system is broke and trillions in debt. They have been lying to us.

McCain: Social Security Funding Now 'A Disgrace'

By Charles Babington
Published 07/10/2008
Social Security
Rating: Unrated

The system for funding Social Security is "a disgrace" because it forces young workers to pay into a program that is unlikely to benefit them in its current form, Republican presidential candidate John McCain said this week, wading into politically touchy territory. Like many other politicians, McCain often questions the long-term viability of the government retirement program.

Social Security Numbers: Are they Mandatory for Citizens?

By Jason Golditch
Published 06/14/2008
Social Security
Rating: Unrated

Are Americans required to have a Social Security Number to live and work in the United States? Most Americans are under the assumption that they are required to have a SSN (Social Security Number) in order to get a job, open up a bank account, and basically earn a living in America. Everyone asks for your number these days, don’t they? I mean, if you want to get electricity in your name, they will ask for your SSN, if you want phone service, they sometimes ask for your SSN. In America, it seems like on needs an SSN to do just about anything these days. So there must be a law that requires one, isn’t there? Well it turns out, that contrary to popular belief, having a Social Security Number is 100% voluntary for American citizens. If it was mandatory, babies would be issued SSN’s immediately upon birth! The fact that you have to “apply” for a SSN in the first place should be a strong indication that the Social Security Number is voluntary.

The Social Security Surveillance Act

By Gary Franchi
Published 06/14/2008
Social Security
Rating: Unrated

Under the guise of protecting seniors and our national security, Congressman Mark Kirk of Illinois 10th District and Peter Roskam of the 6th District are setting the wheels in motion for another crack at a national ID card. The “Social Security Identity Theft Prevention Act” (H.R. 5404), more appropriately titled the “Social Security Surveillance Act,” was likely spurred by the high opposition to the failing Real ID Act. This act would be an adequate run round to implement Real ID in yet another form. They claim the reasons for introducing this act is to curb the high rate of identity theft in Northern Illinois. The new Social Security Surveillance (SSS) card will retain the standard features of the Social Security card such as the name and account number of the card holder, but will now include beefed up security measures also commonly used by law enforcement to track criminals and hackers to falsify and clone sim cards.

Stop the Social Security Surveillance Act (HR 5405)

By The Lone Lantern Society
Published 04/23/2008
Social Security
Rating: Unrated

Congressman Mark Kirk has introduced the Social Security Surveillance Act (HR 5405). The act creates a biometric database of every American. He claims it would be optional (that's what they all say). The bill says something else. It says that when you turn 16 you must get it. The Constitution does not grant the government the right to store our biometric information. Government abuse and mismanagement of databases shows they are inept at such responsibilities.