I spend a good amount of time trying to figure out when, where and why all of this backlash towards Social Security began.
During these times, I think of family members who counted on Social Security after their Dad had passed away and it helped them to weather the financial storms and allowed them to pursue higher education. I also think of my parents who based their retirement around Social Security which was needed to supplement a small pension after they had sent all of their children to college.
A note to this is that my Mom worked nights as an emergency room nurse and my Dad was a NYC Sanitation worker who worked during the day so that there would be someone home at all times for us kids. I see nothing in this that any tea partier or ‘occupier’ could find fault with.
So I struggle with the backlash against Social Security. If it’s about saving money, I would think that building fewer weapons and fighting fewer wars would be a more “American” way of saving money than raiding the financial security of hard working Americans (who by the way have paid into the system and took the Government at its word that they would have this when it was needed).
Now I know that reforms are needed-absolutely. Reforms, changes, certainly, but the negative noise towards the program frankly amazes me. You would think that as Americans we could have a more civil discussion about Social Security than attacking it as a “ponzi scheme” and something that’s evil. America’s better than that, or at least that’s what my parents taught me.
So it was from this standpoint that I enjoyed Jane Bryant Quinn’s fine article in the AARP Bulletin about “Getting The Story Straight” on Social Security. The link to it is below and your comments to this topic are welcome.
To think, I was confused a minute ago.
It’s not confusing to me. We paid into the plan with Government guarantees. We all know this is about Wall Street and politicians robbing the kitty. And to to think some are confused about what the Wall Street protests are all about.