I just read a fantastic
article by Monique Morrissey of the Economic Policy Institute refuting and rebutting all the lies that radical right-wing politicians, Faux News and their propaganda machines have been putting out to undercut Social Security and eventually destroy it.
Of course, Social Security may be the most successful government program ever established. It turned the poorest demographic in our society to the least poor and provides a crucial safety net.
The right-wing says Social Security costs too much. Not true. It will rise from 5 percent of the Gross Domestic Product to 6 percent, then level off.
Americans want benefits, but don't want to pay for them. Not true. Americans would rather pay more in Social Security than cut benefits. But almost all want everyone to pay their fair share. Social Security payments do not rise with income after $117,000. We all want everyone to pay the same share of their income into Social Security.
Right-wingers say the country can't afford rising Social Security costs. Wrong! The country can't afford rising healthcare costs. That's one reason the Affordable Care Act was an important step, but we need to move to a Medicare For All single payer system that takes private insurance out of the equation.
Right-wingers say baby boomers will bust the system. Wrong again. Starting in the 80's Social Security built up a $3 trillion surplus to begin to address baby boomer retirees.
Right-wingers say we are living longer so we need to work longer. Only some of us are living longer, especially those who control their own work lives, exert no energy, and take time for two hour lunches. Most of these right-wing think tank people have never really had to work.
They say our elders are greedy, because they want retirement with dignity.
They say it won't be there for those now young--only if we don't fight the radical right-wing.