Social Security: Congress and the President Manipulate Workers’ Earnings

Democracy and Power 103:  Government money

In general, the art of government consists in taking as much money as possible from one party of the citizens to give to the other.
– Voltaire (1764)

The money taxed and spent by politicians comes from the labor and ingenuity of millions of working people.  Politicians spend other peoples’ money.   Then, the politician transfers money from productive people to favored special-interest groups.

Social Security: Congress and the President Manipulate Workers Earnings

President Obama wants to cut the Social Security tax paid by working Americans.  In an obvious election-year pander, the President stated the following in a campaign speech, as reported by Real Clear Politics:

 “I need you to tell Congress where your priorities lie,” Obama said. “Members of Congress — they work for you. . . . Send your senators a message. Tell them, ‘Don’t be a Grinch. . . . Don’t vote to raise taxes on working Americans during the holidays. Make sure to renew unemployment insurance during the holidays. Stop saying “no” to steps that would make our economy stronger. Put our country before party. Put money back into the pockets of working Americans. Do your job. Pass this bill.’ ”

Actually, in an attempt to stimulate the economy over the past few years, employees received a reduction for their portion of the Social Security and Medicare tax.  Soon the reduction will end and the President is now asking for a tax-cut from historic norms, which is contrary to his pandering –‘Don’t be a Grinch. . . . Don’t vote to raise taxes on working Americans during the holidays.

Okay – you’re right – all politicians obfuscate and pander. However, what the President is not telling the American worker is that their taxes will go up – substantially.  The President, Congress and most Americans know that Social Security and Medicare are broke – bankrupt, in fact.  Guess who is going to get an enormous tax increase to pay for Social Security and Medicare?   YOU!   The burden won’t be on the immoral manipulators – Presidents and Members of Congress.  No.  It will be on working Americans.

In response to the President, Republicans also pandered and manipulate.  The following is McConnell’s answer.

Republicans will put aside their misgivings and support this extension, not because we believe, as the president does, that another short-term stimulus will turn this economy around,” the Kentucky Republican said, “but because we know it will give some relief to struggling workers out there who continue to need it nearly three years into this presidency. Americans shouldn’t have to suffer any more than they already are for the Democrats’ failed economic policies.

There is an important lesson in this exchange between opposing politicians, they manipulate and use working Americans money for the politicians’ short-term gain.  Everything said by both politicians is for the short-term gain of being elected and controlling the power of government.

As to Social Security and Medicare, there is a more important lesson.  Government has taken 15.3% of every worker’s earnings.  For the last 40 years, politicians have manipulated and used this money in countless schemes to buy votes.  Politicians will continue to misuse this money.  Only personal accounts, where the worker invests and owns, at least,  their portion of the Social Security and Medicare tax, will protect the worker and stop this immoral raid and distribution ploys by Presidents and Members of Congress.