Myths & Realities: About Social Security

Myths & Realities: Get the Facts

About the only thing that makes me more nervous than politicians messing with the US Constitution by adding amendments is the idea that they might want to get their grubby little mitts on Social Security. Anyone with me on this? Just because they can't seem to get the economy going and creating jobs they think it would be a swell idea if we blame social security instead of the massive tax cuts imposed irresponsibly during a time of war. Let me be clear I am a fiscal conservative. I would like the United States government to attempt to live within its means when possible. When war and other activities such as recessions and depressions warrant I understand extra spending. We all know that this gets us out of our economic troubles and or softens the blow. This is all part of economics 101.

Sadly, some would like us to believe that a shortfall in the long term is causing our current financial condition. This is not true. What is true is that the war is costing 300 million. At a time of extra expenditure we could curtail spending in other areas or gasp just pay for it as we go. Instead like a drunken sailor leading an oil tanker aground we--and by we I mean America and this administration--suggest we should keep cutting revenue in order to stimulate the economy. Shouldn't the war in and of itself expand the economy. Expanding an economy this way is fun because we are running up the credit card through the tax cuts. Spending this money is fun--paying it back is not. So why are we ignoring the projections of the long term costs of making the Bush tax cut permanent that are huge when compared to the amount needed to shore up social security. Your guess is as good as mine but I have my suspicions.