Social Security

So the Democrats' leadership is launching a new disinformation campaign, attacking the Republicans on Social Security. It'll most likely be the same stuff they've used before — "Republicans want to take away your Social Security." "Republicans want to throw Grandma out on the street."

Seems it might be instructive to look at a little history that came to me by e-mail:

Your Social Security

Just in case some of you young whippersnappers (& some older ones) didn't know this. It's easy to check out, if you don't believe it. Be sure and show it to your kids. They need a little history lesson on what's what and it doesn't matter whether you are Democrat or Republican. Facts are Facts!!!

Social Security Cards up until the 1980s expressly stated the number and card were not to be used for identification purposes. Since nearly everyone in the United States now has a number, it became convenient to use it anyway and the message was removed.[see reference]

An old Social Security card with the "NOT FOR IDENTIFICATION" message.

Our Social Security

Franklin Roosevelt, a Democrat, introduced the Social Security (FICA) Program. He promised:

1.) That participation in the Program would be completely voluntary, but it is no longer voluntary.

2.) That the participants would only have to pay 1% of the first $1,400 of their annual Incomes into the Program, but the individual tax is now 7.65% on the first $90,000 (plus the employer tax).

3.) That the money the participants elected to put into the Program would be deductible from their income for tax purposes each year, but Social Security taxes are no longer tax deductible.

4.) That the money the participants put into the independent 'Trust Fund' rather than into the general operating fund, and therefore, would only be used to fund the Social Security Retirement Program, and no other Government program, but under Johnson the money was moved to The General Fund and spent.

5.) That the annuity payments to the retirees would never be taxed as income, but under Clinton & Gore , up to 85% of your Social Security was made taxable.

Since many of us have paid into FICA for years and are now receiving a Social Security check every month -- and then finding that we are getting taxed on 85% of the money we paid to the Federal government to 'put away' -- you may be interested in the following:

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Q: Which Political Party took Social Security from the independent 'Trust Fund' and put it into the general fund so that Congress could spend it?

A: It was Lyndon Johnson and the Democratically controlled House and Senate.

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Q: Which Political Party eliminated the income tax deduction for Social Security (FICA) withholding?

A: The Democratic Party.

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Q: Which Political Party started taxing Social Security annuities?

A: The Democratic Party, with Al Gore casting the 'tie-breaking' deciding vote as President of the Senate, while he was Vice President of the US.

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AND MY FAVORITE:

Q: Which Political Party decided to start giving annuity payments to immigrants?

A: That's right!

Jimmy Carter and the Democratic Party. Immigrants moved into this country, and at age 65, began to receive Social Security payments! The Democratic Party gave these payments to them, even though they never paid a dime into it!

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Then, after violating all these elements of the original FICA contract, the Democrats turn around and tell you that the Republicans want to take your Social Security away!

And the worst part about it is uninformed citizens believe it! If enough people receive this, maybe a seed of awareness will be planted and maybe changes will evolve. But maybe not, since some Democrats are awfully sure of what isn't so.

Meanwhile, after screwing over the people of the United States, Congress gives themselves 100% retirement for only serving one term!!!