Will Musk/Trump kill Social Security and Medicare?

[Cyrano]

Who's going to stop them?

These issues have always been the "third rail" of politics. The Republican Party would never have done it because they knew it would end them. But today's Republican Party is a group of people who are living in fear and merely trying to keep what they have, and not displease the two kings.

What they've done over the past two weeks is mind-boggling. That was part of their plan and it's working.

The only way to fight back is through the court system. But what happens when court orders are simply ignored? After all, how many armies are controlled by judges?

We're in a terrible place at this moment, and no one seems to know how to put an end to it.

I know I'm going to get slammed as a "doom and gloom" person, Nonetheless, I'm only stating what I see happening.

So I ask, what are we going to do when Musk/Trump kill Social Security, Medicare and all the other safety net programs?

[haele]

1. They don't want to kill the programs. They want to profit on it.

I'm sure they're happy to keep the programs going on if they re-jigger it so they can skim off the top and only give us back what we put into it and no more.

[leftstreet]

8. +1

Fire departments are fine, as long as you pay your monthly service fee !!

[Cyrano]

30. Fire Depts will probably be turned into that portrayed in "Fahrenheit 451"

Trump & Co. are in the process of bringing about some of our worst dystopian nightmares.

It's possible that they may decide burning books is easier than banning them.

[erronis]

57. Interesting. Can't burn eBooks but you can cut off internet access.

That's my biggest fear and there's no reason they won't do it.

[Irish_Dem]

2. 50/50 they will be killed. 90% chance there will be cuts or no more increases.

[LiberalLoner]

10. I see it as you do, although I think the odds are higher it will be killed altogether.

[Irish_Dem]

22. What do you think are the odds?

I was a bit conservative on my questimate based on the fact that
Trump will face a great deal of pushback if he kills Medicare and SS outright.

However if he does a slow death of SS and Medicare,
like turning it all over to crooked managed care companies
and private industry who will gradually reduce benefits then
I will raise the odds to 80 or 90%.

Once the managed care companies deny medical care to seniors,
they will start dying and SS will save money.

And once the billionaires get their hands on the IRAs, older people
will be more on the margins and that group has a higher death rate.
So more money saved on SS.

All this money of course goes to greedy billionaires and corrupt politicians.

[LiberalLoner]

26. I would say 75% shut it down altogether, 25% they send checks only to MAGA.

I’m also not optimistic about other federally funded pensions such as fed and military.

[Irish_Dem]

31. Yes at least 50/50 federal pensions will be reduced.

I think you are a bit high on the total shut down odds, but I would not be at all shocked if you are correct.

[LiberalLoner]

53. 💙

[misanthrope]

39. The more people get, then the more they want

That is why absolute power corrupts absolutely.

[Dave says]

17. I agree, it's 50/50 with 90% probability of cuts

These people are satanic.

[GreenWave]

46. until their asses are kicked out.

We should confiscate musk's wealth and make him repay plus interest.

[Wingus Dingus]

3. All he has to do is "accidentally" kick several blue states'-worth of enrollees out of various federal

Last edited Tue Feb 4, 2025, 02:39 PM - Edit history (1)

entitlement/benefit programs systems and then tell them they have to jump through all sorts of hoops to restore their status and payments and accounts--betting of course that many won't ever succeed because they're too disabled/disconnected/poor/technically challenged. I was up half the night thinking of what they're planning to do to the most vulnerable.

[yaesu]

4. I'm already hearing complaints online and on talk shows about partial SSI checks. nt

[Arger68]

5. I'm wondering if Elon is

setting up something to skim a few percent off of every transaction for social security and medicare. He could rake in billions that way. Like instead of having the government administered payments, they run through a private corp owned by Elon, and probably trump also.

[valleyrogue]

16. Somebody on here, I don't know who it was,

was speculating over the possibility Musk was putting in something that was something like PayPal, that he (and perhaps the likes of Thiel) would get a tiny amount of money for each transaction.

On the surface, it would make sense, but it raises more questions than it answers. Where is the transparency? Why not have security clearance? Moreover, why is Musk making proclamations (and Trump is also doing it) that are brazenly illegal?

[Arger68]

20. Yeah, hard to say. Unfortunately, the

scenario where they are setting up something to pull percentage off of every transaction is probably the least nefarious thing they could be doing.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

21. They probably think they can get away with it because they think they have the courts on their side,

but here's the thing, the USSC, with their insane immunity decision giving Been A Dick Donald almost 100% immunity to any crime he commits while CiC, has lead to this, what they fail to realize is that under that decision, Been A Dick can remove them, have them jailed or worse and it would be legal.

[Cyrano]

23. Yep. A few of his Supreme Court "Justices" have

put there heads in a noose with that "Presidential Immunity" piece of insanity.

[delisen]

6. Your post is not doom/gloom

You presented very rationally and poster are responding rationally.

Thanks for opening up discussion on this valid concern

[leftstreet]

7. The goal of the ruling class is killing all public programs

They've been fighting back, eroding dollars and public trust in these programs since the New Deal

Everything will be privatized, and NO ONE will stop it

[Lemons UK]

9. No. Seniors make up a huge % of the GOP voting block.

[Wingus Dingus]

11. LOL, voting. As if that's a concern going forward.

[LiberalLoner]

27. Exactly.

[BannonsLiver]

42. Which begs the question, why are we bothering to talk about this stuff.

[Cyrano]

43. Yeah, let's be silent while they put leashes on our necks.

[gab13by13]

12. He will privatize Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid

Put the funds in his Sovreign Wealth Fund and launder the money.

No funds no social safety nets.

[FullySupportDems]

25. Privatization has to be a goal of theirs

That way they can get their hands on the money, and say they "saved" the programs. If they talk a good enough game, I think the magas will fall for it too.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

13. I gather that all of those who supposedly want to end

Medicare and Social Security are orphans with no elderly mothers dependent on these programs.

Personally, if my only son were speaking out against these programs, I'd promptly move in with him, to remind him of what it used to be like.

My wonderful son is not that way at all. He's kind and generous and if I needed money, he could help me out.

[totodeinhere]

48. Musk's mother doesn't need Social Security or Medicare. She is rich.

And Trump's parents are dead.

[erronis]

61. And I'm sure all of the neo-nazis that are being installed have been told they will be rewarded.

"Don't worry about your ill grandmother - you'll get tons of tax-free bonuses if you just reprogram this Social Security system.
Trust me (trumpmusk) - we always honor our contracts......
And the check will be in the mail."
(Whoops the USPS is defunct.)

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

66. Actually, the check hasn't been in the mail for decades now.

Direct deposit, ya know?

[valleyrogue]

14. Another thread to trash.

I am getting sick of this.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

15. Agreed.

Trashing now.

[markie]

18. this is why we are here

to discuss, help, quell fears, commiserate, etc. I am sorry you are sick. Maybe rest and liquids would help

[FullySupportDems]

29. Wait now, hold up

When people tried to discuss the possibility of Harris losing, they got similarly ridiculed. It happened quite a few times that I saw. That denial didn't help anyone deal with the loss.

So I think it's wrong to shut down this discussion. The radical right has wanted to "do something" with Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid for many years. I think it's pretty likely they're mulling around what they can do now. I value what others think about it.

[Scrivener7]

34. So trash it. Is the announcement necessary?

[beaglelover]

36. Agreed.

[Fla Dem]

69. I don't really care. If you don't like a topic, delete it don't read it.

Why do you feel you have to stifle other DUer's opinions and concerns. That's why we're here.

[Blue Full Moon]

19. Absolutely

That has been their dream for decades.

[Johnny2X2X]

24. Targeted

They are trying to kill the parts of it that benefits Democrats. It will be targeted, just watch.

[Emile]

28. They want to privatize it.

[Cyrano]

32. :"Privatize." A way of saying it goes into their own pockets.

[Charging Triceratops]

33. "... no one seems to know how to put an end to it."

We know. We just can't say it here or anywhere else online.

You don't stop a tyrant with legislation, protest marches or a strongly worded letter.

[Cyrano]

37. What you say is true. However,

we are totally unprepared for what you are implying. They are succeeding in attaining their goals while we are still trying to put on our pants.

"Preparation is the key to success."

[Charging Triceratops]

40. It's got to start somewhere ...

The kindling is there. It needs a hot, hot spark. We need to make the '60s look like a church picnic. Hell, we need to make Fort Sumter look like a church picnic.
All the warning lights are flashing red and we're looking for useless congresspeople to act. Ain't gonna happen, kids.

[SnoopDog]

35. If they mess at all with Social Security or Medicare...

...then it will be time for a revolution.

I am not a tough guy and I am retired, but I will not let them take what is mine and ours...somehow...

[misanthrope]

38. If he can, yes

His avarice and power lust has lost all boundaries.

[videohead5]

41. If they want to see people with pitch forks and torches

At the gates of the White House, let them try.

[DSandra]

44. Liberals / Democrats decided to unilaterally disarm, and thus they don't see us as a threat

Conservatives are far more likely to own a gun than liberals (45% to 16%)

This, since they own most of the guns (as well as more extensively train with them), conservatives have this country for themselves.

[LoisB]

45. They won't "kill" Social Security and Medicare - they will seek to privatize both so they can

get their hands on that money.

[dlk]

47. Republicans have been salivating over the Medicare trust fund for decades

They can’t wait to raid it.

[Baron2024]

49. Musk And DOGE Are Criminals

Musk and his DOGE Agents are actually the ones guilty of committing a crime. Their "authority" is unconstitutional. They are guilty of Obstruction of Government Operations.

Their attempts to freeze Federal funds is illegal as well. The Executive Branch does not have the legal right to freeze funds that have been authorized by the Congress. They also have no legal right to dissolve an Agency created by Congress.

This is a flagrant violation of the Constitution and the Separation of Powers. These people are domestic enemies of the Constitution and everyone that has taken an Oath to defend the Constitution must take action against these traitors and criminals.

It seems clear that these fascists will now weaponize the criminal justice system in DC and will drum up false and spurious charges against anyone that tries to stand against their authoritarian takeover of OUR government. This is an attempted deathblow to our Democracy. I do not believe that the People will stand for it. There will be an uprising of millions.

[Baron2024]

50. Stopping Musk

Musk and DOGE seizing the Treasury payment system is illegal and unconstitutional. It is a long shot, but perhaps Federal law enforcement could retake control of the Treasury payment system from Musk and his DOGE Agents.

If a Judge rules again that freezing federal money is unconstitutional then the FBI and other Federal law enforcement agencies would have a legal basis for retaking the Treasury payment system. They must be loyal to their oaths to defend the Constitution, not to any illegal orders to support an unconstitutional action by Musk. Hopefully these Federal Agents would be loyal to their oaths to defend the Constitution and not to those who are in violation of the Constitution.

The Federal Agents could restore control of the payment system to the civil service, who could then lawfully restart the federal payments. If Musk and DOGE stop the federal payments (no Social Security payments, no paychecks to federal employees, etc.) and this was ruled unconstitutional by another Judge then the FBI and other federal law enforcement would be able to legally seize the payment system back from DOGE. The loyalties of Federal Agents must be to the Constitution, not to Dictators who are flagrantly violating the Constitution.

[Ocelot II]

51. No, but they will try to privatize them.

[Snark Twain]

52. social security

they will not kill it, it is an established and reliable process by which they can collect money - but they will definitely raid it in many different ways

[markie]

63. you know...

yes, it is the reason it doesn't seem solvent... it is used as a fungible money... the republicans have delighted in calling it an entitlement as if it's a negative... SS would be fine if we didn't end the tax at $168,000+ ....or get creative in other ways

[yellowdogintexas]

65. reduce the required deduction from paychecks

Dollars to donuts that is what half the folks who cheered over "no taxes on Social Security" thought would happen.

By reducing the deduction, the fund goes dry

Increasing the eligibility age for Medicare and SS

Lowering the 'cap' on deductions from our checks. I think the stop point now is $145,000. Once your income reaches that point there will be no more deductions for the rest of the year. I think they may cut that down to a lower level.

It should actually be raised, which would keep the SS solvent. Bernie (along with others) have been ranting about this for years.
The last proposal was to have a gap between the current level and maybe $300,000 then increase it with no ceiling. Medicare does not have the cap.

'offering' us the option of moving it into an IRA would be the other thing they want. Those brokers etc make money off these funds and absorb the cost of processing our SS benefits.

with Medicare, we would all be put into Managed Care Plans.

[Karasu]

54. A lot of their decisions do seem like they have no other purpose than to kill people off, so who the fuck

even knows anymore.

[cer7711]

55. The Pitch Will Be: Move your SS dollars into a 401k to reap higher interest.

And when those 401ks crater... too bad; so sad.
Money gone.

Note: SS was never intended to be a high-interest gambling option. It was establisshed (and is self-funded) to ensure a person against the ravages of old-age poverty and disease.

[Cirsium]

56. Privatization

Privatization is the goal, which will kill Social Security and Medicare but do it in such a way that is not obvious to people. So much privatization has already flown under the radar.

Militant mass organizing and popular resistance are the only options we have now.

[Figarosmom]

58. They'll cut it for future recipients.

But they don't want to crash markets so they need that money in circulation.

We'd end up moving in with our kids and all those retirement villages would go broke. As would all the other elderly related businesses. Nursing homes, care facilities, transportation co.,etc. That's too much of the economy.

A lot of right wingers get rich off the elderly and bilking Medicare (Ala Rick Scott),

[Justice matters.]

59. No. Senior vets have guns too and they sure know how to use them...

The two mafia kings better know that or they could end on the deep end of a golf course...

A Civil War could ensue though.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

60. MAGAS benefit from those programs too

[LPBBEAR]

62. Even if Social Security is left

mostly intact all it takes to erase someone who is deemed too loud in protest regarding Trump and Musk's illegal actions is just a little "oopsie" on the keyboard.

"I'm sorry Sir, we have no records of you ever having Social Security. Where did you say you were born?"

After all...they do have complete access to the Treasury computer systems.

Can you say "oopsie"?

[berksdem]

64. Doom & gloom

No, for a lack of better phrasing - we are fucked. I am not sure we will ever come back from what is taking place. Our country has been hijacked and I fear there are no guardrails.

[Faux pas]

67. Yeah

by robbing it blind. I know I'm not the only one who believes that FFS

[Progressive dog]

68. Trump and Musk will kill Social Security and Medicare

but they have to get rid of the Constitution first.

[Hassler]

70. No, they'll just steal the money.