General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Melissa Harris Perry Just Said: "It's Reasonable To Raise the Retirement Age" [View all]merrily
(45,251 posts)Social Security is not welfare or SSI (SSI being essentially a welfare program).
Social Security is Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance.
You cannot collect it at all unless you paid into it for a certain amount of quarters.
It was established on the basis that everyone who did pay into it for a certain amount of quarter would be able to collect it. You don't change the rules or the contract after one side (the worker) has fully performed his or her end of the bargain.
You don't ask why a millionaire or billionaire who has paid in full for an insurance policy is entitled to collect on that policy, do you?
Why would you expect more fidelity to a contract from a private company that you would from your government?
Aside from breach of contract and morality, if Social Security (OASDI) becomes more and more like SSI, Social Security will disappear and we will be left with only welfare. And anyone who loves cutting programs loves cutting welfare most. Just ask Bill Clinton.
(Edited to fix italics.)