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[enlightenment]

51. I don't think it's bad that it went away,

but I guarantee you that I noticed the difference. I especially noticed it yesterday when I got my December paycheck (which they waited to cut until January 2, so yes, the 6.2% was taken - along with higher income tax, for some reason I haven't figured out yet).

Yes, in the long run it's better to have SS disconnected from the General Fund - but please don't tell people that it is "mostly unnoticed".

It may not be more than a "fender" (as noted above thread) or another "bender at the bar" (also noted above) for many DUers, but that 2% makes a difference to a lot of people. $60 a month could be groceries, or the tank of gas to get them to work, or a bus pass, or their kid's school lunches . . . a lot of things that are definitely noticeable.

No, it's not a tax increase. No, it was never meant to be a permanent reduction. Yes, it's better in the long haul - but it is a potential hardship for many people. It isn't a HUGE hardship - they still have jobs and for most it won't mean they'll lose their homes or whatever other horror you can think of - but a series of small cuts will eventually bleed a person as dry as slicing through an artery.

It is sad that so many DUers are so dismissive of real concerns, as if they cannot fathom any reality but the one they live in.