General Discussion

alcibiades_mystery

(36,437 posts)

92. I don't oppose means testing or lifting the cap

Mon Apr 8, 2013, 01:21 PM

Apr 2013

If somebody has guaranteed monthly income of $10,000, say, it's not clear why a collective social program needs to cut them an additional $1000 check. Especially if those same monies could go to increase the payment of people living on *only* a $1000 SS check! Oh, the principle! Yeah, I don't get it. Oh, but then it will look like a welfare program, which is easier to cut! It is a fucking welfare program, and we should be unapologetic about caring about the welfare of seniors! Lift the cap, means test, and increase payments to those who need more. Enough acceding to the neoliberal language of having "earned" your personal retirement: we pay people who cannot work because it's the right thing to do morally, not because they "earned" it. It's a collective social program, not a individual retirement account.

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I'm in the camp that says increase Social Security benefits. .. [View all] trumad Apr 2013 OP

Generally speaking yes - i don't know if now is the right time for that debate el_bryanto Apr 2013 #1

Just curious - Cal Carpenter Apr 2013 #7

It's hard to say - truthfully the debate should be turned away from the budget deficit el_bryanto Apr 2013 #8

I agree, austerity is not the solution--too many countries have tried with devastating results AndyA Apr 2013 #30

Have you read this from Krugman? snappyturtle Apr 2013 #43

I agree nt steve2470 Apr 2013 #2

By how much? How will that affect the the solvency of Social Security? Freddie Stubbs Apr 2013 #3

Solvency can easily be fixed... trumad Apr 2013 #6

Yep I agree nt newfie11 Apr 2013 #12

How easy would it be to pass such a proposal? Freddie Stubbs Apr 2013 #57

So we shouldn't think about it and do what the republicans say? Kingofalldems Apr 2013 #61

Perhaps we should spend our time working on realistic solutions rather that pipe dreams Freddie Stubbs Apr 2013 #91

It always looks easy to us "out here" -- but if it were I think gateley Apr 2013 #77

That is also my camp, seems mostly populated by tumbleweeds since the opposite has been sold TheKentuckian Apr 2013 #4

Yes. Social Security needs to become the national retirement plan. byeya Apr 2013 #5

We need stimulous, not austerity. Scuba Apr 2013 #9

We need both - but switch the targets demwing Apr 2013 #21

Absolutely buzzroller Apr 2013 #10

And they need to keep their hands out of the cookie jar too Puzzledtraveller Apr 2013 #11

Exactly Mnpaul Apr 2013 #16

Not if it means that pipoman Apr 2013 #13

We need to lower the age to 50yr of age, until the cyber-era adjust to the jobs situation. CK_John Apr 2013 #14

I'm wondering if the President has a personal interest in brain research, winter is coming Apr 2013 #15

Yes please. Myrina Apr 2013 #17

Increase the cap and the benefits, especially on the lowest payments. JDPriestly Apr 2013 #18

I'm in your camp. forestpath Apr 2013 #19

I'd love to be part of that camp. raouldukelives Apr 2013 #20

Sure thing, but does it matter? demwing Apr 2013 #22

yes indeed rurallib Apr 2013 #23

Do you favor increasing SS taxes to cover this? MjolnirTime Apr 2013 #24

I do. And by increasing SS taxes, I mean lifing the Raygun era caps and fully taxing ALL INCOME, Raster Apr 2013 #25

Do those people get increased benefits? joeglow3 Apr 2013 #51

would those people get extra SS benefits? Perhaps. Raster Apr 2013 #70

I would favor those that pay in more get bigger pension checks. byeya Apr 2013 #72

I don't oppose means testing or lifting the cap alcibiades_mystery Apr 2013 #92

I agree with you , but many disagree joeglow3 Apr 2013 #93

My 7 year old daughter will never see a dime of Social Security, ever alcibiades_mystery Apr 2013 #94

Absolutely. Raise the cap. What do you think? nm rhett o rick Apr 2013 #75

whole heartedly. nt xchrom Apr 2013 #26

I'm with you. Lugnut Apr 2013 #27

I'm just DONE Glitterati Apr 2013 #28

Message auto-removed Name removed Apr 2013 #60

Thank you, Trumad! Yes yes yes! loudsue Apr 2013 #29

K&R nt caseymoz Apr 2013 #31

Absolutely agree. nt bananas Apr 2013 #32

Bottom line jambo101 Apr 2013 #33

I really think we should extend the age slowly at efhmc Apr 2013 #34

Why? zipplewrath Apr 2013 #42

Really---?? trumad Apr 2013 #45

Aw, fuck that. You must have a desk job Lars39 Apr 2013 #81

It always amazes me that people here can efhmc Apr 2013 #96

No, we should lower it a2liberal Apr 2013 #84

Yes, and lower the retirement age back to 65. closeupready Apr 2013 #35

Agree AsahinaKimi Apr 2013 #36

I'm in your camp. hamsterjill Apr 2013 #37

Can we join your camp? walkerbait41 Apr 2013 #38

What would retirees do with the money? MrYikes Apr 2013 #39

Count me in, baby! nt SunSeeker Apr 2013 #40

The more I see 50+ yr olds... WaitWut Apr 2013 #41

they did a REPAIR of SS in the 80's for the baby boomers. WE NEED TO FIX IT AGAIN! pansypoo53219 Apr 2013 #44

"Pay More to Get More" option for SS, now!!!! (401K's are a scam.) grahamhgreen Apr 2013 #46

(401K's are a scam.) joesdaughter Apr 2013 #56

Fuckin' A!!! Fuddnik Apr 2013 #47

Thats is a logical conclusion FogerRox Apr 2013 #48

Nope--did not... trumad Apr 2013 #49

The doors opened March 14th after I petitioned SKinner for a week. FogerRox Apr 2013 #82

Yep, I think the benefits should be raised. juajen Apr 2013 #50

K&R though I'd be willing to show patience Babel_17 Apr 2013 #52

agreed subject Apr 2013 #53

THAT would be the Most Effective Economic Stimulus... bvar22 Apr 2013 #54

I am in the camp of doubling Social Security benefits airplaneman Apr 2013 #55

I am right by the fire with you. ZombieHorde Apr 2013 #58

Alas, the establishment party bosses are backing the opposite. Tierra_y_Libertad Apr 2013 #59

I'll vote for that. Lower the age. harun Apr 2013 #62

Say, that'd be great! MineralMan Apr 2013 #63

Nope it does not... trumad Apr 2013 #64

Well, then. I guess I'll just keep on writing websites MineralMan Apr 2013 #65

Well Network Security is pretty recession proof. trumad Apr 2013 #66

Good luck to you. MineralMan Apr 2013 #67

If the repubs and some Dems don't F it up... trumad Apr 2013 #68

definitely--raise the cap and double the benefits for gawd's sake!!! librechik Apr 2013 #69

HUGE K & R !!! WillyT Apr 2013 #71

End the drug war, legalize and tax marijuana, cut the Military Budget 50% & institute a SPHC system. Warren DeMontague Apr 2013 #73

I agree but...... Swede Atlanta Apr 2013 #74

And raise Medicare age. nm rhett o rick Apr 2013 #76

I'm of the camp to make the full benefit retirement age 58 and open up all those Kip Humphrey Apr 2013 #78

Good idea and actually something that is good for the economy, not Cleita Apr 2013 #80

Up, up, and away, to recovery. blkmusclmachine Apr 2013 #79

Me too. (n/t) a2liberal Apr 2013 #83

I'm in that camp too! Auntie Bush Apr 2013 #85

Maybe we need a name change Iwillnevergiveup Apr 2013 #86

Absolutely yes... Aquavit Apr 2013 #87

For the poor treestar Apr 2013 #88

If I could keep 1/3 what I put in I'd be set. Well off, even. Zax2me Apr 2013 #89

I'm with you on this... midnight Apr 2013 #90

Count me in the SS benefit hike camp meow2u3 Apr 2013 #95