As I See It
Wisconsin lawmakers should work to strengthen Social Security, not gut it
Happy Birthday Social Security! It was 88 years ago this week that Congress created the Social Security system, a safety net for retirees. But the future of Social Security seems in doubt, as a number of lawmakers propose plans to gut the program, threatening the future of the earned benefits for millions of Wisconsinites. Wisconsin Republican congressmen Bryan Steil, Glenn Grothman, Tom Tiffany and Scott Fitzgerald have all backed plans that would raise the age of eligibility and privatize the program. Donald Trump has admitted cuts to Social Security would be on the table if he was elected to a second term. Wisconsin U.S. Senator Ron Johnson has called Social Security a “ponzi scheme” and wants Congress to have to approve keeping Social Security alive through annual votes. He also has voted to increase the eligibility age to 70. La Crosse area Congressman Derrick Van Orden has introduced legislation that would lead to deep cuts to Social Security. Let’s not forget, this is our money the federal government is sitting on and has promised will be there for us when we retire. On the anniversary of Social Security, lawmakers should be working to strengthen Social Security, not dismantle it.
Char
August 16, 2023 at 10:03 am
Yes, Social Security needs some adjustments. It was started to help in retirement by paying into it. It is not meant to pay for disabilities, nor for illegal immigrants who get into this country, as well as other groups that do not contribute into it. The reason 65 was the retirement age when social security started, was because the survival age at the time was close to 65 years of age. Retirees pay into this system. IT IS NOT AN ENTITLEMENT PROGRAM!!
The federal government has routinely taken the monies from social security to fund federal agencies. One of the first was NASA. If the money could be possible to be paid back, none of this would be an issue.
Greg Symons
August 16, 2023 at 2:06 pm
I recently met with my financial advisor after I got a report from the Social Security Administration revealing what I could expect for payments upon my retirement. The report also showed the amount each year I had been taxed for Social Security. My monthly payment showed that if I depended on Social Security checks, that I would live below the poverty line. Then my advisor plugged in the amounts I had been taxed into his program, accounted for a 10% growth rate(the average of the S&P 500) and came up with what my money could’ve been. My monthly payments would’ve been at least 4X what SSI was. In addition, whatever money was left after my death could be passed onto my family rather than staying with the government. Sen. Johnson was right Social Security is a Ponzi Scheme!
walden
August 17, 2023 at 9:09 am
There is so much factually incorrect with this editorial that one doesn’t know where to begin.
Most egregious is the claim that Van Orden introduced legislation to reduce social security. The reality is that Van Orden has never introduced such legislation and doesn’t even have a committee assignment that would permit him to introduce such legislation. This facts are easily verified and so this editorial is just sloppy, at best. No joke. Man.
nick
August 18, 2023 at 7:50 am
Typical of the left to smear someone they do not like.
They could fix social security but neither side wants to dodo.
Everyone pays social security based on what they earn with no cap on earnings.