Help! My community is being FREEPED!

[The Blue Knight]

This letter appeared in an online forum for my community...help me debunk this asshole.Since many of us have paid into FICA for years and are now receiving a Social Security check every month -- and then finding that we are getting taxed on 85% of the money we paid to the federal government to "put away," you may be interested in the following:


Q: Which party took Social Security from an independent fund and put it in the general fund so that Congress could spend it?
A: It was Lyndon Johnson and the Democratic-controlled House and Senate.

Q: Which party put a tax on Social Security?
A: The Democratic party.

Q: Which party increased the tax on Social Security?
A: The Democratic Party with Al Gore casting the deciding vote.

Q: Which party decided to give money to immigrants?
A: That's right, immigrants moved into this country and at 65 got SSI Social Security. The Democratic Party gave that to them although they never paid a dime into it.

Then, after doing all this, the Democrats turn around and tell you the Republicans want to take away your Social Security! Vote Democrat, it is easier than getting a job!


I've got a few ideas, but I figured I'd come to DU in order to totally own this asshole.

[Skittles]

1. garbage

I can't get the link to work but go to www.snopes.com and search for Social Security; it's the first one.

[wryter2000]

2. Howdy

Thanks. :yourock:

[Shoedogg]

5. This will take you right to it.

http://www.snopes.com/cgi-bin/news/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=000003

[BlueEyedSon]

3. The link (BTW Snopes finds the letter mostly false)

http://www.snopes.com/cgi-bin/news/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=000003

Its a lot of reading, I don't really expect freepers to have the patience to absorb the material.

PS, you'll have to cut and paste that URL maually and remove the space (looks like DU messes it up when saving).

[Ksec]

4. I doubt that things that these idiots spew

have much in the way of accuracy. Never do when it gets looked at by an independant source. Your job is to get off your heels and go on the offensive. Theyre keeping you answering their charges so you dont start talking about the constant fkups for the past 4 yrs. Ignore these charges or tell them you want sources. If the sources are accurate ignore them and attack them on the Pres blocking 911 investigation., or how he thinks outsourcing is good for America.

Those charges are really irrelevant. What party wants to end SS?

[The Blue Knight]

6. Thanks! I'll write up a response and post it here tomorrow.

[bobbyboucher]

7. I get that crap from friends of mine and EVERY

single one that I have looked into has been an out and out fabrication. Either the facts are totally bogus or the person who it is attributed to didn't say it or whatever. It is part of their propaganda and it is your duty to make them aware that they are fucking stupid if they believe it.

[erpowers]

8. Some Ideas

Isn't Social Security in a lock box that is not supposed to be used. Immigrants actually do pay into social security. You might also try asking the guy who is actually bankrupting the government now and which party asked for cuts in Social Security.

[Kimber Scott]

9. Here's an interesting perspective...Social Security is fine!

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/05/opinion/05KRUG.html?th

OP-ED COLUMNIST
Social Security Scares
By PAUL KRUGMAN

Published: March 5, 2004

The annual report of the Social Security system's trustees reveals a system in pretty good financial shape. In fact, it would take only modest injections of money to maintain that system's current benefit levels for at least the next 75 years. Other reports, however, appear to portray a system in deep financial trouble. For example, a 2002 Treasury study, described on Tuesday in The New York Times, claims that Social Security and Medicare are $44 trillion in the red. What's the truth?

Here's a hint: while even right-wing politicians insist in public that they want to save Social Security, the ideologues shaping their views are itching for an excuse to dismantle the system. So you have to read alarming reports generated by people who work at ideologically driven institutions — a list that now, alas, includes the U.S. Treasury — with great care.

First, two words — "and Medicare" — make a huge difference. According to the Treasury study, only 16 percent of that $44 trillion shortfall comes from Social Security. Second, the supposed shortfall in both programs comes mainly from projections about the distant future; 62 percent of the combined shortfall comes after 2077.

So does the Treasury report show a looming Social Security crisis? No.

<snip>

[NewJeffCT]

10. please make sure you respond

If you open 1 set of eyes, it is worth it. There is so much of this B/S out there that some of it starts to sink in to the mainstream...

[billyf65]

11. Reply

I have a rather lengthy reply to this that I prepared when my friend sent it to me. It might be a touch long for the forum, but with the possibility of getting this post tossed...here goes (with charges form original email included):

Social Security

>>Since many of us have paid into FICA for years and are now receiving a Social Security check every >>month -- and then finding that we are getting taxed on 85% of the money we paid to the federal >>government to "put away," you may be interested in the following:

>> Which party took Social Security from an independent fund and put it in the general fund so that >>Congress could spend it?
>>A: It was Lyndon Johnson and the Democratic-controlled House and Senate.

Johnson merely unified the federal budget. And in 1967, Johnson passed a 13% INCREASE in Social Security, and also among the Great Society programs, created Medicare and HUD. The US poverty rate under Johnson dropped from 22% to 13%.

By the way, it was none other than Reagan who politicized the unified budget, using it to justify the massive tax cuts responsible for our huge national debt.

>>Q: Which party put a tax on Social Security?
>>A: The Democratic party.

>>Q: Which party increased the tax on Social Security?
>>A: The Democratic Party with Al Gore casting the deciding vote.

OK, a Republican Congress passed the original tax on Social Security, and Reagan signed it in 1983. It was increased marginally for higher-income recipients in the face of annual $200 billion deficits and the pending destruction of the program. Most Americans saw no change in their taxes.

By the way, the cut that the GOP House will give nearly $2000 in savings for the top 40%, for the rest; $1.

>>Q: Which party decided to give money to immigrants?
>>A: That's right, immigrants moved into this country and at 65
>>got SSI (Social Security).
>>The Democratic Party gave that to them although they
>>never paid a dime into it.

Unadulterated racism. According to the University of Florida, immigrants and naturalized citizens pay roughly 25% MORE into the system than do the native born. Many collect (they did pay into it), and many, many more do not, meaning they are simply paying into a system from which they do not benefit (and yes, they’re taking jobs good Americans should have, because most USA-Firsters would love that job picking lettuce in the hot California sun or working as a line-cook in a hot kitchen, damn those brown folk).

>>Then, after doing all this, the Democrats turn around and tell
>>you the Republicans want to take your Social Security.

In the face of mounting deficits and with an alarming number of boomers entering retirement, Bush and the GOP congress enacted the 2001 tax cut package which dwarfs the long-term Social Security deficit. Add a war and rebuilding Iraq, a new irresponsible tax cut for the wealthiest Americans (and don’t be fooled by the piddly refund check – it is hush money), and the skyrocketing deficits, a continually sluggish economy and what, exactly does one suppose will happen to Social Security. It is not rocket science.

Let’s not even get into the disaster of privatization.

>>And the worst part about it is, people believe it!
>>This must be an issue in "04". Please! Keep it going. Also
>>remember:

It MUST be an issue – we can certainly agree on that.

I cut out all the info about the congressional retirement. Yes, it is a sweet benefit. And way to only name Democrats there Tex, because I suppose you believe Republicans aren’t eligible for this.


If enough people receive this, maybe a seed of awareness will be planted, and maybe good changes will evolve.

How many people can YOU send this to?

Well, facts are a tricky thing, aren’t they? But the truth shall set you free (it says so in the Bible, so it must be true). So, now how many people that you sent your original and error-filled BS screed will YOU send this correction to?

[swinney]

12. Few answers on demo and social security

The writer does not have knowledge.
Here are Facts. Sock it to him.

1.Reagan put 50% tax on Social Security income.

2.Clinton added on 35%.

This was tax on income of rich who should not receive social security.

I have posted here my rich pal.Worth over 50 Million. Income several million per year. When turned 70 got social security check which went into college trust fund for rich grandkids. His logic "I paid for it". I asked him to go to local armory and get some free cheese since we paid for it.

3.Immigrants get Social Security at 65. They are citizens and paid SS taxes.

4.Reagan gave amnesty to all immigrants in America and lookie.
Five years later they got citizenship. Flood of members of their families who could then enter legally.

6.In 1990, 1,500,000 immigrants entered the country as a result of Reagans act. Prior years had been under 600,00 per year.

7.Voodoo Bush increased immigrants quota by 40% to "buy" Hispanic votes for 1992 election.

Immigration details available at www.publicagenda.org.
www.census.gov--www.fedstats.gov US statistical yearbook.
----www.ins.usdoj.gov(all details you will need here)--

[swinney]

13. More on 85% tax on ss income

Most think that the income is taxed 85%.

If one gets $15,000 per year 85% is taxed.

The 85% is --85% of the income is taxed.

Not at 85%

It is taxed at the rate you pay. 28% bracket and pay 28% on 85% of total ss income.

It does not apply to all.

I do not recall breaking point but it is for higher income filers.