The Doomsday Scenario for Social Security...

[kentuck]

As I see it, the future of Social Security is dependent on countries like China and Japan. Why? Because the crisis in America is not with Social Security, it with the huge deficits being created by George Bush and the present Republican Congress. If the candy jar is suddenly taken away, that will be the day of reckoning.

It is China and Japan and other countries holding our debt that are also holding the candy jar. If they refused to buy US dollars and opted for Euros, for example, how would we pay for the $500 billion dollar deficit per year?? Since the Republicans are adamant, and religiously so, that there will be no tax increases, Social Security - like every other government program - would then be on the chopping block. Because we could not afford them.

In actuality, the Repubs are in the process of creating a "crisis" in Social Security and the rest of government. Democrats need to emphasize the danger of these huge deficits and the looming real "crisis" on the horizon. It is the debt, and the unwillingness of the Republican majority to deal with it, that is the major challenge for our nation.

[DemoTex]

1. ".. creating a "crisis" in Social Security and the rest of government."

Grover Norquist's "Starve the Beast."

[Warpy]

2. There's another component, too

With skilled jobs and office jobs now being looted by China and India, there are fewer workers earning a living wage here, and that means fewer workers are contributing fully to FICA. I don't see this trend doing anything but increasing.

FICA was always supposed to be a pay as you go insurance program. With people unemployed and not getting paid, contributions are starting to dry up, and the silly squawking of Chicken Little Repuglicans may actually become a fact.

We really do have a recipe for disaster: looted industry, looted office jobs, depressed wages, high debt load (both personal and national), wealth concentration, a falling dollar, and now a stagnant stock market.

And a nitwit who only knows how to cheat his way throough life running the whole show...

[AndyTiedye]

3. They Want to Shutdown All Social Programs Except "Faith-Based" Ones

and force the poor, the sick, and the elderly to go begging to the
xtian churches for aid. They all better be able to hosanna convincingly too,
or no help for them!

[Nite Owl]

4. That is the whole point

and I think that is why we see so few real 'conservatives' getting upset with the deficits. They see the downfall of social programs as the ultimate end, they are willing to put up with the deficits to get to that goal which they have always wanted. They were concerned when a Dem was in power because the tax money was being returned to the people as it rightfully should be but they didn't want that, they wanted no money spent on programs. The deficits now suit their ultimate purpose so they don't complain about it.