If the GOP/tea partiers shut down SSI

[JoDog]

and unemployment insurance, I plan to ask for a refund.

Why? I have been working taxed jobs for nearly 17 of my 33 years. Every paycheck, taxes for unemployment, SS and other programs have been taken out by the government.

These programs were meant to serve a 2-fold purpose: 1. To help the people who need it now. 2. To act as a de facto savings account for most workers. Ideally, we shouldn't have to worry about saving for hard times with these programs. The government takes our money as insurance payments, and then "pays it forward" with the promise that workers will get what they paid in back if they need it. New workers are supposed to replenish the fund, ensuring older workers get their money back.

So, if these programs are shut down before I hit a long stretch of unemployment, turn 65 or am declared disabled, that means my money will never be replenished to the fund. So I have lost my money. Cash I could have saved or invested on my own, or used to pay off my college and personal debts. I would be out tens of thousands of dollars.

Therefore, I think that should the tea party's dreams come true, I am owed a refund. If they don't cut me a check quietly, I intend to sue. Probably, I don't have a whole lot of legal standing here, but I will kick up as much of a fuss as one onry woman can.

Any one with me?

[SpiralHawk]

1. "Kill Social Security now. Smirk." - Rush DraftDodger Limbaugh (R - Propagandist)

"And enact more, more, more, more Tax Cuts for Rich Republicons. More more more for us. Smirk."

- Rush DraftDodger Limbaugh (R - Propagandist)

[Ganja Ninja]

2. That's right.

The money we've paid in has been used for other purposes than SS payments. If we're being cut off then I want my money back. All of it. And I don't want to hear anymore lectures about patriotism from the likes of Alan Simpson.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

3. Our SS money was spent long, long ago

Your uncle spent the money your dad left you for an inheritance and when you grow-up to ask for your money to go to school the courts will order him to pay up at which point your uncle will use a cash advance on your credit to pay you back.

Dude, your uncle is a total jerk.

[Ganja Ninja]

5. Umm ... Social Security surplus?

Surplus means they've collected more than they've handed out. They used that extra money to supplement the general fund and spent it on everything.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

10. If there were a surplus that would be awesome

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- It's official: Social Security will reach its tipping point this year.

For the first time in nearly 30 years, the system will pay out more benefits than it receives in payroll taxes both this year and next, the government officials who oversee Social Security said on Thursday.

http://money.cnn.com/2010/08/05/news/economy/social_security_trustees_report/index.htm

And surplus or no, none of it was never intended for the general fund. It was supposed to be a trust fund.

Now if only we could find politicians we can trust.

[DrDan]

4. "shut down"? Has there been any indication that there would be a "shut down" of either of these?

I am sure there will be a recommentdation of cuts - but a "shut down"??????

I hardly think so.

[tritsofme]

6. If the GOP takes over either house of Congress, there could be budget fights that lead to a

1995 style government shutdown. This could cause SS checks to be delayed, federal workers furloughed ect.

[DrDan]

7. that is hardly a shutdown of social security

[tritsofme]

11. For seniors living on a tightly fixed income, it sure would be.

[DrDan]

12. no doubt it would be near-catastrophic for many seniors - but still not a "shut-down"

a delay in checks . . .

[Bitwit1234]

8. My son who is in his fifties has said the same thing

he said he is going to sue the republicans and wants all the money back he has paid in for years. He said when he paid it in, if they go to privatization, that's not what they took it out for either and he is still going to sue. So if all the people who over the years paid in to social security threaten the same thing, there is no way they would be able to touch it.

[truebrit71]

9. I am right there with you...no SS in the future? Give me my money back..

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