Skip to main content

Today's Poll: Does Social Security need to be reformed?

By Howard B. Owens
bud prevost

There are a couple of things that would help. As far as SS goes, eliminate the income cap.
A bigger issue, in my opinion, is the private disability insurers. If a person has private disability coverage, like Metlife, they can't receive long term benefits unless they also apply for SS. Once SS is approved, the recipient MUST pay back the difference between what SS provides and what they were originally receiving. If you don't apply, you will not receive anything from the private insurer, even though premiums were paid by you or your employer. I always thought it absurd that a private insurance company, making a boatload of money, would/could incorporate such a practice into their business model, but it is the industry standard. It's a shameful practice, but just one more example of corporate greed.

Sep 12, 2011, 8:55am Permalink
Ed Gentner

The problems with Social Security funding are still with us, however since the linked article from four years ago was published unemployment has doubled and the Bush tax cuts have continued both of which have had an effect on Social Securities trust fund. The answer is quite simple, remove the caps on income for collection of the payroll tax, end the Bush era tax cuts, two unfunded wars and industrial policies that have had nothing but a negative effect on the American economy. Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid can be fully funded by removing the income cap and remain solvent and our deficits will fall with the increased revenues from an end to the Bush tax cuts and the a end to the hemorage of funds related to the two unfunded wars. Ending the nonsensical trade and industrial policies of the last thirty years will allow the economy to repair and restore itself making America the pre-eminant global industrial power again and provide long term gainful employment.

Sep 12, 2011, 11:20am Permalink
George Richardson

You can do what Ed says or you can vote for Rick Perry to "fix" Social Security. "Oh Heavenly Father way up in the sky where the angels play harps and everyone is never bored, please shine your divine money making scheme to enrich the rich through James Richard Perry, for a tax free in kind contribution to the Texas Technology Fund. Amen." P.S. please send many tears from the sky too, as well, also.

Sep 12, 2011, 1:05pm Permalink
Dave Olsen

That's a good one George, thanks for sharing. The biggest difference between Ron and the others is that he's really not interested in being the President as much as he wants the country to get back to our constitutional roots and can't find anyone else who'll do it. The rest are in in for their egos or whatever special interests they represent.

Sep 12, 2011, 4:55pm Permalink

Authentically Local