-Yet, once elected and in Washington, D.C., they have to fulfill their promises to the wealthy people who purchased them.

and they promised the wealthy they'd cut SS and Medicare?

What's in it for the wealthy to cut SS and Medicare?

"What's in it for the wealthy to cut SS and Medicare?"
Money.
Any more questions?

#29 | POSTED BY DANFORTH

thank you for showing up. The other ------- aren't worth my time.

Do you agree or not agree that the wealthy disproportionately BENEFIT from SS and Medicare?

From my #27

In a world where the rich always seem to get richer whatever the game, Social Security always seemed to be one program that was truly "progressive" " it benefited the working class more than the moneyed class. Right?

Sadly, no.

In reality, despite painstaking efforts to ensure that Social Security benefits are distributed fairly, the wealthy are receiving disproportionately large payouts after all.

The wealthy live longer and the longer you live, the more you'll draw from both SS and Medicare.

This isn't rocket science.

Obviously, the wealthy don't rely on SS and Medicare like middle class and poor folks do but it doesn't mean it's a waste of their money either.

You guys do understand that Jeff Bezos and Eberly pay exactly the same into SS, right?

Jeff pays more into medicare but it's not a big % of his earned income and it's only taxed on earned income....which the wealthiest can control to a point.

So the argument that the rich want to kill SS because they are selfish is done?

Or does someone want carry that torch further?

-The poorest get 85% replaced, the next group gets 50% replaced, and the wealthiest group gets about 35% replaced.

Not sure what you're saying. What is being "replaced"? Total income?

Are you saying SS replaces only 35% of a wealthy persons income?

If so, that still doesn't mean it's a bad value for them.

-True, but it does mean the theory wealthier people are getting a better deal with SS than poor folks doesn't stand up to the equation.

What if we accept the wealthier live 4 years longer?

I made that number up but they do live longer.

I quickly found those articles. Perhaps it's not true the wealthy get at least as good of a value from SS as a middle class or poor person.

But think about lower income people who drop dead at 64 due to their lower life expectancy compared to the insurance agent who received excellent health care and draws SS until he's 90.

-That was one of MANY aspects of Dubya's plan, which, as more folks learned about it, more and more Republicans fled from it.

But every once in a while, with this thread as proof, people convince themselves damaging or killing SS would EVER poll well.

Which is why the accusation has been attempted about a million times in my lifetime. 3 million in Corky's.....LOL

But I enjoy the entertainment of a whole new argument about how someone is trying to kill Social Security....because a rich person wants them to.

-No shock. It wouldn't surprise me if the .1% had 10 years over the average.

Me either.....and the top 10% 5-8 years longer.

Combine this reality with the other fact that matters to the uber wealthy........social security and medicare keep the barbarians at the gate.

If the rich were to ever worry about pitchforks and torches coming for them......it would be if SS and Medicare was damaged or killed.

The cost to the wealthy for their portion of SS is minimal.....I can't imagine they give 2 ----- about it.

Now....the guy making $180K? He sees his SS taxes go up every year because of the increase in the income subject to SS. He is the guy who gets hammered the most as a % of his income paying SS and how it increases on him every year. The guy making $2 million? How much do you think he's crying about SS???

84

better healthcare
healthier lifestyles
healthier diets
drive safer cars
wear seatbelts (I don't know but I'll bet there is a study that proves wealthier people are more likely to wear seatbelts)
safer neighborhoods

shall I go on?

Again, I'm simply challenging the notion the uber wealthy would want to pressure congress to jack with SS as if they have some huge problem with it.

They don't get hurt by it. They enjoy the realities of SS by living longer and receiving maximum benefits. They aren't getting hosed by it at all.

And it's a pretty good bet they know it.

I mean...is the Heritage Foundation or some organization like that preaching about taking a hatchet to SS and Medicare? I didn't say anything about ACA. I know there has been considerable pressure to fight back on that but SS and Medicare?

I'm sure some of you have furiously worked to find something that makes your argument it's an agenda of the uber wealthy to screw everyone else's SS up but I haven't seen anything posted.

I'll check back later.

90

try again in English. WTF are you even saying? "evidence of healthier diets"?

are you arguing there is no such thing as a healthier diet and its impact on life expectancy?

how about smoking? doesn't matter either?

"Really, it is a serious question."

I took you at your word. It wasn't, apparently. You just want to keep asking insipid questions with obvious answers.

Fool me once.....

When Donnerboy posts something in bold....goddam it you better read it!! LOL

"The poorest get 85% replaced, the next group gets 50% replaced, and the wealthiest group gets about 35% replaced."

Where did you get this, Danforth?

102

I see where you are going. Interesting. Your point is that the minimum wage worker gets a better return on the tax than a wealthy person who pays the max, correct?

But let's assume the $147K guy retires this year and draws the $45.5K for the next 25 years and the minimum wage guys only draws it for 15 (using the 10 year difference in life expectancy)

rich guy collects $1,137,000 assuming no inflation.

the min wage guy collects $171K

-SS most definitely does NOT replace the lifestyle of the $147K worker.

Of course not.

Can you do the same math for a median income worker and their respective SS benefit?

-Which funds 31% of his bills.

How do you know my bills are any more than Lamp's? I'll assume for purposes of this discussion that Lamp's alias is the min wage worker.

-or afford more advisors like a workout coach or personal chef.

or simply give a ---- enough to go to the internet and do some basic research on how to eat healthy.

."the min wage guy collects $171K
Which funds 85% of his bills."

I think you're underestimating Lamp's weed expenditure.

Which is a "root cause" as to why he makes min wage his whole life in the first place.

-And you can find that on the internet?

yes

and books, nutritionists, and well...this information is everywhere.

The fact you haven't found it says a lot.

You have no idea how to eat healthy nor do you know where to even find that information.

And it's January 11, 2023. and you can't find any help for yourself.

-Ya really need to try harder.

LOL...really, I'm actually laughing.

Nope...no need to try harder on this place with alias' like yours bonglighter.

Maybe if you bring some game?

Jus' sayin'

-why should those who you say should do some basic research seem to lack the basic medical care to help them in tht area?

Why should anybody who has internet service use as an excuse to not use it properly their complaint they don't have great healthcare?

"I'm a fat ---- munching on Doritos and donuts trolling people on the internet claiming I can't help it because the internet is too confusing for me. I can't seem to find anybody on the internet to advise me that being a fat ---- munching on doritos and donuts isn't good for me."

-Lamplighter's alias

Clipboy calling me a girl.

Man, that never gets old nor does it ever stop stinging.

One day he might empty that clip on me....if so ordered. LOL

All fat people, including Clipboy and Bonglighter, can use the internet....and those 2 are in the bottom quintile, without question.

-Your comments seem to think the internet is the end-all for medical information to attain a healthy lifestyle.

no they don't. It's merely 1 out of many tools. I made that clear. I didn't come within a million miles of calling it an "end all". You lying POS.

Your comments seem to imply you can't understand basic common sense. Which I think is on purpose....because you a high as a kite right now.

You have become the retarded leftover child born by clipboy and impregnated by a -------- that included speakstupid and snoofy.

-Oh, come now, you've read the studies: Humans are more likely to exercise when they pay for a personal trainer.

Of course they are. There are dozens of actions people can take to ensure better health for themselves.

Hiring personal trainers and chefs are probably at the top of the pyramid....for the select few.

I was referring to what the average joe can do.....which is to give a ---- enough to do some research which is available to them.

You're all going to pretend you've never looked up food on the internet to research it's health benefits?

This place cracks me up........

-Why do Republicans want to cut SS and Medicare?

They are proposing a budget bill that's a certainty to get rejected by the dems, won't pass the senate nor be signed by President Biden.

But they can claim "we tried to cut spending but the democrats wouldn't go for it" blah blah blah typical budget arguing semantics --------.

The republicans know the democrats won't let them do it.....and they are seemingly fine with articles like this being written.

125

Lamp, I gave you back what you were dishing out. Nothing more.

go cry someplace else......nobody gives a -----

From another thread in response to the assertion "you better believe the repubs when they say blah blah blah"

Nothing of the sort will ever make it past the Senate or the veto pen.
Don't you guys recognize 'patronizing the base' lip-service when you see it?
All McCarthy is doing is setting up the Senate to take the blame.
POSTED BY TWINPAC

I agree with Twin

138

Means test yourself then. Let's pretend you're 65 and applying for SS.

What does the SS administration do? How do they determine your benefit?

What information would you need to submit to the SS administration in order for them to calculate your benefit and what adjustments they'll make it to account for your "means"??

139

and as a follow up.....how does the SS administration keep up to date on this with you and everyone else each year.

Because they'll need to means test every year.

You might take some sort of deferred compensation that could potentially impact your SS benefit in a year and the next year you don't get it....are you still going to get the same benefit?

Should it go up? How much?

Or is this some sort of asset test vs income? or both?

earned income? what about non-earned income?

and where do we draw the line?

I'm quite certain I know most everyone's answer on that one.

SS is to be subtracted from anybody making......wait for it......$1 more than themselves.

Tax returns would be the primary tool the SS would use....but that costs money to read and understand....all so they can reduce your benefit.

I can't wait for the battles over this one......and the maneuvers used to avoid any penalty on SS.

"Take last year's cap of 147K, and last year's max payout of 45.5"

This is something I think most folks can't understand.

The most anybody can take is $45.5K a year. Jeff Bezos can only get that. And he had to pay the max to get it. Same as the guy who only made $47K.

Now let's fast forward to retirement. The guy making $147K probably saved and can draw from their 401K and they should be able to enjoy their retirement by drawing down from their IRA while drawing SS. Should that guy be penalized for saving money (deferring income)?

No way

But that's what means testing would do. Penalize someone who can only draw $45.5K a year anyway.

Has there been any study to project what we would save by implementing such a plan?

I get all that, Danforth.

But as ususal, some dumbfuk like whatsleftinmyhead gets saved by you or someone like you who isn't just some dumbfuk who's motivated by class envy.

When I get to the age of drawing SS, I'm hoping I'm active and healthy enough to keep working in consulting, handle some specific clients, perhaps teach some continuing ed classes for some insurance designations, etc.....all of that could generate some AGI for myself.

But at the end of the day, I'm just a worker....why in the hell should I sacrifice a penny of my SS because I am able and choose to do those things?

Unless you're talking about an AGI threshold of a large amount...say $500K a year or more.

151

easy...that's way above my number....but point taken. But KNEW I was going to get hit with that. Good call.

"You'd be surprised."

I'm sure and I realize that a ton of folks who earn around that figure throughout their lifetime live in high cost of living places and probably don't save nearly what I can living where I do.

Nothing of the sort will ever make it past the Senate or the veto pen.
Don't you guys recognize 'patronizing the base' lip-service when you see it?
All McCarthy is doing is setting up the Senate to take the blame.
POSTED BY TWINPAC

"Can't you just comment without begging for sympathy every time you trot out nonsensical responses?"

This from a handle changing troll begging for attention from literally anybody who'll give it to him.

I went to Urgent Care to get a Covid test

"You're just lying to get attention!!!! Stop it! That's my job!"

-Legallychangeshishandle4times