Reader K sent this article:
Yesterday afternoon, on a little-known Louisiana radio show, a clue was given that shows just how devious the Trump administration plans to be if they pull off a midterm victory. In a short interview, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson let us all know exactly where his priorities, and the priorities of this entire administration, truly lie when it comes to Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. With Johnson even saying, “Entitlement programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and then things like Social Security. They have to be adjusted and fixed.”
My late father-in-law, a Obama/Romney/Trump voter (they exist), was adamant that Medicare and Social Security were “his money”. He paid in to the programs and that money was his. I doubt that he’s alone, and I think it’s a good political attack to say that the Republicans want to steal Social Security again, just like they did when George W Bush tried to do it in 2006.
Our conflict-averse Democratic leaders used to be able at least fight for this program, so hopefully they can do something with Johnson’s words. Is it even fear mongering to say that Republicans want to steal Social Security when it’s clear that Trump and his buddies are stealing everything that isn’t nailed down in DC, and tearing down the rest?
Almost everyone who isn’t legitimately rich is going to rely on Social Security and Medicare in their retirement, even people who are “upper middle class.” A 401(k) and IRA are nice, but that $2K, $3K or $4K a month that you get from Social Security, and the insurance against big medical expense of Medicare, are the difference between scraping by and a “good retirement.” For the poor, it’s the difference between destitute poverty and a dignified life after you’re unable to work. In other words, this is another political no brainer. If you need some polling to prove the obvious, here you go:
Many Americans count on earned Social Security benefits as a source of income when they retire. According to an April Gallup poll, 79% of the public said they would lean on Social Security. Similarly, 89% of current retirees in the same poll said they rely on Social Security payments.
Cuts to safety net programs have been historically unpopular. In a 2023 Gallup poll, only 31% of respondents said they believed Social Security should be cut. By contrast, 61% said that taxes should be raised to keep the program going. A 2016 study from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities found that raising payroll taxes, especially among the wealthy, would strengthen Social Security.
In closing, tax the rich.
