Repairing the Safety Net
A Final Solution for Social Security
A Persuasive Argument
By Bill Lere
DeVry University, 2012
For
Professional Communication SPRB12 - Sec X
Professor: Stefan Donev
Copyright Bill Lere, 2012
We’ve heard it said that Social Security
may not be there when we need it.
• What is Social Security?
* A Safety net for retired folks
* Support service funding for the handicapped
* Safety net for children of catastrophe
• Where did Social Security Come From?
* Became law in 1935
* Part of “The New Deal”
* A response to a need
FDR SIGNS SOCIAL SECURITY INTO LAW
Photo by: larrydewitt.net
“People Do Count on Social Security
For Retirement Support
And support funding for the Handicapped”
Thom Hartmann
What You need to know
• It Has Stood The Test Of Time
* Celebrating 77 years of solvency
- Never missed a payment to eligible recipients
- Has never bounced a check
- Has never been a contributor to our national debt
- Has a 2.6 Trillion Dollar Surplus ( 4.2 trillion by 2023 )
* Good for the economy
- Puts money in the hands of consumers
- fewer people on “entitlement programs”
- Not “Government Money” It’s yours…….
By: ncpssm.org
Social Security has its critics who say it’s
Time has come and gone.
( Scrap it, Overhaul it, or leave it alone? )
•
Is Social Security In trouble?
* Underfunded?
* At risk of financial failure?
* next generation and beyond?
•
Political and Controversial
*
*
*
*
*
Scrap it entirely?
Privatize it?
Raise the age of retirement?
Raise the cap for income withholding ?
Do nothing, It will be fine
Rep. Peter Sessions, From Texas
Proponent of privatization
One Option Is To Privatize
The Wall Street Fix
Rep, Peter Sessions of Texas
Proponent of Privatization
Privatization Means High Risk To You.
How Do You Like The Wall Street Fix?
• Big Payday for Wall Street
* 2.6 Trillion Dollars strong
* 4.2 Trillion by 2023
•
Funds exposed to economic pressure
* Remember the crash?
* Great risk to your future
* When its gone, its gone
•
Graph showing what can happen
with your money if stocks crash
Funds become vulnerable to unregulated banking
* Wall Street Casino
* Retirement lost
* profits at your expense
Photo by: MSNBC
I know a way that would solve many issues:
“Remove The Cap Entirely”
The only way to fix something that isn’t broken is to:
Make it Better!
• Don’t change the program
* Change how its funded
* Remove the cap (take away the guesswork)
* A fair percentage of all income ( over $10,000 )
• What it will do
*
*
*
*
Creates a level playing field
Creates surpluses from now on
Creates New opportunities
possible expansion of coverage
KEEPS WALL STREET OUT OF THE EQUATION!
thedjholla.com
What New Opportunities Could Removing
The Cap From Social Security Provide?
Social Security will be able to do much
More Than It does Today
•
Much Higher Social Security Payouts
* A living level of income
* earlier retirement age
•
Fully Fund Senior Care programs
* Better living conditions for seniors
* Unlimited access to all services
•
Takes Pressure off of Medicare
* No more co-pays
* Reduced premiums or no premiums
* Zero medication costs
What About Those With Special Needs?
Wait, There’s More!
Another Area That Would Benefit By This Approach
Is In The Area Of Those With Special Needs
•
Children And Adults With Handicaps
*
*
*
*
*
Education
Therapeutic Services
Special Medical Care
Every Day Living
Research
By: reachwi.org
The Bottom Line
The Best Way To Address A Program That Has Worked Well
For Over Seventy Five Years, Is To Help It Do Better At What
It Already Does.
• If it ain’t Broke….. Don’t Break it!
Thank You
The Author: Bill Lere
References
Hartmann, T. (July, 7, 2010). Top 5 social security myths. Retrieved from
http://www.thomhartmann.com/users/zenzoe/blog/2010/07/top-5……………………………………socialsecurity_myths
King, T. T., & Cecil, H. W. (2006). The history of major changes to the social security
…………………………………………system,the cpa journal.. New York,NY: Retrieved from
…………………………………………http://www.nysscpa.org/cpajournal/2006/506/infocus/p15.htm
Sanders, B. (Performer) (10, 2010). Social security works [Web series episode].
Retrieved from http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/media/view/?id=0f71dff1…………………………a24f-4710-b3aa-818345015d81
Sarlin, B. (June 7, 2011). House republicans look to privatize social security. TPM. Retrieved
………………………from http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/06/house-republicans-look-to..........................privatize-social-security.php