Now We Need To Make Them Pay

The new congress has been seated for a little more than two weeks, and their first order of business has been to attack vulnerable Americans by moving to cut payments to people eligible for Social Security Disability by nearly 20%. The decision is being framed as a way to protect seniors from lazy sloths unwilling to work, and justified as an effort to combat fraud in a system that Republicans say is rife with abuse. Democrats (and anyone concerned about the welfare of vulnerable people) must answer this challenge. Regardless of the false narrative put forward by some journalists and politicians, payments from the Social Security Disability Program are highly accurate with an error rate of less than 1%, and the program is not an easy giveaway to lazy people; only 41% of applicants are eventually approved for benefits with almost three quarters of applicants initially denied. For those who do qualify, this money is essential to their well-being. The program isn't charity or a giveaway, these people have paid into this system, and it needs to be there in their time of need the way it was promised.  

While the GOP appears to be attempting a strategy of divide and conquer, it is essential for Democrats, to hang this move around their neck like an albatross. We must remind seniors of the Republicans ongoing desire to privatize Social Security, and show this move for what it really is—an attempt to weaken the program so that they can eventually dismantle it. The grass roots need to be adamant about their stance that Social Security can only be strengthened, and that any attempt to weaken it will be met with not just complaints but with real consequences. Additionally, educational efforts should be conducted so that seniors are made aware of the efforts to undermine a program that is vital to their security. 

Fortunately, there is an option for ensuring the ongoing solvency of the program, and it will resonate with populist atmosphere currently spreading through the electorate; raise the limit on the amount of income subject to social security taxation. Currently, the limit is $118,500, with income above that threshold exempt from Social Security taxation. Eliminating that cap could close the gap in revenue by 90%,and would only affect the top 5.2% of workers. This needs to be an issue that is front and center as politicians are already gearing up for the 2016 election. A day shouldn’t go by that candidates aren’t asked about their plans to ensure the future of this program, and politicians that do not have satisfactory plans and solutions should not be let off of the hook. They say that Social Security is the “third rail” of American politics. The Republican Party hasn’t just touched it; they are making a public effort to break it. It’s essential that we make them pay a heavy price for that, while working to expand a program that is essential to the lives of millions of Americans.