LETTER: In support of Social Security
In 1935, at its inception, almost all Republicans opposed the creation of the Social Security system. It has been viewed as a Democratic achievement, and Republican politicians have worked to eliminate it ever since.
It’s actually very popular with citizens who are both Republican and Democrat, so they have not been able to kill it. They have chipped away at it with actions like raising the age a person must be to receive full benefits. This was very harmful to people forced into early retirement, as many were during the COVID-19 crisis. A170-member Republican Study Committee has proposed additional “adjustments” to the retirement age along with other benefits reducing “efficiencies.” Longer life expectancy has been used as justification. Living longer doesn’t guarantee the ability to continue working, and when out of work, senior citizens often have difficulty finding new employment.
People opposed to Social Security often question its long-term solvency and try to convince young people it won’t be there for them. In this wealthy nation it can be financed and available if the voting public has the will to support it. But currently it is not safe. Donald Trump’s recently appointed Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, appearing on “Jesse Watters Primetime,” said “You know Social Security is wrong.”
On Feb 23, Newsweek reported that at a Conservative Political Action Conference President, Trump said, “It’s all a scam, the whole thing is a scam,” in reference to the Social Security system and its data. His outlandish claims about the data have been debunked, but his animosity toward the system is clear. As of this writing, Trump, using his DOGE gang, has closed Social Security offices in 10 cities. More may be on the chopping block.
It is right to believe in efficient government. But putting people in charge of systems like Social Security who don’t believe in the government’s role in making working people secure when retired is causing a disaster and it’s likely to get worse. Breaking the system to destroy public support and confidence appears to be part of their plan.
If you, like most people, consider Social Security necessary for your future or current retirement, please, let your elected officials know how you feel.
Donald Fitch
Amity