Laying the Groundwork

Cashflow and Economics

The Bush Adminisration included in the budget presented to Congress 2 cuts in SS that don't seem like much. They want to do away with the much publicized $255.00 death benefit for SS recipients and payments for eligible children after the age of 16 if they aren't in school. The death benefit covered funeral expenses when it was set up but has never been increased even though the money is there. The children's benefit has been provided for children until the age of 18 unless they are in school. Then they receive benefits until the age of 21. Children have to eat at 16 even if it's harder to get a job at 16 than 18.

The Bush Administration seems to think that the payroll tax can be used by the government for anything. Cutting SS is just another way of using the payroll tax to cover government spending instead of using the income tax. The payroll tax belongs to eligible SS recipients only. With trillions being withheld and used to operate the government, cuts in SS are criminal at the least. Even Tommy Thompson, former head of HHS, saw this and chose to to get out of it. Current head, Leavitt, hand picked by Bush, continues to push for the stubborn effort to gradually do away with SS.

SS recipients don't burn the money they receive, they spend it. The program was set up with the provision that all money collected was to be paid out as collected, with no more than one year of projections. Money spent helps the value of stocks, small businesses, big businesses, investments and the general public economic well being. Any other approach is sloppy and stupid. Projections into the future are manipulative and criminally inspired. Anyone in Congress who disagrees should be removed!!