Mr. Grijalva, Social Security Isn't Wealth Redistribution
In an Op-Ed for USA Today, Rep. Raul Grijalva suggests eliminating the earnings cap on social security payments as a way to balance systemic deficits within the system. Yet it's clear from his article that Mr. Grijalva neither understands what "Social Security" is, nor that what he's proposing is simply wealth redistribution.
First, there is no such thing as "Social Security". That's just the name most people use to refer to OASDI (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance). It's an insurance policy: not an entitlement, not a tax, and certainly not a vehicle for social engineering and wealth redistribution.
FICA payments are more accurately referred to as "premiums". In essence, they're no different than the monthly payments to your automobile or health insurer: you pay up front for defined benefits in the future.
Individuals earning more than $106,800 per year are simply buying the most expensive insurance policy available. Removing the cap on earnings, unless you also remove the cap on benefits, is--at its core--simply making one individual pay for another person's retirement plan. Grijalva's plan isn't about making people pay their "fair share", which they already do, it's about handing your hard earned money to someone else in the name of socialist "equality".
And while this might sound appealing to someone like Raul Grijalva, with his extensive ties to socialist individuals and organizations throughout this country, it's most certainly not the American way. We've seen the failed experiments in socialism across the globe, and there's no need to replicate their failures here at home.
Until the 1960's OASDI actually showed a profit. Like any insurance company, they invested the premiums collected from American taxpayers and invested them in the market, earning a fair return. Had spendthrift politicians like Mr. Grijalva not dipped their beaks into the pot, OASDI would still be fully funded today.
The way to make this program solvent again isn't by using it as a vehicle for wealth redistribution, instead we need to repeal the laws allowing politicians to spend Social Security dollars on their latest pork barrel project, create sustainable economic growth, and reduce discretionary spending to reign in our deficits.
Paid for by Ruth McClung for Congress
Campaigning with Jesse Kelly in Arizona’s Eighth Congressional District
Posted by Rep. Kevin McCarthy (Profile)
Thursday, September 9th
I’m traveling across the country helping Republican candidates take back the House of Representatives from Democrats and help put our country back on the path to prosperity. Here on RedState I will take you along to see what I’m seeing as we work to re-take our government.
A few days ago, I traveled to Arizona’s Eighth Congressional District to campaign with Jesse Kelly. Jesse is working hard with the Republican grassroots to defeat Democrat Gabrielle Giffords. Jesse’s energetic supporters were eager to hear his conservative message of fiscal responsibility and border security, and I know they’ll work hard to get him elected.
Jesse knows we need to cut reckless government spending
programs and lower taxes so businesses can create jobs. He also understands that we have to respect the rule of the law and control our borders.
How important is this race? A local Arizona television station said:
Political experts said the winner of this race could
determine who controls the political majority in Washington.
We need Jesse Kelly in Congress to help bring an end to Washington’s reckless ways.
Please visit Jesse Kelly’s website and keep up the great work,
Congressman Kevin McCarthy
Franks Expresses Condolences Following Lake Havasu City Shooting
September 10, 2010 - Congressman Trent Franks (AZ-02) released the following statement regarding the shooting that has been deemed the worst in Lake Havasu City's history, which occurred August 29th and claimed the lives of five people and the gunman:
"There are no words I can express that would make sense of what is a senselessly violent act. Lake Havasu City and the entire surrounding community has been understandably shaken by the news of this tragic act.
"As the families involved, some of whom are even now in the process of planning services in memory of their loved ones, continue to endure the pain of having to lay a loved one to rest, they can do so knowing that the entire surrounding community stands ready to support them through this difficult time. Indeed, to those who, as a result of this cowardly act, lost family members and friends and are still struggling for a way to cope with the grief: truly, you are in my prayers."
Congressman Franks is serving his fourth term in the U.S. House of Representatives, and is a member of the Committee on Armed Services, Strategic Forces Subcommittee, Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee, Military Readiness Subcommittee, Committee on the Judiciary, Constitution Subcommittee, and is Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law.
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