Should SS be cut to fund kid's needs?

OldWiseGuy

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SimplyMe

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This article, written by experts on the subject, seems to suggest that SS for retirees is unfair to poor kids. Please read it and render your opinion.

High Child Poverty Is A Deliberate Policy Choice

On one hand, I can understand the issue with child poverty -- though it is an issue it seems most conservatives have little interest in. The mantra I hear constantly here is how the government shouldn't "reward" people who don't want to work and, if you give benefits for children, then the adults will likely use the bulk of those benefits for themselves, leaving the children to suffer. I bring this up solely because this appears to be a conservative group -- so their baseline idea is that any increase in spending in one area must be cut from elsewhere.

The one other fact they ignore completely is that most recipients of Social Security have paid into the program and, if the program had been managed correctly, most of the spending now should be offset by the Social Security fund. So it isn't completely fair to complain about how "good" Seniors have it when the fact is -- particularly with the various limits placed on Social Security programs over the last few decades (increasing the retirement age, adding stiffer income limits to receive benefits, etc).

I'm not sure there are any good answers here that will satisfy "both" sides.
 
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Chesterton

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I bring this up solely because this appears to be a conservative group -- so their baseline idea is that any increase in spending in one area must be cut from elsewhere.
Which is just saying that they know math. What's an alternative baseline idea?
...if the program had been managed correctly,...
That's always the excuse for failure: "Real Social Security has never been tried."
 
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SoldierOfTheKing

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Since Social Security has a separate source of funding, it doesn't even make sense.

That's always the excuse for failure: "Real Social Security has never been tried."

It has been tried, and it has worked - when it was better managed.
 
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Chesterton

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It has been tried, and it has worked - when it was better managed.
The Soviet Union "worked" for around 70 years. Theft and redistribution as policy is simply unsustainable, as well as immoral.
 
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SimplyMe

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The Soviet Union "worked" for around 70 years. Theft and redistribution as policy is simply unsustainable, as well as immoral.

Except it isn't technically "theft" -- it is at worst a mandatory insurance/retirement account, though more like a "forced" retirement plan. The only reason you think of it as "theft" is because the money was "stolen" by the government to pay for other programs, and now the government is having to use tax money to pay the stolen money back (plus interest).

Though I suppose that since "redistribution" as a policy is unsustainable means we'll be seeing all the insurance carriers declare bankruptcy any day now? Beyond which, why do you care -- since giving money to poor children is literally, to use your words, "theft and redistribution"; which per your belief is immoral and unsustainable.
 
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cow451

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Chesterton

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Except it isn't technically "theft" -- it is at worst a mandatory insurance/retirement account, though more like a "forced" retirement plan. The only reason you think of it as "theft" is because the money was "stolen" by the government to pay for other programs, and now the government is having to use tax money to pay the stolen money back (plus interest).
No, technically it is theft. Legally it's not. And I think of it as theft because just like street criminals, the government will use force and do something bad to me if I don't hand over my money.
Though I suppose that since "redistribution" as a policy is unsustainable means we'll be seeing all the insurance carriers declare bankruptcy any day now? Beyond which, why do you care -- since giving money to poor children is literally, to use your words, "theft and redistribution"; which per your belief is immoral and unsustainable.
Since you used that word, "literally", would you re-quote me and underline the part where I said giving money to poor children is literally theft and immoral? On the contrary, I believe it's very moral for you to give as much of your money as you want. Just don't give so much that you become poor like them, which is where that funny math aspect comes in.
 
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Lazarus Short

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...if you give benefits for children, then the adults will likely use the bulk of those benefits for themselves, leaving the children to suffer.

I hope you don't mind if I rephrase that: If you give benefits for the nation, then the politicians will likely use the bulk of those benefits for themselves, leaving the nation to suffer.

Whatever they may say on either side of the aisle, they don't care about the seniors or the children or anyone in between, except themselves.
 
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OldWiseGuy

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I hope you don't mind if I rephrase that: If you give benefits for the nation, then the politicians will likely use the bulk of those benefits for themselves, leaving the nation to suffer.

Whatever they may say on either side of the aisle, they don't care about the seniors or the children or anyone in between, except themselves.

This is largely true, as most Congresspersons leave Congress with great wealth, or the promise of great wealth from the companies they will then lobby for.
 
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OldWiseGuy

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How about cutting the tax cuts for the Uber wealthy? And like, spend it on children after they are born.

Millions of middle class Americans also benefit from those same tax breaks; most notably the low tax rate on long-term capital gains.
 
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cow451

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Millions of middle class Americans also benefit from those same tax breaks; most notably the low tax rate on long-term capital gains.
And that means a teeny amount eventually trickles down to children that need it. Forgive me for being underwhelmed.
 
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DaisyDay

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Social security and medicare are "earned benefits" that working people have paid into with every pay check. I suppose getting old can be considered a choice as people could just die instead.

Older people having a secure source of income takes the burden off working families that now don't have to support elderly parents as well as young children. When people retire, they free up jobs and the attendant income for younger people.

As other people here have pointed out, instead of taking from the elderly poor to benefit the young poor, why not take from the wealthy corporations who aren't real people despite the SCOTUS ruling.
 
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cow451

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Most of the grandparents I know do lots to help their grandkids, helping with preschool, child care, college funds, braces...and more.

So why would such a change be needed?
Old people are just living to long.
 
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HTacianas

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This article, written by experts on the subject, seems to suggest that SS for retirees is unfair to poor kids. Please read it and render your opinion.

High Child Poverty Is A Deliberate Policy Choice

In a word, no. One of the most serious problems facing social security is that it has been expanded to cover people it was never meant to cover. If you want some other program create some other program.
 
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A_Thinker

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dysert

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I hope you don't mind if I rephrase that: If you give benefits for the nation, then the politicians will likely use the bulk of those benefits for themselves, leaving the nation to suffer.

Whatever they may say on either side of the aisle, they don't care about the seniors or the children or anyone in between, except themselves.
You hit the nail on the head.
 
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