On Correcting Social Security

by Orion Karl Daley Summary: I want to summarize the following as in examining hear say, address the so called doom's day predictions about Social Security, and then the 'Plan of Action' that I propose to put Social Security back on the course as was intended by Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Additionally, I propose that the Government to dedicate a $10.00 Savings Bond to every child that is born, where that child upon retirement age will have a nice investment in addition to their Social Security benefits. In fact, if we took the ear marks for just one year, we could set aside enough Savings Bonds for a population growth for years to come, and this also will be under consideration. To recap on the issues, since Bush's reinstatement, one of his focal points has been warning us about the state of Social Security, and its questionable future. He and his administration claimed to be well informed, where in their spending have also stated that 'deficits do not matter'. Putting this concern aside, it appears that Bush's administration has prompted the Democrats to take a position, or offered another reason why they should 'chase their tails once more' where both positions appear to be based on hear say. Both claim to have the facts about Social Security, but the facts seem to be quite different where the Republicans foretell the downfall of the current Social Security system, and the Democrats speak of its lasting future. I want to look at each position for the purpose of posing questions, and at various scenarios where for the sake of argument agree with each position separately in each separate scenario. This is to help enlighten more on this 'sudden overwhelming concern' about the Social Security system but not to agree with their positions what so ever. Scenario I: To agree with the Republicans: we must ignore their earlier position of "Deficits don't matter", but then ask why do they promote the idea of Privatization in the first place? They speak about empowering us ( in what I find as quite patronizing ) with our very own investment destiny while also implying that the Democrats don't believe that we are capable of this. Okay, I would rather put this noise aside, and simply ask the following questions : 1- Why not have the Treasury Department step up to the plate itself, and structure a similar investment paradigm. This is where the Onus is on the Treasury department for the investment performance, and not the U.S Citizen ? I do not believe its a question of 'Big Government' as in blaming the other guy, but a dysfunctional one, and would want to advocate that the Government is to serve the people. Further, I view that it is the responsibility of the Executive and Legislative Branch to make a more cost effective government, and not use it as an excuse to promote private enterprise. 2- Why not Ear Mark Social Security for only Social Security, and nothing but Social Security; or better yet, why hasn't the Government been responsible enough to do this in the first place in serving the people ? Should we forget that FICA is not truly Ear Marked, and that the trust fund just has a bunch of "IOU's" from raping it since 2001 by those who have controlled the Senate and House until lately ? These questions concern me, and should concern you too, as they are not being asked by either of the two major parties. Scenario II: To agree with the Democrats: real assurance is required besides charts on the floor, and long winded speeches. Simply: 1- In their due diligence, and in order to support their position, why not call for a true audit of the U.S. Treasury Department as opposed to just accepting its reports ? - This way we all know what the real deal is, as after all, who can claim that we are not just down right flat broke ? Deficits have not mattered to the Republicans, and the Democrats I believe have a limited understanding of what the real deficit could be. My example is in how corporations normally sugar coat their liabilities. We cannot afford to do this with our budgets, and funds that are managed by the government ! The Democrats take on a considerable risk otherwise when not believing those about a concern who also state that 'deficits do not matter'. This is like ignoring a pyromaniac who yells Fire. Responsible Democrats and Republicans should demand an audit ! A Conclusion about Hedging: If the Democratic position wins out, and then the Social Security system turns out to be in jeopardy, then the Democrats would have been set up for a fall in their creditability. This means that we as citizens of the baby boomer, and generations X, Y and Z also take this fall thanks to the Democrats who were set up by the Republicans. The Republican's then can say "We are responsible and tried to tell you so !". This would be a great CYA for the administration if nothing else at the cost of many generations of Americans to come. If the Republican's win out, and Social Security becomes privatized, then what happens to all of those "IOU's" that were to come due sometime soon? Further, if told that we are the captain of our own row boat suddenly, and put into rough seas, I view as a contemptible disregard for the very purpose that our elected leaders and representatives were put into office. Taking Action to Correct the Social Security System for the Strategic Good of the People If our Government is to serve the people well, my over all question is - Why not be transparent and accountable to the American people in the first place ? Part of this is in the need of Government, and Economic Reform as addressed elsewhere at Unity2008.org. Taking Action specifically to correct the Social Security System for the Strategic good of the People s dependent on this reform. Franklin Delano Roosevelt intended for Social Security to have a a good purpose and not be raped with IOU's. It still has that good purpose. Its a matter of putting it back on track. In other words, what has been taken out and replaced with IOU's has to be put back in. If we are able to borrow fortunes for financing 'so called American Interests' in Iraq or elsewhere, our first responsibility is to shore up our 'American Interest' in our people. If we do not address this for what it is really worth, then what is to prevent the Federal Government from borrowing and not paying back from other needed programs and funds. This is the same as ultimately putting every program in some general fund, where special interests can grab first what they want, and leave government departments with no alternative but to provide lame excuses as to what they hare having a short fall, and why services have to be diminished that were already diminished. Saying that more money is going out than coming into Social Security has to do with the IOU's, and will be said about any program in the government if we do not respect these programs as they are intended. There is no question for me that there should be considerable audits on the Treasury, and other government departments, and that the un sanitized results to be posted publicly, and discussed openly in public forum with Congress. This is how we can get to the bottom of 'more money going out, deficits do not matter, IOUs, and the cost of funding offshore American interests'. It is my commitment to correct this so as to make sure that Social Security in what it was intended to be by Franklin Delano Roosevelt, a guaranteed annuity will remain so for all generations to come. We will not jettison away from taking the responsibility of the gutting of programs like Social Security, but will correct the issues that have compromised them. Additionally I do propose a $10 dollar savings bond for each new born in this country. This is my commitment to the Nation, Orion Karl Daley Balanced Party Presidential Candidate  for 2008