Social Security Circus

Today, there are approximately 55 million Americans on social security. This group represents the single largest voting block of people in the US. Every politician knows that this group of people has a very strong voting voice and if you want to get elected you better listen to it. Social security recipients are people over 65 years old that are retired. This  large group of patriotic Americans that has finally reached the point of life where they are trying to live out their last years with dignity and respect. And here is the message this group repeatedly says over and over and over again, whether at the voting booths or being interviewed or in informal discussion: “don’t mess with my social security check”. Period! Fix government, fight wars, reform banking, etc., but DO NOT MESS WITH MY SOCIAL SECURITY! I am not taking a stand here one way or the other. I am simply stating what should be obvious and is in fact true. There is a 55 million group of voters that unanimously stands for not reducing their benefits. OK, so now knowing that fact, how do you think politicians will handle the single largest entitlement program and corresponding budget cost our nation provides? Do you think congress or the president will suggest anything meaningful? This group will scream bloody murder. After all the "fixed income" argument resounds. Oh, but aren't we all on fixed incomes after all? Oh and hasn't just about every single person been impacted by this recession? So why not social security recipients? Why not take an across the board reduction in benefits? Didn't private enterprise cut pay and benefits going all the way back to 2008 when profits fell? The fact is that the single largest cost to our annual budget is social security and the group that it represents is getting larger and larger every day. Changing this system will require political courage. Something that does not exist today.