Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders Bernie Sanders is a rather eccentric character. The Senator from Vermont is the only Socialist Party member of the Senate, but he caucuses with the Democrats. Of course he fits right in with them since so many of them share his point of view. And while I don't agree with any of his policy and positions, I do give him an "H" for honesty, for he does tell you exactly what he stands for and I guess the people of Vermont like that.
Of course, Vermont has changed dramatically over the years. I remember as a boy taking vacations to the Green Mountain state and my dad used to tell us about the Green Mountain Boys and how Vermont was one of the most reliable Republican states, but that was the and this is now. Over the years, urban area liberals have moved in droves to Vermont and it has changed dramatically, but that is also true in so many other places.
Within the last few days, old Bernie issued one of his most illusory statements of all time and CNS News picked up on the story. Tthe topic of his most recent tirade was social security. You see, Bernie does not believe that social security is going broke, in fact, he believes just the opposite and that payment rates should be increased.
He was responding to a report by the trustees that social security ran up a $47.8 billion shortfall last year, yet Bernie said not to worry, there is a $2.8 trillion surplus in the trust fund. Sounds good, right? But here's the rub: there is no money in the trust fund, it's nothing but paper IOUs in the form of government notes which are literally worthless. The "full faith and credit" clause is useless when the government is nearly insolvent. In a country which has a running debt of over $17 trillion and growing fast and an unfunded liability tab of numbers somewhere between $100-200 trillion (different experts have widely differing views), we are broke. We are really at the point where no matter what we do it is unlikely we can get back to the green yet the government does absolutely nothing except continuing the spending.
Had social security funds from taxes been placed in a "lock box" financial program as the politicians like to say, it might have been okay, but even then with the inclusion of social security disability income payments into the traditional system, over time we would still be in a pickle. We've lumped those who have paid into the system for generations in the same category as those who are suddenly disabled. No system can work for long like that.
And there is also another huge problem that people like to sweep under the rug. CNS News also broke a scoop that record keeping at the Social Security Administration is in a shambles. Currently there are 6.5 million still active social security numbers for people who, if still alive, would be one hundred and twelve years old and beyond. And it is certainly likely that most of those active numbers are still being used to draw payment, be it due to fraud, stupidity or both. Add the fact that Obama is adding illegal aliens to the mix under his illegal Executive Amnesty program and counterfeit documents are also frequently found and we've got one horrific financial disaster ready to surface.
So, Senator Sanders, with all due respect, do a little fact checking before you go on your next tirade about social security. While sometimes we find your passion for what you believe in admirable in a man excluding its content, a little bit of research might help you avoid looking so out of touch with reality. A little reality focusing on the truth is what we desperately need.
God bless America and may He help us save her from ruin.
Of course, Vermont has changed dramatically over the years. I remember as a boy taking vacations to the Green Mountain state and my dad used to tell us about the Green Mountain Boys and how Vermont was one of the most reliable Republican states, but that was the and this is now. Over the years, urban area liberals have moved in droves to Vermont and it has changed dramatically, but that is also true in so many other places.
Within the last few days, old Bernie issued one of his most illusory statements of all time and CNS News picked up on the story. Tthe topic of his most recent tirade was social security. You see, Bernie does not believe that social security is going broke, in fact, he believes just the opposite and that payment rates should be increased.
He was responding to a report by the trustees that social security ran up a $47.8 billion shortfall last year, yet Bernie said not to worry, there is a $2.8 trillion surplus in the trust fund. Sounds good, right? But here's the rub: there is no money in the trust fund, it's nothing but paper IOUs in the form of government notes which are literally worthless. The "full faith and credit" clause is useless when the government is nearly insolvent. In a country which has a running debt of over $17 trillion and growing fast and an unfunded liability tab of numbers somewhere between $100-200 trillion (different experts have widely differing views), we are broke. We are really at the point where no matter what we do it is unlikely we can get back to the green yet the government does absolutely nothing except continuing the spending.
Had social security funds from taxes been placed in a "lock box" financial program as the politicians like to say, it might have been okay, but even then with the inclusion of social security disability income payments into the traditional system, over time we would still be in a pickle. We've lumped those who have paid into the system for generations in the same category as those who are suddenly disabled. No system can work for long like that.
And there is also another huge problem that people like to sweep under the rug. CNS News also broke a scoop that record keeping at the Social Security Administration is in a shambles. Currently there are 6.5 million still active social security numbers for people who, if still alive, would be one hundred and twelve years old and beyond. And it is certainly likely that most of those active numbers are still being used to draw payment, be it due to fraud, stupidity or both. Add the fact that Obama is adding illegal aliens to the mix under his illegal Executive Amnesty program and counterfeit documents are also frequently found and we've got one horrific financial disaster ready to surface.
So, Senator Sanders, with all due respect, do a little fact checking before you go on your next tirade about social security. While sometimes we find your passion for what you believe in admirable in a man excluding its content, a little bit of research might help you avoid looking so out of touch with reality. A little reality focusing on the truth is what we desperately need.
God bless America and may He help us save her from ruin.
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