Devin Nunes - Damned good congressman

[Phyphor]

Just recently, my Mom applied for her social security benefits (she's disabled, too)

Well, she got the normal benefits, but not SSI.... well, my dad has been on both for some years (he's 72) and his checks have arrived on a regular schedule.

well, after my mom set hers up, her worker said my dad "had more money coming"


Except, he didn't.

My dad's SSI check was "TERMINATED" according to a very rude woman at the social security office, in a very harsh phone conversation.


At this point, I contacted Rep. Devin Nunes.

He got both of them their due within a week,


And before anyone claims some horseshit about folks leeching money, *BOTH* have worked nearly their whole lives, so I'm thinking they deserve their SS benefits.

[Matthew Carberry]

Hey, as much as I don't like SS and want out.  They had a deal and it should be honored.

Good for your Rep.

[Headless Thompson Gunner]

I agree that a deal is a deal and should be kept if possible.  But it's been a long time since anyone could honestly say that social security was really a trust or an insurance arrangment.  It's a welfare program now, plain and simple.  It has been for many years.  The only "deal" these days is between politician and voter:  "Vote for me and I'll take money from other people and give it to you."

The writing has been on the wall for at least a decade or two.  The ponzi scheme is failing.  Social security cannot be counted upon (even if your morals would allow you to accept it). We've all had plenty of time to make alternative arrangements for our retirement.  I'm not particularly interested in sob stories from people who didn't choose to prepare.

It certainly does sound like your congressman is "good" at his job.  He knows exactly whose bread he has to keep buttered in order to remain in office.

[Phyphor]

I agree that a deal is a deal and should be kept if possible.  But it's been a long time since anyone could honestly say that social security was really a trust or an insurance arrangment.  It's a welfare program now, plain and simple.  It has been for many years.  The only "deal" these days is between politician and voter:  "Vote for me and I'll take money from other people and give it to you."

So, you're saying my 'rents are thieves / welfare recipients,
yea, ok.

[Headless Thompson Gunner]

I'm saying your congressman's a thief, as are all of 'em that support welfare in all its forms.  Your parents are just the lucky beneficiaries of the stolen goods.

[Phyphor]

I'm saying your congressman's a thief, as are all of 'em that support welfare in all its forms.  Your parents are just the lucky beneficiaries of the stolen goods.

*Snerk* Newsflash: *ALL* politicians are thieves, when it comes down to it.

[Finch]

I'm saying your congressman's a thief, as are all of 'em that support welfare in all its forms.  Your parents are just the lucky beneficiaries of the stolen goods.

Damn, you really are getting into this Ron Paul character. For a moment, I almost thought your were really genuine in saying that.

And I think that SS is a horrible system, but people have become dependent on that. If they have paid into it all their life, then I think they should be able to reap the benefits.

[Paddy]

It's a welfare program now, plain and simple.  It has been for many years.

Nope.  It's an 'entitlement program'.  You must have paid into it and meet other criteria to be eligible.  For example, we boomers paid trillions $ into SS during the last 40 working years, and will pay trillions more.  Unfortunately, (for the rest of you who still have to cover our benefits), every president since Reagan (mostly Republicans) stole our money and spent it. They are the thieves, take it up with them.

[Headless Thompson Gunner]

I'm saying your congressman's a thief, as are all of 'em that support welfare in all its forms.  Your parents are just the lucky beneficiaries of the stolen goods.

Damn, you really are getting into this Ron Paul character. For a moment, I almost thought your were really genuine in saying that.

And I think that SS is a horrible system, but people have become dependent on that. If they have paid into it all their life, then I think they should be able to reap the benefits.

I'd be thrilled with any politician that lead a serious, concerted effort to privatize social security.  Ron Paul did that, right?  I mean, there was that big push to privatize SS back in '05.  That had to have been Ron Paul's doing, right?  Surely it couldn't have been one of those other eeeevil mainstream politicians from the Republicrat Party.  Letting you keep your own social security contributions for yourself is a pro-liberty notion, and nobody in the mainstream supports pro-liberty policies.

Anyway, until SS is privatized, SS payments are no different from any other form of taxes.  They don't entitle you to anything.

[Headless Thompson Gunner]

It's a welfare program now, plain and simple.  It has been for many years.

Nope.  It's an 'entitlement program'.  You must have paid into it and meet other criteria to be eligible.  For example, we boomers paid trillions $ into SS during the last 40 working years, and will pay trillions more.  Unfortunately, (for the rest of you who still have to cover our benefits), every president since Reagan (mostly Republicans) stole our money and spent it. They are the thieves, take it up with them.

The politicians YOU elected have spent the money you paid in taxes (both SS and otherwise) on the projects YOU elected them to spend on, primarily Great Society programs and winning the Cold War.  Fair enough, it was your money and y'all can spend it however you please.  But the fact remains that y'all have already spent your contributions. 

Don't come whining to me.  You can't have your cake and eat it, too.

[Paddy]

jebus, HTG.  How long did it take to untie yourself after that convolution?