Social Security is not what it used to be?

[Iamthewinner]

This is the forward I got from a conservative friend, I always get her forwards and can retort most of the stuff she sends, but I don't know much about Social Security history so I am asking you for help. Here is the forward:

********************
We contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.--Winston Churchill

SOCIAL SECURITY:

Franklin Roosevelt, a Democrat, introduced the Social Security (FICA) Program. He promised:

1.) That participation in the Program would be completely voluntary,

2.) That the participants would only have to pay 1% of the first $1,400 of their annual incomes into the Program,

3.) That the money the participants elected to put into the Program would be deductible from their income for tax purposes each year,

4.) That the money the participants put into the independent "Trust Fund" rather than into the General operating fund, and therefore, would only be used to fund the Social Security Retirement Program, and no other Government program, and,

5.) That the annuity payments to the retirees would never be taxed as income.

Since many of us have paid into FICA for years and are now receiving a Social Security check every month -- and then finding that we are getting taxed on 85% of the money we paid to the Federal government to "put away," you may be interested in the following:

Q: Which Political Party took Social Security from the independent "Trust" fund and put it into the General fund so that Congress could spend it?

A: It was Lyndon Johnson and the Democratically-controlled House and Senate.

Q: Which Political Party eliminated the income tax deduction for Social Security (FICA) withholding?

A: The Democratic Party.

Q: Which Political Party started taxing Social Security annuities?

A: The Democratic Party, with Al Gore casting the "tie-breaking" deciding vote as President of the Senate, while he was Vice President of the U.S.

Q: Which Political Party decided to start giving annuity payments to immigrants?

A: Jimmy Carter and the Democratic Party. Immigrants moved into this country, and at age 65, began to receive SSI Social Security payments. The Democratic Party gave these payments to them, even though they never paid a dime into it!

I wonder how many immigrants that came into this country illegally are getting this???

Then, after doing all this lying, thieving and violation of the original contract (FICA), the Democrats turn around and tell you that the Republicans want to take your Social Security away!

What a lie!!!

And the worst part about it is, uninformed citizens believe it! If enough people receive this, maybe a seed of awareness will be planted and maybe good changes will evolve.

Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I see a very close resemblance to the first.

*******************************

My friend and I can be great friends as long as we don't talk about politics. When she mentions something I don't know much about, I look dumb trying to argue it.

[Love Bug]

1. I can't find anything about this on Snopes but

I wouldn't take this just because she said it. I don't see any references to back these statements up.

[ClintonTyree]

2. I'd ask her for...............

references for all of these "talking points". Tell her you're not going to believe them just because they're in an e-mail being forwarded from Con to Con. The GOP hasn't has the most stellar record for telling the truth in the past. Anything they say is highly suspect and won't be accepted without documentation.

[dajoki]

3. i want to see the truth

ask your friend for references and then post the links here. i have a feeling we will never see any.:wtf:

[EC]

4. This is debunked word for word on the governments

own Social Security page (could you have asked for a better referance? Ha)

http://www.ssa.gov/history/InternetMyths.html

[LiberalFighter]

5. When you have a discussion about something and you have doubts

Demand to know the source of their information (supporting evidence).

In addition to the SSA website having rebuttals to your email the statements putting blame on Democrats are all false.

Immigrants do not receive SSI unless they have earned wages that are covered under SS. If immigrants come into the country illegally and earn income they are still eligible for SSI. There is also a reciprocal agreement between many countries that allow payments when a U.S. citizen works in another country.

[Iamthewinner]

6. legally?

did you mean legally, liberalfighter? I don't see how the government would give an illegal immigrant the rights to SS. I just wanted to clarify.

[LiberalFighter]

7. Here is section of code that applies

http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/416/416-1618.htm

And they only receive based on what they pay in.