General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Eloon is on his platform LYING about Social Security to justify GUTTING it. [View all]state of stupid
(118 posts)The chart and not understanding how it works are the problem. It is caused by the unified budget act of
1968 when it was decided that it would be easier to look at one chart rather than the two. As is pointed
out Social Security and Medicare are separate taxes considered mandatory spending. The income tax
you file on your 1040 tax form is for discretionary spending. A misunderstood part is when it is said that
Social Security and Medicare do not add to the debt. Technically they do by design. The money that is
paid into Social Security and Medicare goes to the Treasury Dept. They do not write an IOU. They issue
bonds and securities that pay interest that goes into Social Security and Medicare trust funds. Because
they earn interest that is paid for out of the discretionary budget, technically they do add to the debt but
that is by design. I have always and will always be for going back to two separate budgets because it
is actually easier to understand. It is two separate problems requiring two different solutions. It is no
different than the household budget we live by. There are the bills that come every month rain or shine
that have to be paid mortgage, electric and such (mandatory spending) and things we want discretionary
which we have to figure out how to work into the budget or do without. Rather than going around the
mountain again for eternity I think I am going to start writing my congress critters to start pushing to do
away with the unified budget for the sake of others who never try to understand how it works and just
listen to what other people tell them and take it as gospel. Rant over, what the hell do I know anyhow.
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