Social Security – Another Set of Democrat Lies?

By Alan R. Davis

Social Security is used as a political issue for many Democrats despite their original campaign rhetoric and the reality facing the program.  How long can this go on before people understand that’s the case?

Let’s take Sen. Mark Pryor for example.  According to “On the Issues.org” he signed on to The Hyde Park Declaration in 2000 which included the following Goal for 2010:

“Make structural reforms in Social Security and Medicare that slow their future cost growth, modernize benefits…, and give beneficiaries more choice and control over their retirement…”

And his 2002 campaign website had the following statement on it:

“This safety net must be maintained if we are to ensure that our seniors will have a sound income in their golden years.”

http://senate.ontheissues.org/Economic/Mark_Pryor_Social_Security.htm

He’s just one of many Democrat Senators who have promised to work to ensure reforms are made to the program, but who now opposes any suggested changes and criticizes those who put them forward or supports those efforts.  Just look at the commercials his supporters are running against Rep. Cotton.

But while Sen. Pryor helps stop any changes from taking place, what do President Obama’s cabinet members say about the need for changes to the Social Security program?  The Sec. of Treasury, Sec. of HHS and Sec. of Labor are three of the trust fund trustees.  Since at least 2005 the trustees have included statements like the following in their trust fund reports:

“The projected combined OASI and DI Trust Fund asset reserves…begin to decline in 2021, and become depleted and unable to pay scheduled benefits in full on a timely basis in 2033.
 
…The Trustees recommend that lawmakers address the projected trust fund shortfalls in a timely way in order to phase in necessary changes and give workers and beneficiaries time to adjust to them.

With informed discussion, creative thinking, and timely legislative action, Social Security can continue to protect future generations.”   Source: 2013 Trustee Report

http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/TRSUM/index.htm

Some Senate Democrats do even worse.  They lie about the status of Social Security.

“SEN. DURBIN:  Social Security does not add one penny to the deficit.   Social Security untouched will make every promised payment for more than 25 years.  But the deficit commission was given a charge, add 75 more years of solvency to Social Security. …   The Social Security program, as it's currently put together, does not have any impact on the deficit.”  Source: Meet the Press transcript; February 20, 2011.

SEN. REID: “Social Security has not contributed one penny to the deficit, … It’s in great shape for the next many decades.  Let’s worry about it when it’s a problem – today it’s not a problem.”   Source: The Fiscal Times; March 28, 2011; Michelle Hirsch

Even a quick look at the WH OMB’s 2014 Budget (Table S-5 page 189) shows those claims to be untrue.  It shows Social Security Outlays projected to exceed Social Security Payroll Tax Receipts by $1.8 trillion over the next 10 years.  The projected 10 year shortfall was only $200 billion in the 2010 Budget.  So as the Social Security Trust Funds rapidly approach the point when they run out of money and mandatory cuts in benefits are required, Democrats continue to act as if this was hardly an issue at all.  And despite initially campaigning on promises to save Social Security, they now criticize anyone who tries.

Could it be that the same party that lied to us when they told us that “you can keep your insurance if you like it” is also lying to us about the lack of need to address Social Security reforms any time soon?