Vanity: Email making the rounds bashing Republicans on Social Security.

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[DanTheAdmin]

I got this email from a liberal workmate yesterday. He said it's making the rounds via email and has been around for a while. I'm in the process of formulating a response - any input would be greatly appreciated.

[DanTheAdmin]

WHOOPS! Here's the text:

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
government to "put away," you may be interested in the following:

Q: Which party took Social Security from an independent fund and put it in the general fund so that Congress could spend it?
A: It was Richard Nixon and the Republican-controlled House and Senate.

Q: Which party put a tax on Social Security?
A: The Republican Party

Q: Which party increased the tax on Social Security?
A: The Republican Party with Dick Cheney casting the deciding vote.

Q: Which party decided to give money to immigrants?
A: That's right, immigrants moved into this country and at 65 got SSI Social Security. The Republican party gave that to them although they never paid a dime into it. Then, after doing all this, the Republicans turn around and tell you the Democrats want to take your Social Security. And the worst part about it is, people believe it!

Pass it on please!

2004 Election Issue This must be an issue in "04".

[Impy]

I have seen that exact same thing except it the Democrats are the answers

Social Security Info
by author unknown for MANAGING YOUR FINANCES
3/1/03

email - 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 party took Social Security from an independent fund and put it in the general fund so that Congress could spend it?

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

Q: Which party put a tax on Social Security?

A: The Democratic party.

Q: Which party increased the tax on Social Security?

A: The Democratic Party with Al Gore casting the deciding vote.

Q: Which party decided to give SS money to immigrants?

A: The Democratic Party sponsored bill to give immigrants who move into this country Social Security. At 65 immigrants get Social Security income although they never paid any money into it.

In hindsight, it is kind of ridiculous that the Democrats tell you the Republicans want to take your Social Security.



I would note that Nixon had a Rat-controlled Congress so that leaves little doubt about which version is true.

[DanTheAdmin]

"I would note that Nixon had a Rat-controlled Congress so that leaves little doubt about which version is true."

DUH, of course!

[DanTheAdmin]

Here's my reply to the email:

When I first read this I went “damn!” until I was reminded that Nixon never had a Republican-controlled House and Senate, then I smelled a rat. So I went off to find the truth. Here it is:

Myth #1:

It was Richard Nixon and the Republican-controlled House and Senate that took Social Security from an independent fund and put it in the general fund.

Wrong. It was LBJ and the Democrat-controlled House and Senate.

“Ever since former President Lyndon Johnson signed legislation allowing Social Security payments to be mingled with General Revenue Funds, the integrity of the social Security System all but disappeared! “

Myth 2:

Republicans put a tax on Social Security.

In 1983 the Democrat-controlled House and Senate passed the 1983 Social Security Amendments which affected less then 10% of retirees. It was signed by then-President Ronal Reagan.

But the real bite was passed by Bill Clinton and the Democrat-controlled House and Senate:

“Since 1993, middle- and upper-income Social Security recipients have been subject to income tax on up to 85 percent of their benefits.

The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 added a second tier of tax. Single retirees with income above $34,000 and couples with income over $44,000 have to add 85 cents in benefits to taxable income for every dollar of income above these thresholds until 85 percent of their benefits become subject to tax. It is this added layer of tax on benefits, passed by the Senate when Vice President Gore cast the tie-breaking vote…”

Seems that last line kinda blows myth number three away.

This info can be found here: http://www.ncpa.org/ba/ba332/ba332.html

Last myth:

Republicans gave SSI to immigrants.

All I can give you on that one is in 1998 the Clinton/Gore team signed the "Non-citizen Benefit Clarification and Other Technical Amendments Act of 1998" which permanently restored the eligibility of all immigrants who were scheduled to lose eligibility on September 30, 1998.

So, it looks like the last line of your email could be changed to “Then, after doing all this, the Democrats turn around and tell you the Republicans want to take your Social Security, and the worst part about it is - people believe it!”

[DanTheAdmin]

??????????

What are you talking about? Are you repling to me? Please clarify.

[The Old Hoosier]

I smell a troll...

[The Old Hoosier]

I smell a troll...

[DanTheAdmin]

Exactly, and what a stench! What’s most frustrating is they never have the kahoonas to return for a legitimate debate. My prediction for this guy is the eventual ZOT!!!

[Impy]

Good.

If it was me though I'd just show the correct version and mention how his lying liberal confederates merely changed all the answers. :-)

[Cathryn Crawford]

This is bizzare. Today, I got this from a Republican friend of mine (who's running for the House of Representatives in Oregon) -

Subject: Social Security 2004

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 party took Social Security from an independent fund and put it in the general fund so that Congress could spend it?

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

Q: Which party put a tax on Social Security?

A: The Democratic party.

Q: Which party increased the tax on Social Security?

A: The Democratic Party with Al Gore casting the deciding vote.

Q: Which party decided to give money to immigrants?

A: That's right, immigrants moved into this country and at 65 got SSI Social Security. The Democratic Party gave that to them although they never paid a dime into it.

Then, after doing all this, the Democrats turn around and tell you the Republicans want to take your Social Security.

And the worst part about it is, people believe it!

[Cathryn Crawford]

See post #11.

[DanTheAdmin]

But the sad this is this guy really believed the lying Demorat email - no questions asked. When he read my response he replied "Interesting".

We're fighting an evil, underhanded bunch...

[Impy]

Did you metion Nixon had a Democrat congress?

[DanTheAdmin]

Yep, in the first paragraph:

"When I first read this I went “damn!” until I was reminded that Nixon never had a Republican-controlled House and Senate, then I smelled a rat. So I went off to find the truth. Here it is:"

[DanTheAdmin]

I was going to do that at first, but then it would be his post against mine, in a way. So, I decided to give him a rebuttal with facts and proof, irrefutable proof!

[JTRipper]

More fuel for the fire, then

http://www.snopes.com/cgi-bin/news/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=000003

[DanTheAdmin]

Good ol' Snopes... I should have known. I read some of it, but sheesh, that's a lot of information.

[AirborneMedic]

They sling mud then run. I am a neo conservative and one thing I've learned is you can not get a straight answer or even a response from a pinko mud slinger. You ask them a direct question "yes or no" and they beat around the bush with it. Every debate with my commie in-laws is so predictable it's funny. Q: Do you think illegals should be deported, yes or no? A: Well, everyone has the right to come here and find work. They take all the unwanted jobs that no one wants. It's the damn Bush tax cuts that caused the power outage. Anyone here experience the same crap I get from my in-laws.