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John,
On January 1st, just four minutes after midnight, Elon Musk hit the cap for Social Security contributions. He won’t pay in to Social Security for the rest of the year.1
Most Americans―anyone who makes less than $168,600 in wages―will keep funding our Social Security system all year long, making contributions on all of our income.
Yet even during the week when billionaires stop paying their fair share to Social Security, the New York Times kicked off the new year with an op-ed calling for cutting Social Security—and falsely stating that there’s no difference between the two political parties on the issue.
The New York Times is laundering right-wing talking points to build support for MAGA Mike Johnson’s closed-door commission scheme. Social Security Works is pushing back. Donate $7 today!
The Times’ op-ed calls Social Security a “problem” that needs to be fixed by cutting benefits. It laments that “neither party is willing to cut” Social Security or Medicare. We’ve got the facts:
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Donald Trump proposed cutting Social Security and Medicare EVERY YEAR he was President.2
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Trump used the pandemic as a pretext to suspend Social Security’s dedicated funding, and promised to permanently defund Social Security and Medicare if he was re-elected in 2020.3
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The Republican Study Committee, which counts about 75% of House Republicans as members, proposed a budget that would raise the retirement age, slash benefits for middle-class Americans, and privatize Medicare. Speaker Mike Johnson had previously been the chair of the RSC.4
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Presidential candidate Nikki Haley’s wealthy donors say that her vocal support for huge cuts to Social Security is the reason for their support.5
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Speaker Mike Johnson used his first speech on the House floor after accepting the big gavel to demand the “immediate” creation of a fast-tracked, closed-door commission empowered to cut Social Security and Medicare.6
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Johnson ally Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington has floated making such a commission the price of avoiding a government shutdown this month.7
On the other hand, Donald Trump’s campaign claims he’ll leave Social Security alone. I don’t know about you, but I trust the Republican record of relentlessly attacking Social Security a lot more than Trump’s campaign promises.
The Times article also fails to mention that Democrats have plans to protect and expand Social Security for generations to come—paid for by requiring the wealthy to contribute all year long, on all of their income. And of course, it says nothing about how Social Security doesn’t add a SINGLE PENNY to the deficit. Even Ronald Reagan knew that!8
This deficit scaremongering is part of a coordinated plot by the ultrawealthy to force working people to accept less than we’re owed, instead of ensuring that the rich pay their fair share. We won’t be fooled. Donate $7 to Social Security Works today!
Thank you,
Michael Phelan
Social Security Works
1 https://www.forbes.com/sites/teresaghilarducci/2024/01/02/200-people-already-paid-their-social-security-taxes-happy-new-year/?sh=70cdbd9d148f
2 https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/02/09/trump-desantis-biden-social-security-medicare/
3 https://x.com/DNCWarRoom/status/1293534540107923458?s=20
4 https://www.americanprogress.org/article/the-house-republican-study-committee-budget-proposes-harsh-changes-to-social-security/
5 https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/05/politics/nikki-haley-social-security-medicare-reform/index.html
6 https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/05/politics/mike-johnson-social-security-medicare/index.html
7 https://thehill.com/business/budget/4333694-gop-budget-chair-floats-attaching-debt-commission-to-government-funding-bills/
8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihUoRD4pYzI
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