Too many Kochs spoil the broth

As a  person who pretty much lives on Social Security, it has baffled me trying to understand why so many people want to abolish it.

Usually it is couched in language about the national budget and the national debt. The problem with that is Social Security funds don't come from either, as it is a self-sustaining program paid for by workers' contributions that are taken out of paychecks and the interest those funds generate. The only place they cross is when the federal government borrows from Social Security funds to support expenditures. In fact the program is near the top of lenders to the government, holding paper for approximately $2.7 Trillion (that's right, capital T Trillion) in the national debt.

That might be a reason to abolish the program, which would probably include forgiving that debt. If it is done, you have to wonder where the rest of the money in Social Security accounts would go. Remember, this is money collected from working citizens, not any form of federal dole.

Today I came across another reason Republicans and Wall Street and the Koch brothers want to abolish this program first instigated by that evil socialist Franklin D. Roosevelt. Ever since its implementation in the 1930s, Social Security has been a hated target for Republicans and the big money institutions. 

The reason isn't just hatred for Roosevelt and his programs; what they really don't like is all that money going into a system that does not profit big money. Nope, our money is used in a fund to pay benefits to those already retired and as we retired folks draw them, the younger generation pays into it and along with interest earned on the money already held, the system supports itself. In 2011, the latest year I could find  statistics for, that trust fund was worth $805 billion. Add that to the debt that's owed the fund, and it comes to a whole lot of money that is not generating profits for the big money interests. Think of it as a fox staring at a well-fenced chicken yard, licking its lips and trying to figure out a way to get at the chickens.

That's right, once again all a person has to do is follow the money. After all, why shouldn't private industry in a capitalistic system be able to hold that money in expensive 401-K retirement accounts and charge fees for every little activity in the account. There's lots of money to be made managing those retirement accounts, money made on the backs of folks who can least afford it. Getting rich from privatization of government programs isn't new. Big banks have been taking millions from Americans out of work by administering debit card accounts for unemployment recipients and then charging fees for such things as simple as checking the balance too often. Chase Bank rips off Alaska unemployment recipients

The other side of it, and one that continually evades those who advocate elimination of any assistance like Social Security or food stamps or a higher minimum wage is that if they cut people's income, who is going to buy the products that support American industry? The less money people have, the less they can spend on the products of industry. I have said this before: "It's about the customers, stupid." No customers, no income and no income eventually will do in the whole economy. But once again long-term effects are being ignored in the lusty greed for short-term profit.

Fortunately Social Security has powerful defenders as well and a huge block of voters among the elderly, but the attacks are going to continue, making it more of a social insecurity causing anxiety among retirees and others who benefit from the program for as long as it exists. Apparently that doesn't matter to those masters of the universe who only see a huge profit potential going to waste in a government welfare program. (Just so there is no mistake, that was sarcasm.)

How the Koch brothers, Wall Street and politicians conspire to drain Social Security