USA Facts – Federal, state, and local data from government sources

Re:USA Facts – Federal, state, and local data from governmen... by clairity on Tuesday April 18, 2017 @04:05PM (#14142391)

"My second takeaway at a glance is the giant problem that is Social Security. [...] A $405 B shortfall on SS in 2015. If that was at least half, we would actually not be running a deficit. We would have a budget surplus if we actually made Social Security/other Gov. retirement program replacement actually sustain itself perpetually."

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yes, the first step is to remove the cap on social security withholding, which would affect the top ~6%. that would take care of over $100B of that yearly deficit.

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Re:USA Facts – Federal, state, and local data from governmen... by tptacek on Tuesday April 18, 2017 @04:18PM (#14142493)

There's lots of simple things to do to address Social Security's budget, including modest raises in retirement age, means-testing benefits, and changing the way we collect FICA taxes (FICA is itself a flat tax, which is kind of silly, and the withholding cap is a travesty).

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Re:USA Facts – Federal, state, and local data from governmen... by clairity on Tuesday April 18, 2017 @04:30PM (#14142623)

for sure. it's just that removing the cap is simple to understand and legislate, and is widely supported--around 80% of all americans. unfortunately that 80% doesn't include the majority of congress critters.

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