Congress in denial

[ricksfolly]

Congress must know that Social Security is an independent group, not connected to the government, that also controls Medicare, and yet they keep talking about reforming it.
Are they all in denial, or is it just more gotcha politics.

It's true SS loans their surplus to the government every year, by law, at the going interest rates, that's SS only connection.

ricksfolly

 

[donsutherland1]

Although the mandatory spending programs (Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security) are self-functioning based on the eligibility, financing, and benefits structures/mechanisms Congress granted them and, therefore, do not require regular appropriations, those programs are not beyond Congress' oversight or legislative jurisdiction. Congress has the constitutional authority to adopt legislation to modify or even abolish them, which would become effective if signed by the President or if the President's veto were overridden.

 

[tessaesque]

Although the mandatory spending programs (Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security) are self-functioning based on the eligibility, financing, and benefits structures/mechanisms Congress granted them and, therefore, do not require regular appropriations, those programs are not beyond Congress' oversight or legislative jurisdiction. Congress has the constitutional authority to adopt legislation to modify or even abolish them, which would become effective if signed by the President or if the President's veto were overridden.

Don, do you mind if I ask in which field you work?

 

[Goshin]

Congress must know that Social Security is an independent group, not connected to the government, that also controls Medicare, and yet they keep talking about reforming it.
Are they all in denial, or is it just more gotcha politics.

It's true SS loans their surplus to the government every year, by law, at the going interest rates, that's SS only connection.

ricksfolly

Please prove the bolded item, or this goes to Conspiracy.

 

[ricksfolly]

Although the mandatory spending programs (Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security) are self-functioning based on the eligibility, financing, and benefits structures/mechanisms Congress granted them and, therefore, do not require regular appropriations, those programs are not beyond Congress' oversight or legislative jurisdiction. Congress has the constitutional authority to adopt legislation to modify or even abolish them, which would become effective if signed by the President or if the President's veto were overridden.

>>

That's a chilling thought for us seniors, especially since there are so many reactionaries in Congress. Fortunately reelection is their most important drive, even more important than bribes and recognition, so us 60 million senior citizens are safe, at least for the present.

I shudder to think what would happen to us if the wild eyed Republicans ever got enough votes.

ricksfolly