HAPPY BIRTHDAY, YOU'RE SCREWED

[Guest guest]

Sunday marks the 70th anniversary of FDR's signing the Social Security Act into

law. Last week, Democratic congressional leaders sent a letter to Social

Security commissioner and ardent privateer Jo Anne Barnhart expressing concern

that the Social Security Administration (SSA) didn't seem to be planning any

agency-wide events acknowledging the program's birthday.

 

This might seem an unfair question to put to Barnhart or George W. Bush, given

the awkwardness inherent in trying to pull off a birthday celebration and a

preemptive euology simultaneously.

 

But have no fear! The administration is up to the challenge: SSA spokesman Mark

Lassiter informed me that a number of events are in fact scheduled to celebrate

the program's birthday (the theme this year is apparently called " Seven Decades

of Service " and not, as some might have guessed, " Eve of Destruction " ) including

a speech by Barnhart to be delivered tomorrow at FDR's former residence in Hyde

Park, New York, and various radio interviews. And today, on the SSA's website,

we get this lovely, full-throated toast by Barnhart to Social Security's seven

great decades and the many more that are sure to come:

On Sunday, Social Security marks its 70th anniversary. When the program was

created in 1935, America was a vastly different nation. We were in the midst of

the Great Depression, and at least one-third of all older Americans were

dependent upon others for their financial support. Retirement was something that

happened when you could no longer work -- not something you planned for in

advance.

When Franklin Roosevelt signed the legislation into law, I'm not sure even he

realized the significant role the program would play in the next seven decades.

I daresay no one foresaw Social Security becoming part of the fabric of society.

Yet that is precisely what happened. And, with good reason. Since its inception,

Social Security has paid approximately $8.4 trillion in benefits to nearly 200

million people.

 

As Social Security established a prominent position helping ensure economic

security for Americans, the passage of seven decades has brought substantial and

unanticipated change, especially to the population the program was created to

serve.

 

....

 

The Social Security program is largely a pay-as-you-go system -- with today's

workers paying for today's beneficiaries. This system has worked well over the

years -- especially when there was a relatively large number of workers to

support each individual receiving benefits. But today's demographics are working

against us.

 

Our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents can feel confident about the

promise of a secure future. Their benefits are secure and will be paid.

 

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for my teenage son and his friends. I

believe Social Security's 70th anniversary is the perfect opportunity for us to

signal to younger generations of Americans that we, as a society, are committed

to strengthening this important program -- for them.

 

In today's rapidly developing world, it's no surprise that government programs

also will need to adjust to our changing circumstances.

 

Under President Bush's leadership, this issue is being discussed on Capitol Hill

and in living rooms across the country. Looking ahead, the financing problems

facing Social Security, coupled with the program's complexity and scope, will be

challenging to address. Reflecting back, our nation has a proud history of

grappling with difficult issues. And we do it best when we work together. I

believe Social Security -- a program that touches the lives of almost every

American -- deserves nothing less.

Happy birthday, old-timer. You're looking a little tired, though. Are you okay?

Here, why don't you lie down...

UPDATE: Be sure to check out the image currently on the Heritage Foundation's

home page for a perfect visual representation of the message the administration

is intending to send. It's priceless.

 

http://tinyurl.com/dnau6

 

 

 

" When the power of love becomes stronger than the love of power, we will have

peace. "

Jimi Hendrix