General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHoly crap! A repub congressman thinks the idea of eliminating the cap on SS payroll tax has merit!
Earlier, I had called my representative, Dr. Benishek (R), and asked the staffer who answered the phone that Dr. Benishek look into Senator Mark Begich (D-AK) bill, entitled the "Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act" and consider supporting or introducing similar legislation in the House.
This morning I went and got the mail from the mailbox and there was a letter from the Congressman's office. In the letter, he talks about the main points of Senator Begich's bill and at the end the letter says and I quote:
"In my opinion, Social Security should remain unchanged for seniors who have planned their lives around its current structure. I recognize, however, that this program requires some reform to ensure younger generations can receive full retirement benefits. I believe all ideas for reform, including eliminating the payroll tax cap, merit further consideration."
What struck me in the above was that he talks about future generations receiving full benefits and considering the idea of eliminating the payroll tax cap so that they can receive such.
Even a broken clock can be correct twice a day.
I write this OP to encourage other DUers who have a Repub congress critter to still try and let them know you support eliminating the payroll tax cap (if you actually do support it).
JaneyVee
(19,877 posts)Kaleva
(36,312 posts)I keep it at that temp for much of the day and during the night to save on heating costs as I'm on SSDI. My gas bill for last month for heating, cooking and hot water was $40 and some change.
PoliticalBiker
(328 posts)for a monthly payment plan?
your utility company averages the energy costs over the past year and sets up monthly payments based on that schedule
I'm low income and am on that kind of a schedule
Kaleva
(36,312 posts)But that's something i could check into after I've been here for a year. I'm trying to save as much as I can so I have money to spare on replacing old doors and single pane windows.
PoliticalBiker
(328 posts)... the utility company will probably have records from the previous owner/tenant.
they should still be able to give you an estimate and perhaps set you up on a schedule
Could be worth your while to give them a call...
Skidmore
(37,364 posts)AnotherMcIntosh
(11,064 posts)Has he ever, even once, talked about removing the cap?
plethoro
(594 posts)importance to our ideations about Obama.
union_maid
(3,502 posts)He spoke about raising it or eliminating it during the 2008 campaign. I think he discussed it during the primaries. Not really sure if it was primaries, general or both.
AnotherMcIntosh
(11,064 posts)Historic NY
(37,451 posts)President Barack Obama revived a 2008 campaign promise on Friday, telling the crowd at an AARP forum that he would be open to raising the level of income on which Americans pay Social Security taxes.
You know, I do think that looking at changing the cap is an important aspect of putting Social Security on a more stable footing, Obama said, via satellite feed. And what Ive said is, is that Im willing to work with Republicans and examine all their ideas, but what Im not going to do, as a matter of principle, is to slash benefits or privatize Social Security and suddenly turn it over to Wall Street because we saw what could happen back in 2008 and 2009 when the stock market crashed, and we are still recovering from that.
AnotherMcIntosh
(11,064 posts)that he is "willing to work with Republicans," it is highly likely that he is going to use a tax trick to reduce Social Security benefits.
Reagan (while getting the benefit of a false reputation for lowering taxes) reduced Social Security benefits by using a trick of subjecting 50% of such benefits to taxation when a certain threshhold is met.
Bill Clinton used the same trick to raise the percentage to 85%.
Obama will probably use it again and raise the percentage to 100%.
Roland99
(53,342 posts)that "reform" for younger generations equates to Privatization
SHRED
(28,136 posts)What really strikes me is how many young and old alike there are who do not realize this. Allowing the cons to frame SS as solely for the elderly allows the cons to pit one age group against another.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)UnrepentantLiberal
(11,700 posts)It sounds like you have.
Great work.
Grins
(7,218 posts)Social Security funds have been used for decades to pay the general expenses of the government, meaning those making more than the Social Security cap have never paid their fair share of the federal budget.
Pull the cap off! Completely off! And that includes capital gains.
closeupready
(29,503 posts)on the issue of strengthening social security.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)Major Nikon
(36,827 posts)However, personally I'd rather keep the cap in place and instead include investment income. It will never happen, but the suggestion would have a lot of GOPhers pissing their pants.
UrbScotty
(23,980 posts)I shall find out!
toby jo
(1,269 posts)the cap goes up $20,000. So a 2-yr raise for them equals $480,0000 for us to tax. Don't know what math works best here, but the idea I like.