logicus@ssc-vax.UUCP (James Cameron) (03/26/84)
I was referring to federal income taxes. Social Security goes up
each year because it is tied to cost of living. Let's face it, if
it weren't such a hot potato, Reagan would cut Social Security and
any other non-defense item. However, Reagan and most Democrats and
Republicans won't push this too hard. It's not good politics.
Incidentally, I'm not a Reagan fan. In fact, I'm very opposed to
most of his policies. The intent of my previous letter was to
take Mr. Lipiano to task for his complete lack of appreciation for
such programs as Social Security and Medicaid. These programs were
instituted not for selfish reasons, but because there was and is
a real social need for them. Unfortunately, their architects did
not anticipate the problems they face now.
J. Cameronwetcw@pyuxa.UUCP (T C Wheeler) (03/27/84)
[] Hate to be a spoilsport, but the Social Security Tax is not tied to the cost of living. It is based on a formula worked out several years ago. You can get a copy of the future payment schedule from the SS office near you. The amounts paid out of SS are tied to cost of living. This is why there is such a mess. The cost of living went up faster than the taxes being collected. And, thanks to John Kennedy, the SS taxes collected are no longer put into a trust fund, but dumped into general revenue. At the time it was done, Congress wanted to get it's hands on the huge pie that was just sitting there so they could use it for their pet proects. They did get the money, with Kennedy's blessings, and did squander the huge surplus so that we are now in it up to our necks. T. C. Wheeler