Social Security.

SUMMARY:

We cannot put the people in jeopardy who have become dependent upon the various governmental benefit programs, like Social Security and Medicare.  Nor, do we propose to do so.  But, the over-reliance of the American people on government to take care of them must stop.  We believe that most people don’t want government handouts and much as they simply want the opportunity to be self-reliant, productive, and in control of their own lives.  This will take some time, but more productive programs can be developed to eliminate, or greatly reduce, social welfare and promote individual prosperity.  If we are to be a free people, then we must learn to be self-sufficient.  It can be done, and we have many ideas on how to achieve it will minimal pain and inconvenience.

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One of the most egregious burdens the federal Government imposed upon us is the Social Security program.  It will take a monumental solution to correct the injustice that has been perpetrated upon the American people. Medicare, Medicaid and other federal programs threaten to not only destroy our way of life, but the way of life for many future generations.  Here is an example of the social debt that government is leaving you to pay.

BALANCE DUE
The cost per U.S. household of unfunded promises made by federal, state and local government:
Medicare	$255,280
Social Security	$144,251
Federal debt	$43,380
Military benefits	$25,863
State and local debt	$17,537
Federal civil- servant benefits	$14,374
State and local retiree benefits	$13,114
Other federal obligations	$2,548
Total	$516,348

Source: USA TODAY research 2008; numbers rounded

Estimates now put the number of unfunded liabilities at 65 Trillion dollars. The majority of American households could never pay off a $516,348 bill, and yet this is the situation government has forced upon us.

Monumental problems call for monumental solutions, and here is a relic of a solution from the past that, if revamped and combined with the other programs outlined in this platform, would eliminate this debt in as little as 20 years.

The Social Security program was supposed to set aside your earnings and let them appreciate in an interest bearing account so you would have a nest egg for your retirement. That is how it was sold, but in reality, it became something totally different.

The payment of Social Security benefits now depends upon new workers’ wages to supplement the benefits of those currently receiving those benefits. The problem is that we are an aging nation and there are not enough working young people to pay for the old. To merely kick the can down the road or attempt to reform it is not really an option. This destructive program must end.  And, we must focus on a solution that will allow us to transition out of the program without putting those who are dependent on it, in jeopardy.  Such a program would require educating our young people on how to become self-reliant and plan for their own retirements.

While this program may indeed be a very popular one, it is neither constitutionally authorized nor is it sustainable.  Shortly after the Social Security program went into effect, it was deemed by the U.S. Supreme Court to be unconstitutional.  To resolve this problem, the program was made voluntary.  However, we have been led to believe that it is mandatory — a massive fraud has been perpetrated against the people.

If you are a restaurant owner and you sell a steak dinner for a dollar, the public will love you for it.  However, you won’t stay in business for too long. The primary reasons why medicare, medicaid, and social security have lasted as long as they have is because:

1. The Social Security system has been made into an enormous ponzi scheme that makes Bernie Madoff look like a rank amateur.
2. The federal Government  can change the terms of the contract with the American citizen for Social Security benefits at any time, and has done so numerous times.
3. The Government can print money at will.
4. The people have become so dependent upon it.

We propose a solution to the Social Security problem that is very bold, yet sensible, no matter how implausible the solution might seem.  It is important that people realize that we do not propose that those who have become dependent upon these benefits to be put in jeopardy.  But we must provide a means for bringing America out from under this mode of dependency, of enslavement, if the people are to be free.

The first step would be to immediately stop forcing people to pay Social Security taxes – deductions from their paychecks.  This would provide those people an immediate wage increase which they can use to fund their own, private, controlled retirement programs.  People would be educated in how to handle their own financial affairs, to plan for and remain in control of their own futures.  Then, over time, the program will phase out, naturally, as seniors pass on and alternative retirement solutions become more popular.

This will end the continual drain on society, reduce the size and influence of government, and allow the people to be in more control over their lives.  But, for those dependent on Social Security benefits, a plan for fulfilling these obligations must be developed.  This is a matter for each state to operate for its own people, not the federal government.

One option for satisfying the outstanding obligations on Social Security would be to begin selective elimination of benefits to those who have other sources of financial support who’s benefits are a relatively small portion of the total cash flow.  Discount programs could be provided to seniors on food, shelter, and other essentials to reduce the financial burdens and reliance on Social Security benefits.  Incentives for families to take more responsibility for their senior members could also help.  A combination of programs could be implemented for a period, say 30 years, over which to transition out of governmental dependency.

A very aggressive solution might involve the federal government changing it’s taxing structure to something similar to that proposed in the “Sovereign Currency and Sovereign Monetary System” portion of this platform.  Such a plan would give the markets the liquidity needed to start expanding and jump start our economy. By not issuing debt to cover our currency and then turning to a labor based Sovereign Currency, we could quickly start to pay off our massive debts and these obligations.

To phase out medicare and medicaid, a program could be instituted to attach a tithe to contingency sums awarded to legal counsel and punitive damages awarded to the parties in suit. These tithes might be paid to medical charities of the legal counsel’s and party’s choice.  Such tort reform would help to quickly reduce the number of frivolous law suits and the medical costs associated with this Tort reform.  Another step might be to protect doctors who accept medicare patients by making it illegal to sue those doctors for malpractice.  This would eliminate doctors malpractice insurance and greatly reduce the cost for government paying for healthcare services.

An option of particular interest that could also help to reduce medical costs for everyone would be to implement a health care program similar to that of Japan, where doctors are paid to keep people healthy as opposed to fixing them after they have become ill.  Also, an expanded use of alternative medicines and education in healthy living for Americans could greatly increase the quality of life and reduce the enormous expense of treatment resulting from self-destructive habits.  Studies have revealed that the body is very capable of remaining healthy and repairing itself when people exercise healthy living practices, which include exercise, food and beverages, supplements, and more.  The reducing illness, the cost to government benefit programs could be greatly reduced, and over time, eliminated as a result of people taking charge of their own affordable health care.

There are other financial resources that fund government besides taxation that few people in the general public know about.  Government receives its funding from various sources, which include:

1)  Income and sales taxes

2)  Fees (permits, licensing, inspection, professional, filing, and numerous others)

3)  Duties and imposts

4)  Enterprise income (from government utilities and other services)

5)  Investment income (foreign loans, retirement accounts, etc.)

A portion of the moneys collected from the various sources of revenue government receives could be used to help sustain the various government benefit programs for a calculated period of time to ensure that people, who deserve and need those benefits, continue to receive them as those programs are phased out of existence and the people are educated to become more self-reliant.

Many potential solutions can be devised to restore the dignity of the American people.  But, one thing is true, a people dependent upon government benefits cannot be free, and it certainly is not a strong society.  Freedom comes from the ability of the people to provide for themselves and control their own happiness and prosperity.  We can do it, and we should do it.  Restricting government to its proper role will greatly reduce the size of government, enhance the prosperity of the people, and allow the people to maintain much better control over their government.

A final note on benefit programs:  Many of us, from time to time, may need assistance, due to unforeseen circumstances.  People should have the freedom to choose such programs, to participate or not, and to design a plan for their own security as they deem appropriate.  This can easily be accommodated through a free market and private enterprise.  But, people must learn to be responsible for themselves, to take charge, or to find someone to help manage their affairs.  By removing this out of the hands of government, new jobs and industries will arise to meet the people’s needs.  Government’s duty is to regulate these programs only to reduce fraud and abuse, and to ensure that fairness and justice prevail.  Over-regulation can easily encumber the ability of the people to obtain the quality and affordable services they need.