It turns out that a 2017 partnership between #SocialSecurity and DHS allows migrants with valid work authorization to receive a Social Security number. It was #Trump himself who signed off on it. So if there is rampant fraud like #Musk claims, then Trump has nobody to blame but himself. https://www.newsnationnow.com/us-news/immigration/migrants-social-security-numbers/?utm_campaign=NewsNation-trending-now&utm_source=8newsnow.com&utm_medium=newsnation-cross-brand
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#SocialSecurity
107 posts52 participants13 posts today
If we are impressed by the Hands Off turnout nationwide and in about a dozen European cities yesterday, what will we see when people stop receiving Social Security?
"That’s really the best word to describe SSA right now, just complete, utter chaos,
They couldn’t understand the coding, so everything they said SSA was doing illegally, they weren’t. Common sense is something they lack. They don’t know what they’re doing.”
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/06/musk-doge-social-security
The Guardian · Doge’s attack on social security causing ‘complete, utter chaos’, staff says
Continued thread
Three grandchildren of the founders of Social Security including a grandson of FDR speak out to warn Americans: Trump, Musk, and the Republican Party are coming for Social Security, and being blind to this plan and cavalier about it will have disastrous consequences.
Alternet.org · FDR's grandson issues new warning about Trump's targeting of Social Security
Doge’s attack on social security causing ‘complete, utter chaos’, staff says: Understaffed agency sent into ‘death spiral’ as employees warn Musk-led cuts will lead to structural collapse
#doge #musk #socialsecurity #trump #medicare #health #uspol
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/06/musk-doge-social-security
The Guardian · Doge’s attack on social security causing ‘complete, utter chaos’, staff says
Continued thread
"The bluster around tariffs and revenue does create a good smokescreen to divert attention from the key Republican policy, redistributing wealth from the average citizen to the wealthy.
For all their talk about the revenue that these tariffs are going to bring in, Republicans are once again proposing massive tax cuts for the rich."
~ Matt Bernardini
#Musk #Trump #tariffs #SocialSecurity #DOGE #TaxCuts #billionaires #EconomicElites
/4
https://www.bylinesupplement.com/p/trumps-tariffs-how-to-lose-friends
Byline Supplement · Trump's Tariffs: How to Lose Friends and Impoverish Americans
Continued thread
"Office closures, staffing and service cuts, and policy changes at the Social Security Administration (SSA) have caused 'complete, utter chaos' and are threatening to send the agency into a 'death spiral', according to workers at the agency."
~ Michael Sainato
#Musk #Trump #tariffs #SocialSecurity #DOGE
/3
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/06/musk-doge-social-security
The Guardian · Doge’s attack on social security causing ‘complete, utter chaos’, staff says
Continued thread
"But Social Security is also under attack. Think of it as a two-pronged assault on Americans’ financial stability."
"Many Americans are watching their retirement savings melt away because of President Trump’s disastrous trade policies. In normal downturns, they could at least reassure themselves that Social Security would always be there. The program was created during the Great Depression precisely because it was clear that the market would not provide for retirees."
~ Pamela Herd and Don Moynihan
#Musk #Trump #tariffs #SocialSecurity #DOGE
/1
https://donmoynihan.substack.com/p/as-savings-crater-social-security
Can We Still Govern? · As Savings Disappear, Social Security is Also Under Threat
On this Day in Social Security History:
#SocialSecurityat90
#StrongerTogether
4/5/1935 The US House of Representatives began debate on The Social Security Act of 1935.
More: https://www.ssa.gov/history/senate35.html
4/5/1944 The United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, held that money paid to a widow, after the death of her wage-earner husband pursuant to a back-pay award by the National Labor Relations Board entered after the wage earner's death, did not constitute wages as defined in the original Social Security Act because it was not remuneration for employment.
More on, Social Security and Vulnerable Groups—Policy Options to Aid Widows: https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R46182
4/5/1948, President Truman vetoed H.R. 5052, a bill to exclude vendors of newspapers and magazines from social security coverage.
More: https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/ssb/v11n7/v11n7p3.pdf
More Social Security history: https://www.ssa.gov/history & #SSAHistGWC
#SocialSecurity #socialinsurance #History #Disability #Retirement #Medicare #Unemployment #insurance #healthcare #NewDeal #OTD #SSDI #OASDI #equity #justice Social Security Administration
Thousands gather in #BangorME for "#HandsOff!" rally
by Cali Warren Apr 5, 2025
BANGOR -- "On Saturday, Bangor's waterfront was packed with thousands participating in an initiative called "Hands Off" - one of several protests happening all over the state and nation.
"'Hands off, it's a national mass mobilization so all over the world, all over the country, people are taking protests to the streets,' said organizer Amanda Roy.
"Protesters advocated against cuts to healthcare and government offices, and rallied for #equality and rights for #PeopleOfColor, #immigrants and the #LGBTQ+ community.
"You name it, we're facing critical cuts, veterans and their benefits, federal employees, everything. This isn't the America that I want to live in," Roy stated.
"'I think a lot of people are here because, hands off of our #SocialSecurity, hands off of our #Medicaid, hands off our #healthcare, hands off our #HumanRights, our #CivilRights,' explained rally volunteer Deborah Lee.
"Elected officials say it's important to hear Mainer's voices at these large-scale protests.
"'We don't have billions or millions here in Maine, we're just regular Mainers speaking up, but we the people do have the power to make change and to stand up for our communities and to help each other,' explained Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, who attended the rally as a guest speaker.
"'What a time to be alive, we are all living in history...I honestly would not choose to be in another time than this one right here. I feel so incredibly moved to just exist right now, in this moment where I see such energy, such #resistance, such camaraderie,' said Bangor City Council Member Joseph Leonard."
Source:
https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/thousands-gather-in-bangor-for-hands-off-rally/article_f4765c96-fba7-48aa-8340-7fdff545e200.html
#MaineResists #HandsOff2025 #April5th #BadDOGE #ResistFascism
Replied in thread
Clapback to #MAGA with sign that says #StopTheSteal, alluding to #Medicare, #Medicaid, and #SocialSecurity instead of #votes
Another good one: "Don't Trust Anyone Over 30 Billion"
Proud of my town's participation in "Hands Off!"
1000 people is about 4.3% of the population.
In dreary all-day rain.
The Keene SentinelKeene 'Hands Off!' protest draws a large crowdAt least 1,000 people gathered in Keene's Central Square on Saturday afternoon as part of a nationwide pro-democracy movement to oppose Donald Trump and Elon Musk.
'#HandsOff' rally in #PortsmouthNH: Thousands slam #Trump and his policies
by Ian Lenahan
Portsmouth Herald
Updated 3:19 p.m. ET April 5, 2025
PORTSMOUTH — "Large crowds of protesters gathered Saturday at "Hands Off" rallies in Seacoast New Hampshire and Maine and across the nation, speaking out against President Donald Trump and his administration's actions.
"Large crowds in downtown Portsmouth lined both sides of the length of Congress Street, spilling into side streets, exceeding expectations for city police.
Protesters have focused on issues like Trump's tariffs, Trump's actions to end protections for immigrants and transgender people, the dismantling of the Department of Education, cuts to the Veterans Administration, and layoffs of thousands of federal workers.
"Protesters in Portsmouth called for the Department of Government Efficiency to be dismantled, for the federal government to protect #teachers, public #school staff, #Abortionrights, #FederalWorkers, #WomensRights and #LGBTQ+ rights, labeled Trump “#orangeMussolini,” and called for preserving #Medicaid, #Medicare and #SocialSecurity.
“Hands off the Constitution,” one sign said. “Democracy is not for sale!”
Portsmouth crowd grows to thousands
Read more, view photos:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/local/2025/04/05/hands-off-rally-portsmouth-nh-trump-protest/82762300007/
Archived version:
https://archive.ph/VtjVe
#NewHampshireResists #HandsOff2025 #April5th #BadDOGE #ResistFascism #USPol
USA TODAY · 'Hands Off' rally in Portsmouth: Thousands slam Trump and his policies
Here in #DC to tell the fascist vandals of America, #HandsOff our #democracy, #RuleOfLaw, #CleanAir, #CleanWater, #CleanEnergy, #SocialSecurity, #HealthCare, #science, and #VulnerableCommunities.
I’m Posting this a lot, but I really think this is important in the regime of today:
Are You Attending A Protest ??
Get The EFF Guide SURVEILLANCE SELF-DEFENSE WHILE ATTENDING A PROTEST
It’s easy, simple things you can do with your phone to protect yourself
#protest #fightfordemocracy #FightNaziScum #fightfascism #maga #SocialSecurity #HandsOff
ssd.eff.orgAttending a ProtestFor quick reference, we've created a handy guide designed to be printed, folded, and carried in your pocket (PDF download).
Now, more than ever, citizens must be able to hold those in power accountable and inspire others through the act of protest.
Protecting your electronic devices and digital assets before, during,...
Opinion | Why Are ‘Hands Off’ Rallies Defending War-Hungry NATO? https://www.byteseu.com/895864/ #ColdWar #Europe #EuropeanUnion #Healthcare #MilitarySpending #NATO #Russia #SocialSecurity #UkraineWar
Continued thread
(continued from previous post on thread)
This topic is very apropos in the current market. We may be about to enter another recession, perhaps a depression. 401K's are down. So the claim that we could do better investing on our own is uncertain, but is again certainly going to test a lot of ordinary citizens, postponing their ability to retire.
And I emphasize that the choice f when to retire is not just a whim. Even ignoring age discrimination, age wears on a person, and some people do physical jobs (read: ACTUAL hard work, as opposed to metaphorically hard work done by rich executives) that leave them depleted. So delayed retirement is not just an inconvenience, it is in some cases torture and in some cases impossible.
But even as we are potentially entering a depression, the billionaires are salivating. They are looking forward to "buying low". They're treating this roller coaster as a buying opportunity. They plan to get rich on this depression. Even as others suffer and probably many die. They are gleeful.
This is the time when Social Security should be doubling down and assuring people it will increase benefits to cover rising costs (although it wouldn't be terrible if we just impeached the President who's causing those rising costs artificially with tariffs that really no sane business people think are a good idea). Because Social Security is again a contract with the population about what our priority is. And if we need more money, we should be bumping the tax on those gleeful about what a great buying opportunity this is.
They, the rich, would probably whine that this singles them out. That people are jealous. No one should stand for such rhetoric. The ones making the noise did not get their power by dealing honorably with us citizens. This is not jealousy speaking, it is a desire for justice. Be glad I'm not suggesting (as some are) that we just eat the rich and be done with it. Proper taxation of accumulated wealth (not just income) works for me.
No one needs that much money anyway. It's CLEAR from their observed behavior that one can only buy so many gold toilet seats before one starts to wonder what the point of excess riches is, and really it seems the only thing that one can find to spend such wealth on is buying governments. And then, apparently, running them badly and cruelly. No, I'm not going to feel sorry about suggesting taxation.
2/2 (probably the end)
I often hear people say that Social Security should be eliminated, that we'd do better with our own 401K's.
There are a lot of problems with that argument.
First, it turns us into gamblers. The argument is that people could invest their money better. Maybe. But they can also invest their money worse. So it's a very uneven policy. And that is ultimately cruel. That's just gambling, and experience shows that gamblers are often a lot more confident than is warranted.
The sociopaths among us often say, "Too bad. Individuals should take responsibility for their lack of saving. It's not my fault that some people don't plan." Those same people, though, are telling us that we should eliminate the minimum wage, that if the market doesn't want to pay someone enough to even live, why should it have to. So exactly where is the savings supposed to come from? On the one side, people work hard for hardly any money. On the other side, they're told their failure to save is a moral failing. Where is the discussion of moral failing in having more money than God and still being unwilling to help raise people out of poverty? That seems the biggest moral failing.
Moreover, a lot of what makes the difference in who succeeds or fails is one's parents. Dynastic fortunes. Better schools. Better connections. Sometimes even just better health or better clothing. The narrative is spun that the rich worked hard for their money, but in my experience, poor people work much harder for the scraps they are thrown than rich people ever do, and the notion of "meritocracy" is nonsense because the people who get ahead are just those who get to start ahead of the others.
But while on the topic of morality, let's also look at the structure of Social Security itself. People like to compare it to a 401K, but it's not like that. It's not a bank account. It's a very different beast.
As an example, you become suddenly unable to work, it kicks in right away, even if you didn't pay for a long time. That's very different than a bank account. If you live a long time, it continues to pay you.
There may be issues with cost of living adjustments, but the only reason we don't do those more often is that the aforementioned rich sociopaths insist it's better to give tax breaks to the wealthy. They'll tell you that Social Security is intended only to supplement your retirement, not to be the full amount, and yet they'll back penalties for trying to draw money out of Social Security if you're also getting other income. That's not really how supplements work, and it's a disincentive to additional work.
But my point is that the contract is not for a specific quantity of money. It is a social contract, that you pay into it while you're able and you are paid when you're not able. We could do better on the getting paid part, but the point is for it to keep you from falling into poverty, to add dignity.
It's worth noting that Social Security did not arise in a vacuum. While people COULD invest their money, a lot of people didn't, or else were losers in that gambling. Before Social Security, in the 1930s, the elderly poverty rate in the depression was something like 70%. So there is an objective way to understand what this did for the public. Some have called it the most successful anti-poverty program in the history of the US.
And if we were really worried that investing in the market were a better bet, we could arrange for the Social Security trust fund to do that. That's just an implementation detail and has nothing to do with the overall social promise. If DOGE wanted to do something HELPFUL, instead of aggressively dismantling all of the US government's ability to provide value to the public, they could analyze whether there are better ways to manage the funds.
But, ultimately, government is not a business and social security is not a profit & loss center, even if it's popular for some who don't like it to portray it that way. It mostly pays for itself, but from a moral point of view, its real purpose is to say that we as a society need to have a commitment to our sick and elderly, to assure they are taken care of, BEFORE we declare a profit. If we as a nation are able to give tax breaks to rich citizens only by cutting social programs, then the rich are preying on the poor. The health and welfare of all citizens is our first priority as a nation. We should not be preferencing the already-preferenced before we have attended to that.
1/2 (continued next post)
Replied in thread
@MaryAustinBooks @indivisibleteam
I’m
Posting this a lot today but I really think this is important in the regime of today:
Are You Attending A Protest ??
Get The EFF Guide SURVEILLANCE SELF-DEFENSE WHILE ATTENDING A PROTEST
#protest #fightfordemocracy #FightNaziScum #fightfascism #maga #SocialSecurity
ssd.eff.orgAttending a ProtestFor quick reference, we've created a handy guide designed to be printed, folded, and carried in your pocket (PDF download).
Now, more than ever, citizens must be able to hold those in power accountable and inspire others through the act of protest.
Protecting your electronic devices and digital assets before, during,...