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The
Social Security Nightmare By: Michael A. Minton |
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In 1950, there were 16 workers to support every one person that drew a Social
Security check. Currently, there are 3.3 workers supporting every one person
drawing Social Security. And by the time our youngest workers reach retirement
age, that ratio will have dropped to 2:1. It is a dismal looking picture at
best.
Several things need to happen in order to salvage Social Security. One of the
most obvious is that we need to abandon the idea of a Totalization Agreement
with Mexico. Such an agreement with Mexico is totally one-sided, and would
immediately bankrupt our Social Security system, as it would instantly qualify
millions of Mexicans, both legal and illegal, for benefits.
I wrote an article on this subject back in 2005. It can be viewed here: http://mensnewsdaily.com/blog/minton/2005/04/totalization-with-mexico-could-total.html.
For the life of me, I cannot figure out why this subject has not gotten any more
attention than it has. I mean, in 2005 we had President Bush going around the
country trying to convince us that Social Security was in dire financial straits
(which it was and IS). But at the same time the President was telling us how bad
off Social Security was, the administration was brokering a deal with Mexico
that would annihilate the system…unfathomable!
Quoting a paragraph from my previous article, “The Social Security
Administration would have us believe that illegal workers would not qualify
under a Totalization Agreement with Mexico. However, according to azcentral.com,
an Inspector General's report says that the SSA ‘doesn't consider the
work-authorization status of the individual when they earned the wages. It only
considers whether the individual can prove he or she paid Federal Insurance
Contribution Act (FICA) taxes as part of this work.’ And, even IF the claim that
illegal workers were not eligible were true, the writing on the wall is that a
general amnesty is on the horizon, which would immediately make ALL illegals
(and their dependants) eligible.”
Further complicating this issue is the fact that once a beneficiary of this
treaty returns to Mexico, his/her spouse and dependants also become eligible for
U.S. Social Security benefits. Can you imagine the cost to the S.S. system?
According to the Center for Immigration Studies, (http://www.cis.org), in 2000,
there were an estimated 9,177,000 Mexicans in the United States (4,808,000 are
here illegally).
All that needs to happen for this Totalization Agreement with Mexico to go into
effect is for a sitting president to sign it…that’s it. It DOES NOT need to be
passed by Congress. However, there is hope! If, within 60 days of the
president’s signature, Congress repeals the treaty, it is then nullified. This
is where you, the American public, DESPARATELY need to get involved. That’s why
I urge you to read the article “Totalization With Mexico Could Total Social
Security.” Again, you can view it at: http://mensnewsdaily.com/blog/minton/2005/04/totalization-with-mexico-could-total.html.
There you will learn what you can do to stop the madness.
I have been digging and digging to find out where our current field of
contenders for president stand on the issue of totalization with Mexico.
According to an amendment in the Senate “To prohibit the use of funds to
administer Social Security benefit payments under a totalization agreement with
Mexico,” it would appear that most of our Democrat, and at least one of our
Republican runners lacks the conviction to even vote. Those abstaining were:
Sen. Biden (D-DE), Sen. Clinton (D-NY), Sen. Dodd (D-CT), Sen. Kennedy (D-MA),
Sen. Obama (D-IL), and Sen. McCain (R-AZ). Notice all but one of the abstainers
is a presidential candidate. And of all the candidates who did abstain, only one
was a Republican. Not very good company you’re keeping there, Sen. McCain.
Gee, I wonder why they skipped on this vote. Surely they’re not trying to ride
the fence. I know that anyone running for president would want to take a bold
stand on the issues of the day. They must have had book signings or something
more important than a silly old vote about the future of our country.
Meanwhile, I did see where Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), introduced H.R. 190, which
would prohibit an individual who is not a U.S. citizen or national, for purposes
of Social Security benefits, from being credited for income earned while he/she
was not a citizen or national. Furthermore, it would require all totalization
agreements to take that prohibition into account.
Furthermore, H. Res. 18, “Expressing disapproval by the House of Representatives
of the totalization agreement between the United States and Mexico signed by the
Commissioner of Social Security and the Director General of the Mexican Social
Security Institute on June 29, 2004,” was introduced on 1/24/2007 by Rep. Virgil
Goode, Jr. of VA. It was co-sponsored by candidates Ron Paul and Tom Tancredo,
along with 45 other House co-sponsors.
Another problem in this whole immigrants collecting Social Security mess is
that, according to a report by the John Birch Society quoting the Center for
Immigration Studies (CIS), “The Social Security Administration ‘permits foreign
nationals to work many years illegally with one or more fraudulently obtained
Social Security numbers, acquire legal status (e.g. through an amnesty or
marriage to a U.S. citizen), obtain a valid SSN, and then request that his or
her prior earnings credits be moved to the new number.’” There’s no telling how
many millions, or billions, of dollars we are losing on that deal alone.
And, as the John Birch Society further reports, “Prior to 2004, before Congress
banned the practice, illegals could return home and collect Social Security
legally.” And since the 2004 law allows for a loophole for illegals from
countries with which the United States has totalization agreements, totalization
with Mexico would nullify the 2004 ban. What’s a country to do?
When it comes to other countries with whom we have Totalization Agreements,
mostly European, their companies have workers which they send to work in the
U.S. for a while and then return home. As far as Mexico is concerned, most of
the immigrants coming from or through there are either illegally looking for
work, or are looking to expand their illegal activity. The main “company
sponsors” of the latter half are the likes of the Mexican Mafia, or MS-13. And I
doubt that they contribute very much to our ailing Social Security system.
As time goes on, we shall see who stands where on “saving Social Security.”
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