SOCIAL SECURITY QUOTES
quotations about social security
The program for social security that is now pending before the Congress is a necessary part of the future unemployment policy of the government. While our present and projected expenditures for work relief are wholly within the reasonable limits of our national credit resources, it is obvious that we cannot continue to create governmental deficits for that purpose year after year after year. We must begin now to make provision for the future and that is why our social security program is an important part of the complete picture. It proposes, by means of old-age pensions, to help those who have reached the age of retirement to give up their jobs and thus give to the younger generation greater opportunities for work and to give to all, old and young alike, a feeling of security as they look toward old age.
FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT
fireside chat on social security, April 28, 1935
Social Security is widely considered the "third rail" of politics: any politician who touches it, dies.
WENDY CONNICK
"Is Social Security Going Bankrupt? The Trustees Say No", The Motley Fool, August 6, 2017
Should any political party attempt to abolish social security, unemployment insurance, and eliminate labor laws and farm programs, you would not hear of that party again in our political history.
DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER
letter to Edgar Newton Eisenhower, November 8, 1954
Like many Americans, I got my Social Security card when I was a teenager and applied for my first job. Then, of course, I didn't understand that my wallet-sized card represented a commitment that every American could grow old with dignity. I also didn't understand that Social Security is not just for the elderly-and not just for retirement. Nearly 1/3 of its beneficiaries are either disabled, widows, widowers or surviving dependents. Social Security is a family protection system.
HILLARY CLINTON
"Talking It Over", February 17, 1999
Turn me loose, set me free
Somewhere in the middle of Montana
And give me all I've got coming to me
And keep your retirement
And your so-called Social Security
Big city turn me loose and set me free
MERLE HAGGARD
"Big City"
Socialism is a scareword they have hurled at every advance the people have made in the last 20 years. Socialism is what they called public power. Socialism is what they called social security. Socialism is what they called farm price supports. Socialism is what they called bank deposit insurance. Socialism is what they called the growth of free and independent labor organizations. Socialism is their name for almost anything that helps all the people.
HARRY S. TRUMAN
speech, October 10, 1952
Don't let anyone tell you that Social Security is broke. In fact, Social Security has $2.85 trillion in reserves and ran a $35 billion surplus in 2016.
MATTHEW FRANKEL
"5 Social Security Myths, Debunked", The Motley Fool, July 24, 2017
The current campaign to undermine Social Security is not a new battle. Although the moneyed interests and conservative ideologues have hated Social Security and battled against it since before it was enacted, the will of the people has always ultimately prevailed. The intensity of the battle and fields of engagement may ebb and flow, but the battle lines are always drawn. The current campaign against Social Security is simply the latest skirmish in that ongoing war. It's a war we, the people, can and must win.
NANCY ALTMAN & ERIC KINGSON
Social Security Works!: Why Social Security Isn't Going Broke and How Expanding It Will Help Us All
It seems like every week that we see a headline somewhere claiming that Social Security is broke. Or have you heard that the government stole trillions from Social Security's reserves? Spoiler alert: These are 100% false.
MATTHEW FRANKEL
"5 Social Security Myths, Debunked", The Motley Fool, July 24, 2017
Even if Social Security completely runs out of money, as it is projected to do in 2034, the incoming payroll taxes will be enough to cover 77% of promised benefits. So as a worst-case scenario, we're talking about a 23% across-the-board cut, not elimination of the program, unless Congress for some reason decides to abolish the payroll tax.
MATTHEW FRANKEL
"5 Social Security Myths, Debunked", The Motley Fool, July 24, 2017
Social Security is not just another government spending program. It is a promise from generation to generation.
HANK JOHNSON
"Social Security Is Not the Problem", Huffington Post, January 23, 2013
Social Security faces a problem: 77 million baby boomers set to retire. Now I know there are some Republicans who would be just fine with allowing these programs to wither and die on the vine. The way they see it, Social Security and Medicare are wasteful "entitlement programs." But people who think this way need to rethink their position. It's not unreasonable for people who paid into a system for decades to expect to get their money's worth--that's not an "entitlement," that's honoring a deal. We as a society must also make an ironclad commitment to providing a safety net for those who can't make one for themselves.
DONALD TRUMP
Time to Get Tough
The changes in this legislation will allow Social Security to age as gracefully as all of us hope to do ourselves, without becoming an overwhelming burden on generations still to come.... Our elderly need no longer fear that the checks they depend on will be stopped or reduced. These amendments protect them. Americans of middle age need no longer worry whether their career-long investment will pay off. These amendments guarantee it. And younger people can feel confident that Social Security will still be around when they need it to cushion their retirement.
RONALD REAGAN
speech, April 20, 1982
Today, I want to talk about Social Security and how all of us can ensure that one of the greatest achievements of this century continues to serve our people well into the next.... For 60 years, Social Security has meant more than an ID number on a tax form; more than a monthly check in the mail. It reflects our deepest values -- our respect for our parents and our belief that all Americans deserve to retire with dignity.
BILL CLINTON
speech, March 21, 1998
Get myself a steady job
Some responsibility
Can't even feed my cat
On social security
Hiding from the rent man
Oh it makes me want to cry
Sheriff knocking on my door
Ain't it funny how the time flies
AC/DC
"Down Payment Blues"
We will reform Social Security and Medicare, sparing our children from struggles we have the power to prevent.
GEORGE W. BUSH
speech, January 20, 2001
Now, Social Security through the years, for many many people, has been a terrible investment. It's really a tax, that's all it is. Social Security is a tax.
TODD AKIN
"Washington Minute", CSPAN, March 19, 2011
The fact is that Social Security works efficiently and effectively. With only tweaks to adjust for demographic and economic changes, Social Security can remain financially sound so long as the United States of America endures. In this, Social Security is no different than our Constitution, which we amended twenty-seven times.
DAVID CAY JOHNSTON
foreword, Social Security Works!: Why Social Security Isn't Going Broke and How Expanding It Will Help Us All
The aristocrats and bureaucrats
Are dirty rats
For making you what you are
They're up there and you re down here
You're on the ground and they're up with the stars
All your life they've kicked you around and pushed you around
Till you can't take any more
To them you're just a speck of dirt
But you don't want to get up off the floor
Mister you're just brainwashed
They give you social security
Tax saving benefits that grow at maturity
Yeah, you're conditioned to be
What they want you to be
And to do what they want you to
Yes you are, yes you are
Get down on your knees
THE KINKS
"Brainwashed"
Social Security is squarely based on what has been called the eighth wonder of the world -- compound interest. A growing nation is the greatest Ponzi game ever contrived. And that is a fact, not a paradox.
PAUL SAMUELSON
"Something for Nothing?", Newsweek, February 13, 1967