I am sick and tired of Social Security and Medicare being called entitlements and welfare

[Malloric]

Originally Posted by justNancy

I never said that at all. However, you can twist my words to make your point if that pleases you.

You said welfare had to be means-tested to be welfare. The premiums on Part B and D are means-tested. Eg, the highest income bracket pay 80% of the cost of Medical Part B out of their premiums, whereas the program as a whole is 75% funded by welfare (general fund) and 25% by premiums and taxes on benefits (again paid by the wealthy).

I guess you could mean that as long as you pay a dollar it's not welfare, but that's rather absurd. Most people with welfare housing also pay rent. They're still on welfare. Foodstamps is supplemental and most people have to spend some dollars outside of foodstamp benefits. They're still on welfare. Lots of people on Medicaid pay premiums as well. That's still welfare. The closest analogy is, of course, Obamacare where anyone can participate. It's less of a welfare program than Part B and Part D are as a few people do pay the full cost and get no subsidy. And no, your payroll taxes don't pay for Part B or Part D. If you're on them, you're on welfare, no? Otherwise who is? Not the people on Foodstamps, Section 8, getting EITC, getting ObamaCare subsidies. They're all in similar boats.

[justNancy]

Originally Posted by Malloric

You said welfare had to be means-tested to be welfare.

I did? Where did I write that? Show me.

I know I said I was done posting, but please don't write I posted something if I never wrote it.

Originally Posted by Malloric

You said welfare had to be means-tested to be welfare. The premiums on Part B and D are means-tested. Eg, the highest income bracket pay 80% of the cost of Medical Part B out of their premiums, whereas the program as a whole is 75% funded by welfare (general fund) and 25% by premiums and taxes on benefits (again paid by the wealthy).

$104.90 per month premium is what most people pay.

I'm not going to write a book, but these facts are all available on the government website. Part D depends on the company & plan you choose and is not a government plan. It is sold by private insurance companies.

I came back to edit this post, because I really don't want to debate this any more.

Now I'm done!

[stanley-88888888]

Originally Posted by justNancy

I never said that at all. However, you can twist my words to make your point if that pleases you.



You apparently do not read the very links you post. Click on your own link above and clearly it states just the opposite of what you claim. Here is a direct quote from the above Senate Budget Report which you keep saying includes Social Security and Medicare, even though it says in plain English "excludes" both programs.

"Importantly, these figures solely refer to means-tested welfare benefits.
They exclude entitlement programs to which people contribute (e.g., Social Security and Medicare)."

I'm not trying to be rude here, honestly, but I don't know how people can tell others they're wrong and don't understand, but then post links that not only contradict what they're trying to prove, but actually state it.

What don't you understand about the word "exclude?" Really I'm done here. I was trying to have a reasonable discussion, but this is silly.

i was going to quote the same thing and highlight that the author of the memo specifically catagorizes social security and medicare as entitlements (which is exactly what the op is tired of).