Halls of Shrewd'm / US Policy
No. of Recommendations: 12
Howard Lutnick, Donald Trump’s billionaire commerce secretary, suggested on a podcast this week that missing Social Security checks aren’t a big deal, and that only a “fraudster” would actually complain if their monthly benefit didn’t come in the mail.
“The easiest way to find a fraudster is to stop payments and listen,” he continued. “Whoever screamed is the one stealing.”
DOGE has pushed to close dozens of Social Security offices and limit phone services. The Social Security Administration (SSA), which has plans to slash its workforce, announced earlier this week that it will no longer allow people to verify their identities by phone, forcing them to come into brick-and-mortar field offices. The changes could overwhelm the agency’s staff and delay access to benefits.
Social Security going dark would endanger the welfare of millions upon millions of older and disabled Americans who rely on the benefit program to live.
Wow, this administration continues to show on an hourly basis how out of touch they are with every day Americans.
I wonder if Mr. Lutnick has ever heard of a guillotine?
No. of Recommendations: 2
No. of Recommendations: 3
They are messing with probably their largest demographic, and one that votes more than any other demographic. Let them commit suicide. If seniors aren't getting their checks, they will riot.
And AARP will probably lead the way. Yes, I am an AARP member. Honestly, mostly for the discounts on stuff. But I foresaw Reps trying to cut benefits (they've talked about it for 20 years or more), and as I'm approaching that age, I figured it was in my best interest to join so I can get my check one day.
No. of Recommendations: 9
The easiest way to find a fraudster is to stop payments and listen,” he continued. “Whoever screamed is the one stealing.”
The 21st century version of “Let them eat cake.”
No. of Recommendations: 23
Years ago, I mentioned to a colleague that there was nothing between me and the Salvation Army but...me
She looked startled. Why would I say that?
Uh, because it was true. No family money on either side, big student loans, little kids, Mrs sutton earning potential very limited. I'd been working since age 16 (age 12 if you count a paper route) with highest pre-MD wage being $7.50 hr, unskilled construction
Later I reflected. My colleague: daddy a successful East Coast specialty MD, sibs and in-laws all professionals, spouse a cardiologist.
She had never looked down and seen a void. She had no idea how catastrophic a missed paycheck could be.
-- sutton
No. of Recommendations: 3
She had never looked down and seen a void. She had no idea how catastrophic a missed paycheck could be.
It is said that at least half the country is one auto repair away from being broke, or having to choose between that repair and eating.
No. of Recommendations: 0
It is said that at least half the country is one auto repair away from being broke, or having to choose between that repair and eating.
But now that Trump and his minions are running the country that is a thing of the past, right?
No. of Recommendations: 19
Years ago, I mentioned to a colleague that there was nothing between me and the Salvation Army but...me
Don’t forget Social Security! Everyone knows about SS’s retirement safety net but many don’t realize it is also a safety net for surviving children.
We were a middle-class family; I was in college and my two siblings in elementary and high school when my father had a hart attack and died at 54. If not for the very minimum substance Social Security provided, I don’t know how we would have gotten my younger siblings through high school. All of us got through that catastrophe period and ended up successful tax paying citizens with no need for any continuing support for now going on 50+ years.
No. of Recommendations: 2
“The easiest way to find a fraudster is to stop payments and listen,” he continued. “Whoever screamed is the one stealing.”
I cannot fathom this. It isn't true. There are plenty of old folks whose relatives call, find out about the POA, fax it in, and complain. People who rely on Social Security know what day it should be deposited. They know if they get it early too. Good fraudsters don't want to draw attention to themselves.
No. of Recommendations: 7
Don’t forget Social Security! Everyone knows about SS’s retirement safety net but many don’t realize it is also a safety net for surviving children.
That reminds me of a different story.
Since y'all seemed to like the last one:
Different colleague, same decade. I would have been in my mid-forties with kids in elementary school. He was around 8-9 years younger, and he and his SAHM wife had just added a baby to their toddler. He asked how much life insurance I had.
I said term, and as much as they would sell me ($2MM as I recall.) Didn't seem excessive with multiple little kids and a mortgage, and plain-vanilla term insurance is pretty cheap until you reach 50 or thereabouts.
He nodded, but then I added, But they'd only sell me half that much for Mrs sutton, and even that took some fast talking
His eyebrows went up a bit (was I maybe planning to knock her off?), and he asked, Why so much?
I said, Because the day something happens to her is the last day I practice full-time medicine for at least a decade. I have children to raise.
I could just about see the light bulb go off over his head: Never thought of that. And while I never asked him directly, I'm pretty sure he went shopping for term life on Mrs Colleague shortly thereafter.
--sutton
(and both our spouses still alive and well 20+ years later, if you were worried)
