Call it by it's real name, "Earned Benefits Program"

Social Security and Medicare are earned benefits, paid for with our payroll taxes.  We paid for them at the same time we got our pay checks.  Don't be mislead or felt to think it is welfare or some kind of government giveaway.  

This constant push to "privatize" or "voucher" the system and change benefit ages, do away with cost of living adjustments or otherwise pull off some way to restrict corporate contributions just doesn't wash.  Of course big money donations from secret contributors to the GOP are looking for ways to make more money, fatten their "bottom line".  One of those would be making changes to Social Security and Medicare employer payroll taxes.

A wedge is attempting to be built pitting older generations against younger ones and trying to convince our grand kids to settle for less than what they deserve, which is a secure retirement that they earn through their work.

Every effort to curtail the onward existence of Social Security comes with the pitch to younger people, "it won't be there when you are ready to retire".   AND they are absolutely right if the Republicans in Congress have their way with their proposed changes.  The Republicans have been at it so long very few working people believe them.  Just ask any person on wages, when was the last time the GOP proposed enhancements to Social Security or Medicare?  When was the last time Republicans voted to increase the minimum wage?

The question, if so many people recognize and understand that by not increasing the minimum wage (most propose to $10.10 an hour) it is draining state and federal poverty programs keeping full time workers incomes so low they can't even support themselves let alone a child or a family, why is the Republican opposition so furious?  Do the Republicans really want people on "the dole" instead of working for wages not receiving government assistance?

The key, the GOP money backers don't like the matching payroll taxes associated with higher wages. 

Originally "the dole" was considered a government program for the unemployed, today the Republicans think any government program directed to combat poverty levels and help feed poor people such as food stamps or school free lunch programs are being wasted on people lacking initiative and just plain lazy "folk".

Of course government corporate assistance, special tax breaks, government subsidies, farm programs for corporate farms are not the dole!  Money directed to private businesses and corporate, even foreign corporations, represented by millions of dollars paid to unregulated lobbyists and front groups is not government welfare.

So what does the minimum wage have to do with Social Security and the Republican opposition?  The GOP dependence on the financial favors of a few huge campaign money machines and shadow "unconnected not for profit advocate groups" may have a little bit to do with their opposition.  How many elections would the GOP win without the dark money blasting and distorting Democrat policies and values? 

Time after time every poll and expression of public opinion supports and favors Democrat ideals and positions of issues.  Yet the confusion, and constant negative rhetoric has taken a toll on election results as in Statehouses, State Legislatures and the Halls of Congress itself. 

Changes advocated for Social Security, Medicare and opposition to lifting the minimum was all have to do with profits, the amount of money the fat cats get to keep.  Payroll taxes in the percentage of paid wages are lower with lower minimum wages, increase the minimum wage more taxes would be collected for the Social Security Trust Fund for Medicare, and maybe extending the life of the Trust Funds. 

It's the payroll taxes!  Think about it, higher pay, less people on the government dole, cut spending on government assistance programs, more chance to balance the federal budget, bring down the deficit, more money for the expanding Medicare rolls,  and protecting the earned benefits of Social Security.

Voucher out Medicare, or adopt snake oil solutions for future Social Security benefits and maintaining high corporate profits all the while pointing, yes, giving the finger to the working poor!  No solution to immigration without allowing low wage guest workers, no path to citizenship for millions living under the cover of darkness, and absolutely blocking every effort to empower people's right to vote.

All of those ideas might increase the Democrats numbers in Congress to hold back the Republican Budget offers that would revamp our Earned Benefits.