Elon Musk. Twitter. Babylon Bee.

[Ken]

Cutting Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security in various ways

I have only heard of cutting waste, not services.

They are proposing actual cuts. Such as raising the retirement age. Which is nothing but a cut.

[barnhart]

Usually they seem similar to my eye.
Example: If I work my entire life for wages, I will be taxed for Social Security on my entire earnings but if I am a trust fund baby and live on investment money, I will be taxed at a significantly lower rate. Why shouldn't I think of that as a handout for the rich.

One thief robs you and takes everything, but another thief robs you and only takes your wallet leaving your watch. They are both thieves.

We have grown used to the concept that the government has a right to our money and property. This is just like the old monarchies where the ruling class owned everything and the serfs just got the honor of working for their lord.

The US Constitution guarantees that We the People OWN things and the government has not right to our possessions. We are the ruling body, not the government.

Is this the perspective of the New Testament. Is this reflective of Jesus' teaching and example.

[Ken]

Usually they seem similar to my eye.
Example: If I work my entire life for wages, I will be taxed for Social Security on my entire earnings but if I am a trust fund baby and live on investment money, I will be taxed at a significantly lower rate. Why shouldn't I think of that as a handout for the rich.

One thief robs you and takes everything, but another thief robs you and only takes your wallet leaving your watch. They are both thieves.

We have grown used to the concept that the government has a right to our money and property. This is just like the old monarchies where the ruling class owned everything and the serfs just got the honor of working for their lord.

The US Constitution guarantees that We the People OWN things and the government has not right to our possessions. We are the ruling body, not the government.

Is this the perspective of the New Testament. Is this reflective of Jesus' teaching and example.

What always puzzles me is how anyone’s property rights are recognized and have value in the absence of any government. Property rights exist because governments exist. Without government, the deed I hold to my property that is recorded in the country records office is just a meaningless piece of paper. And without the infrastructure provided by the government in terms of streets, water, sewer, electricity, fire protection, police protection, public schools, etc. my lot has little intrinsic value.

[Grace]

Cutting Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security in various ways

I have only heard of cutting waste, not services.

They are proposing actual cuts. Such as raising the retirement age. Which is nothing but a cut.

That will happen no matter whose administration it is. Beings the ratio of workers to those who are receiving S.S. benefits is falling, it is projected the S.S trust funds will be depleted by 2035. Unless congress does something about it. One of the ways to help solve that problem is to up the retirement age.

[Ken]

I have only heard of cutting waste, not services.

They are proposing actual cuts. Such as raising the retirement age. Which is nothing but a cut.

That will happen no matter whose administration it is. Beings the ratio of workers to those who are receiving S.S. benefits is falling, it is projected the S.S trust funds will be depleted by 2035. Unless congress does something about it. One of the ways to help solve that problem is to up the retirement age.

There are lots of ways to address social security.

1. We could increase the earnings cap such that income above $168,000 is subject to the social security tax
2. We could expand the forms of income subject to the tax so it isn’t just wages that are taxed but also passive income such as dividends and capital gains which mostly accrue to the wealthy
3. We can increase immigration which will increase the ration of workers to retirees
4. We can partially fund social security through other revenue sources such as a corporate income tax surcharge,
5. We can cut benefits to existing retirees directly or indirectly through methods like reducing the COLA formula
6. We can cut benefits to future retires through things like raising the retirement age

Only #5 and 6 are benefit cuts. #1–4 are revenue increases.

Curiously Republicans and the project 2025 authors don’t recommend any revenue increases. They only recommend cuts.

[barnhart]

One thief robs you and takes everything, but another thief robs you and only takes your wallet leaving your watch. They are both thieves.

We have grown used to the concept that the government has a right to our money and property. This is just like the old monarchies where the ruling class owned everything and the serfs just got the honor of working for their lord.

The US Constitution guarantees that We the People OWN things and the government has not right to our possessions. We are the ruling body, not the government.

Is this the perspective of the New Testament. Is this reflective of Jesus' teaching and example.

What always puzzles me is how anyone’s property rights are recognized and have value in the absence of any government. Property rights exist because governments exist. Without government, the deed I hold to my property that is recorded in the country records office is just a meaningless piece of paper. And without the infrastructure provided by the government in terms of streets, water, sewer, electricity, fire protection, police protection, public schools, etc. my lot has little intrinsic value.

I think this perspective resonates with Jesus' teaching, that stuff really does belong to Ceasar. For now.

[JohnH]

Natural rights exist apart from government. The concept of property
Is built in to every human being

A 1 year old will try to figure out what belongs to other people

2 year olds will decide what is their stuff and enforce this against each other

My wife used a spare phone I had for about a year, then we fixed her old one. My 1 year old was very bothered to see with what to him was “mommy’s phone”. He would cry and try to take it from me and then immediately take it over to her.

My 1 and 3 year old have things that are “theirs”. If violations occur they do appeal to a higher authority - I guess you can call mom and dad, “government”

[Robert]

Is this the perspective of the New Testament. Is this reflective of Jesus' teaching and example.

In an indirect way. We each are responsible for our own salvation. Trusting the church will not get you salvation. Each individual having a personal connection to Christ will. Corporate salvation is not in the NT. Why would we look to government being our salvation?

[Robert]

Who do you think actually owns American corporations?

Many are owned by people with 401K plans. They are not wealthy, but just have retirement plans that are invested in corporations.

[Robert]

What always puzzles me is how anyone’s property rights are recognized and have value in the absence of any government. Property rights exist because governments exist. Without government, the deed I hold to my property that is recorded in the country records office is just a meaningless piece of paper. And without the infrastructure provided by the government in terms of streets, water, sewer, electricity, fire protection, police protection, public schools, etc. my lot has little intrinsic value.

Not according to the US Constitution. They are inalienable rights given by our Creator.