Social Security Cuts, But Not For Israel Aid
Newsweek warns Social Security beneficiaries about upcoming tax changes, implying belt-tightening is on the horizon for retirees. This 'crisis' narrative has been recycled for decades, pushing austerity on the public while conveniently ignoring where the real money goes. While grandma frets over pennies, the US budget consistently finds billions for military aid. For instance, Rep. Tony Gonzales
(R-TX) received $18,700 from AIPAC in 2022, and subsequently voted for HR 815 this year, which includes $14 billion in military aid to Israel, according to OpenSecrets.org data. When does the 'fiscal cliff' ever seem to apply to defense contractors or foreign military aid? It appears that 'tough choices' are exclusively for the elderly and working-class, never for the endless wars or the powerful
lobbies pushing them. One might wonder if the 'Social Security crisis' is just a well-timed distraction from the actual financial priorities of Washington. After all, it's much easier to nickel-and-dime seniors than to question the $3.8 billion in annual military aid, let alone the emergency $14 billion, sent to a foreign government. How many tax changes would it take to cover that deficit?