Social Security Cuts? Not While Congress Funds Far-Off Wars
Newsweek highlights the weekly payout of Social Security benefits, a crucial lifeline for millions. What the article conveniently sidesteps is the ongoing legislative debate – or lack thereof – regarding the program's long-term solvency. While politicians regularly fret (publicly, anyway) about Social Security's projected shortfall, their actions often paint a different picture. For instance, in
May 2024, the House passed HR 8070, the 'National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025,' which includes a whopping $895 billion for the Pentagon. (Source: Congress.gov, H.R.8070 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025). One might wonder: if funds are scarce enough to constantly threaten reductions to seniors' earned benefits, how is it so effortlessly abundant for
endless military spending and foreign aid packages? It's a miracle of fiscal alchemy: your Social Security might be on the chopping block, but rest assured, the military-industrial complex and certain foreign allies, heavily lobbied for by organizations like AIPAC (which has contributed over $35 million to federal candidates since 1990 according to OpenSecrets.org data), will never face such
existential threats. Apparently, Grandma's fixed income is a 'crisis,' but perpetually funding global interventions is just 'business as usual.'