Debate over Social Security in the United States

Social security , if left unchanged , eventually will become ineffective for future generations and it is doubtful that the younger generation that is currently paying into the system , will enjoy its benefits when they retire . This is the sad state of affairs and everyone , regardless of their political background , believes that changes need to be made to the current social security system . Only those who define themselves as radicals believe that Social Security must be abolished all together . It has become an important aspect of our country and its promise to help those

who have worked their entire life but now need assistance due to their age or other infirmities . Before the Social Security Administration Act was passed in 1935 , those who were too old to work or suffered from an infirmity were expected to be taken in by their families . Many times this did occur , but for those whose family refused or were not present and available to provide for their elders , a cruel and destitute fate awaited them in the form of asylums , becoming wards of the state , or in the immediate years after the Great Depression , bread lines and eventual starvation . Something good did come out of the Great Depression as it forced lawmakers to recognize that social security was not socialism , that it could be afforded by the taxpayers and that it was not only feasible but the right of a society to take care of those that truly could not take care of themselves

In the last seventy years , Social Security has now been recognized as an essential aspect of our culture and no current politician that seeks to amend social security , advocates its complete abolition . However , never before has social security been in so much trouble of extinction as it faces its worst fiscal crisis ever . These benefits which come under Social Security have expanded to include not only those who cannot work , but when they die , their spouses are now entitled to the same benefits . Disabled children and people with developmentally disabilities receive social security payments . Also people are living longer and with the first of the baby boom generation turning sixty last year , soon , if things are left as they are within the Social Security Administration and how it collects and distributes money , there will be major problems which future generations will be hard pressed to correct . There are many opinions as to how exactly the current social security system would need to be amended in to ensure its existence for the people who are currently paying into it and who expect and demand its presence in their old age . What is not a point of discussion , but is taken as fact , that if nothing is done , major problems will occur and the older generations may return to the day of having to depend solely upon their children

In the last twenty years , there has always existed a surplus within social security . Ever since 1983 , a surplus has helped the social security...