From snow cone stands to hay fields: Montana stories show why Social Security is earned, not given - Tim Summers Guest columnist

Found here. Our comments in bold.

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The author lays the schmaltz on thick. It practically drips from his word processor.

He tells a tale of the typical hardworking citizen who works his fingers to the bone, he's a pillar of the community, a saintly figure, he never did anyone wrong. And because he paid into Social Security all his life, he's entitled to his Social Security check. Indeed, we can't imagine anyone more deserving of a government handout, solely by virtue of having hundreds of thousands of dollars extracted from his paycheck whether he wanted it or not. 

This is how the author frames it. Such a noble soul deserves this money. It's his birthright. He sacrificed and is due his reward.

But in reality the author as a representative of the AARP is trying to manipulate us. He's cozying up to his constituency, the ones who pay their dues to this organization. They keep the money flowing, which empowers the AARP to access the halls of power in Washington D.C.. 

That's what's at stake here, government money. But not for seniors, for the AARP.

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This August marks the 91st anniversary of Social Security and for generations of Americans — and more than 258,600 Montanans today — it has provided financial security and independence after a lifetime of work. (The author implies that without SS that Montanans could not achieve financial security and independence. This of course is false.)

Recently, AARP Montana (The author is the state director for AARP.)

asked Montanans a simple question: What was your first job, and how old were you when you started working? The responses offered a powerful reminder of something often lost in today’s political debates: Social Security is not a handout. It is earned. (This is false. SS is a tax with a promised future benefit. Social Security's own website tells us:

Section 1104 of the 1935 Act, entitled "RESERVATION OF POWER," specifically said: "The right to alter, amend, or repeal any provision of this Act is hereby reserved to the Congress." Even so, some have thought that this reservation was in some way unconstitutional. This is the issue finally settled by Flemming v. Nestor.

In this 1960 Supreme Court decision Nestor's denial of benefits was upheld... In its ruling, the Court rejected this argument and established the principle that entitlement to Social Security benefits is not contractual right.

We are only a few sentences in and have found multiple errors [or are they lies?].)

The people who responded described lives defined by hard work. Many started working long before they were old enough to vote — and often before they were old enough to drive. (The author is fluffing up the noble Montana worker whose hard work makes him deserving Social Security benefits.)

They told us about picking rye, onions and strawberries, stacking hay, milking cows, pumping gas, washing dishes, waiting tables, serving snow cones and working as grocery clerks, lifeguards and carhops. (The author piles it on thick.)

Several had paper routes by age 11 or 12. One respondent recalled picking up potatoes for 25 cents per 100-pound bag. A Montanan who drove a popsicle cart at age 15 saved enough money to buy a motorcycle with $500 in quarters. (More and more.)

The jobs were different, but the story was the same: responsibility, perseverance and work. (Please, stop.)

Many respondents also remembered the moment they began paying into Social Security. (Did the question asked include a reference to Social Security? Remember, "What was your first job, and how old were you when you started working?" 

The author is attempting to manipulate us. First the idea of being entitled to Social Security benefits because of decade of hard work. You've earned it, baby. 

Second, the wistful remembrance of finding the Social Security line item. Hooray, a lower paycheck! Those were the days, weren't they?)

One Billings resident recalled delivering newspapers and receiving their first paycheck with a Social Security deduction at age 12. (Paying in at age 12? Let the kid keep his money, for heaven's sake.)

An East Helena resident remembered obtaining a Social Security card at age 15 for a job as a ranch hand and stocker, writing, “I’ve contributed ever since.” (Sir, you had no choice. It was taken from your pay whether you wanted it to be or not.)

Another respondent from Kalispell shared that they have worked for 52 years, including decades as a childcare and private care provider. For 39 years, they paid both the employer and employee share of Social Security taxes while self-employed. (Did the reader notice that the author provided three anecdotal stories about people's history with Social Security, and implies they are positive?

The author placed them into his own context, but perhaps #1 resented his lower paycheck. Maybe #2 was angry at paying in all these years. And #3, a self employed person having to pay in double for the same benefit is probably feeling cheated. 

But the author presents them all as valuing Social Security.)

These stories illustrate a simple truth: Americans contribute to Social Security throughout their working lives. ("Contribute" again. Just try to stop contributing and see how that goes.)

The benefits they receive are not charity. (In actual fact, yes they are. There is no connection between the tax paid in and the benefits eventually received. The money doesn't belong to you. Read your statement. There is no account balance shown, because there is no accumulation of money on your behalf. 

If you doubt this, try to use your Social Security account as collateral. try to make a lump sum withdrawal. You can't. It's not your money. 

It's a welfare program.)

They are earned through decades of work and payroll contributions. (As we mentioned, they are not earned. Flemming V. Nestor demonstrated that.)

That is exactly what Social Security was designed to do. (Well, no. From the Act's preamble:

An act to provide for the general welfare by establishing a system of Federal old-age benefits, and by enabling the several States to make more adequate provision for aged persons, blind persons, dependent and crippled children, maternal and child welfare, public health, and the administration of their unemployment compensation laws...

Social Security was designed for the needy.)

For generations, the program has helped workers retire with dignity ("Dignity." That is, the benefit is so generous that our seniors are more than comfortable. Receiving a government handout is somehow dignified.

Oh, please.)

while providing vital benefits to survivors and people with disabilities. In Montana, Social Security helps older adults pay for groceries, utilities, housing and healthcare. (What? The money people get they spend on stuff? That is astounding!)

For many, it is the foundation of their retirement income and the key to maintaining independence. (Translation: They didn't plan for retirement by saving and investing, so Social Security rescues them from their lack of planning.)

A new AARP survey confirms how important the program remains. Americans across the political spectrum overwhelmingly value Social Security, with 95% of Republicans, 98% of Democrats and 93% of Independents saying it is important to the financial security of all Americans. (Of course it's important. The total Social Security budget for 2024 was $1.5 trillion, which accounted for 22.4% of the total federal budget. That's certainly "important." 

Importance does not equal approval.)

At the same time, Americans are concerned about its future. Nearly eight in 10 worry that Social Security may not provide enough income during retirement. ("...the program has helped workers retire with dignity...")

That concern underscores why Congress must act. (Congress must act? "...it has provided financial security and independence after a lifetime of work." Is the author telling us Social Security is not secure?)

Lawmakers from both parties need to come together to strengthen Social Security, close the program’s long-term financing gap, (Um, yeah. "Financing gap" means the system is spending more than it's taking in. What's that you say? A government program that isn't keeping to its budget? This can't be!)

and ensure Americans can continue to access the benefits they have earned through a lifetime of work. Congress has the power — and the responsibility — to address these challenges through the regular legislative process, with full debate, transparency and accountability. (What if that means cutting benefits or increasing the retirement age? How are you with that, Mr. Summers?)

The Montanans who shared their stories have kept their promise. They started working young, paid into the system for decades (They made a promise? What? When?

They paid in under compulsion. They were required to keep their end of the transaction and had no choice. No bargain was made, no deal was struck. 

The author's rhetoric is getting intolerable.)

and contributed to their communities. They deserve confidence that Social Security will be there for them, their children and their grandchildren.

As voters head to the polls this fall, Social Security should be top of mind. Ask candidates where they stand. Ask them what they will do to protect and strengthen a program that millions depend on.

Because behind every Social Security check is a lifetime of work — a paper carrier, a farm worker, a waitress, a mechanic, a ranch hand or a concession worker who earned every dollar. (We feel like we need to puke.)


Tim Summers is state director of AARP Montana.