Social Security Reform
Social Security has been deemed the "third rail" in American politics, meaning that politicians believe that touching the issue can mean political suicide. However, with the growing perception that the Social Security system may b e bankrupt in another decade or so, efforts at reform have been raised, though without any clear mandate for what sort of change. Reforming the system in a way that satisfies most Americans would be a good way to consolidate power, as both parties recognize, and Machiavelli would also recognize the value of doing s while also pointing out that making the wrong choice could threaten any existing power base. As the perception has grown that future Social Security benefits are in jeopardy because the system may have to pay out more than it takes in from the public, suggestions have been made. One reason for this perception is the large size of the so-called baby boomer generation, but there are economic reasons as well. Numerous proposals have been made to save Social Security. The current proposals offered to correct the deficiencies of the Social Security system can be characterized as follows: 3) Invest portions of the Security Trust Fund in the stock m
Past earnings are indexed for average wage growth in the economy before calculating the benefit. The benefit formula is progressive, meaning that lower‑income workers receive a benefit equal to a higher proportion of their average income than upper‑income workers receive. The program is expected to continue to collect more in payroll taxes than it pays out in benefits until about 2018 (John para. 14). Subsequent polls show much less support than this, and support has been diminishing out of fear that what the administration says about this reform is false. Machiavelli would approve of the attempt to gain power in this manner but would also note that the Democrats have done much better at making the idea of protecting Social Security stronger than the idea of certain types of reform as offered by the Republicans. What he would not agree with is the amount of time it is taking to make reform a reality. David C. John describes the current system as paying an inflation‑indexed monthly retirement and survivors' benefit that is based on a worker's highest 35 years of earnings: There is no pretense that the legitimacy of government's operations depends on their conformity with God's law, natural law, or any such transcendent standard. . . Machiavelli is thus a significant figure. . . in the intellectual march that was to lead through Hobbes and Rousseau towards the totalitarian state of the twentieth century. (Kelly 172) Social Security reform is a way to achieve or maintain power. Democrats see protecting Social Security as their strength, while Republicans want to appear to be more fiscally responsible. However, one Republican strategist "warned Republicans not to take Social Security money away from seniors" ("Social Security Reform" 12). The behind-the-scenes strategies could be describ3d as Machiavellian on both sides, attempting to achieve something while protecting what the voters want protected
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Approximate Word count = 1310
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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