By Bruce Menke
One by one, President Donald Trump and Elon Musk have decimated institutions created by Congress to protect the health and welfare of Americans. Now it’s Social Security.
Seventy-three million Americans receive benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). More than 7 million Americans 65 and older receive at least 90 percent of their income from Social Security. Forty-two percent of Americans age 65 and up report that they wouldn’t be able to afford necessities like food, clothes or housing without their monthly Social Security retirement benefits. More than 11 million disabled Americans under the age of 65 rely on benefits administered by the SSA through either Social Security Disability Insurance, Supplemental Security Income or both. The SSA has never missed a payment in over 80 years.
Former SSA Commissioner Martin O’Malley says, “Ultimately, you’re going to see the system collapse and an interruption of benefits,” and adds, “I believe you will see that within the next 30 to 90 days”. Why?
The Trump/Musk playbook is the familiar one: fire massive numbers of employees (especially those experienced with SSA’s outdated equipment); close 50 local SSA offices; eliminate the ability to apply for benefits or make changes by phone and force older and disabled beneficiaries to have computer access to online services or make in-person appointments, even as the local offices are closed.
Elon Musk and Donald Trump are breaking our Social Security system — and Congress must act to stop it.
Will Congressman Mike Collins support legislation to do just that?
So far, Congressman Collins has enthusiastically endorsed everything the Trump/Musk wrecking crew does.
Bruce Menke is a resident of Athens