As recently as 2016, the official platform of the Republican Party also promised to take a serious look at the two major welfare programs in the United States – Social Security and Medicare – that are about to go bankrupt.
“We reject the old adage that Social Security is the ‘third rail’ of American politics, fatal to anyone who would change it,” the version of the Republican platform reads. “Democrats still treat it as such, This is despite everyone knowing that the current course will lead to financial and social disaster.
At the time, when Republicans still had some lingering muscle memory about advocating for fiscal responsibility, the federal government was estimated to have about two decades to address the coming welfare crisis.
Now, we’re just a decade away from when Social Security ran into trouble and triggered automatic benefit cuts (and even less until parts of Medicare fell off a cliff). Yet instead of confronting the problem and proposing solutions, the newly adopted Republican platform embraces the plan the old Republican Party criticized eight years ago: do nothing and wait for the consequences.
In a new platform released Monday, Republicans said they would not cut a penny from Social Security or Medicare and would oppose efforts to raise the retirement age.
Where those efforts might come from is unclear, as President Joe Biden also opposes changing the retirement age. In fact, a group of congressional Republicans has proposed the most serious (albeit far from complete) plan to raise the retirement age, one that is in serious tension with the party’s new platform.
Choosing to do nothing is still a choice. We know exactly where the paths chosen by Biden and Donald Trump will end. When Social Security goes bankrupt in the early 2030s, beneficiaries’ monthly checks will automatically be reduced. Currently, trustees in charge of the scheme estimate the cuts will be 21%, and if nothing changes, there could be further cuts in the coming years. This is what the new Republican platform promises to achieve.
Indeed, during last month’s debate, both Trump and Biden tried to accuse the other of trying to change Social Security, but neither offered a viable plan to keep the program solvent or phase it out.
“[Trump] Wants to get rid of Social Security; When asked by CNN’s Jake Tapper about plans to address Social Security’s fiscal problems, Biden said: “He thinks there’s a lot that needs to be cut in Social Security.” place.” (Biden did reiterate his vague plan to make the rich pay more to support Social Security.) That’s not enough on its own.
Trump’s plans are even less so. “Social Security, he’s destroying it,” the former president said of Biden. “Because millions of people are pouring into our country, they are paying into Social Security for them.” (Illegal immigrants generally do not receive Social Security benefits.)
The whole scene is a bit like two fire chiefs arguing over who will do their best to put out a house fire, except it’s even worse because they also agree to ban you from contracting with a private fire department.
This is not leadership. This is politically motivated, cynical cowardice.
