Get FREE BuzzFlash News Alerts

Email:  

Home

McCain receives almost $2,000 of "absolute disgrace" each month

Submitted by AmyW on Mon, 07/21/2008 - 2:28pm.

A BUZZFLASH NEWS ALERT
By Amy Weiss

Sen. John McCain doesn't seem to be hesitant to accept Social Security checks, paid for by the taxes of current workers, the very thing he calls an "absolute disgrace." He received approximately $1,930 per month last year in social security benefits.

McCain apparently told campaign reporters: "I'm receiving benefits," but added, "the system is broken and, unfortunately, my children and grandchildren, according to the trustees of the Social Security system, will not have the same benefits the present retirees have."

McCain receives a yearly Senate salary of over $165,000 and his wife, Cindy, made $6 million in 2006, bringing her net worth to approximately $100 million. (So it's unlikely his children and grandchildren will have to worry.)

Clearly the McCains do not financially rely on the $23,000 in Social Security he receives each year, so why doesn't he make a statement by not participating in a system he considers so disgraceful?

"An individual does have the right to refuse his/her Social Security retirement benefit," Social Security Administration official B.J. Jarrett explained. Then, he effectively answered the question why McCain wouldn't or shouldn't opt out: "However, Social Security is an entitlement program and an individual would essentially be forfeiting a benefit based upon contributions during his/her working lifetime."

Those contributions made over a lifetime and paid back are the foundation of the system that has worked for 70+ years. McCain paid for the benefits of the generation before him and now he's receiving it back.

Obviously, the system needs reform and how to do it is debatable. But if McCain has a solution to fix social security, he must be keeping it a secret. McCain has no "Social Security" option on his "Issues" menu on his campaign Web site. On his "Economy" page, he has one paragraph:

He will fight to save the future of Social Security while meeting our obligations to the retirees of today and the future without raising taxes. John McCain supports supplementing the current Social Security system with personal accounts -- but not as a substitute for addressing benefit promises that cannot be kept. He will reach across the aisle, but if the Democrats do not act, he will. John McCain will not leave office without fixing the problems that threatens our future prosperity.

Sharon O'Brien said in the Senior Living report on About.com:

Figuring out McCain's position on privatizing Social Security isn't as easy as you might expect. McCain's public statements on privatization are often contradictory, appearing to place him firmly on both sides of the issue.

While campaign Web site summaries of issues can often be vague and uninformative, at least Obama dedicates a whole page to "Seniors and Social Security" and actually mentions concrete possible solutions and goals:

Obama believes that the first place to look for ways to strengthen Social Security is the payroll tax system. Currently, the Social Security payroll tax applies to only the first $102,000 a worker makes. Obama supports increasing the maximum amount of earnings covered by Social Security and he will work with Congress and the American people to choose a payroll tax reform package that will keep Social Security solvent for at least the next half century.

Maybe it's unreasonable to expect McCain to reject social security, but then it's also unreasonable for him to call it a disgrace and offer only "personal savings accounts" as the most constructive solution to fix that disgrace.

A BUZZFLASH NEWS ALERT

Technorati Tags:Technorati Tags:

»

Loot the nation...

Submitted by marlow on Mon, 07/21/2008 - 10:51pm.
...give it all to the rich. Take every fucking dime. And if you can sway some numbnuts rightwing morons to take your side while you're doing it, so much the funnier.
»

Loot the nation

Submitted by jimspi on Tue, 07/22/2008 - 7:36pm.
Recruit Tom says "well stated." Carry on ...
»

McCain's SS annuity

Submitted by Krapotkin on Mon, 07/21/2008 - 9:12pm.
I am lost, how does a Military then a Politicien manage to get on the Social Security bandwagon, and collect almost $2000? That must be on toop of his Military annuity, and salary as Senator. My understanding is, that the military have a separate retirement program as well as members of Congress.When did he work in the civilian economy?
»

McCain's military social security benefits

Submitted by jimspi on Mon, 07/21/2008 - 11:34pm.
Captain Jim says that in 1948 he was required to start paying US income taxes to make him feel like a part of the citizenry while serving on active duty. Th tax amounted to the pay differential in his promotion from seaman recruit to seaman apprentice. He and others of his recruit companies received seventy dollars per month. I believe it was January 1956 when by that time Ensign Jim, a mustang commissioned line officer (USN) was assigned his civilian social security number and was having FICA deducted from his pay until 31 February 1974, and his retired pay for perpetuity. Once gaing a degree from a Big Ten university he was able to get a job at age 46 at entry level pay subject to social security as well as US and state income taxes. When he finnaly retired at age 68 in 31 January 1999 his civilian retirement pay was also being taxed while being labelled a triple dipper by people who weren't on the ground in Korea with Seaman Jim in late July 1950 or aboard ship on the gunlines through July 1953. Nor were the envious people with Lieutenant Commander Jim in-country Vietnam. During the Cold War there were expeditions to the Barents Sea to qualify for the Atomic Veterams Association, see Habana lights from six miles, Haiti, the southern coast of Cuba, the Congo, Lebanon 1958, etc. Jim never was a POW although he passed Survival, Escape, Resistance Evasion (SERE) prior to entering Vietnam. Jim does not feel retired Captain McCain is unjustly triple dippin', ya' gotta walk the walk not talk the talk ... you gotta problem with Jim's outlook get your butt down to the recruiting station on the double. Semper Fi y'all.
»

McCain and Social Security

Submitted by kareng on Mon, 07/21/2008 - 9:08pm.
Before I became a teacher in California I worked in private industry and paid into Social Security. Teachers in Ca. do not pay into SS but we pay into the State Teacher's Retirement System. When I start to collect SS I have learned I will lose about 55% of my scheduled social security benefits. I will be subject to a "gpo" government pension offset and a "wep"windfall elimination Provision. When I first started working a friend and I started at the same company, for the same salary and we both worked for 10 years. She left the job market and never returned. I became a teacher. We both contributed the exact same amount to Social Security yet I will receive about 55% less than she will. The California State Teachers Retirment System is not part of any Federal agency. If you think this is patently unfair please check it out and call your Senators. Thank you.
»

Shafting teachers too!

Submitted by jimspi on Mon, 07/21/2008 - 11:44pm.
Captain Jim says he understands where you are coming from. The pay, benefits et al of persons paid by taxes seems to be fair game for politicians of all stripes. My late Dad said that the honest politicians once they get in office end up belonging in prison stripes.
»

Maggot McCain talks softly and lies through his teeth

Submitted by Norm on Mon, 07/21/2008 - 7:08pm.
Maggot McCain projects the image of a kind and gentle old man who assures the American People that he will work with Congress, keep America strong, cut taxes and bail out the little guy. Unfortunately, McCain's record speaks otherwise. Example: Jake Tapper is ABC News' Senior National Correspondent "McCain Tries to Have It Both Ways on Rev. Wright" April 28, 2008 7:39 AM Yesterday in Florida, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., raised and twisted remarks Rev. Jeremiah Wright made in 2003 while insisting he would continue to avoid making political hay out of Wright. Quite an interesting maneuver. Asked what steps, if any, he would take to stop the North Carolina GOP TV ad that hammers two Democratic gubernatorial candidates for associating with Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, who associated with Wright, McCain said, "I've stated my position very clearly that I don't like the ad." McCain's campaign has intimated using Wright in the ad is race-baiting and asked the state party to stop running it. That said, McCain noted comments Obama made to Fox News Sunday seeming to OK Wright as an issue. Obama said that, "I think that people were legitimately offended by some of the comments that he had made in the past. The fact he's my former pastor I think makes it a legitimate political issue. So I understand that." Said McCain, "If he believes that, then, it will probably be a political issue." McCain then picked up some of the Wright passages that are getting renewed attention on conservative/Hillary Clinton-backing blogs and radio, though they are not new. "I saw yesterday some additional comments that have been revealed by Pastor Wright," McCain said. "One of them, comparing the United States Marine Corps with Roman legionnaires who were responsible for the death of our savior. I mean, being involved in that. It’s beyond belief. And then of course, saying that al Qaeda and the American flag were the same flags. So, I can understand. I can understand why people are upset about this. I can understand why, that Americans when viewing these kinds of comments are angry and upset." Wright never said "al Qaeda and the American flag were the same flags." He compared Americans thinking that God blesses US military actions that kill innocent civilians with the belief of al Qaeda. He decried "making a pre-emptive strike in the name of God. We cannot see how what we are doing is the same thing that al-Qaeda is doing under a different color flag -– calling on the name of a different God to sanction and approve our murder and our mayhem.” You may well find that offensive in itself, but McCain misrepresented what Wright said, in his April 2003 sermon. After making a political issue out of an issue he said he wouldn't make a political issue, McCain then pivoted to attach Obama to Wright in making comments McCain considers to be out-of-touch, saying Americans would be offended by what Wright said "just like they viewed Senator Obama’s statements about why people turned to their faith and their values. He believes that it’s out of economic concerns, when we all know that it’s out of fundamental belief, fundamental faith in this country and its values and its principles. Again, Senator Obama, out of touch. I can’t control, and will not in the future control. I will voice my opinion, and I will continue to think it to say that I think that that ad should not be run." A reporter noted that McCain had previously said that Wright was not a legitimate political issue. “I have said that I will not do, have any comment on it and that because I thought, and I believe that Senator Obama does not share those views," McCain said. "But Senator Obama himself says it’s a legitimate political issue. So, I would imagine that many other people will share that view and it will be in the arena. My position, that Senator Obama doesn’t share those views, remains the same.” How is it unacceptable for the North Carolina GOP to use Wright as an issue, quoting him accurately in the TV ad, but totally fine for McCain to do so, misrepresenting what Wright said? Wright, meanwhile, continues to draw attention to himself. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyxvm3Ms6f8&feature=related
»

Off - topic commentary

Submitted by jimspi on Mon, 07/21/2008 - 11:40pm.
Captain Jim says what does this have to do with drawing a social security check?
»

Captain Jim

Submitted by Norm on Tue, 07/22/2008 - 12:00pm.
Article confirms that Maggot McCain speaks out of both sides of his mouth - just like he does with the topic of social security.
»

Ahem.

Submitted by bettysdad on Mon, 07/21/2008 - 5:54pm.
I'd like an explanation of that 100% military disability check he gets.
»

McCain's 100% disability military check.

Submitted by jimspi on Mon, 07/21/2008 - 11:39pm.
Captain Jim says contact your elected official, US Representative or US Senator and they will send that information to you. It took a lot of work to correct a shafting prior disabled retired service persons were subjected to for centuries. Semper Fi ya'll ..
»

Ok

Submitted by bettysdad on Tue, 07/22/2008 - 3:09am.
So how does someone who is running a vigorous presidential campaign get a disability check? Semper fi nobody.
»

McCain's Disability $

Submitted by ernieson on Tue, 07/22/2008 - 7:16am.
Almost $59,000 TAX-FREE. HOW SWEET IS THAT? AND SS TOO? YET THE GPO AND WEP SHAFT PEOPLE WHO HAVE WORKED AND PAID INTO SS. POLITICIANS WILL GIVE GREAT LIP SERVICE TO OVERTURNING GPO AND WEP, BUT WILL NOT ACT ON THEM. WHAT A COUNTRY!!!!!
»

Re a vigorous campaign

Submitted by jimspi on Tue, 07/22/2008 - 7:38pm.
Sortta makes ya' wonder 'bout the validity of disabled awards?
»

McCain's ? Disability

Submitted by The Skeptical Cynic on Fri, 07/25/2008 - 9:00pm.

Just when did McCain's incurred this 100% disability really should be investigated? Upon his return from Vietnam, he went through a great deal of rehab and was declared qualified as fit for flight duty and given command of a squadron. Can one be 100% disabled and fit for flight duty. Just what was his status just weeks before his "disability retirement"? McCain's whole life as been one somewhat less than a mediocrity. An affirmative action appointment to the Naval Academy, graduated 5th from the bottom of his class, discipline problems, attitude problems, the last two no doubt contributing factors in the four plane crashes in which he was the pilot, a 62.7% absenteeism rate during the 110th Congress, even the senator who suffered a strong and was out for half a year only missed 50%. On 10 issues of real importance to America's seniors McCain was absent on 5 and voted against seniors on the other 5. Bush supports McCain for one reason and one reason only, Bush knows that if McCain wins, on January 20th he will pass the mantle and undistinguished onus of being the Worst President in the History of the United States to his successor... Bush will suffer the pangs of schadenfreud in that he failed in even being a the worst failure.

»

Socialism for Righties

Submitted by vtjozef on Mon, 07/21/2008 - 3:26pm.
Socialism has always been the welcome policy of and for the rich. Bank fails? No problem, the people's treasury bails them out. The mortgage industry institutions go belly up? Ayep, bail them out with the people's treasury. Wall Street tanking? Manipulate the money markets with the people's money. Chrysler going broke? Ahuh, use the people's money to bail them out. Righties don't mind socialism. Take McCain for example. From the Naval Academy to his current job and SSI, you betcha, on the people's dole. Is McCain triple of qudruple dipping? More in my article entitled, "John McCain: The Candidate Of, For, And By The People. He's Just Like You And Me. Right?" at http://www.metaphoria.org/ac4t0807.html
»

McCain's a Socialist ?

Submitted by captain jim on Tue, 07/22/2008 - 10:54am.
Captain Jim says thanks for the refresher on articles that have revealed John McCain III 's 'better side.' Jim's been forwarding these revealing tales about the ex-POW to the widow of a USNA '52 grad who is repulsed at the thought of Herr John McEX-POW. Her feelings are shared by numerous USNA, NROTC, Navy OCS alums too! A copy will be snail-mailed to her and e-mailed to all the hard core Conservative Republicans who send me the GOP garbage. These are the people who deny earned benefits to the have nots but retain their subsidies, bailouts et al. Semper Fi y'all
»