[PEN-L:6701] Re: Means testing Social Security

[eugenecoyle@xxxxxxxxxxx (Eugene P. Coyle)]

Teresa, when you wrote the following I think you were agreeing with me and
DISAGREEing with Bill Moore.
                Gene Coyle

>A debate between myself and the economist for the Concord Coalition was just
>published on means testing Social Security. The Concord Coalition is for it
>because they want to turn Social Security into welfare. The reference is
>Contoversial Issues in Aging, edited by Kaye and Scharlach, Allyn and Bacon.
>
>So I agree with  Bill Moore for his reasons and others. There are other ways
>to strengthen the program and continue its progressivity. We can eliminate
>the cap on taxable wages for the employer's contribution, for instance. We
>need to tax Rockefeller in other, more effective, ways.
>
>
>Teresa Ghilarducci
>
>
>At 12:37 PM 10/14/96 -0700, you wrote:
>>Means testing for Social Security benefits?  You'd better think about that
>>some more.  Means testing was one of the arguments to fight against SS in
>>the first place.  "Why should Rockefeller get the same benefits as you?" --
>>Means testing is one way to split people up politically, take away the
>>support of those slightly better off than the poorest, and then kill the
>>whole SS program.  Means testing makes it a welfare program and those are
>>easy to attack.  Even Bill Clinton, despite feeling pain, is willing to do
>>that.
>>>
>>>I agree wholeheartedly and eliminating the "income-cap" on OASDHI is the
>>>best first step.  Then, no matter what the AARP may say, implement means
>>>testing for SS benefits.  (On the other demographic end, don't encourage
>>>population growth with tax-credits.  8<)  Then...
>>>=========================================================================
>>>=====
>>>  _   /!                           |   Internet:  billkatt@xxxxxxxxxx
>>>  \|o.o     Bill the Cat           |Voice:  303/399-6726 | FAX:  303/333-9009
>>> ==(_^_)==  ACK!  THPFFTT!         | Copyright USA 1996   All Rights Reserved
>>>     U                             |                Bill Moore
>>>                                   |   All opinions are solely this writer's.
>>>=========================================================================
>>>=====
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>Teresa Ghilarducci
>Associate Professor
>Department of Economics
>University of Notre Dame
>Notre Dame, Indiana 46556
>Phone: 219/631-7581
>fax:   219/232-3086