Shaking foundations

Husband Tom, my resident politico, once told me, “Anybody who comes in and wants to slash Social Security is committing political suicide.” He sticks by his statement. We are going to find out in real time if it is true.

The slash and burn of the administrative state is well underway. The budget resolution passed by Congress will add $6 trillion to federal deficits over the next ten years. It also calls for $4.5 trillion in spending cuts. The most expensive government programs on the books are Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security and Defense.

So far in 2025, DOGE claims to have saved $55 billion. Their website shows a little over $12.7 billion in verified cuts…but who’s counting? The agency says cuts “need to increase to $3 billion a day.”

Social security was created by Franklin Roosevelt as a safety net for Americans on August 14, 1935. The first check was written to Ida M. Fuller in Vermont in January of 1940. The amount of the check was $22.54.

Today, Social Security serves 73 million Americans, 90% of whom are over 65. For some, Social Security is supplemental retirement income. But for many others, Social Security is their primary retirement lifeline.

Fox Business reports the national budget as follows: Social Security $631 billion, representing 23% of the national budget. Medicare is $443 billion, 12% of the budget. National Defense is $339 billion, anywhere from 13-19%. Medicaid is $263 billion, 9 percent of the budget. Interest is $396 billion on the $1.8 trillion debt and is rising exponentially. And Veterans Administration Benefits are $263 billion. These are the most costly programs. DOGE sees them as ripe for the cutting.

Fox Business reported in March that DOGE has terminated 2,334 persons for $8 billion savings. 3,489 Grants have been terminated for $10 billion in savings. 748 building leases have been terminated for $660 million in savings.

12% of Social Security’s support staff, or 7,000 people have been fired. Six out of 10 Social Security offices have been closed. Social Security phone lines were cut for a few days. Everyday, Americans with claims or questions will find it harder to get information on their benefits.

The most ridiculous piece of the Social Security debacle is DOGE saying dead people and people over 150 in age are receiving benefits. The New York Times reported that the DOGE team is finding it very hard to uncover any widespread fraud and corruption. Social Security has been a crown jewel in providing retirement income for people who have paid into the program all their working lives. The fact that it is unsustainable needs a solution, not a burning down.

It is not surprising that our leadership team – Musk and Trump – think these important and foundational safety and support programs for the American people are ripe for the picking. Both of them are billionaires and self-interested narcissists. Neither has empathy or compassion.

Their dispassionate actions that harm people are not surprising. We knew this about Donald Trump from watching him over the past decade. It is not a shock that Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, and the VA are on the chopping block. They are the low hanging fruit.

What is most shocking and disappointing is that the GOP has capitulated to the whims of a man-child and his compadre, a tyrant. Any representation we thought we had in our elected congress is buried in cowardice, petty arguing, and name calling from both sides of the aisle.

I will continue to beat my little drum. I will continue to work for an America democracy that is becoming tarnished in the chaos of bad leadership and the failure to seek higher good for all people. As the free press comes more and more into the cross hairs of a deranged president, we who speak out need to find our bravest voice to resist evil in all its iterations.

There is a whole wide world that looks to America to bring light and life to others. I don’t like thinking we are losing our good reputation and status as a world leader because of the delusions of one or two men.

The stripping of Social Security is the tip of the sword. Pity.

 Lib Campbell is a retired Methodist pastor, retreat leader, columnist and host of the blogsite www.avirtualchurch.com. She can be contacted at libcam05@gmail.com