this post was submitted on 02 Mar 2025
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Summary

Former Social Security Commissioner Martin O'Malley warns that actions by Elon Musk threaten to disrupt Social Security payments within 30-90 days, something that has never happened in the program's 80+ year history.

Following leadership upheaval, including the resignation of acting commissioner Michelle King, and significant staff cuts leading to system outages, O'Malley advises beneficiaries to "start saving now."

The administration is planning to terminate leases at approximately 45 Social Security locations.

Critics call these moves a "backdoor benefit cut" that will particularly impact new applications and in-person services for elderly and disabled Americans.

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[–] Aviandelight@mander.xyz 56 points 11 months ago (2 children)

The minute checks stop going out is the moment shit gets real. This will impact everyone. Yes the people directly getting checks will be in dire trouble. But I don't think most folks understand just how much our economy relies on this system. Business will take a hit, more people will end up having to support aging parents even more than they do already, and every working American is going to immediately question why they've now lost money to this system. Billionaires can fuck around with money because it's not really or tangible for them, but normal folks... Yea you just don't fuck with people's money.

[–] skuzz@discuss.tchncs.de 23 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Those in governance seem to have a big disconnect on social security too. They shouldn’t be allowed to touch it. Ever. Other than adjusting payout size to keep with inflation. Every time they claim they’re cutting funding, they really just mean they’re taking money from the program to fuel some boondoggle.

It is literally directly funded from people’ paychecks. Of all the money in government, social security is OWNED directly by the general public.

Yet they have the audacity to call it a “benefit.” It isn’t. It’s contractually stored and invested money.

Current governance is probably the most tone-deaf to it because they’re all oligarchs that want for nothing, so all they see is a bank account they can spend.

[–] Corkyskog@sh.itjust.works 7 points 11 months ago (1 children)

They tried to turn "entitlement" into a slur, but I don't hear it much anymore so I think that backfired on them.

[–] skuzz@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 11 months ago

The weaponizing of language is so annoying and wrong.

[–] Pyr_Pressure@lemmy.ca 21 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Revolution is only 3 missed meals away. You always make sure your citizens can afford to eat, as hunger is the biggest way to trigger unrest.

[–] FirstCircle@lemmy.ml 14 points 11 months ago

Trouble is, these old folks aren't ready to fight a revolution themselves. You see them at the food pantries and Little Free Pantries already, the better-off with walkers and canes, just a step or two away from being homeless and all the hatred and suffering that that brings.

Still, for the kids of the old folks, assuming they have any, and assuming they care somewhat for their parents, it could get ugly fast w/o SS and Medicare. Grandpa and Grandma lose their homes and have to move in, all kinds of caretaking and medical bills and old-folks Rxs to pay for, and all that on 1950s America Great Again wages. I'd like to think the pitchforks would come out at that point, but I dunno, people would have to put their phones down and get off their couches.