I think I've figured out why the Social Security program is in so much trouble.
The population of this country is approximately 319 Million people - but not all of them currently contribute to the Social Security Trust Fund, otherwise known as the Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance Program (OASDI), via payroll taxes, so that means we need to do a little math before we find the problem. So bear with me.
Of that 319 Million, the government tells us that currently 170 Million Americans are officially retired or disabled. Both are exempt from paying this tax.
That leaves 149 Million "potentially" contributing to Social Security via payroll deductions. But, we must subtract from that the approx 89 Million young people currently attending grade school and thereby unable to work.
Which leaves only 60 Million people having money taken out of their check.
Now, we have to remove 11 Million people who are employed by the Federal Government, AND the 20.2 Million people who work for State and Local Governments who contribute to an alternate pension program, which only leaves a meager 28.8 Million folks paying into Social Security.
Then there is the 15.4 Million people who work for religious organizations, the 4.5 Million individuals who work for foreign governments and the 5.5 Million of Non-resident aliens (individuals who are not U. S. residents or citizens) who qualify for an exemption from the payroll tax.
Additionally, we currently have 3.4 Million amazing "citizen soldiers" enlisted in the armed forces and/or otherwise preoccupied with the "War on Terror" who are excused from paying S.S. Taxes.
That leaves only 1.4 Million Americans to do the work.
Hmm, Let's see.... Am I forgetting anyone? Um, actually yes. At any given time there are 188,000 people in hospitals across the country, not working or collecting a check, so that leaves 1,212,000 Americans to pay into the trust.
Oh, right. I almost forgot that today we have 1,211,998 people locked away in prison.
And that, my friend, leaves only TWO people to do the work and cover the social security expenses in America today.
Two!
I have identified these two as; You and Me.
And there you are,
Sitting on your butt,
At your computer,
Reading jokes.
Nice!
Real nice!
Get back to work!
~ EJK
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