• 07
  • March
    2011

In today's political climate, few people are making speeches about preserving so-called social safety net programs - programs that according to National Public Radio serve the "truly needy" - like Supplemental Security Income.

In making its comparison, NPR quotes Ronald Reagan: "The poverty-stricken, the disabled, the elderly, all those with true need - can rest assured that the social safety net of programs they depend on are exempt from any cuts."

This was in March 1983, exactly 27 years ago, when Reagan sought to cut government spending and programs, much like what many newly-elected Congressional politicians are seeking to do today.

The difference between then and now is that there are few quotes similar to Reagan's in today's rhetoric. (This does not mean Reagan didn't make cuts. As NPR reports, Reagan's budget affected food stamps and welfare and Medicaid.)

But that's precisely NPR's point: there is little to no public support of those who wish to see continued survival of the social safety net. This is an ominous sign.

As an online commenter writes, "The crucial difference of a 'Ponzi' scheme is the promise of big returns. Nobody expects to get rich on Social Security." The commenter makes a good point: those who oppose "big government" tend to characterize the Social Security program as an entitlement, or welfare, or a kind of fraudulent Ponzi scheme.

These characterizations are dangerous because they inspire opposition in the very same people - the working poor, the disabled, senior citizens, and voters young and old - who all stand to benefit from the social safety net when they are struck by unfortunate circumstances.

By that time, however, the social safety net as we know it could be a thing of the past.

Source: 'Social Safety Net' Less Safe as Cuts Debated