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Tag(s): Cindy-McCain; Conflict; Disabled; Lies Republican; McCain-John; McCain-John; McCain-John; Poverty; Presidential Campaign Republican; Privatization; (more...) Republican Hypocrisy; Social Justice; Social Security; Social Security Privatization; Social Security Trust Fund Borrowing; Welfare (less...)
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August 1, 2008 at 08:17:46

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Promoted to Headline (H3) on 8/1/08:
John McCain Quietly Draws on Social Security While Calling the Program Publicly a "Disgrace"

by Frank J. Ranelli Page 1 of 1 page(s)

www.opednews.com

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BY FRANK J. RANELLI

A recent revelation that John McCain personally derives full benefits from the long-standing and popular Social Security program stands in stark contrast to his recent remarks in Denver, Colorado.

Republican presidential nominee John McCain, on July 7, 2008, during a town hall meeting in Denver, told the small gathering, “Americans have got to understand that we are paying present-day retirees with the taxes paid by young workers in America today. And that's a disgrace. It's an absolute disgrace, and it's got to be fixed."

The remarks were roundly panned by analysts and Democrats, pointing out that since its inception, Social Security was designed and has always worked effectively in its current format. Whereby current wage earners pay into the system routinely – and in doing so – supply the payroll needed to fund the benefit program for retirees. Democratic Party backer, Gerald McEntee, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees added, “Social Security has always been pay as you go, with today's workers paying for today's retirees.”

McCain has a vociferous and protracted record of advocating for the privatization of Social Security and cutting benefits for retirees, the disabled, and their dependents, stretching as far back as 1983.

More than 42 million Americans are on Social Security – chiefly, the elderly, widows and widowers, and young children whose parents unexpectedly died – allowing them to live independently and out of poverty.

However, In spite of John McCain’s yearly salary as a U.S. Senator of $169,300, and a reported total income in 2007 of $405,409, public records show that McCain, in fact, personally draws from Social Security. Although McCain and his wife keep separate finances, Cindy McCain, an heiress and direct benefactor of a family beer fortune, maintains an expansive largesse estimated at potentially $100 million.

Incongruently, and in complete conflict with his public views and withering remarks, John McCain received, according to public records, $23,157 in Social Security benefits in 2007 – a welfare benefit that averages nearly $2,000.00 per month.

The advocacy group, Alliance for Retired Americans, has launched a campaign to educate its members and the general voter population to attract attention to McCain’s duplicitous, anti-Social Security views. Bemused and angered by McCain’s comments and double standard stance, Director Edward F. Coyle, in a conference call with “leaders of labor and other progressive groups” stated, “Social Security has kept millions out of poverty, and is one our nation’s greatest success stories.”

Additionally, since Senator McCain has pronounced Social Security an, “absolute disgrace”, while personally and hypocritically drawing out of the fund, the Alliance for Retired Americans has asked that the Arizona Republican “return his Social Security checks.”

Considering the near unanimous condemnation of McCain’s acerbic commentary toward Social Security, while surreptitiously collecting benefits, it is unlikely this will prove to be a success story for the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.

Frank J. Ranelli is an opinion editorial writer, a research author and critic. His erudite and chic style of writing has been lauded and extensively published in a variety of news outlets and across the Internet. These include the Naples Daily News, The Online Journal, Information Clearing House, Alternet, The Smirking Chimp, Diatribune, and the former progressive journal of thought, Wicked Philosophy. Frank is currently working on his upcoming book, Rise of the Authoritarians, and is participating as a co-author in prominent philosopher Russell Blackford's anthology, Voices of Disbelief.

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3 comments

A retired sales ad marketing trainer, escapee from the automobile business, who reads vorciously and writes whenever possible. The rest of the available time is spent doing woodworking or cooking. Lives in central TX, where the weather is great and politics are dubious. Usually logical and sensible but can be very cranky when assaulted by anybody leaning too far to the right and doesn't know it.
Ivan HentschelA retired sales ad marketing trainer, escapee from the automobile business, who reads vorciously and writes whenever possible. The rest of the available time is spent doing woodworking or cooking. Lives in central TX, where the weather is great and politics are dubious. Usually logical and sensible but can be very cranky when assaulted by anybody leaning too far to the right and doesn't know it.

Simple confirmation

I think we always knew that Big John always wanted to have his cake and eat it, too.

by Ivan Hentschel (8 articles, 0 quicklinks, 9 diaries, 280 comments) on Friday, August 1, 2008 at 1:51:55 PM

August Adams is a CPA and holds a Masters Degree in Psychology. He is an activist striving to create a fair and just world for all.
August AdamsAugust Adams is a CPA and holds a Masters Degree in Psychology. He is an activist striving to create a fair and just world for all.

McCain is like so many of the wealthy

They complain that the average poor working shlub gets anything at all, and yet, he, a multi-millionaire - does not decline taking it.

The wealthy are the disgrace in this country. We need more light on their obscene pillaging of this country at the expense of the majority in our society.

They don't care. They've built fortresses - for what?

To keep us out in the "age of turbulence". They are the enemies, and they are here.

by August Adams (10 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 509 comments) on Friday, August 1, 2008 at 9:26:32 PM

Amanda is a managing editor at OpEdNews and has worked with Rob Kall on the site since 2004. A retired research ethnographer specializing in organization and technological innovation and strategic business development, she now resides in Georgia where she builds and restores wooden and fiberglass boats with her husband, Tom, a retired electrical engineer. Amanda grew up in the Commonwealth of Kentucky on the 9AA that runs along the Ohio in an area that gave the world Larry Flynt, the Clooneys, R...

to see more of bio, click on member name
Amanda LangAmanda is a managing editor at OpEdNews and has worked with Rob Kall on the site since 2004. A retired research ethnographer specializing in organization and technological innovation and strategic business development, she now resides in Georgia where she builds and restores wooden and fiberglass boats with her husband, Tom, a retired electrical engineer. Amanda grew up in the Commonwealth of Kentucky on the 9AA that runs along the Ohio in an area that gave the world Larry Flynt, the Clooneys, R...

to see more of bio, click on member name

McCain is entrenched in the "entitlement society"

He is "so special." I'm a veteran. No where in my enlistment contract did it specify that were I to become a POW, I moved to the top of the line for consideration as President. McCain dips into Navy retirement, Social Security, his 'taxpayer-funded wet dream' Senate retirement, and his wife's $100 million inheritance and their 11 houses. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Like Neil Bush, McCain's son is now tied to a banking scandlal. Entitlement? How much of the public wealth do we allow the 'entitled' to transfer to the private sector befoe we realize they and their offspring are a cancer on democracy and the Treasury? They always screw up, and we always pay up.

by Amanda Lang (23 articles, 14003 quicklinks, 433 diaries, 604 comments) on Friday, August 1, 2008 at 10:16:24 PM