In a move described as "a sacrifice in a national crisis", Sen. John McCain has given up his twenty-eight thousand dollar a year Social Security Disability payments. His move has sparked a response nationwide of wealthy citizens forgoing their minor Social Security payments. McCain said, "It's the patriotic thing to do, out of a sense of honor and Christian Charity."
McCain spokespersons said McCain made his decision "out of compassion and a sense of public service", noting that Obama may be forced to end payments to the very rich, anyway. "We hope to pre-empt Obama's necessary economizing in this national crisis", said an unidentified GOP banker, "maybe we can trade this for some political capital, like more bailouts."
Unprecedented numbers of the very wealthy have come forward all over this country and overseas to reject their pittances of Social security payments, some amounting into the six figures. "If this can save a family from losing their home or provide food for the hungry, we are only too happy to help the nation out in this crisis."
McCain noted, "Some of my fellow wounded veterans are sleeping on the streets, maybe with this money we can bring them into the shelters and give them the medical care they need."
After having cut funds for children's health care and school lunches and veterans' benefits, President Bush promised to give up his Social Security, too, "when I turn sixty-seven." Bush has raised the age of eligibility in order to pay for tax cuts for oil companies.
