The S.S. problem would be a little closer to being solved if the government didn't skim the surpluses the system has historically produced off to fund other government programs. Those surpluses will soon turn into deficits. Since past surpluses have been squandered on initiatives that were not their intended purpose, the safety net has been eliminated.
A little like endowing a university chair with a lump sum contribution, intending future funding to come from the contribution's proceeds. Then taking those proceeds, spending them elsewhere, and wondering why the system's all of a sudden in a bind.
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