Senator Brian Schatz

But like these are absolutely from a numerical standpoint, not difficult to solve. But the right wing has gone out of its way to cause everybody probably under 40 to think this program will not be here for me in the future. That's bullshit. That's a question of political will. And as long as I'm around, we're going to fight to keep Social Security.

But like these are absolutely from a numerical standpoint, not difficult to solve. But the right wing has gone out of its way to cause everybody probably under 40 to think this program will not be here for me in the future. That's bullshit. That's a question of political will. And as long as I'm around, we're going to fight to keep Social Security.

So rude. I'm in London and I just paid for this damn fat drug I take. I said, it's not working.

So rude. I'm in London and I just paid for this damn fat drug I take. I said, it's not working.

So rude. I'm in London and I just paid for this damn fat drug I take. I said, it's not working.

I think a better way to do this is to just make sure that every dollar of income is taxed for Social Security purposes, right? There's currently a cap above which you pay no Social Security tax. So if you're doing well but not that well, you know, if you make $80,000 or something and you're a firefighter or a teacher, all of that money is taxed for Social Security purposes. If you make $800,000...

I think a better way to do this is to just make sure that every dollar of income is taxed for Social Security purposes, right? There's currently a cap above which you pay no Social Security tax. So if you're doing well but not that well, you know, if you make $80,000 or something and you're a firefighter or a teacher, all of that money is taxed for Social Security purposes. If you make $800,000...

I think a better way to do this is to just make sure that every dollar of income is taxed for Social Security purposes, right? There's currently a cap above which you pay no Social Security tax. So if you're doing well but not that well, you know, if you make $80,000 or something and you're a firefighter or a teacher, all of that money is taxed for Social Security purposes. If you make $800,000...

then most of that money is not taxed for Social Security purposes. So there's a relatively easy, I think, equitable and fair way to do this, which is to say, hey, every dollar of income is taxed for Social Security purposes. And, you know, fair is fair. I'd also point out that means testing doesn't really save you enough money to impact the sort of fiscal future of the program.

then most of that money is not taxed for Social Security purposes. So there's a relatively easy, I think, equitable and fair way to do this, which is to say, hey, every dollar of income is taxed for Social Security purposes. And, you know, fair is fair. I'd also point out that means testing doesn't really save you enough money to impact the sort of fiscal future of the program.

then most of that money is not taxed for Social Security purposes. So there's a relatively easy, I think, equitable and fair way to do this, which is to say, hey, every dollar of income is taxed for Social Security purposes. And, you know, fair is fair. I'd also point out that means testing doesn't really save you enough money to impact the sort of fiscal future of the program.

Sort of sounds good. And I used to be... earlier in my career, more interested in means testing. But the thing that I have figured out is you usually end up spending more money and creating more administrative friction and turning a program into a bigger pain in the ass that has less political support if it's not just available to everybody.

Sort of sounds good. And I used to be... earlier in my career, more interested in means testing. But the thing that I have figured out is you usually end up spending more money and creating more administrative friction and turning a program into a bigger pain in the ass that has less political support if it's not just available to everybody.

Sort of sounds good. And I used to be... earlier in my career, more interested in means testing. But the thing that I have figured out is you usually end up spending more money and creating more administrative friction and turning a program into a bigger pain in the ass that has less political support if it's not just available to everybody.

It's like if we had, you know, free public libraries, unless your income was 180 grand, and then you got to go to the remaining Barnes and Noble or go on Amazon. I Like free public service that's broad based and available to everybody ends up meaning that the politics are better because everybody benefits from it, including people who have done well in their lives.

It's like if we had, you know, free public libraries, unless your income was 180 grand, and then you got to go to the remaining Barnes and Noble or go on Amazon. I Like free public service that's broad based and available to everybody ends up meaning that the politics are better because everybody benefits from it, including people who have done well in their lives.

It's like if we had, you know, free public libraries, unless your income was 180 grand, and then you got to go to the remaining Barnes and Noble or go on Amazon. I Like free public service that's broad based and available to everybody ends up meaning that the politics are better because everybody benefits from it, including people who have done well in their lives.

They still care about their Social Security income. I would worry if we turned it into a program only for the poor that it would be more vulnerable to attacks.

They still care about their Social Security income. I would worry if we turned it into a program only for the poor that it would be more vulnerable to attacks.

They still care about their Social Security income. I would worry if we turned it into a program only for the poor that it would be more vulnerable to attacks.