Social Security

The Washington Post

May 25^th, 2012

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/who-relies-on-social-security-in-one-chart/2012/04/23/gIQAZNEOcT_blog.html

Summary:

In a release, the Social Security trustees have published data regarding the beneficiaries of social security, the deficits and its budget allotments. In a table, it is shown that for the majority of elderlies, social security constitutes as more than 50% of their income whereas for the remaining recipients, social security constitutes as more than 75% to 100% of their income. The Hispanic and African American elderly are noted for having a greater percentage that is reliant upon the social security aid for the majority of their income.

Connection:

The majority of elderly Americans benefit from social security, thus, its increase or decrease is so closely tied to support or lack thereof from elderly voters. Because for the majority of elderly Americans, social security constitutes as a significant or even only source of income, it is understandable why senior voters are so sensitive to issues surrounding social security.

Reflection:

The senior voting population is not a force to be reckoned with as precedents have shown that programs that attempt to decrease or eliminate social security has been met with backlashes in the voting booths. As the data shows, social security is such an important issue because it is instrumental supplying elderly Americans with the necessary finances to live. Among the African-American and Hispanic-American seniors, social security is even more important to their ability to afford daily expenses and thus, they will likely to respond most quickly to social security cuts.