The Socialist Program with Brian Becker Musk's Real Plan is to Loot Social Security w/ Prof. Richard Wolff
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Mar 26, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, Richard Wolff, a professor and co-founder of Democracy at Work, dives into Elon Musk's alarming proposals regarding Social Security and critiques the Trump administration's cuts to this crucial program. He highlights the historical significance of Social Security and warns of the ongoing threats it faces today. Wolff emphasizes the broader implications of capitalism, illustrating how economic policies disproportionately affect the working class and questioning the government's role in perpetuating systemic inequalities.
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Social Security's Origin and Importance
- Social Security, established in the 1930s during economic hardship, provides crucial support to millions.
- Funding comes from payroll taxes, highlighting its importance as a societal commitment.
Social Security Funding Mechanism
- Social Security uses a pay-as-you-go system with capped contributions, benefiting high earners.
- Lower and middle-income individuals pay a percentage of their entire salary, while higher earners only contribute up to a cap.
Social Security as a Right, Not Charity
- Social Security is not an entitlement or charity; it's a right earned through contributions and suppressed wages.
- Workers pay into it directly, and employers factor these costs into wage negotiations.
