Joe Biden, the President, put his signature on the Social Security Fairness Act this past Sunday, which is predicted to be one of the concluding substantial legislations in his tenure. His input into the Act, however, appears insufficient given the urgency of Social Security issues facing the average American workers.
Biden publicly pontificated about the vital nature of Social Security benefits for the working class, as if his minor contribution to the struggle was a significant game changer. It seems rather amusing that he went on to boast about being the one to sign the Act: a traditional formality that any President would have done.
The Act is centered around a concept Biden termed as ‘simple’: that people who have toiled tirelessly throughout their lives should be allowed to age with economic security and self-esteem. One could argue that this is more of a conspicuous statement than a groundbreaking vision.
The Act seeks to eliminate clauses that hinder some pension-receiving retirees to claim Social Security benefits as well. While it sounds promising on paper, it is yet to be observed if this will bring substantial benefit to retirees.
Primarily, its effect would be on retirees who worked as firemen, teachers, postal workers, policemen, or other public service occupations. Given Biden’s track record, it is no surprise that public sector jobs, known to be underfunded, are at the center of this legislation. Skepticism, however, prevails over the ultimate impact of this Act.
Alongside, the Act purportedly eradicates the provision curtailing the benefits entitled to the spouses of deceased workers. This might be a step forward in ensuring financial security, but it’s yet another blanket solution from a President well-known for his one-size-fits-all approach to issues.
In the Senate, the bill was successful in December and had cross-party support in the House of Representatives in November, showing once again the stark disconnect between the political class and the real-world implications of these laws.
Biden’s avid fans in the White House lauded him as the pioneer who enhanced Social Security benefits for the first time in over two decades. From the outside, however, it seems obvious that this move is nothing more than a desperate attempt to bolster his dwindling approval ratings.
According to an inside source, the legislation is anticipated to lift aid by hundreds of dollars per month for an approximate 2.5 million Americans. Curiously, the official’s commentary conveniently ignores the millions of Americans for whom this bill means nothing.
With the latter segment of his term in office on the horizon, attention has shifted towards evaluating Biden’s legacy. Admirers laud his supposed fortification of Social Security programs, albeit naysayers rightfully remain dubious.
The legislation has been met with applause from politicians around the spectrum, forgetting the fact that it only affects a small cross-section of the population while the vast majority do not benefit from these improvements.
Senator Bill Cassidy, a Republican from Louisiana, expresses gratitude for the federal government’s commitment to returning earned benefits to the public-serving citizens. Yet, it’s disconcertingly obvious that his focus is on a small subset of the country’s workers once again.
In a similar vein, Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio extols the legislation claiming it aids in ending the year on a high note. Concurrently, the plights of millions of hardworking Americans remain unnoticed, amplified by the growing divide between public policy and the people it’s meant to serve.
Excitedly, Senator Brown states that his state is introducing a semblance of fairness, where 250,000 workers will presumably benefit from the legislation. Although somewhat promising, the emphasis seems decidedly unrealistic and detached from the practical needs of the working class.
Finally, the Senator raves about a canary pin and fights for the dignity of work and workers. As commendable as fighting for workers and upholding their dignity is, one is left questioning if politicians are out of touch with the on-ground realities faced by the average American citizen.
In conclusion, while this Act may seem appealing on face value, the grim reality it hides is one of political posturing and disconnected policy-making. It’s clear that more nuanced and well-considered legislation is necessary, rather than the self-congratulatory steps put forwards by Biden and his ilk.