Mike Lee Profile picture
Dec 3, 2024 • 25 tweets • 5 min read • Read on X
🧵🚨 1. Of all the deceptive sales techniques the U.S. government has used on the American people, one of them—the Social Security Act—gets far too little attention. Buckle up because this is a wild ride. Image
2. In 1935, the American people were sold a bill of goods. They were told, “Pay into this system, and it'll be YOUR money for retirement.” Sounds great, right? Image
3. But here's where it gets juicy, in a really ugly way. Two years later, when the Supreme Court was considering the constitutionality of the Social Security Act, the government did a complete 180. Image
4. The government—through Assistant Attorney General Robert Jackson—argued in essence, “Oh no, this isn’t YOUR money at all. This is a TAX, and we can do whatever we want with it.” Classic bait and switch. Image
5. Let’s not forget the ruling in Helvering v. Davis, where the Supreme Court upheld the Social Security Act by embracing the government’s argument / admission that what people pay into Social Security is tax revenue—available to be used as Congress may direct—and not at all money belonging to those who paid it.Image
6. So, to summarize: the proponents of the Social Security Act told American workers that what they paid into the system would remain *their* money, not the government’s—to get Congress to pass it—and then told the courts the exact opposite when defending the Act’s constitutionality. The Supreme Court accepted the government’s argument, to the great detriment of the American people.Image
Image
7. Now, let’s talk about what happens to “your money” once it’s in the government's hands. Spoiler alert: it’s not managed like your IRA or 401(k).
8. First of all, this money doesn’t sit in a nice, individual account with your name on it. No, it goes into a huge account called the “Social Security Trust Fund.”
9. But here’s the kicker—the government routinely raids this fund. Yes, you heard that right. They take “your money” and use it for whatever the current Congress deems “necessary.”
10. Every few years, there’s talk in Congress about “saving Social Security.” I’ve introduced and cosponsored a number of measures over the years that would fix it. But most in Congress show little desire to fix it, and are instead constantly looking for ways to “borrow” from it—with no plan to put it back.
11. And the returns? Forget about compound interest or stock market gains. Your “investment” in Social Security can give you a return lower than inflation.
12. If you had put the same amount into literally ANYTHING else—a mutual fund, real estate, even a savings account—you’d be better off by the time you reached retirement age, even if the government kept some of it!
13. Do the math: with Social Security, you’re looking at a return that's pathetic compared to market averages. It’s not even an investment; it's a tax.
14. And let’s talk about how this system is set up to fail. The demographic shift? More retirees, fewer workers. It’s almost fair to compare it to a Ponzi scheme that’s running out of new investors.
15. Every dollar you pay into Social Security, only to see it gobbled up by the government itself, is a dollar you can’t invest in your own future. It’s government dependency at its worst.
16. Remember, this isn’t just about retirement. It’s about independence, about controlling your own destiny. With Social Security, you control nothing.
17. The government promises you security but gives you dependency. It promises ownership but gives you a tax receipt.
18. And don’t get me started on the management. The Social Security Administration is a bureaucratic behemoth, not exactly known for its efficiency or innovation.
19. If you think your money is safe there, you’re in for a rude awakening. The mismanagement, the waste, the deception—it’s all on display.
20. So, what’s the solution? We need real, genuine reform. Within the Social Security system, Americans should be able to invest in their own future, and not be shackled by the worst parts of this outdated, mismanaged system.
21. It’s time we acknowledge the truth: Social Security as it now exists isn’t a retirement plan; it’s a tax plan with retirement benefits as an afterthought.
22. We were sold a dream, but received a nightmare. It’s time for a wake-up call. We need real reform.
23. It’s time for Americans to know the true history of the Social Security Act. The more people learn the truth, the more they’ll start demanding answers, options, and real reform from Congress. Please help spread the word.
24. The history of the Social Security Act—which sadly must include the deceptive manner in which it was sold to the American people—is yet another reason why America’s century-long era of progressive government must be brought to a close.
25. Please follow if you’d like to read more posts like this one.

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More from @BasedMikeLee

Jun 30
1. Americans fought for freedom to govern themselves, not to be ruled by faceless bureaucrats. When unelected officials write federal laws, they bypass the Constitution and strip power from the people. Here’s why this matters.
2. The Constitution vests legislative power in Congress—elected representatives accountable to YOU. Bureaucrats in agencies like the EPA or ATF aren’t elected. They don’t answer to voters. Yet they churn out thousands of pages of rules with the force of law. That’s not how our government is supposed to work under the Constitution.
3. Example: The ATF’s 2022 “ghost gun” rule redefined firearms under federal law, affecting millions. No vote, no debate—just a stroke of a pen. Congress didn’t get a say, and neither did you. This is how liberty erodes.
Read 6 tweets
Jun 7
🧵 1/ Until the 1930s, state and local governments outspent the federal government—combined. In 1900, states and localities handled most public services, from schools to roads. Federal spending was a measly 2.7% of GDP, while state and local was higher. Image
2/ This wasn’t just numbers—it was principle. States and localities were closer to the people, responsive to local needs—and indeed most needs. The federal government stepped in mainly for things like defense and trade. Limited scope, limited spending. That’s how the Founders designed it.
3/ The tide turned with the New Deal in the 1930s. Federal spending surged past state and local combined and didn’t look back. World Wars and Great Depression policies centralized power, disregarding the Constitution’s strict limitations on federal authority. By 2019, feds spent 55% of all government funds, states and locals just 45%.
Read 8 tweets
May 17
đź§µ 1/ No state should dictate to political parties the process by which they nominate candidates

Ever

It ends badly for everyone—especially for conservatives
2/ Utah does this—through a law known as “SB54”

It has been disastrous for political parties—especially the Utah Republican Party
3/ If you live in a state that denies political parties their right to choose their own candidate-selection procedures, you should ask your lawmakers to change that
Read 5 tweets
May 15
🧵 Former FBI Director Jim Comey posted a cryptic message that—as far as I can tell—can be read only to mean “kill Trump”

I’m speechless

Literally speechless
1/ Image
I first met Jim Comey 22 years ago when I was an assistant U.S. attorney in Salt Lake City
2/
Mr. Comey paid a visit to the U.S. attorney’s office in Utah in response to an invitation from my former boss (and longtime friend and mentor), then-U.S. Attorney Paul Warner
3/
Read 14 tweets
May 5
1/ The REINS Act is a potential game-changer for restoring constitutional balance

It would prevent major regulations (those imposing compliance costs of at least $100M) from taking effect without being passed by Congress—not just rubber stamped by unelected bureaucrats! Image
Image
2/ Under the Constitution, only the people’s elected lawmakers are authorized to make federal law

Congress & the Supreme Court have neglected that requirement for decades

The REINS Act would fix this problem, which costs Americans trillions of dollars a year
3/ Essentially everything you buy becomes more expensive as businesses struggle to comply with the tens of thousands of pages of new federal regulations issued annually
Read 16 tweets
Apr 8
President Trump:

Making clean coal great again! Image
“My predecessor put America last. I’m putting America first.”
“The Paris Climate Accord was a bad deal—it was a scam to take money away from the United States and hurt us.”
Read 7 tweets

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