1. Social Policy

2. Social Policy: The Current Status Social Policy is in Financial Trouble Why? http://crapo.senate.gov/services/SocialSecurity.cfm http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2011/04/30/162565/three-ways-save-medicare/

3. Current Status Continued Majoritarian vs. Client Politics http://www.politifake.org/lincoln-lincoln-welfare-politics-2215.html http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/m/Medicaid.asp

4. Supporting Legislation #1 The State of California vs. US Ruling : "... the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, in San Francisco, ruled that private parties could sue under the supremacy clause of the Constitution...By reducing payments... California violated the federal Medicaid law...” Liptak, Adam. "For Justices’ First Day Back, a Knotty Case Involving Medicaid Cutbacks."New York Times. October 3, 2011. Accessed: January 15, 2012.

5. Supporting Legislation #2 Flemming v. Nestor (1960) Supreme Court Ruling: Nestor's argument that Social Security benefits were a promised contract that Congress could not amend was rejected Court established the principle that entitlement to Social Security benefits is not a contractual right http://www.peoplerecords.com/court- records/ "Supreme Court Case: Flemming vs. Nestor," Social Security Administration, date published: June 20, 1960, date accessed: January 17, 2012, http://www.ssa.gov/history/nestor.html.

6. What is the most important issue facing Congress and the presidency? Reforming Welfare Programs: Medicare and Social Security Costly Inefficient Politicians don't want to lower benefits or raise taxes Why is this issue important? Lasting affects James Q. Wilson and John J. Dilulio, Jr., American Government (Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004). http://www.paranormalknowledge.com/articles/life-without-money.html http://www.attygeismar.com/

7. What should be done? SOCIAL SECURITY -Raise Social Security Age People are spending too much of their lives in retirement. -Increase Social Security Taxes Provide more benefits for the retired. -Privatize Social Security Invest the taxes paid to the government in the stock market. ames Q. Wilson and John J. Dilulio, Jr., American Government (Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004).

8. What will happen if this is not dealt with? As the population ages and people live longer, there will not be enough money from taxes to cover the costs of every retired person. The amount of money will have to be "spread thinner" among the individuals. James Q. Wilson and John J. Dilulio, Jr., American Government (Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004). http://oranges-world.com/data_images/social-security-check.jpg

9. What should be done? MEDICARE -Get rid of Medicare (No private medical institutions) This has worked in other countries, and has lowered the price of health care. -Allow the elderly to choose their own healthcare provider with the money they receive from the government. More affordable Medicare can be confusing to the elderly James Q. Wilson and John J. Dilulio, Jr., American Government (Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004). http://www.medicalbillingcompany.biz/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/medicare-fraud-pushes-doctors-to- adopt-new-health-information-technology.gif

10. What will happen if this is not dealt with? Government will continue to be overcharged by private institutions. Ever-changeable costs will rise without warning. Medical services available will be abused. The older the patients/recipients get, the more money they are drawing from the government collected taxes. James Q. Wilson and John J. Dilulio, Jr., American Government (Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004). http://www.floridatoday.com/content/blogs/jparker/uploadimages/10 0121-725461.jpg http://www.oftwominds.com/photos07/medicare-costs.gif

11. Bibliography Liptak, Adam. "For Justices’ First Day Back, a Knotty Case Involving Medicaid Cutbacks." New York Times. October 3, 2011. Accessed: January 15, 2012. Pear, Robert. "Political Struggle in Congress Delayed, Not Resolved." New York Times. December 26, 2011. Accessed January 16, 2012. "Supreme Court Case: Flemming vs. Nestor." Social Security Administration. Date published: June 20, 1960. Date accessed: January 17, 2012. http://www.ssa.gov/history/nestor.html. Wilson, James Q., and John J. Dilulio, Jr. American Government. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004.