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As we approach budget time we can look forward to another burst of hand wringing by the Washington elites, who will once again tell us about the need to cut Social Security and Medicare. News stories and opinion columns will be filled with solemn pronouncements about how these programs must be curtailed before they drive the nation to bankruptcy.

From the story:

For Social Security’s advocates, this past year has been all about defense. Fortunately, the defense outplayed the offense. Those of us playing defense were backed by the overwhelming majority of the American people who across both party line and virtually every demographic are clear that they do not want to see Social Security benefits weakened by benefit cuts.

A lump-sum tax rebate, similar to the 2008 Economic Stimulus Act rebate, would do more to stimulate the economy than the 2010 payroll tax cut that Congress is currently considerign extending, according to a new analysis by Social Security Works.

Continue reading below or click here for a pdf of Social Security Works' analysis with source citations.

Here is something we all can agree on: Federal deficits are a serious problem.

Here is something few can seriously dispute: Today’s big deficits were caused mainly by big tax cuts for the wealthy, two unpaid-for wars, a horrible recession caused by Wall Street greed and an expensive prescription drug program rigged to favor pharmaceutical companies.

Here is something we should not agree to do: Cut Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits.

What to do about those FICA contributions, aka payroll taxes, now that the supercommittee has blown up? Last Christmas the Obama administration handed workers a special gift—a one-year holiday from paying their payroll taxes, which as most workers know fund their Social Security retirement benefits and disability and survivor’s benefits, should they need them later on. The year is up.

A recent study reveals how rising income inequality is jeopardizing Social Security's finances.

Click here to read the full blogpost on Huffington Post.