From contentious to outright robbery would be the language options to describe the current dispute over retirement entitlements. The White House uses sharp scaremongering in an effort to if anything, grab attention, sensationalize, and/or howl about something it has little control over. On the other side of the aisle, the rhetoric is just as sharp, using attacks on the individuals out to do the robbing instead of a close examination of the merits of what's being proposed. This article will pay close attention to the reality and avoid choosing sides or involving key players in the tax to syntax phenomenon.
Methodology
The report is segregated into sections, with Capsules for the synthetic intelligence queries, enclosed in (Begin Perplexity-A) and (End Perplexity-AI) parentheses, with in-text query links and the AI link at the end. Congressional Record is included with recent input on the debate, followed by Notes and an Afterword.
Capsules
(Begin Perplexity-AI)
scaremongering syntax
Scaremongering is a noun that can be used as follows in sentences:
The politician was accused of scaremongering about the economy to influence voters1.
Some economists criticized the report for scaremongering by raising unlikely economic scenarios4.
The media's scaremongering about potential health risks led to public panic3.
When used as a present participle or gerund, scaremongering can function as an adjective or verb:
Adjective: "The scaremongering tactics used in the campaign were widely criticized."
Verb: "They were scaremongering about the dangers of new technology."
The word is often used in a disapproving context to describe the act of spreading frightening or ominous reports or rumors, typically for personal or political gain25
https://www.perplexity.ai/search/scaremongering-syntax-Ko4EdUUkQpqTQTUJp5jhlA
social security scaremongering syntax
Social Security scaremongering is a tactic used by some politicians and commentators to spread fear and misinformation about the future of the Social Security program. This rhetoric often employs specific language and arguments to create anxiety among the public. Here are some common elements of Social Security scaremongering syntax:
Alarmist terminology:
Exaggerated claims:
Misleading comparisons:
Political manipulation:
Selective use of statistics:
Emotional appeals:
To counter this scaremongering, advocates for Social Security often emphasize the program's stability, its importance to millions of Americans, and potential reforms to strengthen it for the future4. They may also call for more transparent and democratic processes for discussing any changes to the program.
https://www.perplexity.ai/search/social-security-scaremongering-N9KKaEXyQ8SHkGGx.wgctw
social security cuts to benefit the rich
Recent developments indicate that Social Security is facing potential cuts, with some proposals favoring the wealthy at the expense of the majority of Americans. The Republican Study Committee, representing nearly 80% of House Republicans, has proposed a budget that would cut Social Security benefits for 257 million people, or 3 in 4 Americans, by forcing them to work longer for less3. This plan would gradually raise the retirement age, affecting everyone 59 or younger3.
Meanwhile, Elon Musk, leading Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), is advocating for significant reductions to essential social safety programs, including Social Security1. Musk claims, without evidence, that there's $700 billion in "waste and fraud" that can be cut from these programs1.
While some argue that taxing the wealthy more could help address Social Security's funding issues, it's not a complete solution. Extending the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) individual tax cuts, as proposed by Republicans, would disproportionately benefit high-income earners:
The top 5% of households (making over $450,000) would receive about 45% of the benefits4.
The top 1% would see a 3.2% increase in after-tax income, compared to 1.3% for the middle 20% of households4.
However, it's important to note that on average, taxpayers in every income group would get some tax relief, with about two-thirds to three-quarters of taxpayers receiving a tax cut4.
The situation is complex, and proposed cuts to programs like Medicaid and SNAP could potentially offset any tax benefits for lower-income households4. As the debate continues, it's clear that the future of Social Security and its impact on different income groups remains a contentious issue.
https://www.perplexity.ai/search/social-security-cuts-to-benefi-g1ao1rTYTPe1K1G9OWdyyQ
language ideology of social security scaremongering
The language ideology surrounding Social Security scaremongering is characterized by several key elements:
Fear-based rhetoric: Authoritarian regimes and opponents of Social Security often use campaigns based on fear, scaremongering, and distorting the truth to undermine public confidence in the system1.
Distortion of language: They coin new terms, repeat shocking phrases until they become normalized, and create associations between certain labels and specific groups. For example, words like "thief" or "traitor" may be used to refer to the opposition, while "patriot" becomes associated with supporters of a particular ideology1.
Double meanings: Slogans and phrases are crafted to have dual interpretations, simultaneously empowering supporters and instilling anxiety in opponents1.
Exaggeration of financial instability: Scaremongers often overemphasize the financial challenges facing Social Security, creating panic about the system going bankrupt or checks not being issued, despite the unlikelihood of such scenarios34.
Limited options narrative: There's a tendency to present a false dichotomy, suggesting that the only solutions to Social Security's challenges are raising taxes or cutting benefits, ignoring other potential reforms or adjustments4.
Ignoring positive developments: Improvements in related programs, such as the cost-saving effects of the Affordable Care Act on Medicare, are often overlooked in these scare narratives4.
Exploitation of vulnerable populations: The language of scaremongering particularly affects older adults and people with disabilities who rely heavily on Social Security benefits, causing unnecessary fear and anxiety about their financial security3.
To counter this ideology, it's crucial to approach Social Security discussions with accurate, fact-based information and to consider the system's importance for millions of Americans who depend on it for their basic needs34
https://www.perplexity.ai/search/language-ideology-of-social-se-NJmf5pmNRfqDgD.reMAzNA
(End Perplexity-AI)
Congressional Record
Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), 12 March 2025, S1682
https://www.congress.gov/119/crec/2025/03/12/171/47/CREC-2025-03-12-pt1-PgS1682-2.pdf
SOCIAL SECURITY
Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, Donald Trump and Republicans have wanted to take away Americans’ hard-earned entitlement benefits for a very long time.
This week, Elon Musk said the quiet part out loud, and every single American should be alarmed. He said:
Most of the Federal spending is entitlements. So that is the big one to eliminate.
Of course, he is referring to Social Security.
Elon Musk is saying it plainly: Republicans’ big goal is to eliminate—his words—Social Security and Medicare benefits. The American people deserve to know where Senators stand on protecting Social Security.
The American people deserve to know that. Are Senate Republicans fine with the terrible things Elon Musk and DOGE are doing to Social Security? Do they agree with Mr. Musk that it is one giant scam? We have seen the Social Security offices slashed so that people get less services. Is that the first step to eliminate Social Security? It seems to be.
Donald Trump ridiculed Social Security by just lying about people who have been on the books 200 years and making people think they got benefits, which, of course, they didn’t. It seems he is in on the plan. It is not just Musk; it is Trump, too.
Well, all of these are simple questions, and Americans deserve to know the truth. If Republicans truly support Social Security, they need to break their silence and condemn Musk’s attacks. DOGE has already—already— taken over the Social Security Administration and accessed the private data and benefits of tens of millions of Americans. Why are they after that? Why are they after that data? My guess is so they can hurt the program, close the program, eliminate the program.
Republicans and Trump and DOGE are gutting the Agency. They are firing thousands of staff, leading to office closures, longer wait times, and deteriorating service. In my State, they have already announced a few offices being closed. I am sure that is true in every other State.
If Mr. Musk and DOGE are allowed to keep going, at the moment, seniors will have to wait longer for their benefits, but in the future, they may not get them. People with disabilities will wait longer times for their claims to be processed, but they may not get them. Americans will spend more time waiting to talk to someone on the phone to get help with their benefits. But it seems, where they are headed, there will be no one on the phone to talk to and no benefits to be received.
Social Security is one of the most popular programs. Why the heck would any President—any erstwhile Vice President—Musk—maybe he is President—why would any party want to eliminate Social Security? Why would they want to cut Social Security, one of the most popular Federal programs we have? I will tell you why. They are frenetic on tax breaks for the billionaires, and they are taking away things from Americans. This is not what the American people want. This is not efficiency.
For Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, to not understand how a senior citizen depends on the $1,100 a month to buy food, to purchase vitally needed medicines—what arrogance. What arrogance to not even deign to understand it.
We will cut the government.
Social Security is not the government; it is people. It is the money they put in. It is the money they now get back. It helps them live a decent life.
If Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and Republicans continue to go after benefits like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid—I have no reason to think they won’t—Democrats will fight it, but most importantly, the American people will not stand for it.
(End Congressional Record)
Notes
Certainly, the AI queries make a case on both sides to show how the overall entitlement program will benefit from drastic cuts not just in staffing but percentages as well, including raising the retirement age. Senator Schumer's remarks appear to be less founded on the reality of the budget tightrope and directed more to personal comments about the individuals behind the reform agenda.
Afterword
Nonetheless, the debate if anything has created a serious concern in the eyes of the public, when hearing absurd statements about 200-year-old retirees collecting benefits. In addition, the role of the media to be anything but responsible is reflected (not included here) if possible, to sensationalize and widen the chasm over agreement over how to best solve the financial burden of taking care of the older population without creating an impossible tax burden on the working class, in spite of what the wealthy have to do or say about it in the end.
Tags: #socialsecurity, #senate, #entitlements, #budget, #taxes, #retirement, #medicare