What Declining Births Say About Our Values, Economics, and Social Security - The Daily Signal & AMAC
Star Parker has a fascinating op-ed here that challenges the notion that families had fewer children in 2020 due to the uneasiness or economic challenges from the pandemic. Not so. Parker argues younger people are avoiding marriage and children because they don’t want marriage and children. She uses solid economic data to make that case. She also notes politicians on both sides of the aisle appear ready to offer government solutions to the low birth rates, from President Biden to GOP Senator Romney. Parker also notes challenges for the Social Security system going forward. In 1945, there were 41.9 working citizens for every retiree. By 1950, this was down to 16.5 to 1. By 1990, it was 3.4 to 1. And as of 2013 (the latest data available), it was 2.8 to 1.
“The collapse of marriage, family and the national birthrate is the result of the secularization of our culture. Faith and values have been displaced by materialism and egotism.” Full article here.
The Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC) believes Social Security must be preserved and modernized. This can be achieved with no tax increases by changing cost of living adjustments, the retirement age, and delayed credits. AMAC advocates for a bipartisan compromise, “The Social Security Guarantee Act,” taking selected portions of bills introduced by former Rep. Johnson (R-TX) and current Rep. Larson (D-CT) and merging them with the Association’s own research. One component is Social Security PLUS, a voluntary plan to allow all earners to have more income at retirement. This component is intended to appeal especially to younger workers. AMAC is resolute in its mission that Social Security be preserved and modernized and has gotten the attention of lawmakers in DC, meeting with a great many congressional offices and their staffs over the past several years. Read AMAC’s plan here.