America fancies itself a land of rugged individualism, a nation where anyone can pull themselves up by their bootstraps. But this mythology crumbles in the face of reality: tens of millions of Americans depend on Social Security, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and other social services for survival. These are not “handouts.” Social Security is quite literally earned income, paid for by workers over their entire lives. And yet, every election cycle, politicians—who have never missed a meal in their lives—somehow find the budget for another war, another corporate bailout, but suddenly become fiscal hawks when it comes to feeding children or ensuring the elderly can afford medication.
Social Security is the single most successful anti-poverty program in American history. Before it was enacted in 1935, the elderly faced destitution, with over half living in poverty. Today, that number has been reduced to under 10%, thanks to a system that ensures workers receive benefits they paid into. It is not an “entitlement” in the sense of a freebie; it is a rightful return on investment, a system that Americans have funded with every paycheck. And yet, the myth persists that Social Security is “going bankrupt.” The reality? The only way it would ever collapse is if Congress actively sabotaged it—diverting funds or privatizing it for Wall Street profits.
Social Security is not “going broke,” but it is underfunded due to deliberate political neglect. Congress has failed to adjust its funding mechanisms to match economic reality. Currently, only wages up to $176,100 (as of 2025) are subject to Social Security payroll taxes. Ever growing wealth inequality means that less and less percentage of total income is supporting the program. Simply eliminating this arbitrary cap resolves most funding concerns, but a full fix requires more. According to the Social Security Administration, the program faces a projected shortfall beginning in the early 2030s, meaning benefits could be reduced by around 20% if no action is taken. To prevent this, an estimated $3.7 trillion in additional funding over the next 75 years is needed.
SNAP is the lifeline that keeps 40 million Americans from food insecurity. The average benefit? About $6 per person per day. Enough to keep people from starving, but not enough to live with dignity. Despite this, some lawmakers insist that food assistance makes people lazy—as if starvation is the necessary motivation to participate in an economy where full-time workers still qualify for food stamps. And let’s not forget: the vast majority of SNAP recipients are children, the elderly, and disabled individuals. The boogeyman of the “welfare queen” has always been a racist, classist fiction designed to justify taking food out of the mouths of the poor.
Every advanced society understands that a strong social safety net is not a sign of weakness, but of civilization itself. European nations provide universal healthcare, generous parental leave, and well-funded retirement systems. Canada, Japan, and countless others do not abandon their elderly to homelessness or force single mothers to choose between rent and groceries. Meanwhile, in America, every discussion about social services is framed as a burden, rather than a basic function of government.
The absence of guaranteed support fractures communities, increases crime, and creates a perpetual underclass that is blamed for its own suffering. Meanwhile, nations with strong social protections have lower crime rates, better mental health outcomes, and more economic mobility. The evidence is overwhelming: investing in people pays off.
Therefore, under Folklaw:
Social Security, SNAP, and all essential social services shall be fully funded and prioritized above all other budgetary concerns, including military spending and corporate subsidies.
These programs shall never be privatized, reduced, or made conditional upon punitive measures. The government shall honor its contract with the people, ensuring that no one is left to starve, suffer, or die in poverty while the wealthiest hoard more than they can ever spend.
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