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Even if the government does go into default, Social Security still has money in its account to pay benefits. There is no reason not to send out Social Security checks unless the government raids the SS account to pay its other bills -- like payroll to Congress or something it thinks is more important than the old and disabled, or the widows and children of deceased workers.
When the media, or the politicos tell the public that the government isn't going to send out Social Security checks, they do so in order to WAKE US UP. We are now counting down the days until the government runs out of its ability to borrow any more money.
We have not been paying attention, because we do not think we ARE the government. Well, what do we think WE THE PEOPLE OF THESE UNITED STATES means? We elect these representatives, these congress people who are at loggerheads, who don't seem able to reach a compromise so that our government can pay its bills. WE do. YOU and I do. We have to light the fire under their chairs.
We have to write our congress people, sign petitions, call them on the phone, send email, tweet, however you reach your representatives. NOW IS THE TIME. Okay, I'm sorry to be be shouting. I'm a little impatient. With all of us. Especially with our so-called representatives.
We have to get to yes.

Before becoming a stay-at-home dad, I used to be in the business of helping non-profits spread the word about and raise funds for their mission. I think I was very good at what I did. In my last year of work for one non-profit I helped raise over $60,000 — all online. As good as I was at this, I don’t miss this work at all. The challenges for non-profits today are immense and here in the United States we seem to be in the midst of a culture which is touting the ills of a huge government spending deficit, yet seems to want to ignore the very apparent reasons why that deficit is out of control (i.e. funding two wars at the same time, defense spending, foreign aid, etc…). As such, our nation’s leaders (and I use that term very loosely mind you) keep seeing fit to attack the funding of domestic programs, many which have already been cut to the bone as it is. The latest target is Reading Is Fundamental.

Earlier this week, the House Appropriations Committee released its recommended spending cuts for the FY11 Continuing Resolution, which includes terminating funding for RIF’s nationwide services.

This means 4.4 million of the nation’s most vulnerable children would no longer receive free books to call their own. The significance of this cut is immense – the 15 million books RIF distributed last year across more than 17,000 sites all over the country would no longer reach the children most in need.

This is just insane. While some congressman seem content in “dumbing down America,” I really believe they are in the minority. I think a great many people truly would not support such a cut, yet here it is on the chopping block. However, unless we take action and declare to our representatives what are America’s REAL FUNDING PRIORITIES, this will happen. Will we be outraged then while we really should be outraged right now??

Please take a minute of your time and send a message to congressional representatives asking them to support RIF, and encourage your family, friends, and colleagues to do the same. Tell them what YOUR FUNDING PRIORITIES are and to leave wonderful programs making a real impact alone. Thanks for your time.