Survey of 2016 Presidential campaign websites: on Social Security


Ajamu Baraka: Remove income cap on social security taxes

Source: Stein-Baraka platform on 2016 presidential campaign website Aug 8, 2016

Jill Stein: Remove income cap on social security taxes

Source: Stein-Baraka platform on 2016 presidential campaign website Aug 8, 2016

Lawrence Lessig: Privatizing Social Security is a sure path to insecurity

We as a society need to guarantee that when we are old, or if we are infirm, we will have the support we need. We secure that guarantee by setting these resources apart from the market. Privatizing Social Security is a sure path to insecurity for most.

I would also support removing the cap on contributions to Social Security (without necessarily proportionally increasing the benefits paid.) Any increase in taxes will be incredibly difficult until The First Reform is enacted. But when Republicans and Democrats alike are free to consider the views of voters rather than funders, we will return to the objective of Social Security: security.

Source: 2016 presidential campaign website Lessig2016.us, `Issues` Oct 29, 2015

Lawrence Lessig: Apply same Social Security rate to all levels of income

Taxes in America should be progressive and efficient. Today they are neither. We have capped Social Security contributions at a regressively low amount.

I would support abolishing the contribution cap for Social Security, applying the same Social Security rate to all levels of income. I would consider a proposal to offset any reduction in corporate tax with increased progressivity in income tax.

Source: 2016 presidential campaign website Lessig2016.us, `Issues` Oct 29, 2015

Rand Paul: Raise retirement age to save program for younger generation

Combined with years of wasteful spending by decades of career politicians in Washington, the Social Security trust fund has been left in a fragile condition. Millions of Americans depend on Social Security and if we are to keep our promises to them. Continuing to push Social Security reforms into the future will only make solving the problem harder and will require more painful changes for seniors.

During my time in the Senate, I have worked on proposals that would fix the shortfalls in the Social Security program through a gradual increase in the age of full retirement and by means testing yearly earnings, while preserving those benefits for near and current retirees. These changes would only apply to younger Americans who have time to plan for the future.

As President, I will remain committed to fixing the Social Security program, while preserving the system for seniors who have planned their lives around the program & implementing reforms to save the program for younger generations

Source: 2016 presidential campaign website, RandPaul.com, "Issues" Apr 7, 2015

Bernie Sanders: Strengthen the social safety net, instead of weakening it

Millions of seniors live in poverty and we have the highest rate of childhood poverty of any major country. We must strengthen the social safety net, not weaken it. Instead of cutting Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and nutrition programs, we should be expanding these programs.
Source: 2016 presidential campaign website, BernieSanders.com Mar 21, 2015

  • The above quotations are from Survey of 2016 Presidential campaign websites.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Social Security.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by Bernie Sanders on Social Security.
  • Click here for more quotes by Jill Stein on Social Security.
2016 Presidential contenders on Social Security:
  Republicans:
Gov.Jeb Bush(FL)
Dr.Ben Carson(MD)
Gov.Chris Christie(NJ)
Sen.Ted Cruz(TX)
Carly Fiorina(CA)
Gov.Jim Gilmore(VA)
Sen.Lindsey Graham(SC)
Gov.Mike Huckabee(AR)
Gov.Bobby Jindal(LA)
Gov.John Kasich(OH)
Gov.Sarah Palin(AK)
Gov.George Pataki(NY)
Sen.Rand Paul(KY)
Gov.Rick Perry(TX)
Sen.Rob Portman(OH)
Sen.Marco Rubio(FL)
Sen.Rick Santorum(PA)
Donald Trump(NY)
Gov.Scott Walker(WI)
Democrats:
Gov.Lincoln Chafee(RI)
Secy.Hillary Clinton(NY)
V.P.Joe Biden(DE)
Gov.Martin O`Malley(MD)
Sen.Bernie Sanders(VT)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren(MA)
Sen.Jim Webb(VA)

2016 Third Party Candidates:
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Roseanne Barr(PF-HI)
Robert Steele(L-NY)
Dr.Jill Stein(G,MA)
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Page last updated: Dec 09, 2018