Fauci in Contempt 

     We've been occupied with other topics. So, six weeks after the fact, August 6 a Senate committee voted to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress. That came after Fauci had invoked his Fifth Amendment right more than 100 times. He had been forgiven of any wrongdoing by outgoing President Joe Biden, so the Governmental Affairs Committee had reason to question him.   

     It all has to do with the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which Fauci helped lead. The committee also released portions of a diary Fauci kept during the pandemic. Sen. Rand Paul argued the pardon nullified Fauci's Fifth Amendment rights. Whatever. Fauci retired as the wealthiest government employee. The pandemic helped some people. 

Social Security's shortfall 

     Lawmakers are running out of time to fix Social Security's funding shortfall. By 2032, payouts will exceed payroll taxes, leading to an automatic reduction of benefits. Most Americans expect to get Social Security when they retire. Many say they aren't saving anything else. (All three of our "kids" are not expecting SS to last and are working and saving accordingly.) 

      Some 77% of respondents to a survey opposed a $1,300 payroll tax increase. Even that wouldn't close the funding gap. And 77% of respondents oppose benefit cuts to save the program. 

     This year, 71 million Americans receive SS benefits. Workers paying into the program in 2025 outnumbered the beneficiaries 2.9 to 1. 

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