DiscussMormonism.com

Martin O’Malley, the former commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA), said Monday the recent cuts made by tech billionaire Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) at the agency could result in the “collapse” of the Social Security system “within the next 30 to 90 days.”

O’Malley, a Democrat who also served as Maryland governor from 2007-15, told CNBC the recent DOGE initiatives may jeopardize monthly benefit payments for over 72.5 million Americans.

He warned the current administration’s attempts to reduce the workforce will lead to the departure of vital staff and threaten the agency’s fundamental operations.

“Ultimately, you’re going to see the system collapse and an interruption of benefits,” he said. “I believe you will see that within the next 30 to 90 days.”

Warning of these interruptions, O’Malley said, “people should start saving now.”

O’Malley held the position of Social Security commissioner from December 2023 to November 2024 under the Biden administration.

Jersey Girl wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 06, 2025 2:14 am

Don't expect some guy who lives in a guilded cage to give a damn about the folks who need SS/SSDI when the only thing he's ever needed was attention.

Doctor Steuss wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 06, 2025 8:46 pm

Again, definitely a chance I'm being overly optimistic and/or naïve here, but I just can't foresee a scenario where it could play out without catastrophic political fallout for the party that does it.

Doctor Steuss wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 06, 2025 8:46 pm

Maybe it's naïvété on my part, but I just can't foresee any scenario where Social Security would be in danger. At least beyond the danger it is constantly in, inasmuch as population ages are shifting. I know it's something a handful of politicians and ideologists have wanted to dismantle for a long time, but beyond that, it would result in a near immediate political backlash that I don't think even the most dug-in cult district representatives would be able to shrug off.

If there was a disruption, there would be no shortage of Republican and Democrat AGs hitting the courts with quickness, and no shortage of judges (right and left-leaning) that would make emergency rulings. The political pressure alone from within the Republican party would be enough to make it extremely temporary at best.

I could maybe see SSDI being targeted, since that's easier to paint with a broad fraud brush, and people with disabilities aren't particularly held in high regard in some MAGA circles. Regular Social Security though... I just can't see it.

Again, definitely a chance I'm being overly optimistic and/or naïve here, but I just can't foresee a scenario where it could play out without catastrophic political fallout for the party that does it.

drumdude wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 06, 2025 9:26 pm

Doctor Steuss wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 06, 2025 8:46 pm

Maybe it's naïvété on my part, but I just can't foresee any scenario where Social Security would be in danger. At least beyond the danger it is constantly in, inasmuch as population ages are shifting. I know it's something a handful of politicians and ideologists have wanted to dismantle for a long time, but beyond that, it would result in a near immediate political backlash that I don't think even the most dug-in cult district representatives would be able to shrug off.

If there was a disruption, there would be no shortage of Republican and Democrat AGs hitting the courts with quickness, and no shortage of judges (right and left-leaning) that would make emergency rulings. The political pressure alone from within the Republican party would be enough to make it extremely temporary at best.

I could maybe see SSDI being targeted, since that's easier to paint with a broad fraud brush, and people with disabilities aren't particularly held in high regard in some MAGA circles. Regular Social Security though... I just can't see it.

Again, definitely a chance I'm being overly optimistic and/or naïve here, but I just can't foresee a scenario where it could play out without catastrophic political fallout for the party that does it.

Ditto. I don’t see how DOGE cutting these jobs risks Social Security.