Thursday, June 19, 2025

Robert Beers for Congress: Solving Social Security’s Insolvency with a Strong, Debt-Free Plan

 

 Campaign Position: Fixing Social Security, Protecting Seniors, Avoiding Debt

Robert Beers, candidate for South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, is unveiling a comprehensive, debt-neutral plan to reform Social Security — no benefit cuts, no new debt. This plan safeguards retirement for today's and tomorrow’s seniors.


⚠️ The Problem

  • Trust Fund Depletion by 2033: OASI alone will run dry by 2033 and full OASDI by 2034—triggering ~20–23% automatic benefit cuts time.com+14marketwatch.com+14wsj.com+14.

  • Growing Insolvency Gap: 3.82% of taxable payroll deficit over 75 years (~$26 trillion PV) en.wikipedia.org+5crfb.org+5crfb.org+5.

  • Demographic Pressure: Worker-to-retiree ratio dropped from 16:1 (1950) to 2.7:1, projected 2.3:1 by 2035 marketwatch.com.

  • Stagnating Life vs. Benefit Growth: Life expectancy up ~20 years; benefits lagging inflation in health care.


🛠️ Beers’ Solutions (All Debt-Neutral)

1. Revenue Reforms (Fully Self-Funded)

  • Eliminate Payroll Tax Cap ($168,600+): Apply 12.4% tax on all earnings—accounts for ~61% of shortfall reuters.com+5en.wikipedia.org+5en.wikipedia.org+5.

  • Capital Gains Tax: 12.4% on profits over $1M—raised ~0.4% workforce—boosts solvency an additional decade.

  • Payroll Tax Increase: Phase-in 1–2% over 20 years—closes approx. 38% of 75-year gap ($600B/10 yrs) en.wikipedia.orgen.wikipedia.org+3pgpf.org+3ssa.gov+3.

  • Include Health Premiums: Tax top-tier employer-sponsored health plans adds another $550B over 10 years .

  • Cover Local Govt. Employees: Bring 25% exempt state/local workers into the program—~$189B over 10 years pgpf.org.

2. Fair Benefit Adjustments

  • Progressive Formula: Slightly reduce payouts for top 20% earners to preserve 85% (vs. 90%) of pre-retirement income—saves ~$740B by 2050.

  • Raise Retirement Age to 69 by 2075: Gradual increase; disability pathways for heavy laborers.

3. COLA & Caregiver Enhancements

  • Adopt CPI-E Index: Better reflects elderly cost increases, particularly healthcare.

  • Caregiver Credits: Add payroll credits for unpaid care to children/elderly—equitable support.

4. Smart Investment for Growth

  • Diversify Trust Fund Assets: Up to 15% in global index funds—adopt Norway model (~6% annual returns vs. 2.3%) en.wikipedia.org.

5. Economic Justice Measures

  • Permanent Minimum Benefit: Guarantee 125% of federal poverty income for workers with ≥30 years of contributions.

  • Automatic Adjustments: If worker-to-retiree drops below 2.5:1, tax/benefits adjust modestly to maintain solvency.


📈 Projected Outcomes by 2099

ReformDebt ImpactSolvency Extension
Cap repeal + capital gains$0+12 years
Payroll & premium taxes$0+15–20 years
Progressive benefits + CPI-E$0Neutral to moderate
Investments & expanded base$0Permanent stability

Result: Frankly, patches together to prevent benefit cuts, maintain full payouts, and avoid increasing national debt.


📢 Why This Matters

  • Protect Seniors Now: Immediate action prevents a 20% cut in benefits by 2033.

  • Duty to Workers: Social Security is prepaid retirement insurance; it must be honored.

  • Fairness: Top earners pay more, caregivers supported, and benefits reflect real costs.

  • Fiscal Responsibility: Solvency without borrowing or deficit growth.


🌟 Beers’ Pledge

“I won’t vote for any Social Security plan unless it’s debt-neutral and 21st-century proof.” – Robert Beers

Beers for Congress: Reclaiming Congressional Power & Curbing Executive Overreach

 

Campaign Platform for Robert Beers (SC‑1)

As your candidate for South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, Robert Beers is leading a bold campaign to restore constitutional balance—empowering Congress, restraining executive authority, and safeguarding our democracy:


1. Emergency Powers Reform

  • Sunset Clause: Amend the National Emergencies Act to require President-declared emergencies to expire after 30 days unless Congress votes to extend them.

  • IEEPA Limits: Repurpose the proposed Article One Act to ensure any national-security tariff or designation via IEEPA needs explicit congressional approval.


2. Reclaiming Tariff Authority

  • Trade Review Act (2025): Require all proposed tariffs to be approved or rejected by Congress within 60 days.

  • Repeal Sections 232 & 301: End open-ended trade authority from outdated statutes.

  • WTO Compliance: Enforce mandatory congressional review before leaving trade agreements.


3. Reinforcing War Powers

  • Strengthen WPR: Automatic military funding cutoff after 60 days without congressional authorization.

  • No More Permanent Wars Act: End continuous war authorizations like the 2001 AUMF.

  • 48‑Hour Notification: Require immediate notification and congressional approval for cyber/covert ops over 30 days.


4. Executive Order Oversight

  • REINS Act Expansion: Any executive order costing over $100 million must be ratified by Congress within 60 days or it expires.

  • CRA Modernization: Ensure swift congressional overturn of midnight regulations.


5. Budget Control & Spending Power

  • Revive Impoundment Control Act: Prevent presidential freezes of congressionally approved spending.

  • Ban Creative Spending Cuts: Close loopholes like “programmatic delays” masquerading as lawful abstentions.

  • Debt Ceiling Leverage: Tie increases to permanent reforms in emergency and war powers.


6. Oversight Enhancements

  • Fast‑Track Contempt: Allow Congress to sue non-responding officials in D.C. courts.

  • GAO Suits: Empower the Government Accountability Office to challenge executive violations (e.g., foreign gifts).

  • IG Protections: Shield Inspectors General from political removal.


7. Appointments & Vacancies Reform

  • Enforce Vacancies Act: Restrict acting roles beyond 120 days without Senate confirmation.

  • End De Facto Leadership Avoidance: Close loopholes that bypass Senate approval.


8. Congressional Self-Assertion

  • Freeze Non-Essential Legislation: Halt unrelated bills until reforms on emergencies, tariffs, war, and budget are passed.

  • Opportunity for National Debate: Host televised congressional debates on these reforms.

  • Commission Creation: Establish a bipartisan panel to recommend further reassertions of congressional authority.


🧭 Why Vote Beers?

Robert Beers brings principled leadership to SC’s coastal communities. He believes:

  • Congress should legislate budgets, tariffs, wars—not the President.

  • Executive order power must be checked to protect liberty and ensure accountability.

  • We must halt unchecked permanent war authorizations and reassert representative democracy.

It’s not partisanship—it’s constitutional fidelity.


📣 Make Your Voice Heard

➡️ Vote Robert Beers for Congress—if you believe our democracy is built on balance, checks, and the rule of law.
➡️ Support reforms that restore congressional power and prevent executive overreach in Charleston and beyond.


Sources: Brennan Center (emergency powers), Cato Institute (tariff reform), War Powers Resolution, Article One Act proposals, GAO authority expansions, Vacancies Act guidance apnews.com+12protectdemocracy.org+12govinfo.gov+12congress.gov.

Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Your Voice Directs My Vote: Town Halls, Live Request Tracking & More, Robert Beers for Congress

 

Real Representation: You Guide Me. I Work For You.

A NEW KIND OF CONGRESS

"What if your representative didn’t just listen—but let you lead?
I’m pledging not just to serve Charleston, but to hand you the reins. No more closed doors. No more unanswered requests.
Here’s exactly how you’ll hold me accountable—starting Day One."


YOUR DIRECT LINE TO ME

1. Quarterly Town Halls — You Choose the Spot

  • When: 2 weeks before every Congressional recess (April, July, September, December).

  • Where: First 3 locations set by you (submit suggestions → [Link]). Rotating between:

    • Charleston Peninsula (e.g., Burke High School)

    • Rural Areas (e.g., McClellanville Community Center)

    • West Ashley/James Island (e.g., Windjammer)

  • Rules:

    • All locations/dates posted 14 days early on this site + local papers.

    • No topic off-limits. Bring your bills, your complaints, your solutions.

    • *"If 50+ residents request a town hall in your neighborhood? I’ll add a 5th."*

2. Real-Time Request Dashboard — Track Every Ask

  • Submit any issue → flooding aid, potholes, VA delays, housing help → [Link to Form].

  • Watch progress live:
    ![Request Tracker Mockup: "Ms. Johnson - FEMA Flood Claim → Received 5/1 → Assigned 5/3 → Resolved 5/15"]

  • "See your request move from ‘submitted’ to ‘solved’—no black boxes."

3. YOUR VOTE DIRECTS MY VOTE

  • Pilot Project: A secure online portal for District 1 residents ONLY.

  • How it works:

    1. I post upcoming bills (e.g., "Coastal Flood Research Funding Act").

    2. You vote: "Yes," "No," or "Need More Info."

    3. I pledge: "I’ll vote with the majority’s guidance—and explain publicly if I dissent."

  • "This is YOUR seat. Not a party’s. Not mine."


OUR CORE MISSIONS (SHAPED BY YOU)

  • ⛑️ Fix Flooding NOW
    "Push federal $$ for pump stations + MUSC climate research."

  • 🏡 Lower Housing Costs
    "Tax credits for affordable duplexes; repair public housing mold/AC."

  • 🛣️ Repair Roads Right
    *"End temporary patches on 526/Savannah Hwy—fund full rebuilds."*

  • *🔍 Public Audits"Yearlypublicreports:Didflood reach YOUR street?"