This is the response I got from Congressman John Boehner (R-OH) on this issue. He addresses a couple of other issues that aren't concerned with Social Security in his response, but I left them in just in case someone has heard about these issues as well.
The Evolution and Elevation of Misleading Information
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On October 30, 1938, millions across the nation listened to radio news
reports announcing the arrival of Martians on Earth. Many ran out of
their homes screaming. Others frantically called local newspapers, police
stations, and hospitals.
What these listeners actually heard was not a real news program, but a
portion of Orson Welles' adaptation of the book, War of the Worlds.
This moment in history now is known as one of the most famous Halloween
stories gone bad, not to mention a very high-profile example of people being
misled.
Now, in the age of 24-hour news networks and real-time information
via the Internet, repeating a stunt like this would be impossible. However,
as we receive incredible amounts of information, we're also - unfortunately-
deluged with incredible amounts of misleading information.
For example, I recently received an e-mail that described a "Golden
Fleece Retirement Plan" for Members of Congress. The e-mail alleged that
Members of Congress do not pay into Social Security and instead receive a
too-good-to-be-true pension. The reason it is too good to be true is
because, well...it isn't true.
Since 1986, Members of Congress have participated in a retirement
plan - the Federal Employee Retirement System - which was enacted not only for
Members of Congress, but other federal employees as well. I pay into Social
Security, and I'm a participant in this system, which is very similar
to pension plans offered by many companies to their employees. It
consists of three elements: (1) Social Security; (2) a traditional pension
payment based on years of service and the three highest consecutive years of pay;
and (3) a savings plan matched with a small percentage of employer
contributions -similar to 401(k) plans offered in the private sector.
Another very popular, yet false, e-mail claims that a "Congressman
Schnell" has introduced "Bill 602P" to allow the federal government to impose
a five-cent surcharge on each e-mail message delivered. Once again,
it's a hoax. There is no "Bill 602P" (or any legislation) that would allow
e-mail taxation. There's also no one in Washington named "Congressman
Schnell."
Misleading and untrue information is not distributed exclusively via
e-mail, of course. Some is provided through regular mail or by telephone.
In fact, within the past few months, my office has received several angry
calls and letters from parents around the country who had been given false
information about legislation that's been approved by the House.
One goal Congress and the President have set is reducing the
mountains of paperwork special education teachers must complete each year -
paperwork that often draws their attention away from doing their job: teaching.
To accomplish this, we've proposed to parents the OPTION of choosing a
three-year Individualized Education Plan (a required element of a
special needs child's education) over the one-year plan currently mandated by
law -a choice that would greatly reduce teacher paperwork. However, if
parents want to continue using the one-year plan, they are welcome to do so.
Apparently, many organizations have contacted parents to explain this
reform but failed to mention the word "OPTIONAL" in describing the reform.
Needless to say, once my office explained the issue correctly,
parents were angry no longer.
Clearly, there's an ocean of misleading or completely false
information out there, and much of it pertains to the federal government. If you
have a question or a concern, I'm here to serve you. Call my office. Send
an e-mail. Write a letter. Or stop by one of my staff's monthly Open
Door visits in your community. Our Open Door schedule can be found on my
website, www.johnboehner.house.gov, or by calling my office
toll-free, 1-800-582-1001. As your representative to Congress, I'm here to
clarify federal matters that may seem murky or misleading. It's a
responsibility I take most seriously.
