New figures indicate the Social Security trust fund could be exhausted by 2032. However, a proposal to address this by eliminating the payroll tax cap, put forth by Senators Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), is drawing criticism for potentially exacerbating the problem.
Andrew G. Biggs, writing for National Review and cited by The New York Post, argues that such a plan could incentivize a shift of compensation to non-taxable income, thereby reducing economic growth and tax revenues. Additionally, it could lead employers to cut wages, further decreasing revenue, and increase benefits, undermining the intended purpose of the reform.
"What Social Security reform desperately needs," Biggs states, are planners who understand the program's role as social insurance, focusing on protecting vulnerable populations such as low-income seniors, survivors, and the disabled, rather than attempting to replace services that households and private markets can provide.
Commentary on Online Platforms and Language
In other commentary, Larry Sanger, a co-founder of Wikipedia, expresses frustration with the site's editorial control. He asserts that a small group of anonymous administrators can ban users who challenge the site's perceived "propagandist bent." Sanger claims that "special-interest Wikipedia editorial groups" collaborate in offline discussions, some funded by the Wikimedia Foundation, to shape articles on topics of progressive interest. He notes funding sources for these groups include entities from Qatar, the Gates Foundation, and Libya's sovereign wealth fund.
Separately, linguist John McWhorter critiques the term "gun violence," arguing in The New York Times that its common usage obscures the individual responsible for the act. He suggests this "lexical politesse" creates a distant image that disproportionately affects Black communities. McWhorter contends that while crime rates have decreased, the shooting of young Black men in poor Black neighborhoods remains a tragic reality. He calls for action to address the underlying issues rather than relying on euphemistic language.
Faith, Freedom, and Prison Reform
Pastor Ezra Jin recounts his release from a Chinese prison after 266 days, attributing his freedom partly to efforts by President Trump and members of Congress. Jin, who founded and led one of China's house churches, Zion, was imprisoned with 28 other Zion leaders and eight church members who remain incarcerated.
In domestic matters, David Safavian and Justin Keener write in The Hill that despite falling nationwide violent crime rates, proposed federal budget cuts threaten to undermine progress in the Bureau of Prisons. They highlight initiatives implemented under President Trump's First Step Act and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which have reportedly reduced recidivism to 45%. The authors argue that budget cuts would hinder front-line professionals and jeopardize crime control efforts, urging Congress to support the Bureau's vision for improving corrections and enhancing community safety.