Politicization of the Social Security Administration

Some congresspeople have studied the politicization of the Social Security Administration under President Bush and discovered that the SSA "has systematically altered agency publications, press releases, PowerPoint presentations, website content, and even its annual statements to foster the impression that Social Security is 'unsustainable' and 'must change.'"

From the report:

During the Clinton Administration, one of the agency's primary strategic goals was to educate the public about the Social Security program. This strategic goal was replaced in 2003 by a new objective to use public communication to "support reforms" to Social Security.

The mission of the SSA is

To advance the economic security of the nation’s people through compassionate and vigilant leadership in shaping and managing America's Social Security programs.

Perhaps they consider misleading the public to be part of "shaping SS programs." I have no idea. The report looks pretty damning; it will be interesting to hear a response to it, if there is one. If not, I think "politicization" can safely be considered a polite way of saying "corruption."