In 2006 there was about 180 billion excess in Social Security taxes paid. That like all the preceding years was used by the general fund. Social Security taxes have always been in excess of benefits paid. Last year, even though Congress voted a 4.6% COLA, the amount of entitlements was only increased 2.3% ! The GOP decided that the adjustment was too expensive or that their costs increased at a greater rate, I am not sure which. However, medicare premiums were increased. Some Seniors saw little if any increase at all.
The unfunded war has also created the sale of an additional 500 billion in t-bills to the Chinese.
The current debt is now over 11 trillion and the interest alone is more than 500 billion a year for which we get nothing ! Unless you consider the long term occupation of a friendly nation a good result. Remember we helped Saddam get the power and keep it. It was our mis-signal that made him think he had the OK to invade Kuwait. He pulled back in face of the invasion quickly. But the costs there created the S&L crisis of 1991. This war situation and the previous George Bush seem to be mirror images of each other. Uncanny.