Is the Social Security system a Ponzi scheme? Many conservatives so label it. But obviously it is not a Ponzi scheme. The intent behind such schemes is fraud. Not so with the SS system. If your point is that the SS system as currently configured is unsustainable in the long run, and is to that extent like a Ponzi scheme, then say that. You will then be saying something that, in my opinion, is true. But don't say something that is literally and obviously false if you expect to convince fair-minded people.
You may accuse me of not understanding the purpose of political rhetoric. "The purpose is not to convince thoughtful and fair-minded people; the purpose is to fire up the lazy and largely thoughtless masses. The purpose is to 'energize the base.' You naively think that others share your abhorrence of loose and irresponsible talk. They don't."
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