Top Social Security official exits after clash with Musk’s DOGE over data

[DaisyDay]

I just have access to the beginning of the linked article. But MILLIONS of lines of COBOL code is an incredible number, I wonder how many of those lines of code are part of the old Social Security version of a database.

None would be my guess. Why would anyone put COBOL code in a database? The way it usually works is that the code accesses the database using some protocol such as SQL in a black box function.

What the DOGE people realize is that a modern relational database is needed.

What they might not realize is that COBOL works with modern relational databases.

They don't have to rewrite the database code, there are open source relational databases available.

They wouldn't have to anyway; just the interface would need adjusting when the database is replaced - and maybe some reformatting of the data.

The code needed to process checks, etc. would be a tiny fraction of that old number.

Process checks? I doubt they actually process "checks" much these days as most payments are by direct deposit these days, but they still need to process some as the old legacy systems that use paper checks get phased out. COBOL processes gigantic batch runs very well. You actually have no clue what fraction of the old number will be needed to process millions of transactions nightly, daily, weekly, biweekly, monthly, quarterly and annually. The system has to process a huge variety of inputs from he IRS for every dollar (over $600) reported, withheld, remitted and categorized. Each of those inputs generates transactions to various other systems - treasury, banking, IRS, states and other municipalities, employers and employees (workers who pay into SS). Then there are the business rules that have to be known and understood - even from decades ago - that still affect present-day payers or recipients.

 

[Valletta]

None would be my guess. Why would anyone put COBOL code in a database? The way it usually works is that the code accesses the database using some protocol such as SQL in a black box function.

What they might not realize is that COBOL works with modern relational databases.

They wouldn't have to anyway; just the interface would need adjusting when the database is replaced - and maybe some reformatting of the data.

IBM did not have what we would call a database back when the Social Security system was coded. So they put together their own version of a database using Assembler language coding (BAL for IBM) systems and COBOL to create it. They apparently never converted, not even over to VSAM when VSAM because relatively popular (accessing a record directly rather then having to read a file sequentially) in the 1970s. That being the case, it sounds like a definite case for rewriting the software. COBOL may actually be better than JAVA for such an application except it appears there will be more JAVA programmers in the future.

 

[essentialsaltes]

The Social Security Administration this week began to classify thousands of immigrants with temporary legal status and Social Security numbers as dead, according to three sources familiar with the situation.

The move essentially cancels an immigrant's Social Security number and is equivalent to a financial death, as financial institutions rely on updated Social Security data to verify identities and deaths and may cut off access for these individuals.

We certainly wouldn't want immigrants to pay their taxes and stay in the light, now would we?

The first group to be added to the [erstwhile "death master file"] "ineligible master file" was a group of over 6,000 immigrants who came into the country through former President Joe Biden's parole program, according to two sources.

Martin O'Malley, the former SSA commissioner during the Biden administration, called the move by SSA "illegal on so many scores."

"If without due process, Trump and Musk can unlawfully 'disappear' or 'digitally murder' anyone who legally entered our country, then they can do it to anyone already legally here," he said.

WaPo reports: A senior executive who objected was marched out of his office and put on leave, while earlier warnings about the agency’s deaths database were ignored.

 

[iluvatar5150]

The Social Security Administration this week began to classify thousands of immigrants with temporary legal status and Social Security numbers as dead, according to three sources familiar with the situation.

The move essentially cancels an immigrant's Social Security number and is equivalent to a financial death, as financial institutions rely on updated Social Security data to verify identities and deaths and may cut off access for these individuals.

We certainly wouldn't want immigrants to pay their taxes and stay in the light, now would we?

The first group to be added to the [erstwhile "death master file"] "ineligible master file" was a group of over 6,000 immigrants who came into the country through former President Joe Biden's parole program, according to two sources.

Martin O'Malley, the former SSA commissioner during the Biden administration, called the move by SSA "illegal on so many scores."

"If without due process, Trump and Musk can unlawfully 'disappear' or 'digitally murder' anyone who legally entered our country, then they can do it to anyone already legally here," he said.

WaPo reports: A senior executive who objected was marched out of his office and put on leave, while earlier warnings about the agency’s deaths database were ignored.

Remember when we were told it was only illegal immigration they were concerned with?

 

[Valletta]

Remember when we were told it was only illegal immigration they were concerned with?

Illegals are the target of the move. Trump has ordered those here illegally to self-deport. Most have not done so. Cutting off their income from federal benefits (the quickest way is to declare them dead) will give them more incentive to leave. Blue states will be scrambling to try and keep them here and can increase their benefits but they can't make up that amount of money.

 

[Valletta]

WaPo reports: A senior executive who objected was marched out of his office and put on leave, while earlier warnings about the agency’s deaths database were ignored.

Many government bureaucrats are hard core Democrats and some, like this person, will resist the orders of the president and try to keep the illegals on the public dole.

 

[essentialsaltes]

Remember when we were told it was only illegal immigration they were concerned with?

Remember when we were told it was only non-citizens they were concerned with?

I mean sure, this is probably a mistake, intended for one of her unnamed clients, but... hey, it wouldn't be the first mistaken deportation this month.

 

[essentialsaltes]

Illegals are the target of the move.

"immigrants with temporary legal status"

Many government bureaucrats are hard core Democrats and some, like this person, will resist the orders of the president and try to keep the illegals on the public dole.

No need for Aryeh to post in this thread.

 

[iluvatar5150]

Illegals are the target of the move.

What does the phrase "temporary legal status" mean to you?

 

[essentialsaltes]

Remember when we were told it was only illegal immigration they were concerned with?

Australian with working visa detained and deported on returning to US from sister’s memorial​

Man who says he had previously left and re-entered the country multiple times alleges border officials called him ‘retarded’ and boasted ‘Trump is back in town’

[Guardian story with some salty language.]

 

[iluvatar5150]

Australian with working visa detained and deported on returning to US from sister’s memorial​

Man who says he had previously left and re-entered the country multiple times alleges border officials called him ‘retarded’ and boasted ‘Trump is back in town’

[Guardian story with some salty language.]

I'm starting to think the border patrol forces could stand a good purging.

 

[essentialsaltes]

I'm starting to think the border patrol forces could stand a good purging.

I think the liberal sickos are all gone now.

 

[Aryeh Jay]

"immigrants with temporary legal status"

No need for Aryeh to post in this thread.

Well I'm gonna.

 

[Valletta]

What does the phrase "temporary legal status" mean to you?

It means "temporary."

 

[BCP1928]

It means "temporary."

The word "legal" is also in there which is why immigrants granted temporary legal status aren't illegal aliens.

 

[Aryeh Jay]

The word "legal" is also in there which is why immigrants granted temporary legal status aren't illegal aliens.

But only temporarily...