"SS is easy to fix by just lifting the income cap on it and making it more progressive."

That's kind of a loaded statement. Just eliminating the cap can strengthen the system, but won't fully fix it. We could fix any deficit by increasing taxes enough (eg making it more progressive). I would potentially support removing the cap, but I would want to see changes around capital gains taxation before making the tax more progressive. I think most of the deficit fixes should be through actual tax architecture changes (capital gains, AMT/deduction, etc) vs just increasing rates or adding higher brackets.

"it isn't really enough to live but might prevent you from starving to death."

I believe the benefits have decreased in real value over time. However, it was originally intended to prevent people (mostly widows, children, and elderly) from starving. It wasn't designed to be a sole retirement program - people were expected to save or buy bonds. This is a similar type of thing for other retirement topics - like the 401k was originally meant to be supplimental. Most people in the US are extremely poorly prepared for retirement for a variety of reasons.

I max out my 401k each year and would give my left nut to be able to opt out of SS. I know for a fact I will have that money in retirement if I’m allowed to keep it and stash it away, but will the welfare slush fund even exist by 2050- or will my years of paying into SS only hurt me? I realize it’s kind of a meme to say “SS won’t exist by the time I retire” but I think it’s fair to worry when politicians at the federal level have recently tried to nerf it (eg raising retirement age). I have no doubt in my mind that Republicans would eliminate SS entirely if they thought they could get away with it.