Obama Takes Social Security Reform Off The Table

[webhead]

Good!

excerpts:

Obama Won't Include Social Security Reform In Recommendations To Super Committee

Sam Stein
First Posted: 9/15/11 12:08 PM ET Updated: 9/15/11 12:08 PM ET
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

WASHINGTON -- Jilted by Republican leadership during the deficit-reduction talks that accompanied the debt ceiling debate, the Obama administration is now pulling back an offer to put Social Security reform on the negotiating table.

The president will not include changes to that program in the series of deficit reduction measures that he will offer to the congressional super committee next Monday, administration officials confirm.

During talks with House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) this past summer, President Barack Obama had discussed changing the way that Social Security benefits were paid so that a lower level of benefits were paid over time. Boehner walked away from that deal, which was part of a much broader package, because of concern over a corresponding tax increase. Now, Obama is putting off support for that idea of changing the inflation formula of Social Security to chained consumer price index (CPI).

“The president’s recommendation for deficit reduction will not include any changes to Social Security because, as the president has consistently said, he does not believe that Social Security is a driver of our near and medium term deficits," said White House spokeswoman Amy Brundage. "He believes that both parties need to work together on a parallel track to strengthen Social Security for future generations rather than taking a piecemeal approach as part of a deficit reduction plan.”

"There will be no Social Security in the recommendations," Brundage added.

The White House's decision to take Social Security reform off the table for the time being, which was first reported by the Wall Street Journal, is largely consistent with the president's viewpoint that the program is not a contributor to the deficit and should be dealt with in separate discussions. The administration brought it in to the "grand bargain" talks with Boehner, an official relayed, because the president was a party to those talks. With respect to the super committee's negotiations, he will have no seat at the table and is merely outlining his preferences for reform.

[101Scout]

Good!!

But, this part worries me for later on.

The White House's decision to take Social Security reform off the table for the time being

[SubstituteTeacher]

Also, factor in that people 62 years old - like me- have to wait another 3 years for medicare to kick in. Without that SS, how are senior citizens going to fill that donut hole?

[101Scout]

Last yr, Alan Grayson touched on what happens to folks caught in between those GAPs or simply blocked from getting any assistance. The unspoken GOP plan ... hurry up and die.

[webhead]

Also, factor in that people 62 years old - like me- have to wait another 3 years for medicare to kick in. Without that SS, how are senior citizens going to fill that donut hole?

SS & Medicare does not differentiate between Independents, Republicans and Demcorats. Conventional wisdom would say the fucktard REPIGs are just smart enough to know that there are significant numbers of conservative Republicans aged 55 and older who are smart enough to know to look to his or her Social Security and Medicare to survive in old age. Fucktard REPIGs would be cutting their own political throats if they reform SS & Medicare for those currently benefitting from and in line to benefit from the programs.

I would not sweat loosing your SS & Medicare if you are 62.

But be sure to vote Democratic in 2012.