Dick Durbin: No cut in Social Security benefits

[ProSense]

Dick Durbin: No cut in Social Security benefits

Posted by Greg Sargent

This may cheer liberals who are worried that the White House is giving too much ground to Republicans by proposing “Chained CPI” for Social Security as part of a final fiscal cliff deal — in effect agreeing to a cut in Social Security benefits.

In an interview with me this morning, Senator Dick Durbin, a top ally of the White House, told me he opposes including Chained CPI in the final deal unless it completely exempts Social Security. He said it would be difficult for Democrats to support Chained CPI for Social Security if it ended up in a final deal, though he said it was premature to say anything definitive about how they would vote.

“We ought to deal with Social Security in a separate conversation that is not part of deficit reduction,” Durbin told me. “To do it at this stage is the wrong way to go.”

Durbin has said this before, but it’s notable that he’s repeating it in the wake of the White House’s reported offer of a deal that includes Chained CPI for Social Security.

- more -

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2012/12/18/dick-durbin-no-cut-in-social-security-benefits/

White House Rejects Boehner’s Fiscal Cliff ‘Plan B’
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022020334

[1StrongBlackMan]

1. But .. But ... But ...

President Obama hasn't said he rejects the chained CPI! Why is this coming from Durbin and not President Obama himself? What else is he hiding?

{Yes ... I'm being sarcastic.}

[freshwest]

9. Something more than the secret printing press cranking out birth certificates? OMG!

SSDD. Rumors and he said, she said. I still wish he'd gone to Hawaii for an extended holiday so the media wouldn't be able to create this misery in the minds of millions. Oh, then they'd say he'd bailed and charge him with dereliction of duty. Can win an election, but still can't win, huh?

[Cha]

10. Mass Hysteria incites thread Vowing to.. wait for it..

stay home in 2014 to Teach the Cavers A Lesson!

'Cause it worked so well in 2010.

[teddy51]

2. Still doesn't totally rule it out, but I guess that's as close as were going to get for

a guarantee that SS won't be touched.

[Avalux]

12. I'd say it is a guarantee, since he's working closely with the WH.

I'll take his word over the media or anyone on of the hysterics here on DU, thank you very much.

[Enrique]

3. this is a good sign, imo

Durbin usually gives Obama cover.

[leftstreet]

4. Wait. Why is Durbin responding to the lying, distorting media?

what?

If the WH didn't actually make these statements, why is Durbin responding as if they did?

Where are the Talking Points people on this?

[woo me with science]

7. Indeed.

What a sick, vicious joke this whole performance is. The trial balloons and the propaganda are coming fast and furious.

Now we have Durbin saying that chained CPI is okay as long as SS is exempted from it. Never mind that it affects many other programs and many other groups of vulnerable people.

Fuck the disabled, veterans, and federal retirees. It's all good!

[1StrongBlackMan]

11. Uhmmm ...

You think Dirbin might ... just might ... be responding to YOU!

[woo me with science]

5. So go ahead and fuck federal retirees, veterans, the disabled?

It's fine as long as they can get a headline saying SS was spared?

SS is not the only program that will be affected by a chained CPI.

These people know no shame.

[ProSense]

6. "It's fine as long as they can get a headline saying SS was spared?"

Yeah, no raise in Medicare eligibility age and "SS was spared."

So far so good, and a reaching a deal doesn't look promising.

[ProSense]

8. WH Spokesman Carney: Chained CPI "Something Republicans Wanted"

WH Spokesman Carney: Chained CPI "Something Republicans Wanted"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022021289

[Liberalynn]

13. 'though he said it was premature to say anything definitive about how they would vote.'

Note the qualifier.

ETA: Emailed the White House, called Pelosi, and Ried, telling them to vote no on any deal that contains chained CPI no matter who proposes it.

[forestpath]

14. They will do what their corporate bosses want them to do. Why do they even PRETEND otherwise?

[woo me with science]

15. Durbin is arguing FOR a chained CPI here, not against it.

He tries to appear as an advocate for the vulnerable by saying that its use should be exempted for Social Security benefits, but he wants to let this scam take hold in our government and affect other vulnerable groups: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022020805#post7

A chained CPI affects many other programs and vulnerable groups apart from Social Security recipients. By advocating its use at all, Durbin is saying,

Fuck the disabled. Fuck veterans. Fuck federal retirees.

What a disgusting charade from self-described "Democrats."

[woo me with science]

16. And Durbin is also arguing for a regressive tax hike.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=2022303

Don't tolerate the Third Way spin.

[Puzzledtraveller]

17. It's the difference between Bush Sr's "no new taxes" and thinking he said

"no taxes" So Durbin says no cuts to benefits does not equate to no changes at all.