Obama Flips on Social Security—a Big Win for Bernie Sanders

[G_j]

http://www.thenation.com/article/obama-flips-on-social-security-a-big-win-for-bernie-sanders/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=socialflow

Obama Flips on Social Security—a Big Win for Bernie Sanders

The president’s call to strengthen the program is a change of heart, and a breathtaking salute to the Vermont senator.

By William Greider

It was only a few lines in the president’s lengthy speech in Elkhart, Indiana. The New York Times and The Washington Post both missed the story. President Obama declared his commitment to sustain and defend Social Security but also to expand its benefits for retired people.

The president’s call to strengthen the program is a change of heart, and a breathtaking salute to the Vermont senator.

It was only a few lines in the president’s lengthy speech in Elkhart, Indiana. The New York Times and The Washington Post both missed the story. President Obama declared his commitment to sustain and defend Social Security but also to expand its benefits for retired people.


“We can’t afford to weaken Social Security,” Obama said. “We should be strengthening Social Security—and not only do we need to strengthen its long-term health. It is time we finally made Social Security more generous and increase its benefits so that people get the dignified retirements that they have earned.”

That statement alone is a 100 percent reversal of where Barack Obama started on this issue seven years ago. Then he aligned his presidency with billionaire financial gurus like Pete Peterson who are pressing for so-called “entitlement reform.” That is, whacking Social Security on the grounds that the government can no longer afford it.

..more..

[guillaumeb]

1. Recommended. An example of how a candidate can influence and define

the debate and the platform. This is just one reason that Sanders should continue until the convention to make his positions clear to the voters and the Democratic party.

[pdsimdars]

6. It is not. He has done nothing but put a few "feel good" words out there. They've done nothing

on it. And you fell for it hook, line and sinker.

[guillaumeb]

10. Defining the debate, and the terms of the debate, is critical.

And Sanders is putting progressive positions into public debate. President Obama admitted to considering a grand bargain that would have weakened Social Security. I credit Sanders, among others, for influencing the President's evolution on the issue.

[pdsimdars]

12. Show me what STEPS he has taken. Words are cheap. I want action.

Obama promised a lot when running for president but he ignored most of them once elected. I don't believe ANY of their words any more. They need to show me some action or they are full of it.

[guillaumeb]

13. The first, essential step in any debate is framing the argument.

And Sanders is attempting to do just that.

The GOP has been so successful because they have dominated the media and used that dominance to define the terms of the debate. Their success is obvious when one considers the large number of posts here that talk about the impossibility of single payer, the impossibility of free college, the impossibility of a living wage. Things that are commonplace in many countries.

[coco77]

15. Exactly..

[truedelphi]

2. Greider is a marvelous writer.

Of course, the NYT's reporters do not really "miss" these kinds of contradictions - they are aware that should they start to report them, they will be looking for a job on Comedy Central.

[tk2kewl]

14. good headline - glad someone is calling it what it is

[truedelphi]

21. Yes very excellent headline. I would say more,

But am on my way out the door to vote for Senator Sanders.


Go Bernie!

[tk2kewl]

25. best vote i ever cast

[truedelphi]

26. Same here. Polling place was basically empty - 80 percent of

Lake County Calif had already voted by mail, I guess.

[bbgrunt]

3. Perhaps that is the trade-off for passing TTP. If so, it is a cheap trick.

[djean111]

7. Oh, had not thought of that. Misdirection. Look! There's a Social Security kitten!

And if it used as a spoonful of sugar to make the TPP go down, it will be cast aside unceremoniously when it has served its misdirecting purpose.

[truedelphi]

22. Please Mr Obama - please don't kill that kitten!

Even if it is taking away milk and cram from younger folks and destroying life on the planet as we know it (Or whatever it is that the neo liberals say to justify doing it in.)

<sarcasm to be noticed>

[djean111]

4. I really really wish I was not so cynical -

I think Obama is just pandering, and then Hillary will pick it up, for more pandering, and then drop it like a hot rock if she gets elected.

The Third Way is Not Down with making Social Security stronger, except in the sense that if they pay less out, the money lasts longer. For Wall Street to play with and skim off fees.

So forgive me if I don't swoon. I expect we will see much of Bernie's platform flung about like performers in the Cirque du Soleil, but none of it will stick.

[coco77]

16. You got that right..

She and her surrogates will lie,lie,lie and pick what is in Bernies platform to try to win voters. Doesn't matter to me I will never vote for her and they can trot the President all over town (MIchigan) not changing my mind.

[Skwmom]

20. You'd have to believe in unicorns to buy this.

[pdsimdars]

5. Not buying it. Psychological war fare as appeasement to make progressives feel like

something has actually been accomplished.

For almost 8 years he has done NOTHING about it. Remember, he kept offering it up for his "grand bargain". He didn't think a thing of it. Everyone is against cutting Social Security but he kept offering it up.

And NOW, when there is no time left to really DO anything about it, NOW, he comes out just to have a feel good moment. DON'T celebrate this Bull Shit. IF they actually GET SOMETHING DONE on it, THEN is the time to celebrate. But NOW it is just feel good words thrown out into the dead air. And people act like some HUGE change has happened and something profound has been done.

They just CUT the cost of living raise this year. Anyone seen that go up yet?. What are people so giddy about? Flat, dead, empty, baseless RHETORIC with no real action.

Get over it and come back down to REALITY!

[djean111]

8. It is all misdirection and pandering.

I'm sure the Third Way was consulted and told not to worry, all smoke and mirrors and bullshit.

You are right - no COLA, not a fucking peep out of Obama, but NOW he thinks it needs to be expanded. Yeah, pull my finger.

[TheProgressive]

11. I agree with what you wrote...

It was heartbreaking hearing a Democratic president, President Obama, offering up cuts to SS.

The new DLC/Clinton/Dem party is basically the Rep party...

[Skwmom]

19. Message to Voters. We think you are stupid and will by anything we say.

[felix_numinous]

9. A lawyer's advice would be to get it in writing

and that is what we want, the laws written and then enforced as reality in our lives.

[Skwmom]

18. It would only be meaningless words on a piece of paper.

[Skwmom]

17. A win? It is called campaign rhetoric.

[MelungeonWoman]

23. After 7 years of loving that chained CPI, Obama has a change of heart.

I was so taken, I changed my signature line.

[seabeyond]

24. Obama is more in line with Clinton proposal.