I am almost 50 years old. i have been paying into Social Security since days after turning 14

[maui902]

72. Honestly, I respect your position

I really do, but we are talking past each other. Let's assume you are entirely correct; you make reasonable, passionate arguments not to reduce any benefits. Assuming you're unwilling to bend at all on this point, what do you see happening? Based on your latest response, I assume you believe having no deal by January 1, 2013 isn't so bad, and is preferable to agreeing to small, long term changes to benefits to social security and medicare recipients. I simple disagree, not because I've "fallen for it," but because based on my experience and what I read (and I believe I'm fairly well informed), I believe the following will occur if no deal is reached. First, taxes will increase-automatically, on everyone-come January 1, 2013: One: Relying on a divided Congress to reinstate income tax cuts for middle income earners sometime later in 2013 is a huge gamble, one I'll think you'll lose. Two: There will be cuts to non-defense related discretionary spending that, while effected over time, will have an immediate impact on many who are least equipped to handle the cuts. Three: While not part of sequestration, unemployment benefits for millions of unemployed Americans (those who are currently on the extended benefits-one of whom happens to be my brother) are scheduled to expire after December 31, 2012. Four, there will be significant cuts to defense spending, which will most certainly result in the loss of jobs. Five: Based on the combined impact of outcomes predicted in one through five, I believe (this is just a prediction based on my opinion, but I believe it's a reasonable one) that we are likely to experience a double dip recession, which will be harmful to the very people we as Democrats want to protect most. I realize my prediction could be wrong (I do not claim to be Nate Silver), but I am not willing to make that gamble if I can get a "grand bargain" along the lines of what President Obama proposed during the campaign (and, as I've stated in my prior posts, I'd be willing to address certain changes to entitlement programs, not because I think they have to be made but because I think that will be the price that we may need to pay to obtain a sufficient number of Republican votes to pass any program that avoids or corrects the impact of sequestration.