Santorum: Trim Social Security now even if painful [View all]

[Faygo Kid]

Keene, N.H.— Risking the wrath of older voters, Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum is calling for immediate cuts to Social Security benefits and says the country can't wait to phase in reductions as most of his rivals have advocated.

"We can't wait 10 years," even though "everybody wants to," Santorum told a crowd while campaigning in New Hampshire Friday, breaking with opponents who say immediate cuts would be too big a shock to current and soon-to-be retirees.

Calling for cuts in Social Security often triggers strong opposition, and politicians typically suggest phase-in periods of up to a decade when broaching the topic.

Santorum, who was trying to leverage his strong Iowa showing in New Hampshire, argued that everyone must sacrifice now because the nation's "house is on fire" with soaring federal debt. He argued that he is being courageous and honest by telling Americans they can't afford to wait to rein in Social Security's growing costs. And he said he anticipated possible attack ads on his position, four days ahead of New Hampshire's GOP primary. . .

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120106/POLITICS03/201060438/1361/Santorum--Trim-Social-Security-now-even-if-painful

This is unbelievable. Or maybe nothing is unbelievable from this crowd anymore. Needless to say, he rules out any tax hikes whatsoever or other adjustments - just cuts, and now.