Are you ready for Social Security cuts?

[dajoki]

Donna Smith's blog
Pallor and Pain; Sorrow and Stain
by Donna Smith | May 26, 2010 - 8:56am
http://www.smirkingchimp.com/node/29034

Over this past weekend, I watched more coverage on the BP Gulf oil spill and felt this growing sense of deep sadness and rage. The spill threatens so much more than we can yet fathom as we see this most recent fouling of our planet unfolding slowly, steadily and insistently with each passing hour.

Are you ready for Social Security cuts?

Across the globe, we are settling in for wars that may last many more years as we hear assurances that it would be a fool's folly not to war as the terrorist threats against us make any other course of action akin to inviting terror attacks everywhere. I'm not even sure most Americans know exactly why and all the places where we are warring. For many years now, the threats that demand our warring behavior have been intentionally painted more vaguely. And those vague and ever shifting reasons for war keep people fearful and looking around every corner for potential danger.

<<snip>>

Are you ready for Social Security cuts?

With all the pain and trauma playing out in the headlines today, it will be difficult for many to see one of the most terrifying things unfolding behind the scenes. President Obama's new National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform is about to cut Social Security benefits for millions and millions of Americans who have worked for decades and contributed to Social Security resting in the knowledge that when they grow older or when they become too disabled to work, Social Security will be there.

Let me repeat, President Obama supports cutting Social Security benefits, and the commission he hand-picked is poised to do just that. It is not in any way because Social Security is going broke. It is not. Social Security has provided a stable and sure protection against poverty and suffering for many millions of people even as private pension funds slashed promised payments to retirees and as other retirement plans took a beating in recessionary times. Social Security is not the problem.

President Obama and his Commission want to show the world on the backs of the American retirees of the future - like you and me - that they are prepared to make politically tough choices in favor of more fiscal conservatism. But really, Mr. President and Commissioners one and all, the world needed no further proof that America will turn a blind eye to its citizens - and perhaps even harm its own citizens to make a political point. Come on, our leaders have no soft spot for our pain. And they can act up a storm during election years to try to sell it differently, of course.

Oil spilling in the Gulf. BP and other oil giants still celebrate huge profits - and rest assured they come out OK even as the Gulf continues to struggle. Oh, we don't mind pain. War in Afghanistan, war in Iraq, war wherever war feels profitable. Oh, we don't mind some human suffering to keep the cash flow flowing. We love our money and we will sacrifice nearly anything to protect it.

Want to speak up and speak out before it's too late? Tell Mr. Obama and his Commission that Social Security benefit cutting is off the table. Medicare benefit cutting is off the table. Tell your Congressional members, Social Security and Medicare benefits off the table for your political point-making. It's time to stop the nonsense before it's too late.

Are you ready for Social Security cuts?

[tonysam]

1. Some "progressive" Obama is

People were warned about him and shouldn't be surprised he is acting like Reagan II.

[stray cat]

6. Nothing in life is free or guaranteed - expect bigger cuts in Medicare

[ShortnFiery]

16. WTF! WE, the American Taxpayer didn't squander the wealth away!

Take it from the damn banksters NOT from our social security. :grr:

[Jim Sagle]

22. Alrighty then...we'll classify you as a "cat food Democrat."

[eridani]

65. Please everybody! Spead this meme around!

Exactly the right wording.

[Donnachaidh]

24. NEWSFLASH Toots -- Social Security is NOT free -- WE pay into it.

Ignorance abounds

[laughingliberal]

58. Much easier to cut benefits if you paint recipients as welfare queens. We learned that from Reagan.

Among other things. nt

[tsuki]

92. Alan Simpson, Co-Chair, has stated that seniors drive up to their

gated communities in their Lexis. Obama has packed The Catfood Commission with those that would cut and privatize social security and medicare. The bill will go to congress on an up or down vote. No amendments or discussion. Obama feels he will isolate himself from the further devastation of the middle class by saying "What's a guy to do? It's them, not me."

And where is AARP on this?

[dflprincess]

131. It's why they now use the term "entitlement" when talking about Social Security

despite the fact we (and our employers) have paid into it, the word "entitlement" makes it sounds like anyone expecting to or currently collecting Social Security is just a freeloader.

[reggie the dog]

31. why not raise taxes on the rich back to their post WWII levels?

[tranche]

60. Hell, raising them to the Reagan era levels would be a huge improvement.

[humbled_opinion]

73. LOL...

The answer is never to raise taxes on the rich. They don't pay their fair share now. What makes you think they will pay it if you raise it more? They will move their money, they will pass costs on to consumers. It never ceases to amaze me that standard, "Yeah lets make the rich pay for it", the rich never pay for it the middle class always pay for it and the poor never get lifted out of the gutters, but I digress. The important part about your post and the true way out of this financial mess that the country has gotten itself into is to make Marijuana Legal, regulate it, tax it solves most of our problems right there

[Bluenorthwest]

41. Are you under the assumption that Meidcare is free?

Because it is most certainly not free. What kind of ignorant right winger taught you that crap?

[laughingliberal]

59. Nah, but the welfare queen meme is always trotted out to justify the theft of the masses' money. nt

[Hannah Bell]

49. not free - we paid for it. & continue to. it's not some "gift" to be rescinded at the whim of

the rulers.

[w4rma]

80. Don't expect Obama to go down in the history books as one of America's good President's.

Also. Expect a fight. A big one.

[unkachuck]

93. bullshit....

....we paid for this insurance all our working lives....we will receive ALL the benefits we're entitled to, one way or another....anyone who fucks with Social Security and Medicare, be they Democrat, Republican or Independent, will never work in politics again....

[Lorien]

98. Please surprise us by posting something sensible for a change

Social security is both a). paid for, and b). supposed to be guaranteed for those who have paid into the system.

[inna]

108. shame on you, stray cat. shame on you.

[lib2DaBone]

36. George Bush with a sun tan.....

:rofl:

[indepat]

47. Bush lite getting heavier by the day, most surely guaranteeing a single-term presidency

followed by some Bush ultra-heavy. :cry:

[humbled_opinion]

89. That thought is scary indeed

and seems inevitable. The next one will most likely destroy the country.

[indepat]

116. Coup de gras?

:D

[Autumn]

2. No I am not. But I'm quite sure we will

get them, cleverly disguised as "entitlement reform".

[DURHAM D]

7. +100

[bobbolink]

75. Its already underway for disabled folk.

Not that it matters.

[FBI_Un_Sub]

3. Long range plan

Keep the serfs in poverty.

Grind the yeomanry into the serf class.

Lower taxes on the nobility.

[reggie the dog]

33. that sums up what is happening all over the world

this is class warfare, it is international....

[Union Yes]

4. Pres O chooses to protect the wealthy from paying taxes. Otherwise he'd push to lift the cap instead

Currently capped at about $108,000.

After $108k, the wealthy go fica-tax free. If they make a billion, they pay zero FICA between $108k and 1 billion.

[CarlaLevin]

9. Defintely should be the first option! eom

[Hannah Bell]

104. anyone making a billion is making it from capital, not wages. and capital isn't subject to social

security taxes.

the stock options that are part of the big executive pay packages aren't subject to social security taxes.

only WAGE income is subject.

the cap covers 90% of wage income & is raised regularly -- the last time in 2008.

removing the cap destroys the original design of the program & is a trojan horse for eventual destruction of the entire program.

there is three trillion in surplus in the trust fund. remove the cap & you merely give the ptb MORE money to "borrow".

[clarence swinney]

5. SOON AS WE GET REVENUE IN BALANCE

1945-1980 were Great Middle Class Years.
Affordable Education-Homes-Health Care-Jobs Jobs-Unions-Pensions

Reagan and NeoCons came on in 1981.
Ir was intentional ENRICH Wall Street reduce Middle Class.
1945-1% owned 30% Total Financial Wealth
1989-36% (Ron big tax cuts for 1%)
2008--Bush Finished the Job
1%=43%
10%=70%
20%=93%
80%=7%-=20,000,000 workers=SHAFTED

20 years 3 Conservative presidents
18 years Conservative Senate
12 years Conservative House
6 years TOTAL CONTROL
Bush 8 let Wall Street go into Big Time Gambling
Instead of using investors money to create new businesses and increase current ones and create Jobs,
They created 31,000 Net New Jobs per Month.A sham.
Prior were Carter 218,000--Reagan 175,000--Clinton record 237.000
31,000 was an insult to working America.
During Bush 8 Wall Street shipped 2,300,000 of our jobs to China,

The Conservative ideology of Market knows best gave us Great Depression and Great Recession. Even Ultra Conservative Alan Greenspan had to admit it.

WHAT DID THEY DO??
Since 1980
60% Tax Cut to Top 1%
47% Tax Cut to Gamblers on Wall Street in Uneanred Income Tax
Huge Estate Tax Cut
Revenue Sharing costs to rich in income taxes transferred to Middle Class in property taxes.
Fed gave Bush 1% Interest and big increase in Total Money Supply
1920's Deja Vu. Banks rushed to borrow and lend lend lend to Developers
to build homes too large-too expensive for middle class declining disposable income
Increased Middle Class Payroll Tax
Taxes SS income
Five Cent Tax On Gas
Spending Spree on Defense which enriched Rich Investors in Defense
stocks,.
The Big Three took a 1000B of Debt from Carter and added on 8000B in 20 years of Spend + Borrow Our kids Can Pay Tomorrow.

Carter left Reagan a 600B Budget to which he added on 80%.
Carter left Reagan a less than 1000B of Debt and he added on 1700B
Clinton left Bush an 1800 B Biudget which Bush took to 3600B..
Clinton left Bush a Surplus as far as an eye could see and Bush added on
6000B Debt or more than we had after 220 years.Grover Nutquist had a party..

Folks! It was intentional. Grover Nutquist of ATR made 127 visits to White House in Bush first term. He was one who wanted to drown Government in a bathtub..How! Spend and Borrow to force us to eliminate Social Programs.
He has us, in 2010, exactly where he wanted us.
Facts hurt. Democrats are just dumb to not preach it over and over
8 more of Neocons snd American World Status will disappear to number two or three or worse.
Neocon ideology destroyed Rome-Spain-Holland-England and now America?
cswinney old ugly mean honest

prove me wrong please with facts and numbers

[dajoki]

14. I can't prove you wrong n/t

[FBI_Un_Sub]

21. Good and 100% valid points. NT

[Lasher]

27. Dear old ugly mean honest Chris Swinney,

You are 100% correct, and well said! Any cut whatever to our social programs would be just getting led around by the nose by Grover and his ilk. I don't know why more people can't or won't see this as clearly.

[reggie the dog]

34. they are pulling the same shit today in

Greece, Spain, the UK and they are trying in France, I will be in the streets at the protest tomorrow.

[Hannah Bell]

50. please report here.

[reggie the dog]

52. sure;

i live in a small town in the foothills of the alps, we have 30 000 people here and I hope to see a few thousand tomorrow. I will let you know. the strike and protest is against reforms to our retirement (they want us to work more years before retiring) the strike is national but I say international because there are riots and strikes all over europe this month.

[Hannah Bell]

56. if you don't mind, do an op. i don;t think americans are really realizing the scope of what's going

on, including protests in europe.

interesting to have a first-person report.

[reggie the dog]

57. no problem I will do that tomorrow

just know that there have been many riots and strikes in Greece. Spain is getting in gear with general strikes, and I will let you know how our strike goes tomorrow in an OP..... gonna take my mountain bike into town and fight the man tomorrow....

[Hannah Bell]

105. i'm not seeing it tonight -- send me a pm if it's posted somewhere please

[laughingliberal]

62. 100% accurate. So, why are we still pursuing these failed policies? nt

[bvar22]

70. You are only wrong on one point:

"Bush let Wall Street go into Big Time Gambling"
.
.
It wasn't Bush.


The repeal of Glass-Steagall was accomplished with bi-partisan support in the House and Senate, and signed by "Centrist" Democratic President Bill Clinton 1n 1999.

[CarlaLevin]

8. Social Secuirty was, is and will always be the thrid rail of American Politics.

To be candid, and do not rush to tear up my 'progressive card", it need reform badly. Cutting existing benefits probably cannot and should not be a first option, but raising the retirement age incrementally and applying Social Secuity tax to all employment income is probably a must. It is one of the greatest pieces of socila legislation in Americna history but it now stands on the demographic precipice. It was built on now antiquated ideas about longevity and no longer accurate assumptions about both population and economic growth. I know all about the miliary industrial complex gobbling up our tax dollars, but all that said, the possibility of beneift cuts may have to be on the table too. We do not want to collectively end up like Greece or California.

[joe black]

18. Uh, no

SS has a surplus ,from what I understand. My friend I have contributed about 300,000 dollars into SS in my lifetime. Obama better not even think about it. Tax the rich and stop the wars first.

[tbyg52]

69. >>Tax the rich and stop the wars first.

Fine idea.

[harkadog]

76. That sounds way off on the high side.

How long have you worked and what has been your average salary?

[readmoreoften]

23. Greece and California did not end up in debt because they cared for their elderly.

Greece is in crisis because the same neoliberal idiots tried the same neoliberal exotic financing as we did here. California is in crisis for similar reasons, but the refusal to raise taxes on the rich didn't help.

Anyone who buys the right-wing Kool-Aid that we're facing crisis because we've "spent too much on social programs" needs to check their liberal creds, because they're believing gussied up Fox News analyses.

[nichomachus]

38. Amen.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

30. Not nearly as much as the "defense budget" sacred cow.

[Overseas]

66. Exactly!! //nt

[reggie the dog]

35. raise taxes on the rich

lower them on the middle class and let us retire 5 years earlier, The usa is wealthier per capita than it was when social security was created, we just need to tax the elite at about 85 percent like we used to.

[corpseratemedia]

44. no,SS is fine, yours are rw republican talking points, obama can stop the endless military spending

which is so expensive anyway because it's all privatized contractors, and his deficit would be drastically reduced.

he shouldn't be stealing from what people have paid into their whole lives...true non-turncoat dems need to delay the potential anti-middle and working class decisions made by his secret commission until we can get a viable non-republican primary challenger for '12

[Hannah Bell]

51. false. retirement age has already been raised; it covers predicted gains in life expectancy

for the boomers.

there is no "demographic precipice," as worker productivity has far outstripped gains in lifespan. dependency ratios (working to non-working dependents) are higher (> workers v. non-workers) than in the 60s & will continue to be so.

the "social security crisis" = big lie.

[laughingliberal]

63. By all means, raise the retirement age (not)

I notice those who advocate that tend to have white collar, desk jobs. I don't see them doing the heavy lifting and being willing to keep on until they're 70.

[walldude]

78. SS works the way it was intended. It was always planned that the

current generation pays in to pay for the next generation. The problem is when Politicians see the word "surplus" they think that means raid the coffers and use the money for something else. SS would be fine if it were left alone, this new right wing talking point that there is something wrong with it only works because they made something wrong with it. Can you imagine if Bush had managed to privatize it before the collapse? People would have lost everything. Don't be fooled, the system works and it has worked for a long time.

[vssmith]

81. To imagine any politician would cut SS is laughable

It would be political suicide.

[dajoki]

117. That's why...

the commission doesn't report until December and I guess they're hoping that people will forget.

[w4rma]

82. It is the third rail and it needs to pay *more* benefits, not less. For the sake of our economy. nt

[stillwaiting]

110. They need to repay the 2.5+ trillion dollars they have STOLEN from working Americans

before they even THINK about talking about cutting social security outlays of cash to Americans.

This WILL require taxing the rich, perhaps heavily, to accomplish this. There's no other way around it, and we have to demand it.

[bergie321]

10. No Forking Way

I certainly hope Democrats are not that stupid.

[dajoki]

13. I didn't think they were...

but they play right into the repub hand everytime. There is no way a repub President or Congress could ever cut SS, but as long as it is Dems, for some reason that is fine.

[bobbolink]

74. What they are quietly doing is cutting people off disability.

I have written that several times here at DU, and there is absolutely NO RESPONSE.

There is big rage for Rayguns doing it in the 80s (and thousands of people killing themselves because they couldn't find a way to exist), but if Obama does it, then suddenly that is OK.

Several of us are looking at the fact that we may not be alive a few months from now.

Does that matter to anyone here at all?

[Zenlitened]

91. Yes, it does matter.

:grouphug:

[bobbolink]

95. Thank you. As you can see, it is not an issue of interest to most DUers.

:pals:

[Dr.Phool]

26. Unfortunately, I think you're wrong.

I believe they are that stupid.

They didn't used to be.

[NorthCarolina]

71. It isn't "stupidity", it's "complicity"

The Democratic Party of old, the once defender of the middle class, minorities, and those with no political voice, has been transformed through power, greed, and Corporate Wealth into a clone of the Republican Party. The vehicle for this transformation is the DLC, whose members now refer to themselves as "New Dems". It isn't "stupidity" causing the Democrats to cave to the Conservative agenda at each and every opportunity, it is simply the case that the Democratic Party IS CONSERVATIVE; defenders of the exponentially wealthy, and mega corporations. Their wealthy benefactors will continue to control the content, tone and message of the MSM, to choose those candidates for whom we may comically cast our votes in a largely predetermined election. Theywill continue to bleed you of savings, jobs and dignity until the only options you have left are to join the military as a meat shield to play their sponsored and highly lucrative war games, or to live as a derelict on the streets.

[marew]

90. You are, sadly, absolutely correct. n/t

[burnsei sensei]

11. Poverty is the loudest indictment

of American society.
And as an indictment, it has many others ringing along with it:
war
a misplaced value on ignorance
a refusal to obey a strict creed of individualism with respect to flesh and blood citizens
a too-quick willingness to privilege and empower citizens of paper.
a too-quick willingness to shed blood to prevent meaningful change.

[dajoki]

45. Welcome to DU burnsei sensei n/t

[clarence swinney]

12. wall street control

govermment is full of wall street former employees --full of goldman sachs.
Wall Street comes first. $$$$$$$$$=GOD

rubin-summers-greenspan-bernanke-geithner

staffs are filled with wall streeters.

middle class raped 1980 to 2009. By Wall Street.

Greatest Redistribution of Wealth in World History.
Greatest transfer of jobs between nations in history
2,300,000 to China by Wall Street under Bush watch

Today 20% own 93% of Total Financial Wealth

7%=120,000,00 workers=shafted

A tragedy. Who will correct it. Al Gore would John Kerry would. Clinton could.

Wall Street cannot.

olduglymeanhonest

[reggie the dog]

48. I was born in 1979

my whole life that I remember, I remember hearing that what was best for corporations was best for us all. I have been fighting that message since I was in high school. I am not part of the top 10 percent wealth wise so what is best for corporate america is often what is worst for me. To all the assholes involed in this transfer of wealth I give you a hearty FUCK YOU for what you have done to my birth country, my purchasing power (and that of working people like me) and my prospects for the future. Fuck you all. Yes your class is winning class warfare, you hire more guns than we can, but we still have the numbers and we just may have to riot like they are in Greece. Fuck you, fuck your entire economic class and fuck the politicians that run the world for your benefit. Kucinich 2012!

[dajoki]

87. Will Obama?

[jayfish]

15. Why Is There Never A Substantive Discussion About Raising...

or eliminating the S.S. payroll tax cap? I hear someone mention it once a year or two. Why is the first option always to cut benefits? ...and this coming from a Democratic Administration?

FSH

[dajoki]

19. Good points, I wish I had the answers n/t

[jberryhill]

20. Amen....

Do you know why?

Most people who do not make income above the cap are unaware of it.

[jayfish]

42. Excellent Point!

Since you mentioned it, I recall I didn't learn of it until about 10-years ago myself. The only reason I did is because it was covered in an accounting 101 course I had to take in order to support accounting software. I remember I was angry about it at the time.

FSH

[jberryhill]

43. Dat's right

Guess how I found out about it.

I thought I had gotten a raise after passing the cap one year.

[CrispyQ]

120. I was the lowest paid employee in a small business of seven.

I knew about the cap, but in June, I was astonished at the huge "increase in pay" the other employees received. The company's payroll didn't change, it was the distribution that was different. Instead of SS/Medicare taxes going into the tax bucket, those earnings went to the employees because they had already reached the cap.

They made so much more than I did that they reached the cap before the years half way mark! If the cap were doubled, they still would have reached it before years end. It was my first realization of the impact of the cap.

It probably wouldn't have burned me so badly, except three of them were the laziest assholes I've ever worked with! They are getting theirs though. The company is doing badly & three of them were laid off. After two decades of finding excellent paying jobs easily, they are all in their 50s & finding out that companies don't want to pay them their inflated salaries & take on the possible medical issues of an older work force. I have to confess to feeling a bit of schadenfreude regarding this. :blush:

[Hannah Bell]

53. you haven;t been listening, i guess. that bad plan is endorsed by obama.

OBAMA: What I have proposed is that we raise the cap on the payroll tax, because right now millionaires and billionaires don’t have to pay beyond $97,000 a year. Now most firefighters & teachers, they’re not making over $100,000 a year. In fact, only 6% of the population does. And I’ve also said that I’d be willing to look at exempting people who are making slightly above that.

http://www.ontheissues.org/economic/barack_obama_social_security.htm


and it's a trojan horse. it destroys the original design of SS, & ends all claims that recipients pay for most of their benefits.

"millionaires & billionaires" for the most part, don't pay social security -- because they don't make their millions & billions from wages, but from capital. which isn't subject to social security tax.

[avaistheone1]

I thought Obama campaigned on raising the SS payroll cap...

[laughingliberal]

67. I will say I heard him in a town hall style meeting a couple of months ago

where he was asked about SS and Medicare. He said solving SS was simple and would just require raising the cap but Medicare is a harder problem. That said, he appointed people to the Cat Food Commission who have always favored cutting benefits and raising the retirement age as well as handing over some of our money to private corporate interests.

[CrispyQ]

122. So he said one thing & did another?

Really??? :eyes:

They have been salivating over SS for decades!

Cat Food Commission. I'd be :rofl: if it weren't so :cry:

At least my local health food store sells vegan dog food. ;)

[avaistheone1]

132. Cat Food Commission

Well that pretty much nails those folks. :rofl:


Thx!

[napi21]

17. AFAIK "the cuts" you are referencing are in ADVANTAGE PLANS

ONLY! This is no big secret. Obama talked about that during his campaign, and suring the entire year of BS that went on in Congress over health care. Yes advantage plans seem to benefit the insured, but they benefit the Insurance Company even MORE!

To directly answer your question, YES I am ready for the "SS CUTS"! I AM on SS & also have an Advantage Plan for my HC ins. Yes I know that next year my monthly costs are going to go up, but I'm so ticked off at the ins. cos, not so much for what they did to me, b ut what they did to all of YOU, that I'm willing to pay that higher monthly premium & help do my part in pulling the heads of the ins. cos. out of their proverbial A*!

[Hannah Bell]

54. medicare isn't social security.

[walldude]

79. Shhh.. you are messing up the rant...

:rofl:

[lpbk2713]

25. I've been expecting it.

That was the main objective of the corrupt and evil BushCo Regime. While they were making themselves fabulously wealthy they were bankrupting the US Treasury. The plan was to justify their actions and make it easy for them to raid "entitlements" that the GOP has been after since FDR was President ostensibly to "save" the country. It works out even better for them if cuts have to be made during a Dem Administration.

[nichomachus]

37. We have a Dem administration?

Really? How can you tell?

[TheKentuckian]

28. No, and if we don't stop the whole effort in it's tracks then we should be

as ashamed as we can be.

[dajoki]

32. Agreed!!

[xxqqqzme]

29. Here's the part people forget all about at their peril.

Social Security is more than retirement. In 1995, I was on top of the world. At 47, my youngest was graduated from high school; I had a great job; making great money; traveling; and at long last, the single parent struggle was fading fast. Then I was disabled by an auto accident. I could no longer work. As a paycheck to paycheck single parent, I had no savings. Simply...without SSI disability, I would be who knows where?

It is extremely difficult to imagine your entire world turned upside down; everything you have worked for essentially erased because there is a new obstacle taking priority over everything else. I was extremely lucky because I was working and had great health insurance at the time. It even covered my physical therapy for over a year.

With no social security, what happens to those persons suddenly disabled? How are their needs met? Where do they live when their income suddenly vanishes? I do not consider my situation unique. I cannot begin to imagine that safety net removed or reduced to a token gesture.

[dajoki]

40. Yes, I am in the same boat as you...

and unless it happens to you, people just cannot understand what a blow it is to see everything you worked for your entire life go down the tubes. I am currently hanging onto our home by my fingertips. Any cut in benefits and I will be totally screwed.

[Hannah Bell]

55. SSI = supplemental security income. it's not social security, though it's administered by the SS

administration.

SSI is funded out of income taxes; it's open to all applicants, whether or not they paid into the social security system, whether or not they ever held a job in their lives, whether or not they are the child or spouse of someone who did. it's "welfare," & i don't mean that in a derogatory sense, just in the sense that it's administered entirely on the basis of need.

SSD = social security disability. it's open only to those who paid into social security, or their dependent children/spouses. it's funded from social security taxes, not from income taxes.

two different programs; people get them confused.

but both programs are under seige from the disciples of the "free market"

[bobbolink]

94. "but both programs are under seige from the disciples of the "free market" "

It's my turn to ask you... do you have any further info on that?

I think that is what is happening, from all indications, but of course there is no word on it (that I can find) and people won't believe it until there is official word, and by that time there will be thousands of deaths, just like there was during Rayguns.

[xxqqqzme]

100. Obama's 'Deficit Reduction Commission'

or whatever the government name is, is now stuffed w/ persons who have a history of pimping for privatization of Social Security. How any one can seriously even consider this is absolutely beyond me. They want to give your deductions to the very assholes that brought this country to the brink of ruin. We are still teetering on that brink. I fear for my children.

[dajoki]

114. I fear for my children...

as well as everyone else who relys on their SS income.

[Hannah Bell]

106. the same information you have -- the ptb are calling for spending cuts

& ramping up the propaganda, as well as privatizing everything they can get their hands on. *all* public spending is under attack, & *all* social programs are at risk.

[bobbolink]

126. Thank you, Hannah. I have a bit more information than that.

*I* have personally been targeted by SSI, and don't know when I will be cut off, and know others who have been, too, and *they* know others. This is what happened during Rayguns, and it resulted in the suicide deaths of thousands of people.

But, since this is a Democrat, people don't seem to give a shit about the deaths.

[Hannah Bell]

127. can you write an op so as to bring it onto the radar?

[bobbolink]

128. Hannah, I really don't have any more than that, and you know the hatred I get here when I post

about what I am going through.

I really don't have the strength to take all the hatred and accusations anymore.

[bobbolink]

83. Well, start imagining, because it looks like people are now going to be cut off.

Quietly.

Fatally.

[Yeahyeah]

39. They're screwing me now and later.

[Greyhound]

46. Just one of the many topics being slid under the radar while we watch the Gulf.

:kick: & R

[Nikki Stone1]

61. Wait til the Medicare cuts start

They want ALL public programs off the books.

[GreenStormCloud]

64. If Democrats cut Social Security, the Party will lose heavily in the next election.

In every election Democrats have warned that the Republicans will cut SS if elected. SS became know as the third rail of American politics. Touch it and you die. Now, if after decades of warning about Republicans, we cut SS, we will alienate the old folks who have been a traditional Democratic stronghold.

For the first time ever, in 2010 there was not a cost-of-living increase in SS payments, nor will there be one next year.

There are two fast tracks to disaster for an American politician. One is to mess with SS, the other is to be anti-gun (In most states).

[MoonRiver]

68. Does President Obama want to be a one-timer?

This will do the job.

[1776Forever]

72. From Michael Moore site: Whacking the Old Folks by Greider / The Nation: Link

May 21st, 2010 11:31 AM
Whacking the Old Folks
By William Greider / The Nation

http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latest-news/whacking-old-folks

......Paul Volcker, former Federal Reserve chair and adviser to the president, declares, "In my view, we can deal with the Social Security problem fairly promptly." Cutting benefits, Volcker adds, "is not going to deal with the deficit problem in the short run, but it's confidence building." John Podesta of the Center for American Progress, another adviser, agrees but says, "Reforms could starkly demonstrate to skeptical debt markets that the United States is willing to take on a politically difficult fiscal issue."

In other words, targeting Social Security is a smokescreen designed to reassure foreign creditors and avoid confronting the true sources of US indebtedness. The politicians might instead address the cost of fighting two wars on borrowed money or the tax cuts for the rich and corporations or the deregulation that led to the recent financial catastrophe and destroyed vast wealth. But those and other sources of deficits involve very powerful interests. Instead of taking them on, the thinking in Washington goes, let's whack the old folks while they're not watching.

This issue is a seminal fight with the potential to scramble party politics. If Democrats can no longer be trusted to defend Social Security, who can be? The people from left to right overwhelmingly support the program (88 percent), and a majority (66 percent) believe benefits should be increased now to cope with the loss of jobs and savings in the Great Recession.

Citizens can win this fight if they mobilize smartly. We can do this by arousing public alarm right now, while members of Congress face a treacherous election and before Obama can work out his deal. Some liberal groups are discussing a "take the pledge" campaign that demands senators and representatives sign commitments to keep Hands Off Social Security Benefits. If politicians refuse to sign, put them on the target list for November. Barack Obama is standing on the third rail of politics—let's give him a warning jolt.

.......

I swear I don't understand this! Why in the H haven't the rich tax cuts been cut yet Mr. President? Why? :kick:

[w4rma]

84. Either screw foreign creditors or screw the wealthy. But don't touch SS. (nt)

[mynameiswhat]

77. Im prepared.

[DCBob]

85. The most likely recommendation will be continuing to raising the age of retirement ...

That will probably be good enough to save the fund.

[Dawson Leery]

101. Eliminate the FICA cap too.

[CrispyQ]

124. While demoralizing the youth in our country who can't find jobs.

Another demographic division they can use against us.

[DCBob]

125. The collapse of social security system would be even more "demoralizing"..

imo.

[fascisthunter]

86. brought on by the global elite

[UTUSN]

88. So... NOTHING has been proposed or implemented yet HYSTERIA ENSUES!1 n/t

[bobbolink]

96. Thank you for your heartfelt concern. Those of us under threat delight in your support for us.

[troubledamerican]

97. If Obama betrays us on Social Security, then he IS a Cheney sleeper cell.

And I will never vote Democrat again -- or vote. Zero trust in any aspect of the social contract.

[stillwaiting]

111. All of our time, energy, and money should be spent organizing a movement to change the system.

Liberals and conservatives alike should come together to revolutionize the way they conduct "our" business in D.C.

Who we elect matters very little at this point in time. Corporate interests will always be tended to over the needs of our people. Clearly.

[troubledamerican]

112. ...Our time, energy, money... organize a campaign to change... hope and change...

[dajoki]

115. I will leave the party n/t

[RB TexLa]

99. Wait a minute

"millions and millions of Americans who have worked for decades and contributed to Social Security resting in the knowledge that when they grow older or when they become too disabled to work, Social Security will be there."



I've been told by more than one person with children that their children will have to pay for my social security. Nothing I pay into it counts it's their children who will have to pay for it.




And we can't take things off the table on this. You can't just chose programs to not look at based on who the primary recipients are of the program.

[Hannah Bell]

102. then why is war spending off the table? why are bank bailouts off the table?

[RB TexLa]

103. I don't think anything should be off the table. Very first place we need to gut spending in

homeland security. After a few attacks Americans will accept them as a part of life.

[Hannah Bell]

107. what you think & what the ptb think are two different things. war spending & bankster subsidies are

off the table.

[dajoki]

129. Part of life?

[lonestarnot]

109. He best not.

[Odin2005]

113. This is horrifying. This is utter BETRAYAL!

:grr:

[Recursion]

118. I'm ready for FICA and Medicare levies against *all* income

That would solve the problem pretty easly.

[Politicub]

119. If the President has his hands in this, then he is beyond contempt.

It is morally wrong to abuse those who subsist from month to month tiny social security checks. If people in power choose kick those people, they have no conscience and there is no end to the distress they would be willing to inflict.

I hope against hope that this will not go anywhere. I'm not sure what we can do if there are cuts. If Obama won't do everything in his power to protect social security, then what good is he?

I support President Obama 95% of the time. But this would be beyond the pale.

[Mari333]

121. guess he thinks 70 million baby boomers will vote for him

wont he be surprised.

[Throd]

123. I'm 43 years old. I'm not expecting a dime.

[suston96]

133. I was your age once......

...and I felt the same way. I was furious at old people living so long. In fact, I even thought of running old people down in intersections. But, my better nature and the spectre of prison time dissuaded me.

I reached 62, some 20 years later, and voila - I applied and started receiving my check. At 65 I joined Medicare. Everything was there waiting for me.

The solution to this Social Security problem which doesn't exist is simple. Jobs. More jobs. Millions of them. There must be more jobs, and soon. Or there will be millions of unemployed hanging around malls and supermarkets begging for jobs or money.

Well, going on 18 years and the checks from Social Security just keep on coming. Had major surgery some years ago in Boston and Medicare paid it all.

Hang in there. You will get more than a dime when it comes your turn. Meanwhile, tell your leaders: do something about the economy and create jobs - like Clinton Gore did - 22 million jobs during their 8 years.

That will resolve the non-existent Social Security problem which, by the way, still has a good sized surplus in its Trust Fund.

http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/ProgData/fundFAQ.html

[Liberal_in_LA]

130. K&R

[Dont TS Me Brah]

134. that would be bad but I think when I'm old there won't be a SS. nt