Obama/GOP attack on Social Security update: White House blows off Rush Holt's concerns

[brentspeak]

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/12/top-democrat-identifies-another-threat-to-social-security-in-obama-tax-plan.php

(Rush) Holt worries that if Congress and the White House unite to turn the payroll tax into a budget item, then it's only a matter of time before it loses its uniqueness, and then it will be susceptible to attacks from its long-standing enemies.

"Social Security becomes something we use to stimulate the economy, next year we'll use it to balance the budget -- it becomes another government program like the Endowment for the Arts," Holt said. "Ever since 1935 there have been dedicated enemies of Social Security and the reason it has been able to withstand the attacks is that it is special. If that goes away, Social Security goes away in no time flat."

Holt raised this objection to White House officials. Without naming them, he says they've basically blown him off. "Of all the things the President seems to be willing to negotiate, I'm dismayed that the integrity of Social Security would appear to be one of them," Holt criticized. "It must be because the advisers around him don't have a s nse of history."

His pleas, he said, "fell on deaf ears or was completely ignored."

[jannyk]

1. k&r!

[RandomThoughts]

2. A good reason not to plead.

If you have a claim, just assert what is already yours. As is the payments of social security to the elder members of society.

The reason they don't want social security, is to rewrite history, elderly people with time to think and discuss issues in the working class, can help educate people on things from years of experience and longer memories. They want to shorten cultural memory, and to do that, they feel keeping the elderly working is important.

Not about the money, about social engineering.

[Autumn]

3. I had thought that Rham was the problem,

but he's gone now. :shrug:

[egoclothes]

5. they are of the same stripes.

[sasha031]

4. it's so discouraging to see WH disparaging members of his own party

with no concern of the effects or consequences.

[KoKo]

6. K&R

[StarsInHerHair]

7. k & r

looks like we'll need to pool our money and get our own Lobbyist Group .

[ProSense]

8. Here's a good read

Cut the Payroll Tax to Save Social Security