General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDemocratic Senator Kent Conrad Says Raising Medicare Age, Cutting Benefits Is ‘Balanced And Fair’
It's these guys that are going to join with Republicans to box Obama into a bad deal.
--
In an interview with the Washington Posts Suzy Khimm, North Dakota Democratic Senator Kent Conrad said that it would be fair and balanced to raise the Medicare age, which would require a huge cut in benefits to American seniors:
KHIMM: Obama has already suggested raising the retirement age for Medicare. Should that be the starting point for thinking about entitlement savings?
I wouldnt want that to be the starting point, but as part of an overall package, thats balanced and fair.
Read more: http://boldprogressives.org/democratic-senator-kent-conrad-says-raising-medicare-age-cutting-benefits-is-balanced-and-fair/
Enrique
(27,461 posts)Report1212
(661 posts)Angry Dragon
(36,693 posts)Johonny
(20,851 posts)and see if THEY still think it is a good idea.
WinkyDink
(51,311 posts)Le Taz Hot
(22,271 posts)they had a "D" next to their names so we HAD to vote for them!!!111!!!! Reid needs to get these guys in line or Reid needs to be replaced. My vote is Eliabeth Warren.
Give Warren a chance.
mmonk
(52,589 posts)The third way disease will eventually be fatal to the Democratic Party.
Oilwellian
(12,647 posts)This is another feeler folks. Let's let them know what we think!
mmonk
(52,589 posts)KansDem
(28,498 posts)If you want to erase the deficit, then get the money from Bush and Cheney and the rest of them who lied us into war while cutting taxes on the rich!
TO HELL with these people!
datasuspect
(26,591 posts)jesus archibald goatfucking christ.
they don't even try to hide it.
The Magistrate
(95,247 posts)We should wait everything till January, when any number of the worst ones, like this dangling dingle-berry, are out of the place and can no longer exercise their pernicious, poisonous influence over our country.
WorseBeforeBetter
(11,441 posts)"I suspect that on Social Security, we've got a somewhat similar position," Obama said. "Social Security is structurally sound. It's going to have to be tweaked the way it was by Ronald Reagan and Speaker -- Democratic Speaker Tip O'Neill. But it is -- the basic structure is sound."
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=1820101
Poor Obama, to be boxed in yet again. Or just maybe, Obama's going to get what he wants.
1983 Amendment Vote... check out some of the names:
http://www.ssa.gov/history/tally1983.html
hobbit709
(41,694 posts)valerief
(53,235 posts)on point
(2,506 posts)Last edited Thu Nov 15, 2012, 11:08 PM - Edit history (1)
Coyotl
(15,262 posts)Good riddance and Welcome Heidi Heitkamp and someone who campaigned on the party platform.
forestpath
(3,102 posts)a kennedy
(29,673 posts)Yah, Patty Murray got his spot on the Budget committee, she's the chair. Good riddance to him.
ProSense
(116,464 posts)his replacement has already been announced.
Patty Murray To Chair The Senate Budget Committee
http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/patty-murray-to-chair-senate-budget-committee
Report1212
(661 posts)Because Conrad has a lot of power until then.
That's why we "care."
ProSense
(116,464 posts)The President said yesterday they're focused on the expiring tax cuts, and that he's willing to look at that and tax reform after the tax cuts are addressed.
Congress only has a few weeks, and no deal is going to be made on any other issue before the next Congress.
ProSense
(116,464 posts)The proposal the President put forward does not include any such changes.
President Obama's Opening Move: Raise $1.6 Trillion In New Tax Revenue From The Wealthy
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021810643
This is what Congress has to consider. There is also the Senate bill.
Reid: We Agree On How To Resolve 97-98 Percent Of Fiscal Cliff
http://upload.democraticunderground.com/10021809162
Report1212
(661 posts)Have you been following Congress at all?
They don't just do what Obama says.
ProSense
(116,464 posts)Really?
In all seriousness, Conrad is on his way out and this issue is not going to be addressed until the next Congress.
It would be better to pressure the Senators who are going to be a part of the equation.
Do you really believe Conrad is going to respond to pressure?
argiel1234
(390 posts)Exactly!
Conrad is on his way out. Fuck him!
lalalu
(1,663 posts)Still too many democrats in congress who will bend over for republicans. President Obama has been fighting republicans and some members of his own party.
kentuck
(111,102 posts)Now, what did you say again??
Kalidurga
(14,177 posts)We should put people on medicare at around 55 when health issues start popping up. At that age those issues are a lot less expensive to treat and will increase the over all health of our population. Cancer in the early stages for example is sometimes curable and less expensive than what happened to my mother. She got very expensive health care in the last two months of her life. I don't know if early detection could have saved her, but it might have and would have been less expensive. But, there are a host of other diseases like diabetes very expensive to treat over the course of 30 years. It would be better to catch it before it becomes diabetes. We should also lower the retirement age. People shouldn't be forced to retire. But, it is a fact that when someone retires it makes room for someone else to get a job, presumably someone younger. If people weren't forced to work until they are 75 or older then we might not have such a huge employment problem for younger people.
The qualification age for both Medicare & SS should be lowered.
Egalitarian Thug
(12,448 posts)but;
WorseBeforeBetter
(11,441 posts)Kicking for those in denial...
forestpath
(3,102 posts)take a hit that could be a matter of life or death to them, while the rich barely feel a pinch, is sick and twisted.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)He's wrong, there is no moral reason to do what he's proposing, but he has sufficient support to get in office. He should be ignored, but it's not going to be easy. It'd be better if he was GOP and not allowed to pollute the Democratic Caucus. The AFL-CIO has plenty to say on Social Security. These are the arguments that need to be used:
http://www.aflcio.org/Issues/Retirement-Security/What-Is-Social-Security
Ruby the Liberal
(26,219 posts)And she's a scrapper. VERY impressed with the interviews she did with Big Ed. I hope she brings that fight to the Senate.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)Ruby the Liberal
(26,219 posts)Definitely comes across as left of left. Lets hope she stays that way!
freshwest
(53,661 posts)Report1212
(661 posts)He's doing this mostly because he's him.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)Naturally, I don't know his entire record. But this just sounds like he hasn't thought this out. In the big scheme of things, with the MIC and corporate welfare pressuring for their cut out of tax dollars, it's wrong. Our payments in taxes, etc. fed those profits, we deserve what we paid into, they don't want to pay anything. Our money, in proportion to our wealth, is just as good as theirs.
Report1212
(661 posts)Already a GOPer elected to replace him unfortunately.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)msongs
(67,414 posts)fabulous health care and retirement thanks to taxpayers. let's cut THAT first
limpyhobbler
(8,244 posts)sabrina 1
(62,325 posts)is more than likely to happen to the Dem Party if they do not stop this betrayal as quickly as possible.
The supporters of the Third Way on DU really are in the minority imo.
HiPointDem
(20,729 posts)WorseBeforeBetter
(11,441 posts)juajen
(8,515 posts)Because I could not afford to go to a doctor, I had a major heart attack that cost around 100,000. They went after my house. Bankruptcy ensued. Nobody will hire anyone over 50 and most large corporations oust you at that age to hire someone younger. I agree with the poster who said we should lower the age for medicare. It makes a lot of sense to me, and opens up the employment market to the younger workers.
Dawson Leery
(19,348 posts)sabrina 1
(62,325 posts)of the Dem party. Now is the time for that traitor to the people to receive a phone call from the Dem Leadership, and of course from millions of Americans to let him know maybe he mistook the party he belongs to.
Please do not even try to make excuses for any talk of SS in these deficit discussions. People are way more educated about this big lie now than they ever were, and no one is going to accept any more excuses from Dems.
HiPointDem
(20,729 posts)a moron.
CreekDog
(46,192 posts)he thinks he's smart, right?
Dr Fate
(32,189 posts)n/t
Cleita
(75,480 posts)Did they not learn when they attacked women's right? Imagine what will happen when they piss off a bunch of seniors, especially those who are close to 65 and about to qualify for Medicare. He was the reason we lost the fight for a public option in the ACA.
spanone
(135,844 posts)BlueMan Votes
(903 posts)bend over, america.
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)louslobbs
(3,235 posts)Lou
SDjack
(1,448 posts)be undercut by DEMs. Come on Harry, sidetrack this ass.
Dr Fate
(32,189 posts)Or not. I'm cool either way.
Fumesucker
(45,851 posts)Zorra
(27,670 posts)Teamster Jeff
(1,598 posts)AnotherMcIntosh
(11,064 posts)Others who signed on include, but are not limited to, Debbie Stabenow, Dianne Feinstein, Ben Nelson, Mary Landrieu, John Kerry, and Bill Clinton.
MannyGoldstein
(34,589 posts)Cohesiveness against the unsensible vomit-slurping Firebaggers is what we badly need, going into this season of Grand Bargaining and Big Austerity.
Regards,
Third-Way Manny
RagAss
(13,832 posts)Jeff In Milwaukee
(13,992 posts)and then offer an option for persons who decide to wait to collect their benefits (we do that now, but it could be extended farther). That way there's a savings from people who WANT to work longer -- and in the 21st century we're more digital employees that lumberjacks and blacksmiths, so working later in life is an option -- but those who want to retire earlier and enjoy themselves can do so with no cut in benefits.
theaocp
(4,241 posts)Fuck this asshole.
roguevalley
(40,656 posts)Of all he owns
eridani
(51,907 posts)People die waiting to get on Medicare right now!