Bernie single-handedly forced the issue of Social Security expansion onto the national agenda

[portlander23]

Obama Flips on Social Security—a Big Win for Bernie Sanders
William Greider
The Nation

“We can’t afford to weaken Social Security,” Obama said. “We should be strengthening Social Security—and not only do we need to strengthen its long-term health. It is time we finally made Social Security more generous and increase its benefits so that people get the dignified retirements that they have earned.”

That statement alone is a 100 percent reversal of where Barack Obama started on this issue seven years ago. Then he aligned his presidency with billionaire financial gurus like Pete Peterson who are pressing for so-called “entitlement reform.” That is, whacking Social Security on the grounds that the government can no longer afford it.

But Obama’s change of heart also amounts to a breathtaking salute to Senator Bernie Sanders. Bernie single-handedly forced the issue of Social Security expansion onto the national political agenda. He did not ask anyone’s permission. He was belittled as a dreamy left-winger out of touch with practical reality.

One of the “realists” who gently dismissed Bernie’s bold talk was Hillary Clinton. I imagine Obama’s endorsement will make it safer for HRC to embrace Bernie’s position. Several years ago, well before he decided to run for president, Sanders drafted and vetted a bill to expand the retirement benefits in a progressive manner, financed by increasing the contributions from upper incomes. The Social Security Administration (SSA) confirmed that his calculations were plausible assumptions, though of course it did not endorse the measure.

[Thinkingabout]

1. OMG, where has everyone been for the last several years?

[randome]

2. That's sort of the problem. He does everything single-handedly.

Think what he could have accomplished if he had spent the past 25 years building coalitions and partnerships. Instead, virtually none of his coworkers endorse him for President.

He gets credit for the ideas he's put into the public square but no one does anything single-handedly. He is not Hercules.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Stop looking for heroes. BE one.[/center][/font][hr]

[MattP]

3. No it was Elizabeth Warren

http://m.motherjones.com/politics/2015/04/can-elizabeth-warren-expand-social-security

[MattP]

4. Bandwagon Bernie taking credit for other peoples work

His campaign must be pushing this because this is the second article and it's still bullshit Warren is the force in the Senate http://m.motherjones.com/politics/2015/04/can-elizabeth-warren-expand-social-security

[mmonk]

5. Yes he did. That is why it is important to fight for what you believe in.