"Republicans want you to believe Social Security has a funding problem. Don't believe them!"

[LongTomH]

Great article at The Week: Republicans want you to believe Social Security has a funding problem. Don't believe them..

The ongoing Republican plot to cut Social Security is shaping up to be a major story. As Dylan Scott has documented at Talking Points Memo, through a totally unnecessary change in accounting rules, Republicans are trying to ensure Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) runs short of money in less than two years, which would require a one-fifth cut in benefits.

Most recently, there are hints that Republicans may top up the SSDI fund by merely a little bit, similar to what they have done with the debt ceiling. The point is to create a series of manufactured crises, and each time the SSDI program runs short of money, they can use their leverage to ratchet down Social Security as a whole.

The way Republicans spin all this will be critical. Social Security is very popular, so conservatives will have to avoid the perception that they want to cut it, even though they clearly do. Dispelling their squid-ink nonsense will be crucial in protecting the program.

At National Review, Veronique de Rugy gives us a taste of how conservatives will frame their argument for cuts. "We're broke," says the headline. The SSDI fund "will be empty in a year" (no mention why), and "we can't ignore the issue for much longer." Regular Social Security "is also on an unsustainable path."

The Republican party's eight-decade (and counting) campaign to destroy the crowning achievement of FDR's New Deal continues apace, actually, it's intensifying. I remember a few idealogues attacking the idea of Social Security decades ago; but, they were considered the fringe. Now they're in the mainstream of the Republican party.

[still_one]

1. And to make matters worse most of the MSM is propagating the lies

[LongTomH]

3. Social Security Works isn't as pessimistic!

The heading for the link to this article on their Facebook page says:

"It was a long time coming but the media is finally starting to report the attacks on Social Security for what they are, ideological assaults by minions of a Wall Street hatred of Social Security."

[SamKnause]

2. If a Republican's lips are moving,

they are lying !!!!

They are lower than pond scum.

One example was the 60 Minutes program.

John Boehner and Mitch McConnell pretending they are fighting for the working class.

They really are despicable people.

They can take their 7 Mountains Birch Society agenda and shove it where the sun doesn't shine.

[jwirr]

4. The way they spin it? No it is the way we spin it that makes the difference. Expose them for what

they are doing and fight it in whatever way we can. Start working on raising the cap, etc. We need to keep to the high road and let the American people know what the Rs are doing to destroy Social Security as it is. And do not divorce one part of the program from the other. Protect regular Social Security, Survivors Benefits and SSDI. Do not let them get away with this.

So the ball is in our court = toss it back into theirs and give them enough rope to hang themselves.

[LongTomH]

5. Agreed!

But, be prepared for a long, uphill fight against a Koch-funded headwind!

[jwirr]

6. The fight is long but one thing we have to understand if they get rid of Social Security as it is

there is nothing else to take its place. Whatever they come up with will not cover most of us when we need it. This is one of the fights for survival. There should not be a single worker in America who does not want to keep this program. What else to they have? Pension? Look at all the pensions that have not been there when they were needed. Life insurance? Who can afford it? I do not know of a single alternative to Social Security? We have no choice but to fight for this.

[LongTomH]

7. See my most recent post on this:

Get the book: "Social Security Works," and support Bernie Sanders effort to expand Social Security.