Obama calls for cash to seniors

[Pirate Smile]

Source: Politico


The Social Security Administration announced inflation is too low to justify an increase in benefits. AP Photo Close

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs released this statement after the Social Security Administration announced inflation was too low to justify an increase in benefits:

"Many seniors are struggling in the face of the economic downturn, having seen their savings fall. Today’s news that the Social Security Administration will for a second year not provide a cost of living adjustment for social security benefits highlights these struggles. The President will renew his call for a $250 Economic Recovery Payment to our seniors this year, as well as to veterans and people with disabilities. Last year, under the Recovery Act, 56 million people benefited from the first Economic Recovery Payment — including about 50 million Social Security beneficiaries. We’re grateful that Speaker Pelosi has indicated she will bring the new Economic Recovery Payment to a vote and we urge members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to support our seniors, veterans and others with disabilities who depend on these benefits."



Read more: http://www.politico.com/politico44/perm/1010/struggles_f99ef958-4e37-4331-afd5-0619dfd3a40d.html

[BrklynLiberal]

1. That would help....not as much as a COLA increase..but better than nothing.

Not sure I understand why there will be no increase. My cost of living has increased. Those that I have to pay every month do not want to hear about the fact that I am not getting a COLA increase in my SS.

[madamesilverspurs]

2. Some prices that have gone up:

Medicare D premium

Cost of meds under Medicare D

Food (especially for those with dietary restrictions)

-

[glinda]

5. add to that basic utilities and if the spouse still has to pay for their own insurance since

no longer covered by the other's insurance plan and then add to that all services that have gone up such as car repair, Veterinary, the list goes on.

[Luciferous]

3. I guess it's better than nothing, but $250 is not a lot of money...

[BillH76]

7. It sure isn't.

He hands you a nickel
He hands you a dime
He asks you with a grin
If you are having a good time
And then he fines you every time you slam the door....


--Bob Dylan
Maggie's Farm

[asjr]

4. As a senior I would love a raise, but I am

going to live with not having one. I just hope this does not discourage senior voters from voting for Democrats.

[German]

6. So why?

What did happen on October 11, 2010 was the fact that the COLA freeze for 58 million people was announced. And because of how the congress has chosen to measure the supposed cost of living: they found that for the last two years there has been NO INCREASE in those costs. However despite this, the congress did vote themselves a COLA in the senate of $5,300 and in the House it was $ 4,700. Clearly Congress felt they owed themselves a cost of living increase while the 58 million Social Security recipients were denied any increase at all.

[salib]

10. Interesting how it did not take 60 votes

When Repukes get a chance to vote for their own pay raise. However, watch what they do with this effort to give Seniors one, even a small one. Whataya think they will do? Will they force sixty votes for Seniors to get a bit of help?

The Repukes are bastards, plain and simple, with no integrity, morals or ethics. And they have just enough of a presence to make anything nearly impossible, except their own enrichment (and that of their royalist masters).

[AsahinaKimi]

8. So does this mean

Veterans will get a check for $250.00? My Veteran friend at the VA Hospital will be happy to hear that, if so.

[Scuba]

9. Wow, that will allow us to buy...

... a better grade of catfood.


Wall Street gave themselves $145 Billion in bonuses last year.

[madrchsod]

11. screw paying the bills with it...

the wife and i are going to the dells for two days and get all wrinkly in the hot tub and float around on intertubes...

[ensho]

12. the W.H. and Pelosi do care about us seniors. thank you much

the $250 will help and we much appreciate their caring.

what a relief it is to know we are in their thoughts.

[cal04]

13. President Obama to seek $250 payment to Social Security recipients

Source: LA Times

After officials announce there will be no cost-of-living increase for the second consecutive year, the White House says Obama will ask Congress to authorize the one-time payment. A key Republican says long-term funding for Social Security must be addressed.

President Obama will press Congress to send a one-time payment of $250 to senior citizens to help them get through another year without an increase in their Social Security benefits, White House officials said Friday.

The renewed call for those payments came shortly after the Social Security Administration announced that millions of retirees and disabled workers will see no cost-of-living adjustments for the second year in a row, a result of the low U.S. inflation rate.

Yet seniors are struggling through the current economic downturn, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said Friday, and they can't rely on their savings because of poor investment earnings.

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sc-dc-1016-social-security-20101015,0,2116540.story

[elocs]

14. Yes, I've read and heard about this more than once today. n/t

[msongs]

15. was also here yesterday only attributed to nancy pelosi instead. post election of course lol nt

[doc03]

16. Democrats running for Congress should do the same and ask

their Rethug opponents to make the same pledge, then watch them try and weasel out of it. I bet we won't have the money for that.

[Bitwit1234]

17. Won't work. He tried it last year and 12 Democrats voted it down.

The social security administration was so sure it would be passed I got an email telling me it would be sent out such and such a date and they were in the process of having the checks printed. They were disappointed and sent emails to tell us so, when those 12 Democrats voted against it.

I am signed up to the Social Security Website and all updates are sent out to those who submit their email address. That is how I knew the social security was ready to go but got shot down by (those I remember) Feingold, Feinstein, Warren, McCaskill can you believe those four, I thought they were real Democrats.

[iamtechus]

18. $250 is a fucking insult!

That will buy one asthma inhaler.

[Nite Owl]

19. Yes, it is very insulting

pennies for seniors and billions for war and banks.

[MineralMan]

26. It's about $20 per month. About a 2% increase for the average

SS recipient. We got that in 2009. I'd welcome that $250. I'd be thankful to have it. If we don't get it, I'll survive.

[SocialistLez]

29. +1,000%

and then some

[DesertFlower]

32. it's $21 a month. better than nothing.

[BlueJac]

20. Yeah........

throw chump change to people that deserve a raise and claim you did something! What a fucking joke. It kind of sums up the Obama presidency!!!!!

[bigdaddycoles66]

22. chump change??????

I don't know about you but that $250.00 extra dollars goes a long ways for people on social security. Understand that everyone pays in to Social Security even you, thats if you even have a job, which I doubt!
Go Obama Go Dems in 2010! Vote early using early ballot forms.

[Name removed]

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[Name removed]

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[BlueJac]

28. Post a few more of your idiotic replies..........

you know nothing about anything

[SocialistLez]

35. Ha. It pretty much does sum it up.

[MannyGoldstein]

21. While he tries to slash their benefits moving forward

Through cutting the COLA formula. And, of course, taking an average of $42,000 from each of us under 58 by raising the retirement age by three years.

[Iowa]

23. Manny, where did you get the age 58 cut-off?

I hadn't seen that.

[MannyGoldstein]

37. Here's more info:

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/MannyGoldstein/102

[boppers]

31. I'm fine with an age 70 retirement for myself and my field.

I don't expect to live that long, or ever see/need Social Security, though.

:shrug:

A coal miner would likely see the issue very differently.

[Purveyor]

24. Will never see the light of day once it reaches the Senate. eom

[ClarkUSA]

30. Inflation is too low to warrant a COLA, according to the SS spokesperson interviewed by NPR today.

My father will welcome this.

[DesertFlower]

34. inflation is too low?

i guess it doesn't include the cost of food, paper goods, cleaning supplies, etc.

[ClarkUSA]

36. That's right. I was listening to the NPR morning broadcast from 10:30 -11:30 a.m. ET.

<< i guess it doesn't include the cost of food, paper goods, cleaning supplies, etc. >>

I don't know. I didn't hear any particulars.

[mvd]

33. Seems like a small gesture. Perhaps it will help the economy..

slightly through people spending more, but certainly prices for many things have gone up enough to allow an increase. Plus, seniors could use it until the recession (really a depression) ends.