Defending (2008) Obama on Social Security

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

I supported Hillary in the primaries but I am an honest person and will not support any policy based on allegiance to a person.

Obama's position on mandates was invalid. Hillary's attacks on it were valid. (Of course we were going to have mandates... it was baked in the cake.)

On the other hand, Obama's position on Social Security was valid. Hillary's attacks on it were opportunistic.

Obama was right on how to fix SS. (Though somewhat wrong in buying into the 'crisis' idea in the first place. It was hardly a pressing national priority given what else is/was going on.)

The deciding thing for me on that issue at the time was when I came to understand that Obama was proposing that the cap be raised and that people who paid more in consequently would receive higher benefits using the usual calculations. (Yes, a few people will be receiving monthly SS benefit checks of $5000.)

And that, counter-intuitively but accurately, doing that pretty much fixes social security for generations without reducing benefits.

It's fair as fair can be.

So I support that Obama campaign proposal whole-heartedly.

I hope he still does!

[madfloridian]

1. Many are nervous about the ones he appointed to the debt commission.

And rightfully so. He chose them, they are his choices. The vast number are wanting to cut, privatize, raise the ages, or other things.

Shocking to see Peterson and Simpson and others on the panel in charge of "fixing" Social Security. It's rather chilling to me. A couple seem ok, but even Durbin warned us "bleeding heart liberals" what was coming.

Why would Durbin warn us and call us "bleeding heart liberals"? I feel that congress will approve quickly the results of the commission. Check out these folks. Look up their stances on Social Security. And don't forget the two chairman...Alan Simpson and Erskine Bowles. Bowles made a deal with Gingrich during Clinton's presidency to begin to privatize Social Security. Simpson has scorn for seniors.


Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.)

Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.)

Rep. Dave Camp (R-Mich.)

Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.)

Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.)

David Cote, Chairman and CEO, Honeywell International

Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho)

Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.)

Ann Fudge, Former CEO, Young & Rubicam Brands

Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.)

Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas)

Alice Rivlin, Senior Fellow, Brookings Institute and former Director, Office of Management & Budget

Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.)

Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.)

Rep. John Spratt (D-S.C.)

Andrew Stern, former President, Service Employees International Union

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

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