Please Consider K&Ring This Post:

[MannyGoldstein]

I believe that it's the most important post ever placed on DU:

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Better%20Believe%20It/144">William Greider: President Obama Is Leading The Assault on Social Security

Basically, Obama wants to grab $50,000 from each American under 59 in order to appease the crazy right. I've researched this, and it's spot on. And it's horrific.

Here's an excerpt:

In setting up his National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, Barack Obama is again playing coy in public, but his intentions are widely understood among Washington insiders. The president intends to offer Social Security as a sacrificial lamb to entice conservative deficit hawks into a grand bipartisan compromise in which Democrats agree to cut Social Security benefits for future retirees while Republicans accede to significant tax increases to reduce government red ink.

Obama's commission is the vehicle created to achieve this deal. He ducks questions about his preferences, saying only that "everything has to be on the table." But White House lieutenants are privately talking up a bargain along those lines. They are telling anxious liberals to trust the president to make only moderate cuts. Better to have Democrats cut Social Security, Obama advisers say, than leave the task to bloodthirsty Republicans.

The president has stacked the deck to encourage this strategy. The eighteen-member commission is top-heavy with fiscal conservatives and hostile right-wingers who yearn to dismantle the retirement program. The Republican co-chair, former Senator Alan Simpson, is especially nasty; he likes to get laughs by ridiculing wheezy old folks. Democratic co-chair Erskine Bowles and staff director Bruce Reed secretly negotiated a partial privatization of Social Security with Newt Gingrich back when they served in the Clinton White House, but the deal blew up with Clinton's sex scandal. Monica Lewinsky saved the system.

What's extraordinary about this assault on Social Security is that a Democratic president is leading it. Obama is arm in arm with GOP conservatives like Wall Street billionaire Pete Peterson, who for decades has demonized Social Security as a grave threat to the Republic and has spread some $12 million among economists, think tanks, foundations and assorted front groups to sell his case. If Obama pulls the deal off, this will be his version of "Nixon goes to China"—a leader proving his manhood by going against his party's convictions. Even if he fails, the president will get some protective cover on the deficit issue. After all, he is targeting Big Government's most beloved and trusted program—the New Deal's most prominent pillar.

[SunsetDreams]

1. Obama Budget Request for 2010: Strengthen Social Security

Sponsored Links
President Obama’s budget request for 2010—which proposes $3.6 trillion to help pull the United States out of a recession and to begin major new initiatives in health care, energy and education—also includes three key Social Security proposals, beginning with a 10 percent increase in the Social Security Administration budget.
The Obama budget proposes $11.6 billion for the Social Security Administration, an increase of $1.1 billion above the 2009 level of $10.5 billion.

Plans to Increase Social Security Staffing and Services
Obama’s budget request for Social Security includes funding intended to ensure increased staffing in 2010 and to enable the Social Security Administration to maintain or increase service in several areas, such as:

•processing initial retirement and disability claims as well as disability appeals; and
•more efficiently verifying hundreds of millions of Social Security numbers and issuing about 18 million Social Security cards.
The President’s 2010 budget request also provides $759 million for Social Security Administration program integrity, to help ensure that the government is spending tax dollars efficiently and that benefits are paid only to eligible beneficiaries and in the correct amounts.

http://seniorliving.about.com/od/socialsecurity101/a/obama-social-security-budget-2010-.htm

If you follow the link: It's not just about staffing

[MannyGoldstein]

2. This is not about a little more cash for "adequate staffing"

It's about grabbing thousands of times more cash from retirees.

It's disgusting.

[SunsetDreams]

3. No what I find disgusting, is these hyperbolic assumptions

[MannyGoldstein]

4. What assumption is hyperbolic?

Please be specific.

Thanks.

[SunsetDreams]

5. "Obama is leading the assault"

if that's not hyperbolic, I don't know what is.

[MannyGoldstein]

7. Congress refused to set up this commission

Then Obama jumped in and created it, stacking it - as the article says - with folks who have a track record of trying to slash Social Security payments.

Obama created the thing, and he created it to slash Social Security. What's your alternative characterization?

[SunsetDreams]

13. Really? which congress?

Stop The Hysteria About The Deficit Commission and Social Security

Those accusations are preposterous. First of all, this commission is designed after the commission that the Senate voted on and got 53 votes - 7 Republican sponsors shy of passage. Progressive icons like Sens. Barbara Boxer, Pat Leahy, Russ Feingold and Chuck Schumer all voted in favor. Did I miss something or do all these people want us to eat "cat food?"

The structure of the commission includes 18 members: 10 Democrats and 8 Republicans. According to the bylaws, six members are appointed by the President (4 Democrats, 2 Republicans), and three each by Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Reid, Minority Leader Boehner and Minority Leader McConnell. Unless the idea is that President Obama as well as Harry Reid and Speaker Pelosi (who led the Democratic opposition against Bush's privatization plan) all want us to eat cat food, the idea that the commission is trying to gut social security doesn't make much sense. One of the members is Andy Stern, the outgoing President of SEIU.

MUCH more at link:
http://www.thepeoplesview.net/2010/07/stop-hysteria-about-deficit-commission.html

[phleshdef]

16. Cat Food Commission = The Left's version of "Death Panels".

They might be paranoid crazies but they are OUR paranoid crazies god damnit.

[ProSense]

20. Here is what is not known about the current push:

What does Greider hope to accomplish? The recommendations aren't due until December. There is an election in November. Democrats are campaigning against cuts to Social Security. Greider is basically saying the President is lying, that Obama "is arm in arm with GOP conservatives."

Greider: "If Democrats can no longer be trusted to defend Social Security, who can be?"

What's Greider's goal?

[MannyGoldstein]

21. Prosense: Do you believe that Social Security has a problem?

If so, please explain.

[ProSense]

25. No, and I don't

have a problem with shoring it up. I also don't have a problem with cutting waste out of any system. I have a huge problem with anyone suggesting cuts to Social Security benefits, and I have seen no evidence to suggest that the President and Democrats are going down that path.

I also have a huge problem with extreme hyperbole that makes people like Greider sound like the teabaggers when they were screaming death panels.

If he is going to scream that Obama is leading the assault on Social Security despite the President's statements and acknowledged position, then he has to expect that some people, like me, will not take him seriously.

[MannyGoldstein]

27. We may be closer on this than I thought

So, do you agree that Erskine Bowle's and Bill Clinton's deal with Newt Gingrich to cut Social Security payments was just plain evil?

[ProSense]

29. Here's what I think

The piece by Greider is bullshit.

[MannyGoldstein]

30. So you believe that the Bowles/Clinton/Gingrich deal

to slash Social Security was OK?

Obama appointed Bowles and Simpson run this commission - if you believe that both are hell-bent on slashing Social Security despite knowing the truth that SS is OK, yet you believe that the Greider piece is alarmist, then I'm confused.

[SunsetDreams]

24. Honestly,

I think the originator of all this bullshit, comes from the Right.
They are great at FEAR, they already tried it with their version of Death Panels.
It looks like they may have succeeded some with this one, because some on the Left is buying it.
Do I blame the left? of course not. It's time to say no to the Right Wing fear tactic.

Edited to be clear: I don't blame some people for having some issues with those 4 members. HOWEVER, it takes 14 to agree on something in order to even make a recommendation. Even if those 4 convince the others, they have to go through a vote with Congress, and then the President has to sign off on it. NO Democratic President is going to attack Social Security.

[27inCali]

41. Greider is trying to peel Liberals away from Dems

and over to whatever small Left-wing political party he thinks is the ONLY answer to America's ills. -that's just my speculation. But the same kind of vapid speculation that comprises the basic premise of Greider's article. The sort of alarmist language, the sort of over wrought rhetorical flourishes that seem to want to paint the picture in much more extreme tones that what the fact actually provide for. It gives away that this writing has some major motives involved far beyond just informing folks. I just don't trust that kind of writing because it's a lot of heat and very little light. Lot's of dire assumption, very few supporting facts.

[dflprincess]

52. "The recommendations aren't due until December. There is an election in November.

Democrats are campaigning against cuts to Social Security."

That's right, the recommendations aren't due until after the election when Pelosi has said that the House will give them and up or down, no debate vote (ensuring that most people never see this coming). Meanwhile Democrats can campaign against cuts in Social Security now and later they can claim that the dire predictions made by Obama's commission made it necessary for them to accept the cuts (after all, none of them will be dependent on Social Security).

And don't pretend that politicians never say one thing in a campaign and turn around and do just the opposite. I seem to recall your hero claiming he was opposed to mandated insurance and thought a public option was necessary to "keep honest" and he turned around and sold us out on those items. Don't be surprised when he sells out our retirement as well. Though I can't wait to hear how you'll spin it when he does.

No doubt they'll promise to fix some of these recommendations "later". Maybe they'll even promise to put some real teeth into age disrcimination laws. If they expect us to work until we're 70, they'd best figure out a way we can stay employed.

[Eyerish]

55. I wish I could K&R this post....

Well said dflprincess :applause:

[Dr.Phool]

37. The really sad thing ubout this commission.

Most Dmocrats were willing to go along with it. The Republicans, in their infinite obstinacy, voted against it, just to say no.

[JamesA1102]

47. Don't confuse the demagogues with facts. nt

[ProSense]

6. "President Obama Is Leading The Assault on Social Security"

Yes, he created the commission, which has 18 members, and people hate Alan Simpson and Erskine Bowles, but nothing about that constitutes "leading the assault on Social Security."

As the President and Democrats around the country campaign against Republicans who want to cut Social Security, people are now actively making up shit to campaign against the President while ignoring Republicans.

[MannyGoldstein]

8. He stacked it with people who openly want to cut benefits

These people are not only mean, they are liars telling us that Social Security is bankrupt - Social Security is in fine shape.

Obama has crafted this to slash Social Security.

Shame!

Shame!

So tell us: why did Obama appoint Simpson and Bowles to lead the thing, when both of them have actively led attempts to cut Social Security benefits in the past?

[ProSense]

10. No he didn't

and 14 of the members have to come to consensus on the recommendations, which are just that, recommendations.

[MannyGoldstein]

11. He absolutely did

Other than Andy Stern, it's a who's who of Social Security cutters These people have public records, look them up.

This committee is just cover for the crazy right and lame duck Democrats to slash Social Security in December.

Please stop your support for this - you're better then that.

[ProSense]

12. Dick Durbin, Xavier Becerra, Jan Schakowsky

No it isn't.

[MannyGoldstein]

14. Durbin's on record as wanting to cut Social Security

Durbin: http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2010/04/29/durbin-says-bleeding-heart-liberals-should-be-open-to-medicare-and-social-security-cuts/

Here's the whole pack:

http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2010/05/10/obama-packs-debt-committee-with-supportes-of-social-security-benefit-cuts-and-privatization/

Awful stuff, just awful.

[ProSense]

15. More FDL crap

There is nothing in the NYT article remotely suggesting that Durbin wants to cut Social Security.

But Senator Richard J. Durbin of Illinois, the second-ranking Senate Democratic leader, denounced suggestions of an administration VAT plan as the “musings of right-wing cable shows.”

He also admonished “bleeding heart liberals” to be open to program reductions to restore fiscal balance. An hour after the commission’s meeting, however, several liberal activists held a conference call with reporters to press for additional spending to create jobs, lower military spending, higher taxes for the wealthy and no cuts in Medicare or Social Security.

When the President said "make me do it," he didn't mean by distorting his position, attacking his integrity or simply making up shit.

[MannyGoldstein]

19. "He also admonished 'bleeding heart liberals'

to be open to program reductions to restore fiscal balance."

Which part of that quote is puzzling to you?

[ProSense]

22. Where does it say cut Social Security?

I see three words out of context: "bleeding heart liberals" and no reference to Social Security cuts.

[MannyGoldstein]

23. So why should we consider cutting Social Security?

Is there a reason to cut it?

[GOTV]

36. Remotely suggestive: "be open to program reductions" - Dick Durbin

[27inCali]

42. "When the President said 'make me' he didn't mean by..

distorting his position, attacking his integrity or simply making up shit."


THANK YOU!

[Hawkowl]

9. The social security "crisis" is a sham

It is going to "go broke" in 30 years or so? Why even have a goddamned commission if it isn't to placate the right?

Eliminate the cap on social security taxes and the problem is SOLVED. Hell if we actually taxed INCOME (such as capital gains and dividends) instead of WAGES, then we could up everyone's benefits and lower the retirement age which would decrease the labor force and unemployment.

If Obama gets anywhere near cutting benefits or upping the retirement age, he is completely, politically fucked. If he doesn't realize this, he is the stupidest guy elected president in the last 100 years.

[MadHound]

17. Makes sense, the Catfood Commission's "recommendations" are supposed to be voted on in December,

One month before the Bush tax cuts expire. The timing is there, the people are in place, it's looking like we're going to get screwed.

[Name removed]

18. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Hekate]

26. Using a rather broad brush there, aren't you? You may not agree, but some here are arguing rather...

... eloquently for their point of view.

The material in the OP is so over the top that it really does seem to sink to the level of the fear mongering wrought last year about the "Death Panels" supposedly included in "Obamacare".

Death Panels = bullshit
Cat Food Commission = likewise

Who does it serve to stir this particular pot? Who does it serve, besides the RW?

Hekate

[MannyGoldstein]

28. You call it "over the top". I call it "recorded history".

These folks have a record of previous attempts to cut Social Security. Why do you think they've suddenly changed their stripes?

[Radical Activist]

32. It makes for good headlines and email action alerts.

It's great fodder for those who spread cynicism to campaign against Obama/Democrats.

[27inCali]

43. Who DOES this serve but the RW?.......crickets

[Radical Activist]

31. "That's Bullshit" - Alan Simpson

"So we want to take care, we’re not cutting, we’re not balancing the budget on the backs of senior citizens. That’s bullshit."

Your post would be better if you had stuck to the article's actual headline.

I laughed at this part of the article where the author runs up against the limits of his imagined reality:

"As a candidate, Obama assured voters that any shortfall was in the distant future and could be easily resolved with minor adjustments. As president, he has abandoned this accurate analysis and turned rightward without explaining why."

Maybe he hasn't explained why because he has yet to propose anything different than what he campaigned on. Why would he explain doing something that he hasn't actually done? lol

[SunsetDreams]

33. LOL

"Your post would be better if you had stuck to the article's actual headline."

The actual article title is "Whacking the Old Folks" Do you think that is better?
:shrug:

I'm glad you mentioned that, because I checked. I clicked on the Nations link to the original article, and saw the actual Title.
I am thinking more and more this originated from the Right Wing. Think Death Panels.

[brentspeak]

50. Meanwhile, your post looks like it originated from DLC Spin Central n/t

[babylonsister]

34. This is some assault! "Administration report sees $8B in Medicare savings"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8863510

Unrec.

[treestar]

35. Heartily unrec'd enough with this false claim

This is starting to take on the air of a concerted false attack of the kind Republicans could be expected to do. :thumbsdown:

The most important post ever placed on DU? Congratulations! :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[AtomicKitten]

38. LOL.

[Ikonoklast]

39. Unrec the hysterical bullshit.

If you think Obama is going to deep-six Social Security with a lame-duck congressional vote, which Democrat in Congress is going to throw away his entire political career voting yes to do so?

And this article refuses to truthfully acknowledge how this committe was picked...one clue, it wasn't 'stacked' by Obama.

All you gophers under the elm tree are hyperventilating over nonsense.

Greider even has the 'some people say' disguised as 'Washington insiders' part down pat.


No names, no facts, all conjecture.

[brentspeak]

51. Who made and approved the commission selection rules?

Q.E.D.

[27inCali]

40. my friend I don't doubt your Liberal credentials at all...

but I think you a being taken for a ride by the Rat-Fuckers. I'm not trying to make a joke or cut you down but you realize that there are a lot of Repigs out there posing as fellow Leftists trying to sew discord and distrust between the Dem base and it's leaders -not just here at DU but all over the web and media in general. Does that mean I think Obama is perfect, no I'm probably pissed about a lot of the same shit as you re: watered-down "reform", continuing Bush policies that he promised he would end etc. But I think this particular line is nothing more than a lot of dire ASSUMPTIONS based off very scant circumstantial evidence. I'm sorry but this whole meme sounds like either rat-fucking or way radicalized Leftist Green stuff meant to peal away Liberals from the Dem party. Either way, I'm just saying, maybe it's time to bust out that trusty ole grain of salt?

[flamingdem]

53. ... the sowing of discord IS WORKING (hats off to Rove, he's brilliant.. ish) nt

[TheKentuckian]

44. K&R but they'll just deflect until it is over and then try to sell it

It'll be "it's just a few more years"

"Better we did it than let the Republicans start butchering"

"We must be responsible with our budget"

"If things work out most people will be better off"

"It was the Republicans and those darn Blue Dogs, we'll fix it we just need a few more Democrats!"

"You all wanted to end the tax cuts, you can't have your cake and eat it too"

"President Obama saved Social Security by making it secure got the long term future and sensible sacrifices had to be made"

"Social Security is still here, the sky isn't falling Chicken Littles, the President simply made pragmatic adjustments"

And other lame bullshit.

[dionysus]

45. your other thread didn't go good enough or what? manny, you're a pane of glass...

:rofl:

[Dinger]

46. K & R (nt)

[SoxFan]

48. .

[brentspeak]

49. It's not to appease the crazy right; it's to please the DLC's Wall Street backers

John Podesta was quoted in the article that debt markets would be "reassured" to see austerity measures applied to Social Security. It's all about pleasing the global financial elite.

[flamingdem]

54. links to prove your point? nt

[SunsetDreams]

56. You can't appease with something that doesn't exist

[DevonRex]

57. No. Oh, and

:rofl:

[CTLawGuy]

58. ah

no.