In Letter, House Dems Tell Obama To Leave Social Security Alone - TPMDC

[WillyT]

In Letter, House Dems Tell Obama To Leave Social Security Alone
Brian Beutler | TPMDC
April 12, 2011, 6:20PM

<snip>

House Democrats just sent a letter to President Obama warning him not to cut Social Security as part of the deficit reduction program he'll outline Wednesday, or risk losing their support.

"As you know, 137 members of the United States Congress signed a letter last year opposing any cuts to Social Security Benefits, including raising the retirement age," write Reps. John Conyers (D-MI) and Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), in a letter obtained by TPM.

"The signatories also stated their opposition to any effort to privatize Social Security, in whole or in part... we believe that any discussion of long-term debt issues must consider the strong fiscal integrity of Social Security--which is prohibited by law from adding to the national budget deficit and will have built a $4.3 trillion surplus by 2023."

We remain concerned that the Bowles-Simpson proposal may serve as a starting point for budget negotiations. We consider this plan to be flawed in several key areas, especially with respect to its proposed cuts to Social Security Benefits. We believe that any proposal that includes cuts to a popular, fiscally sound program lacks credibility and does not reflect the political center.

<snip>

Link: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/04/in-letter-house-dems-warn-obama-to-leave-social-security-alone.php

:kick:

[elocs]

1. Would this be the same story as what is currently on top of the Home page?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4811473

[inna]

7. the more the merrier. seriously. what's your point, even? :tired shrug:

[Tx4obama]

2. See bolded text in the last paragraph below.

Alan Colmes: Obama To Draw Sharp Distinction From Republicans On Budget

President Obama on Wednesday plans to announce budget plans very different than what we’re hearing from Republicans.

He will call for shrinking the nation’s long-term deficits by raising taxes on wealthier Americans and requiring them to pay more into Social Security, drawing a barbed contrast with a Republican plan to save money by deeply slashing Medicare, Medicaid and other domestic spending.

Obama will offer some spending cuts, including trims to the Pentagon’s budget, but his speech Wednesday is likely to provide Americans with a vivid choice between higher taxes or fewer benefits, issues that will color the national debate straight through the 2012 election…

Obama would end tax breaks for households earning more than $250,000 a year, trim Pentagon spending, lift a cap on the amount of income that is assessed for Social Security, and save on Medicare and Medicaid through alterations to healthcare delivery, administration officials said. He will speak about 1:30 p.m. Eastern time on the campus of George Washington University.

http://www.alan.com/2011/04/12/obama-to-draw-sharp-distinction-from-republicans-on-budget

[Stinky The Clown]

3. repubican House members would get a more serious hearing.

[Poboy]

5. True statement.

[msongs]

4. that's a no brainer to a democrat. nt

[damntexdem]

6. Touching SS is a way for him to lose the presidency.

I certainly wouldn't vote for him if he did that.

[inna]

8. "touching SS"? it's already been nearly *defiled* by this president.

the odious Deficit Commission, Social Security Payroll Holiday (aka the SS poison pill), constant RW framing, legitimizing the sick dangerous sociopathic fucks like Simpson/Bowles & Co.... where does it end??