Republicans, Obama Leave Room to Negotiate on Social Security

[Better Believe It]

Social Security Talks Benefit From Quiet
By LAURA MECKLER
April 18, 2011

A combination of factors augur for a deal. Neither Mr. Obama nor Republican Rep. Paul Ryan, chairman of the House Budget Committee, offered any specific ideas for fixing Social Security in their budget plans this month. Unlike proposals for Medicare, taxes and spending, there was nothing to be attacked by the either party. In Washington's sometimes twisted logic, not offering ideas can make a deal more, not less, likely.

In addition, Mr. Ryan appears to have put aside the controversial Bush-era idea of diverting Social Security funds into private accounts. A Ryan aide said late last week the congressman is comfortable with a solution that does not include privatization.

"The dialogue has not been poisoned with someone coming out with a plan and the other side attacking," said Maya MacGuineas, president of the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. Or, as former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle put it: "The less the rhetorical investment, the greater the potential for compromise."

Mr. Obama's bipartisan fiscal commission recommended increasing the retirement age for eligibility, subjecting more wages to Social Security taxes, reducing benefits for wealthy seniors (means testing and what will be considered wealthy? BBI) and allowing benefits for others to increase more slowly.(reducing benefit increases BBB)

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http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703648304576265223210746898.html?mod=WSJ_WSJ_US_News_5

[Angry Dragon]

1. Eliminate congressional pensions

No need for them ........ this country can not afford them any longer

[damntexdem]

2. No need to deal except ...

to raise or ELIMINATE the FICA-tax wage cap.