In anticipation of the next round of granny fear mongering, a senior bail-out?

[Clio the Leo]

SENIOR BAILOUT? President Obama is calling for $250 payments to seniors to make up for the lack of Social Security increases.

UPDATE: The proposed Economic Recovery Payment would go to the seniors, veterans and people with disabilities who are struggling to make ends meet with retirement savings that have not fully recovered from their losses over the first year of the recession, according to the W.H. announcement.

President Obama's statement on the proposed Economic Recovery Payment:

“Even as we seek to bring about recovery, we must act on behalf of those hardest hit by this recession. That is why I am announcing my support for an additional $250 in emergency recovery assistance to seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities to help them make it through these difficult times. These payments will provide aid to more than 50 million people in the coming year, relief that will not only make a difference for them, but for our economy as a whole, complementing the tax cuts we’ve provided working families and small businesses through the Recovery Act,” said President Obama.

“This additional assistance will be especially important in the coming months, as countless seniors and others have seen their retirement accounts and home values decline as a result of this economic crisis. I want to compliment all the members of Congress who have been working to address these challenges, especially Senators Reid, Baucus, Sanders, and Lincoln, Speaker Pelosi, and Representatives Rangel, McCarthy, and DeFazio.”

http://www.politico.com/politico44/wbarchive/whiteboard10142009.html

[MNDemNY]

1. Pander is as pander does??

...it just might work, 'cause old people are stupid. Right?

[shraby]

4. Many seniors who have no pension to augment

their social security will more than welcome the extra money. When many are getting a thousand or less per month can really use it, because the drug insurance, the premium on Medicare plus the insurance that's needed to cover the 20% that Medicare doesn't cover eats up a lot of what they do get..that doesn't count dental, glasses and hearing aids that are expenses they need to come up with money for. Don't knock the seniors..it's not nice.

[DJ13]

2. Will Granny's allegiance be bought for a measly $20 per month?

[MNDemNY]

6. apparently, so.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=8702037&mesg_id=8702198

[Cha]

3. Do people even read what's going on before

making stupid comments?

[Undercurrent]

5. It's needed.

The proposal is for seniors, veterans and people with disabilities. I'm one of those disabled people.

My SSDI check is less and less in terms of real buying power. Groceries, medication, and utilities have all gone up, and I'm loosing ground by the month.

But I'm one of the very lucky ones in that I own my house and 5 acres outright. My now elderly dad lives with me. He built this house, and he, and I have spent years setting up a green, simple homestead so in the event of a worst case scenario there is a warm, dry place to live, and we could get by. We have all the firewood, water, and fruits and vegetables we need. They all come from this property.

This is a good, compassionate idea, because there are millions who are not as fortunate as myself and my dad.

It pains me terribly to think of the many elderly, vets, and disabled who will suffer without additional help.

[Neecy]

7. This is probably a good idea

Social Security won't receive a COLA next year, yet Medicare premiums will go up. This will just about even things out, which seems fair.

[Bluenorthwest]

8. This is an extremely good idea

and I support the President and my Representative Peter DeFazio in getting this done. This is money that is handed back into the economy almost instantly. It is good for those who get the check, good for those they write checks to. Simple and direct.