Before He Cuts Social Security, I Hope the President Listens to This 'Obama' Guy

[dajoki]

RJ Eskow's blog
Before He Cuts Social Security, I Hope the President Listens to This 'Obama' Guy
by RJ Eskow | January 15, 2011 - 9:19am
http://www.smirkingchimp.com/node/33685

In an open letter to the president this week, Sen. Bernie Sanders mentioned "worrisome reports" that the president is planning to cut Social Security. These reports don't come out of the blue. They're the culmination of a months-long campaign. The White House has been privately signaling for months that it was leaning in that direction, and now the sky over Washington is darkening with trial balloons floating up from Pennsylvania Avenue.

Before you make such a disastrous and unwarranted move, Mr. President, there's someone I think you should meet. Actually, you may have run into him before: He's a skinny guy with an keen analytical mind and a gift for brilliant oratory. Sound familiar? He ran for president last time around, and he had some very sensible things to say about Social Security:

http://www.youtube.com/v/n3O_ZoCyCbQ&hl=en_US&feature=p...

<<snip>>

Our latest polls show that eight out of 10 Americans oppose cutting Social Security to reduce the deficit. That includes 78% of independents, 82% of Republicans, and 74% of Tea Party supporters. That's worth repeating: The president may be on the verge of adopting a position that's too right wing for the Tea Party.

<<snip>>

It would have seemed unthinkable in 2008 that Democrats could lose their lead over Republicans on the question, "Which party do you trust on Social Security?" Yet the figures are clear: The president and his party have lost the public's trust on this issue. "Trust" is a profound and delicate relationship. If you make an unequivocal promise, and then start equivocating as soon as you're in a position to meet your commitment, trust will fade away like dew on the White House lawn.

<<snip>>

[msongs]

1. good luck on that one nt

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[northernlights]

3. may somebody in a position to do something

take Sander's letter to heart.

If they lowered SS to 55 today, I'd "retire" so fast it would make your head spin. S'not like anyone is going to hire me at my age. :(

[SammyWinstonJack]

4. KnR

[senseandsensibility]

5. kick

Will Obama even hear what Sanders is saying, or is he "protected" from such things by his inner circle? This is very disturbing.

[indepat]

6. The president will never sign a bill cutting social security for such would be regarded as the most

craven and dastardly act ever committed by a Democratic president in the eyes of most of his entire base. ;)

[senseandsensibility]

7. Well, I certainly hope you're right

but certain signals have already been sent, and that's why people are concerned.

[indepat]

9. The president can please his base and most Republican voters or he can please the

Republicans in Congress (and maybe a few blue-dogs). So the choice is clear. ;)

[dajoki]

10. I agree with...

senseandsensibility, signals have been sent, I don't trust him.

[sarcasmo]

8. +2

[Brickbat]

11. He's aiming high, isn't he?

He's pissed off plenty of people, but why not go for them all?