President Obama, Why Do you Want to Work With the GOP on Social Security?

[jtown1123]

They hate Social Security, they want to cut it. Don't give them an opening. Listen to Harry Reid and stop this Social Security reform nonsense. It is 100% solvent for 27 years! Focus on more pressing matters right now like I don't know, helping millions of Americans who don't have jobs?

The only solution that should be acceptable is raising the income tax cap. The Greenspan commission did not account for the severe income inquality we are experiencing now. FICA tax needs to capture those upper income earnings.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-reich/budget-baloney-why-social_b_824331.html

ROLL CALL
Reid Argues Against Social Security Cuts in White House Meeting
By Steven T. Dennis
Roll Call Staff
Feb. 16, 2011, 6:22 p.m.

In a meeting with President Barack Obama on Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) repeated his contention that cuts to Social Security benefits should be off the table as the president eyes a broader deal with Republicans on the deficit, a Democratic leadership aide said.

Reid requested the afternoon Oval Office meeting with Senate Democratic leaders to talk about upcoming budget and spending issues, according to the aide. One topic was House Republicans’ continuing resolution for fiscal 2011 spending, which would slash $100 billion from Obama’s fiscal 2011 budget request.

“The leaders had a serious discussion about the House’s proposed cuts and what they mean to real people in their everyday lives,” the aide said. “Sen. Reid also reiterated his position on protecting Social Security.”

Obama said Tuesday that he was confident the parties could come together to put Social Security on sounder footing.

“The truth is, Social Security is not the huge contributor to the deficit that the other two entitlements are,” he said during a news conference about his fiscal 2012 budget request. “I’m confident we can get Social Security done in the same way that Ronald Reagan and Tip O’Neill were able to get it done: by parties coming together, making some modest adjustments. I think we can avoid slashing benefits, and I think we can make it stable and stronger for not only this generation, but for the next generation.”

[QC]

1. Perhaps he agrees with them on this issue. n/t

[jtown1123]

4. Maybe. He is a lost cause. We need to pressure Senate Dems and House Dems

to push back on this. It won't be easy to defy the President, but they have to unless they want to dismantle the Democratic party and everything it stands for.

[closeupready]

9. Funny, just this morning, I recalled Clinton's press conference where he stated, "I am relevant."

And at the time, it was a big joke because Republicans were claiming that Clinton was irrelevant. And that the fact that Clinton felt compelled to explicitly state the obvious was surreal.

I kind of wonder how much more 'bipartisanship' Obama can do before rank-and-file Democrats finally understand that, regardless of his religion, race, ethnicity or ideology, he can not be relied upon to fight the GOP, and defend Democratic policies. (and, to come full circle, the day comes when Obama feels he has to hold a similar, "hey, what about me?" press conference.)

[hamsterjill]

2. Social Security should be OFF the table completely!!

People work and pay INTO Social Security. If the politicians hadn't been stealing from that fund for other projects for years, Social Security would be in fine shape. It should not be touched.

I have tried to be supportive of Obama, even at times when I didn't like what he was doing. But if I wind up having to eat catfood when I'm 70 after working my butt off since I was 16, I am NOT going to be very happy with him.

[polmaven]

5. No, not completely.

there should be changes made....such as eliminating the income cap on which one pays SS contributions.

[Skink]

8. Obama said just that which is why I voted for him.

he could not have been more clear at the rally that all it requires is removing or adjusting the cap.

[jtown1123]

12. I have not heard him take all other options "off the table" except for FICA

What he said during the campaign was said to get elected. I hope he keeps his promises...

[jtown1123]

11. You read my post right?

[polmaven]

14. I wasn't replying to you....

It bears more than one mention, doesn't it?

[jtown1123]

20. Absolutely, sorry about that!

[hamsterjill]

15. You're right.

Yes, I concur with that.

My beef is with the threat of reducing the amount of benefits that retirees are to receive. And my point is, again, that SS is OURS because we have already paid for it!

[Myrina]

3. Why does he want to work with them on ANYTHING?

I think the answer is becoming more and more obvious every day: instead of being the reincarnation of Lincoln, he's the reincarnation of Reagan.

:(

[Blue Owl]

6. Beats the daylights outta me

but it's annoying as hell.

[_ed_]

7. He wants to "work with them" because he personally wants to slash SS

Obama will finally fulfill the one thing that Bush couldn't pull off as President: the destruction of Social Security. Just think how the Beltway press and David Broder will sing his praises!

[polmaven]

16. And you know that how????

Wow....there are more psychics on DU today than I can count!

[JoePhilly]

17. That's why he announced the cuts during the SOTU .... right?

That was one of the big predictions.

When that didn't happen, the meme moved ...

It became "he'll cut Social Security in his 2012 budget"...

And now apparently, Obama is going to privatize social security, the "one thing Bush couldn't pull off". Yup. That's what he's going to do all right, privatize social security. Here it comes, any second.

[jtown1123]

24. It's clear the administration has been pressured each step of the way

if they respond to push back in little baby steps, we can keep winning this fight.

[Poboy]

10. Trojan Horse.

[sufrommich]

18. Manchurian seecrit bad guy,amirite? nt

[JustAnotherGen]

13. Work With Them?

Or get it on the record that a Republican House passed a bill on HIS watch cutting/slashing/destroying Social Security? I think he manipulating the House Repubs. Just because he talks with them about it doesn’t mean it gets past the Senate or signed off on by him. But it sure is going to look good in advertisements next year when they manipulate seniors into voting Dem because the Repubs wanted them cold and homeless. Sure is going to look good in ads.

[jtown1123]

23. It's already on record...why do we need more proof?

[suston96]

19. I posted this on another thread.....

Social Security administrative costs are mostly paid for by interest on bonds sold by Social Security to the Treasury.

Those costs, like Social Security itself, are NOT a burden on the annual budget. Go to the link in the article "administrative costs" and look down the charts which show the administrative costs and the interest income. Do some math and see how Social Security administrative costs are NOT the problem.

They will say and do anything to get away from what will really "save" Social Security (which does not need "saving") - and that is JOBS! JOBS! JOBS!

Where are the JOBS, Mr. Boehner?

And Mr. President? What are you doing? Are you naive or just seriously misinformed?

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2009/07/social_security_administrative.html

[jtown1123]

21. Soc. Sec. administrative costs are less than 1% of what it takes in, pretty efficient!

[Bluebear]

22. kr