David Sirota: Debating Social Security: If Not Now, When?

[marmar]

from truthdig:



Debating Social Security: If Not Now, When?

Posted on Oct 4, 2012
By David Sirota


Many centuries ago, the Jewish scholar Hillel posed a question that is as prescient as any Nostradamus prophecy: “If not now,” he asked, “when?” It’s a rhetorical query many of us contemplate during the high holy days, which concluded last month. And after a revealing comment by President Obama’s top political aide, it’s a question that now haunts Social Security.

The remark in question came during last week’s debate about fiscal issues on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” In an otherwise forgettable conversation, things became newsworthy when the conversation turned to Obama’s position on Social Security reforms. At that point, the president’s consigliere, David Axelrod, responded not with a clear position, but instead by trying to halt the conversation.

“I’ll tell you what, when you get elected to the United States Senate and sit at that table, we’ll have that discussion,” he told the panel.

When pressed, Axelrod insisted that the election season meant no debate should proceed. “This is not the time, he said. “We’re not going to have that discussion right now.” ...................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/debating_social_security_if_not_now_when_20121004/

[msongs]

1. Obama said he and Romney have similar views on SS so what's to debate? nt

[kenny blankenship]

7. I have a kinda similar view of them as well.

[xchrom]

2. Du rec. Nt

[yurbud]

3. Did they let Axelrod get away with that comment? That's the greatest insult possible to democracy

second only to the even more honest one when Romney told a teacher, "No one asked you to talk."

[tokenlib]

4. Axelrod's comment and the Presidents's debate comment should wake a lot of us up...

Last edited Fri Oct 5, 2012, 06:54 PM - Edit history (1)

When the time comes- Social Security will be debated in "quiet rooms" (thanks Willard for the term) and we won't be there. But WE will be "tweaked."

This is not the time, he said. “We’re not going to have that discussion right now.”--Obviously Axelrod doesn't want the President's supporters getting too excited right now...

[woo me with science]

5. Outrageous and unfathomably unacceptable.

The arrogance and dismissiveness here are breathtaking. How DARE they.

It is time to raise HELL about this.

[woo me with science]

6. kick