General Discussion

customerserviceguy

(25,406 posts)

102. Good to see you, I knew you'd be here

Wed Oct 23, 2013, 10:03 PM

Oct 2013

It's going to take a whole package of tweaks to fix the Social Security and Medicare systems, not just removing a cap or chained CPI. It's going to take tax rate increases, taxing more compensation that is currently exempt from FICA and Medicare tax, and a shift upwards of the full-benefit retirement age, especially for those who can handle it.

How many times do I have to tell you, there is no "Fund", it is just a bunch of accounting entries on a ledger making weak promises to pay back money that was never borrowed in the normal sense of the word, just created as a number fiction to make a budget a little less unbalanced than it otherwise is. The specialized securities that Social Security holds are just as non-negotiable (that means 'can't be sold or traded', not firm and unmoving) as the billion dollar check I could mail to you from my book of checks, but demand that you don't cash until I tell you it's OK.

Everybody in Congress knows the day of reckoning is coming, some choose to shape it while they're still able to, others will lie about it's existence, and hope that the you-know-what doesn't hit the fan until they're either dead or out of office, at least.

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Highlight:

Let's Get Down To Brass Tacks... WHY... Would Barack Obama, And Fellow Dems Support The... [View all] WillyT Oct 2013 OP

They want to undermine Democratic candidates in the 2014 elections? Scuba Oct 2013 #1

I have wondered the same thing. Enthusiast Oct 2013 #61

They don't feel entitled? Fumesucker Oct 2013 #2

Oh... C'Mon... THEY Are The MOST Entitled... WillyT Oct 2013 #5

Democrats never seem to have the capacity to press an advantage? NuclearDem Oct 2013 #3

Maybe they don't support it. silverweb Oct 2013 #4

Once might be a plan.... daleanime Oct 2013 #53

Damned if I know, my dear WillyT! CaliforniaPeggy Oct 2013 #6

My Dear Peg... WillyT Oct 2013 #9

If I were to indulge in very wishful thinking, I'd say... Silent3 Oct 2013 #7

Nonsense. I have seen this talking point about 'reversing' legislation that sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #30

Did you see the words "if I were to indulge in VERY WISHFUL THINKING"? Silent3 Oct 2013 #34

The Democrats won't get a thing Enthusiast Oct 2013 #62

Here's a new question: Why would a Democratic Underground member even ask this question.... NYC_SKP Oct 2013 #8

Really... REALLY !!! WillyT Oct 2013 #11

Excellent, then please include it in the OP! NYC_SKP Oct 2013 #12

Did you see that post this morning? jberryhill Oct 2013 #15

You demanded links and info you could refute. You got them. Now you're ignoring them. Marr Oct 2013 #78

Uh-oh, Willy--You just ran afoul of the Denial Machine. Jackpine Radical Oct 2013 #13

You know, it's a courtesy to provide context. People are busy, people are working.... NYC_SKP Oct 2013 #17

Sorry...gotta go with what Skip said. dixiegrrrrl Oct 2013 #18

I Dunno DG... WillyT Oct 2013 #28

I read your posts cause I know it will be something I am interested in dixiegrrrrl Oct 2013 #29

Here's the "missing link." Jackpine Radical Oct 2013 #73

Another honest question. Are you saying that the President has not included sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #31

you seem to do this a lot Sheepshank Oct 2013 #72

I asked a question. I wonder why that would bother anyone ... sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #88

you made up stuff, and then tried to use it as a bludgeon Sheepshank Oct 2013 #92

I received a civil response to my sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #96

We need to fight. NYC_SKP Oct 2013 #83

I can agree that presentation if important. sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #90

You know why. PeteSelman Oct 2013 #10

In exchange for tax increases on the wealthy... That's about all they'd do it for scheming daemons Oct 2013 #14

Well Geez then, why not ask for both?........ socialist_n_TN Oct 2013 #16

What right do they have to trade the already menial amount of money sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #32

"I'm beginning to wonder, is it really weakness..." CrispyQ Oct 2013 #74

Given the history, it would be natural to wonder why he is doing this now? What's the catch? AnotherMcIntosh Oct 2013 #76

Well, since actions speak louder than words dixiegrrrrl Oct 2013 #19

I think it's because they hate old people. Yeah, that's it. Pretzel_Warrior Oct 2013 #20

So... You'd Be OK With A New Rule Starting With 55 Year Olds... 45 Year Olds ??? WillyT Oct 2013 #21

you just asked why they would screw with SS. I just answered. Pretzel_Warrior Oct 2013 #23

Finally... I Understand You... WillyT Oct 2013 #24

How about something more simple. Like HONESTY eg. sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #36

You didn't answer, you posted a bit of childish snark. /nt Marr Oct 2013 #79

I did answer. The entire premise is bogus Pretzel_Warrior Oct 2013 #81

Your assertion then is that the offer did not actually happen? Marr Oct 2013 #95

Not to pick nits, Blue_In_AK Oct 2013 #25

lol. thanks! it's been a couple of years or so since it's been in daily talking points Pretzel_Warrior Oct 2013 #26

He/They wouldn't ... 1StrongBlackMan Oct 2013 #22

very well put! Pretzel_Warrior Oct 2013 #27

Frankly ... 1StrongBlackMan Oct 2013 #35

I certainly appreciate your strategic insights. Laelth Oct 2013 #58

And I suspect that ... 1StrongBlackMan Oct 2013 #66

I still hope you continue to give us your insights. Laelth Oct 2013 #69

The CBPP said CCPI *must* come with a poverty exception. joshcryer Oct 2013 #37

I don't know ... 1StrongBlackMan Oct 2013 #39

Yup. joshcryer Oct 2013 #40

I doubt Democrats ... 1StrongBlackMan Oct 2013 #45

Fwiw, I've always believed this to be case as well. PragmaticLiberal Oct 2013 #43

The can bite ... 1StrongBlackMan Oct 2013 #48

You'd think after 10 or 15 times they'd get this. JoePhilly Oct 2013 #63

But on a positive note ... 1StrongBlackMan Oct 2013 #67

Agree. And ... JoePhilly Oct 2013 #70

It's disingenuous to even talk about SS in regards to the deficit. CrispyQ Oct 2013 #84

Chained-CPI would come with a poverty exception. joshcryer Oct 2013 #33

because we live in a an oligarchy. liberal_at_heart Oct 2013 #38

Because they know customerserviceguy Oct 2013 #41

Why Not Raise The Cap ??? WillyT Oct 2013 #42

The Republicans would push it as a tax hike. joshcryer Oct 2013 #47

If There Is A Not Better Time... To Promote Taxing The Rich... I Don't Know What Would Be... WillyT Oct 2013 #49

I agree. It only affects the top 5.2% joshcryer Oct 2013 #50

That's part of the solution customerserviceguy Oct 2013 #59

If we want to save SS and Medicare we shouldn't be cutting funding. We should be increasing funding liberal_at_heart Oct 2013 #44

And where's that money coming from under present law? customerserviceguy Oct 2013 #60

SS is not running out of money. CrispyQ Oct 2013 #85

Ever since the Great Recession started customerserviceguy Oct 2013 #100

Because they believe they can survive the results better than Republicans who let taxes rise Bolo Boffin Oct 2013 #46

Not All Democrats Support this colsohlibgal Oct 2013 #51

Obama: self-infatuation. The rest: triangulation. MannyGoldstein Oct 2013 #52

This is it, here it comes .... any second!!!! JoePhilly Oct 2013 #64

why'd he give us HeritageCare? why'd he drone? he knows there's enough people to cover for him MisterP Oct 2013 #54

Because the entitlement cuts are means-tested, and it raises taxes Recursion Oct 2013 #55

Obama? Because he really doesn't care about seniors. JDPriestly Oct 2013 #56

Answer: Wall Street $$$$ YoungDemCA Oct 2013 #57

Even the BOG regulars... 99Forever Oct 2013 #65

when they do, i'll give you my thoughts. spanone Oct 2013 #68

Duopoly good cop bad cop bullshit. Warren Stupidity Oct 2013 #71

+10 avaistheone1 Oct 2013 #94

Presumably, because they were able to extract worthy concessions geek tragedy Oct 2013 #75

Took the words out of my mouth Southside Oct 2013 #82

Why even make this trade if SS doesn't contribute to the deficit or debt? CrispyQ Oct 2013 #87

Same reason one would trade a pitcher for a 3d baseman. geek tragedy Oct 2013 #89

I don't buy that. CrispyQ Oct 2013 #97

If it's not much of a concession, then you don't do the deal. geek tragedy Oct 2013 #98

Whether "we" want to admit it fredamae Oct 2013 #77

Maybe there are those that believe there are problems taught_me_patience Oct 2013 #80

Cutting benefits is not the way to ensure that the SS continues to sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #91

Good to see you, I knew you'd be here customerserviceguy Oct 2013 #102

You are either independently wealthy or have no clue as to Warren Stupidity Oct 2013 #99

Exactly customerserviceguy Oct 2013 #101

Because they've borrowed the money & don't want to pay it back. -nt CrispyQ Oct 2013 #86

Noam Chomsky: woo me with science Oct 2013 #93

Exactly. nt Demo_Chris Oct 2013 #103