Senate Democrats fuming over Obama's apparent move on Social Security

[cal04]

Source: The Hill

Senate Democrats reacted angrily Thursday to a report that President Obama has proposed significant cuts to Medicare and Social Security in closed-door talks with GOP leaders.

Democratic lawmakers said they were dismayed to read about Obama’s offer in the press rather than hearing it from the president himself. Their frustration is exacerbated by Obama’s snub of their invitation to speak to the Senate Democratic caucus Wednesday.

(snip)
“We would have preferred to hear it from the president instead of from the press,” said Sen. Barbara Mikulski (Md.), a senior member of the Senate Democratic conference. “We first have to go after tax earmarks.”

Mikulski said cuts to Medicare and Social Security should be a solution of last resort. She said closing tax loopholes and pulling back from Libya should be considered before entitlement cuts.



Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/170143-senate-democrats-fuming-over-debt-talks

[okieinpain]

1. then they should do something about it. n/t.

[ieoeja]

Do they have enough votes to filibuster?

I know Conservatives have a clear majority in the Senate. But not sure they have sixty.

It would look pretty bad when the majority party has to filibuster because a handful of their members will side against them with the other party. And a filibuster might drive that handful right out and into the other party which would screw up the Senate even more. But I would have to say preventing the theft of Social Security to be worth it.

[totodeinhere]

91. They might have a hard time filibustering a bill that would raise the debt ceiling and

avoid an economic calamity even if it does include cuts to SS and/or Medicare. That is the box they are in. It's very frustrating.

[Ter]

102. Yeah, like challenge him in a primary

n/t

[somone]

2. NEXT: Obama fuming over purists' refusal to dismantle the New Deal

:sarcasm:

[villager]

11. good point -- "purist" is now code for "compassionate"

or maybe for "empathy..."

[No Elephants]

56. It's now code for "Democrat."

[villager]

69. You mean, what used to be Democrats?

:shrug:

[mochajava666]

96. +1

[bowens43]

16. wow! what a ridiculous thing to say.

Obamapologists never cease to aamze me.

He could slaughter babies and puppies on the white lawn , serve them as barbecue and many here would think it justified......

[neoralme]

24. Me neither. It is so disgusting it blows my mind. This man was

elected by the Corporists to do EXACTLY what he is doing. And the people on this board who give comments like, "Are you ready for Palin-Bachman facilitate his dirty deeds. At this point, I do not know who would have been the better Democratic pick in 2008, Obama or McCain. Obama will go down as the biggest Democratic traitor in history. If he does what he says, riots will break out. I'd bet on it. And they won't consist of waving garish flags and giving lofty speeches.

[okieinpain]

41. president obama haters are just as bad. he could save

a baby and they would be mad because he didn't deliver unicorns to every household while he was doing it.

[lark]

48. So you think cutting social security and medicare is fine

while lowering taxes on the rich and rich corporations? If so, I think you got lost and are on the wrong board. If not, why would you make those comparisons?

[okieinpain]

88. why would make a statement that isn't true. maybe you're on the

wrong board.

[mochajava666]

97. -1

[No Elephants]

58. You may be taking the poster of Reply #2 too literally.

[dbonds]

3. They should raise hell and raise it high.

[OHdem10]

21. Exactly.

[SusanaMontana41]

100. Yup. We can raise it, too ... n/t

[polichick]

4. The prez will love that - he'll claim to be reasonable with both sides in a tizzy...

Since both sides are equally unreasonable, of course.

[joeybee12]

5. Please, let one of these Dems be so fed up he mounts a primary challenge!

Obama MUST go.

[Liberalynn]

90. Agreed!

I won't vote for a Republican ever but I sure as hell would vote against Obama in a Democratic Primary.

[theophilus]

6. "cuts to Social Security and Medicare" are not a solution to anything. They

should not be done EVER! We need increases in SS and Medicare coverage for God's sake! These evil people should all be in prison for the harm they have caused and the greater harm they propose.

[ProSense]

7. These media headlines are

pure sensationalism. From the OP:

<...>

Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) said, “Social Security money should not be diverted to solving other problems.”

Conrad has long argued that Social Security reform should be kept separate from a deficit reduction package.

But Conrad said he would consider reforms to reduce Social Security costs as long as the savings were dedicated to extending the solvency of the program.

“We just don’t know form press reports, they’ve been too abbreviated to know how it’s been handled in these discussions,” Conrad said.

First the WH cannot unilaterally change these programs. It has to go through Senate Democrats. Kent Conrad, of all people, is questioning the reports, and he's for savings.

The Progressive Caucus is on board with savings too.

[Hand_With_Eyes]

28. Same argument we heard on extending Bush tax cuts

How did that one work out in the end?

[JDPriestly]

55. Cut Social Security benefits to save the program.

That is doublespeak.

We need to cut our trade deficit and start building an America with good, productive high-paying jobs.

Why?

Because our tax base is the weekly payroll checks of our working and middle classes. We can't fix our deficit unless we fix our manufacturing base.

We cannot continue to buy from China, Germany and elsewhere in the world. We have to impose tariffs.

Cutting Social Security, whether you disguise the theft of the savings of a generation as a tweaking of the COLA formula or a slight decrease in benefits is a crime that will divide our country.

Obama thinks he will unite the country. Huge mistake. When grandparents in their 60s and 70s and 80s are forced to move in with their children and grandchildren, you will see that the only thing uniting Americans is the will to restore Social Security and the independent living style that Americans are accustomed to.

Don't worry, Pete Peterson, Obama's old buddy from way back, and Peterson's friends will take care of Obama. He will be treated like royalty for having royally screwed Americans.

But Obama and Bush will be scorned by history as two men posing as presidents while betraying the American people for personal gain.

Shameless, that is what Obama's deal is.

[No Elephants]

57. Thanks for pointing out Dem Senators are not really fuming anywhere near as much as they should be.

[totodeinhere]

92. I think that at this point there has been enough about this in the media from

multiple sources to have us reasonably believe that there is something to it. Only somebody with their head stuck so far up Obama's ass that they can't see the light of day would be denying this.

[Hosnon]

8. The Great Conciliator strikes again.

He's supposed to be an advocate for us...

[FiveGoodMen]

9. BLOCK HIM, THEN!

[d_b]

10. They can always filibuster...

... :rofl:

[Hawkowl]

12. They NEED to filibuster

The only way to get Obama's cooperation is to threaten him. The Senate Dems need to employ Republican tactics because they obviously work on milquetoast Obama.

[d_b]

18. Don't hold your breath

The filibuster is a weapon of, by, and for the rich.

[totodeinhere]

93. As I said upthread, if a bill that raises the debt ceiling and saves us from an economic calamity

also contains cuts to SS and/or Medicare, it would be hard to filibuster it.

[msongs]

13. negotiating in secret behind the backs of his fellow democrats. that's what he is nt

[damntexdem]

14. They need to stop fuming and start refusing to go along.

This initiative must be crushed, or I'll say 'fuck the whole party.'

[we can do it]

15. Hey Barack = Its Not Just Senate Dems

[Renew Deal]

17. So vote against it.

:shrug:

[chill_wind]

19. Quite the strategy. He blew off Reid's call for the meeting with the Dems. It was made days ago.

Then they get to read about the balloons in the press.

Not even Rahmbo could dream that move up.

[Name removed]

20. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

22. They're not the only ones...why not join them?

http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact

Phone Numbers

Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
FAX: [phone]

[spedtr90]

25. sent a message to WH yesterday - everyone should

Jam those phone lines!

Overload that website!

[lark]

52. Lines are jammed

I held for a long time. Operator was totally hoarse.

[spedtr90]

71. Good news!

[No Elephants]

64. Because calling and writing doesn't do anything.

[spedtr90]

72. each call or message is a potential lost vote

It may take a lot, but it can mean something.
What have you go to lose? Oh, yeah Social Security & Medicare!

[wordpix]

73. petitions do diddly squat, too

[reprobate]

70. My thoughts to Obama

Mr. President:

What happened to the Man of the People whom I voted for and worked to elect? You MUST remember that you are the President of all of the people of America, not just the rich and powerful.

Historically, when a society becomes as divided in wealth as we have become, that society experiences a revolution. And that's never pretty. I will always speak out against civil strife, but I am only one voice. The anger I hear from those I speak with is becoming thunderous. You have already lost you Democratic base: Perhaps you will run to win the republican vote.

Please Sir, remember those of us who put you in office and that your job is to lead us all, not just to compromise as it was in the Senate.

[mochajava666]

98. +1

[bitchkitty]

89. I wrote, but not with the feeling that I was accomplishing anything.

I used to visit the site regularly, send emails and ask for contact and was totally ignored for two years. Not even a boilerplate response.

[Liberalynn]

94. Thanks I called

I said as someone from New York State I feel disenfranchised on this issue, because if the President really is refusing to meet with Senate Democrats then no one is representing me because both my Senators are Democrat.

I don't count the turd head in the House as any thing but a Boner butt kisser. I didn't say that in the call. I just talked about my Senators being left out of the discussion unfairly.

I said the President was elected to represent all of us, not just cowtow to the Republicans, but to try and do the best for all of us, which i said I feel he is not doing.

I ended by saying to please have him quit calling Social Security an "entitlement" as that implies "handout" and it is a pension program that we have already paid for.

Its pointless but its something that I can do to remind my self that at least I am one of the ones who cares and gets it.

[bemildred]

23. Yes, they are all a-twitter, no doubt, but they will do nothing. nt

[No Elephants]

60. I love your humor.

[dmosh42]

26. Senate Dems are mostly millionaires! Like they give a shit about SS! n/t

[karynnj]

32. That is ridiculous

Listen to Kerry speaking of increasing the gap between the rich and poor - his words include that it is 'wrong, it is morally wrong - it is repugnant" Now Kerry is a millionaire married to a lovely billionaire - that does not mean that he has not always fought for fairness.

This link has the two halves of his speech. The part I quoted is around 2:19 on the second part, http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x702390

[dmosh42]

82. Kerry was one of the senators who killed off the drug importation bill! n/t

[karynnj]

87. It was NOT a bill, it was an amendment that would have killed the bill (HCR) it was added to

They would have lost both of NJ's and both of DE's Democratic Senators because of the drug companies there. In addition, it would have destroyed the agreement with the drug companies that Obama had reached that led to the partial closing of the Medicare donut hole.

Kerry was a cosponsor of the STAND ALONE drug importation bill that Dorgan had that year and he was for drug importation in 2004.

[AllTooEasy]

27. When did press rumors become law?

[No Elephants]

62. Who said press rumors were law?

[AllTooEasy]

101. it just seems like...

...everytime there is a press rumor about Obama/Congress doing this or that, folks posting around here already act it's the law of the land already. Give me a break.

[russspeakeasy]

29. Dems do a lot of fuming, but little else.

[defendandprotect]

47. +1 -- so do we, it seems!!

[Name removed]

83. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Cass]

85. They also write strongly worded letters. Can't forget the letters. nt

[Name removed]

30. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[woo me with science]

31. We had security theater. Now we get economic negotiations theater. nt

[iwishiwas]

33. Sources: House Dems Stunned By White House Debt Proposal, Read Obama The Riot Act

IT was WRONG of the Pres to do this. Simply wrong.



http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/07/sources-house-dems-stunned-by-white-house-proposal-read-obama-the-riot-act.php

Sources: House Dems Stunned By White House Debt Proposal, Read Obama The Riot Act
Brian Beutler | July 7, 2011, 1:15PM

Multiple senior House Democratic aides tell TPM that caucus members were caught off guard by news stories about President Obama's push for deeper deficit and spending reductions -- and particularly about the White House's willingness to cut Social Security as part of a grand bargain to raise the debt limit.

At a private caucus meeting Thursday morning, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) told her members that if Obama's serious about putting Social Security on the chopping block, he'd left her in the dark about it. And after an at-times-contentious meeting about how open Dems should be to significant entitlement cuts, leaders departed to the White House to read Obama the riot act.

According to one top aide, both Pelosi and Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) intended to "deliver a message from the caucus that we definitely want to see revenues included in any package."
.......................

Back at the Capitol, House progressives aligned to warn Obama and Republicans not to go too far, or they'll lack the support to pass the plan through the House.....................

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

34. Are we sure that the Senate is not DU with all this knee-jerking going on? n/t

[Doctor_J]

35. Too bad. Now the prez can claim that cuts are just "middle ground"

and that giving up the New Deal is the best he can do under the circumstances

[TheDeceptiCON]

36. So what will he get for trading SS and Medicare?

Some more magic beans like he got the last time?

[wordpix]

74. maybe the corporate jet entitlement will be cut in return

:puke:

[OhioChick]

37. "reacted angrily" and "dismayed?"

Then do something about it, or at least open up your mouths!

[ClarkUSA]

38. Why? Pres. Obama in his SOTU said he'd cut costs and fraud but not benefits. Nothing has changed.

Did they listen to the SOTU at all? Or would everyone rather panic at the WaPo Business section shit-stirring spin?

Do they know that the WH has already pushed back on the original shit-stirring WaPo Business section spin?

Have they listened to the WH spokesperson, who issued this statement?

"There is no news here," Carney said. "The President has always said that while social security is not a major driver of the deficit, we do need to strengthen the program and the President said in the State of the Union Address that he wanted to work with both parties to do so in a balanced way that preserves the promise of the program and doesn't slash benefits."

The actual story is that the President will not slash SS benefits. Where are the appropriate headlines to this effect?

Let's not take the bait. Wait for actual information, before assuming the worst, please.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=702658&mesg_id=702658

[lark]

50. We listen to Obama all the time, not relevant.

What is relevant with him is what he does. Backstabbing Dems and all working people are actions that are directly against all Democratic ideals and policies and is just more of the same from him. He generally talks Dem when he makes speeches, however his actions are almost 100% right wing approved.


Keep on believing the pretty stories, if you can still. I no longer believe as reality has definitely intruded.

[ClarkUSA]

61. Do you know "The Progressive Caucus DEFENDS President Obama on his Social Security Stance"?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=702936&mesg_id=702936

[closeupready]

39. If they can take single payer "off the table," then they can take SS cuts "off the table."

nt

[WillyT]

40. K & R !!!

:kick:

[shanti]

42. WTF is going on???

this is beyond maddening that obama refuses to talk with his own!

[CrossChris]

44. We got conned.

It's too late.

[Hand_With_Eyes]

67. Hope is dead

God help us.

[wordpix]

75. "got hope?" NO

[BadtotheboneBob]

43. Veteran's disability compensation cuts, too...

... are also on the altar as an offering to the evil minions of uber-rich.

[pmorlan1]

I'm not surprised

On every issue President Obama moves to the right but don't worry folks this is just part of the 11th dimensional chess that he plays.

:sarcasm:

[pmorlan1]

45. I'm not surprised

On every issue President Obama moves to the right but don't worry folks this is just part of the 11th dimensional chess that he plays.

:sarcasm:

[defendandprotect]

46. "Fuming" ... Obama destroys Democratic Party and they're "fuming" ... ????

:rofl:

[neoralme]

51. That's the same thought that crossed my mind. There was a poster

on this board who eventually got tombstoned whose signature line read something to the effect that if Obama cuts Medicare or Social Security, it will be the end of the Democratic Party. And that's what will happen. "Fuming"? I would say furious, beside themselves, etc.

[swilton]

49. They need to do more than fume

to stop this train wreck.

Did anyone hear the barn door shut? :wtf:

[N7Shepard]

54. Sanders should fillibuster any deal that includes SS cuts.

[Metta]

53. Obama has no, uh, courage, to stand up to Thugs and actually take care of the country. He's aversiv

Yeah, conflict aversive. Can't stand the heat. Such a wimp and betraying the rest of us.

[Harry Callahan]

59. Well, the SS trust fund has been looted, so no one should be surprised.

And if you believe those receivables (IOUs) are collectible, you make your leaders smile.

[quakerboy]

81. You mean the special issue US securities??

Either they are "collectable", or the US is in default.

Either way, its a nice Koch talking point.

[ClarkUSA]

63. DailyKos: "A Non-Hysterical Progressive Analysis of so called Social Security Cuts on the Table"

Those Senate Democrats need to get a clue before they embarrass themselves further:

"If enacted, the average social security recipient would get 14 cents less of an increase per month, but only in a month in which the social security benefit actually went up by about $34."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1435830

[fascisthunter]

65. the man...

is a fraud!

[Sunglds]

66. Both Dems & Reps R Millionaires....

So neither have an understanding of how "real" America lives or what we need to survive. Both need to be held accountable and kicked out. Dems had both houses and didn't do as much as they should have -- so now they act as if .....

[wordpix]

76. Weiner was one of the only ones who actually depended on his House salary for a living

and now he's gone b/c of some photos and tweets

[supraTruth]

68. Tweet this message to EVERY liberal in the media & Obama & the White House:

1st spending cuts to be made if the August Deadline is passed should be to the CONgressmen who caused it.

GAME OVER!

[wordpix]

77. Put THIS on the table: cut Congress' salaries/benefits (airport/Capitol parking, gym, health care)

We ALL need to sacrifice, right?

[defendandprotect]

78. +1 --

[defendandprotect]

79. +1 --

[Liberalynn]

99. +1

[oNobodyo]

80. There are problems with fraud in medicare, medicaid and SS...

Restructuring to eliminate that can bring the cost of the programs down without harming beneficiaries and I think that Obama might think that he might be giving republicans cover so that they can agree to revenue increases and dropping the Bush tax cuts for millionaires. His focus is on jobs but I think that he's losing sight of the politics...

"The problem of improper payments in general plagues the government. According to OMB, the government has sent about 20,000 payments totaling $182 million to dead people in the last three years alone."
http://www.ombwatch.org/node/11085

One potential reform to Social Security would be to follow Robert Riechs suggestion here...

http://www.readersupportednews.org/opinion2/279-82/4982-how-to-fix-social-security

Of course any change at all, no matter how positive will be spun by republicans to make it appear as if Obama and the Democrats are cutting these programs like they did with their prescription drugs boondoggle, so that they can gain enough power in the next election to kill those programs outright.

I do believe those programs need work but it's a huge mistake to do it in this environment.

I'm more of the mind that the 14th amendment option is the best way to solve the debt ceiling crisis rather than negotiating with those that will never negotiate in good faith.

[harun]

84. Don't get angry, do something about it.

[and-justice-for-all]

86. Why is it so fucking hard to do the right thing?!!!

tax the damn rich, corporations and end the middle east occupations.

[humblebum]

95. What would be so wrong with deducting SS taxes from EACH dollar earned

instead of the present limit?

[Jefferson23]

103. Obama's snub of their invitation to speak to the Senate DEMOCRATIC caucus...

This guy's political moves get more surreal by the day.

[dflprincess]

104. More closed door talks with Republicans

and snubbing the Democratic leadership.

Where's all that transparency we were promised?

[Nossida]

105. If

Anyone living with a disability can, and
will tell you where exactly to make Cuts
to secure Medicare. 99% of the drain comes
from the price of Medical Procedures, the
salary of the Doctor's and attending Staff,
and the flagrant price fixing and gouging
by Big Pharma. Medicare D a pure fleecing
of the US Treasury. Medicare in general a
Holy Cash Cow for Insurance/Medical/Pharma
interests.

Politicians exploit Young People, and the
Healthy to push for cuts in the Social
Security/Medicare System. These people do
believe, for the most part, they will
never get Old, or Sick/Disabled. You can
depend on both should you live long enough.

That these Politicians have the very best
'Government' Healthcare Coverage, is no
doubt the biggest scandal