Will McCain cut Social Security -OR- Raise the payroll tax?

[underpants]

Either or--has to be one or the other right???


http://www.prospect.org/csnc/blogs/ezraklein_archive?month=07&year=2008&base_name=mccains_plan_to_cut_social_sec
The question, of course, is how you will balance the budget. If a budget is out of whack, one of two things has to happen: You need more revenues, or you need to cut spending. McCain has already forsworn revenue increases, and isn't saying anything to the contrary. And here, Allen has the goods, albeit goods the Prospect had a couple months back: McCain will "balance the federal budget by the end of his first term by curbing wasteful spending and overhauling entitlement programs, including Social Security, his advisers told Politico."

"Overhauling" is a weasel word. So, in this context, is "reform." If you are going to balance the budget by doing something to entitlement programs, you are going to do one of two things: Raise the payroll tax, or cut the programs. In other words, the accurate headline for this piece would read "McCain Promises to Cut Social Security And Medicare Or Drastically Raise The Payroll Tax." If enough pieces like that were written, McCain would have to explain which of those he intends to do. As of yet, he's been able to dodge the question, saying repeatedly that he'll "talk' to Congress. But Congress won't cut Social Security or Medicare. So is McCain promising a massive payroll tax increase? Or is he just spouting platitudes? It's an interesting question, and it actually has an answer. But in order to get that answer, reporters will need to aggressively explain McCain's plan: Cut Social Security and Medicare. Or pass a huge tax increase. Those are his only two options. And the legendary straight talker should be able to explain which he favors.

[LakeSamish706]

1. "overhauling entitlement programs, including Social Security" I don't...

see how he would be able to do this cause Bush has tried and failed to get it by Congress and we would have a much lager number of seats come November I would think.

[DearAbby]

2. Cut Social Security??

Inflation is cutting it, shit...what the hell are these people going to live on? They don't care...ease the burden of the rich, steal from the poor to give to the rich.

Raise the ceiling on the payroll tax. Problem solved.

[demosincebirth]

4. Very simple solution

[anonymous171]

3. This should be on the front page.

:kick:

[suston96]

5. How did Bill Clinton balance three budgets and have surpluses? What cuts did he make?

Didn't he cut wasteful military spending? Or maybe he just did what it took to spur the economy so that tax inputs increased on their own? Remember the 22 million new jobs? That meant billions in taxes and SS and Medicare revenues.

[underpants]

11. 'Bill" cut 750,00 govt jobs (yes he DECREASED the size of govt)

Gore led a commission to reduce paper work/streamline/apply technology to govt operations
He raised the top tax bracket from 335-39%
Benefitted from the massive increase in productivity as computers became necessary at work at least in the 90's
Tremendous economic boom
Raised the Soc. Security tax (note:RAISED it -Reagan initiated it)
and he and the Repubs agreed to ignore Govt pensions and T-Bill debt when figuring the debt. Still we were actually paying off the principle of the debt by the end.

[stray cat]

6. Absolutely will but benefits.

[Vinca]

7. Overhaul is McBushspeak for cutting services to those who need them.

He might as well line us older people up along a pit and shoot us. More humane than starving to death.

[TreasonousBastard]

8. He ain't cuttin' benefits because...

us old farts are the most potent voting bloc out there. We cut across racial, religious, party, and ethnic lines-- you fuck with Social Security you'll have one massive revolt on your hands.

I start collecting SS next year, and I'm just one of 30 million or so to be added to the current recipients during the next President's term. Just try to reduce those benefits!

What I think he's gonna do is cut taxes and hope for the best-- It's the Republican solution to everything.

[tridim]

9. He'll definitely cut his wife's taxes.

Everybody else will pay much, much more.

[Hoof Hearted]

10. Probably BOTH.