a thread in breaking news has me totally upset

[ensho]

it says that the govt. is not going to give seniors a cost of living upgrade this year.

we didn't get one last year and now again this year.

this is not FAIR!

the pentagon gets all the money they want to do their killing. they even lose money and nobody cares.

this is the straw that will break my back and my trust in the dems.

[still_one]

1. The question is what is where YOUR Senators and Representative stand on the issue

[Bitwit1234]

39. Last year the House passed the bill to give seniors an extra

$250 dollars. But of course the republicans along with 13 DEMOCRATS SUNK IT. Meanwhile they take over 3500 a year in raises. The law passed in the 1970's got tied to inflation. There had been so many times in the pass where they couldn't get a vote on giving social security recipients a raise so they passed that law and made it automatic and tied to inflation. Now to get the extra money they have to vote on giving seniors the $250 dollars an amount they would normally get. So I can not understand how Democrats could vote against it. But as I remember those who voted
against it were Lincoln, Bacusus, Nelson, Warren of Virginia and off hand I can't remember the rest. I will tell you this, if they would loose an election or not I would not support any of the 13 if I lived in their state. I'd skip senator.

[sabrina 1]

68. They should get a cost of living raise as they always have.

The past two years, and now, they are not getting it, that is a CUT IN SS. Dems said they would protect SS. This will NOT help reduce the deficit. The SS fund belongs to the people. They should be getting a RAISE, not a cut. And this is a CUT.

I am absolutely sick of this people. Rich bastards all of them, begging for votes while stabbing people in the back.

I will be on the phone tomorrow to find out why the elderly and the poor have to pay the bills for the rich Wall St. thugs who tanked this economy and they get rewarded for their corruption. This is just not acceptable.

$250 dollars? That's an insult and they couldn't even give them that.

I totally agree with you regarding not voting for those DLCers or Blue Dogs. I could never bring myself to do so.

[wildbilln864]

2. k&r! nt

[jtuck004]

3. Wait till they start talking about "sharing pain" because of the deficit, part of

which was a $15 trillion dollar package which allowed Wall Street to continue giving tens of millions of dollars in bonuses
to the people who created the toxic assets that have destroyed our economy which had already been weakened by the loss of manufacturing jobs...

Oh, wait. They already are.

[WinkyDink]

55. Like in the UK: To be "patriotic."

[SidDithers]

4. COLA is tied to the CPI...

if the CPI is flat, why should there be a Cost of Living adjustment?

Sid

[itsrobert]

9. Exactly, many people aren't getting raises this year

Some are actually getting pay cut.

[dixiegrrrrl]

37. The Intelligence Community is getting a raise.

Fiscal Act was signed into law on the 7th, includes money for raises.
I just happened to read a summary of it when I posted in another thread.

But us retirees, guess we don't need any more money, altho the average Soc. Sec. payment is something like 800.00
a month.

[dkf]

41. CPI is a formula, not some negotiated rate.

Do people really want SSI to get unhooked from CPI and not get an automatic adjustment but be negotiated every year? The short sightedness is amazing.

[csziggy]

67. Part of the problem is that the CPI does not truly reflect the cost of living increases

So while the actual cost of living keeps going up the CPI just does not allow increases to cover it.

The real fix is to adjust the way the CPI is figured.

[dkf]

72. Actually the dilemma is that seniors use services more than durable goods

As they probably don't need to buy all new stuff since odds are they aren't moving. The inflation rate of services is going up faster than other things so senior expenses also go up faster.

But if we relied on congress to grant some raise every year you and I both know it would probably be a great big ZERO.

[bobbolink]

80. So, if we cost more, thenn its the Ice Floes for us. You may also want to remember that this is the

first halt of the COLA since it was instituted.

I know you don't want to look at that, but that is the reality.

Of course, to ask that you understand the pain this is causing would be too much.

[Bitwit1234]

40. And our senate and house are getting raises. Two years in a row

for the least wealthiest in this country is too damn much. That $250 dollars would heat my house for a month. What in the hell are the members of congress going to do with that 3500 on top of all the other monetary perks they are getting. It makes me sick.

[Obamanaut]

43. No they're not. In May, IIRC, they voted to rescind the pay raise that

would normally be effective at the end of 2010.

search 'congressional pay raise'

[zippy890]

44. you're right- this is by SSA regulations

the COLA is tied by law to the CPI, which makes sense.

in the same way, federal housing subsidies are getting smaller in the Section 8 program because the amounts are tied to local Fair Market Rents- which in most areas in the country (not all) have GONE DOWN for 2 years in a row.

[itsrobert]

53. I thought rent was going up. At least in San Diego

Maybe office space rent is going down.

[WinkyDink]

56. There is inflation. Shopped lately?

[progressoid]

65. Yep.

I had to explain that to my RW M-I-L too.

[DeltaLitProf]

82. Because the CPI is an inaccurate measure of cost of living for seniors

Do you think drugs and medical costs have gone down? Do you think food and utility costs have gone down? Do you think rents have gone down? They should have, but they've only gone up.

[Ichingcarpenter]

5. Eat your Eggs

and check your car for GPS devices from the government
The egg inspection doesn't cost that much but surveillance does.

Quit complaining.... we have deficit and a war to finance to support these contractors.

Then get back to us old fuckers like me when
you yield

[letterwriter]

6. whose idea?

Whose idea was that to not do the increase?

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

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

[SidDithers]

14. If you want to argue that Social Security benefits should be higher...

then you'd have my full agreement.

But complaining when a formulaic adjustment doesn't go your way is just silly, and shows your ignorance of what COLA actually is.

Sid

Edit: funny that you're slamming Iching, tho, since that poster is agreeing with you. :rofl:

[unhappycamper]

8. Well, we need to keep these occupations going.

And we need to keep feeding $$$$ to the Military-Industrial-Complex.

And we need to buy more war toys to replace those war toys we wore out in the sandbox.

And we need to keep building that new $40 billion dollar USS Gerald R Ford.

Don't forget the two $3 billion dollar submarines we buy each and every year.

And of course, who could forget that $10 billion dollars of two Zumwalt-class we already own.

Oh, and we need to pay the Taliban to guard US bases in Afghanistan.


And yes, I am pissed about the lack of COLA this year also. But I am more pissed that we still have these two occupations going and we have a one trillion dollar military budget.


The 2011 National Budget scorecard:

Military budget - 58% of all discretionary funds.

Interest on National Debt - 7% of all discretionary funds.

Education budget - 4% f all discretionary funds.

[ensho]

17. kick

nt

[Owl]

62. k&r

[HughMoran]

10. The Repubs will be sure to change the law to ensure you get a COLA next year

Not.

[gateley]

12. That about sums it up. nt

[B Calm]

30. Yeah don't trust those democrats, everybody knows the republicans are

on your side. . . LOL

[HughMoran]

11. Many of us supporting a family have taken big pay cuts

I've taken a 20% pay cut.

This is what GWB left us - blaming the Dems has a Republican feel to it.

Besides, Dems have nothing to do with setting the COLA.

[Ichingcarpenter]

16. Besides, Dems have nothing to do with setting the COLA.

Who......... is in power now?

Bankers or Bureaucrats?

I thought it was Democrats.
They increase it for the military... but we don't count right?

[HughMoran]

23. Perhaps you've heard of "math" and "laws"

:shrugs:

[Ichingcarpenter]

28. Sure Moran I have

The Math, I taught
The Laws are written by Congress.

[HughMoran]

31. Quick to pull out the personal attack when logic fails

Suit yourself.

[Ichingcarpenter]

32. Nothing personal Mr. Logic

I bow to you on who WRITES THE LAWS.

[HughMoran]

34. Attack & destroy Dems, get less chance of changing them

Read the posts below - the Dems have attempted to change this law - the only way they can succeed is to elect more Democrats!!!

[The Uncola]

13. Seems that once...

.. you pass age 50 or so, no politician really cares enough about us, to do much of anything to help us survive. They do however, know how to beg for contributions and my vote. Since I don't have and haven't had any money for quite a while, the only bargaining chip I've got left is my vote. For that, I have a choice between the fear-mongering BY the Regressives or the fear-mongering OF the Regressives. Just plain sucks, I wish there was someone interested in representing my best interests.

[ThomCat]

15. I agree. There is always more money for rich people

But never more money for poor people. x(

The cost of living calculations are already screwed up to drastically underestimate the true cost of living, so that people who depend of SS don't get nearly enough to even reach the poverty level. They get far less!

But to pour salt in that wound, as the economy tanks and everything gets more expensive, they can't even get the minor increase to try to keep up at that insultingly low level.

:(

I really expected that a Democratic Administration would see the need for a COLA, especially during an economic disaster as bad as this one.

Just one of many ways I've been disappointed. Every time I try to give this administration credit for something, I find out I'm being too generous. :grr:

[bobbolink]

46. Once again, you've said it very well. But if you look at the predictable responses here that mirror

what the RW says, you know we are screwed.

[tularetom]

18. A COLA for SS recipients would boost spending and restore some jobs

But there are very few politicians in an election year, after all the deficit bullcrap, with the guts to mess with the formula that ties SS benefits to the Consumer Price Index.

[kickysnana]

19. This is a hardship...

Most seniors in trouble cannot take jobs because of ill health.

We have one person in our low income Sr building who has leukemia and diabetes. She reached her Part D "doughnut hole" in July and she has no money left from her Social Security to pay for the cancer medicines until January. She started working on a program to help her in July and she got approved just now but the money only covers one month of her cancer medication. People in the building help her out with food because she can only afford the diabetic, low salt, antioxidant diet she needs.

Another person is fighting identity theft and it is expensive to fight it. Another is trying to help out her daughter who adopted to orphans from Russia who turned out to be deeply scarred from abuse and lack of care. Her husband left because of the kids. Another has a daughter with two extremely autistic sons and a son-in-law who does not believe in autism and blames the daughter and creates trouble any way he can. Another has a daughter who is in and out of mental wards every year and has minor children.

It is mainly those in their 80's and above who have tiny SS payments that are in trouble or those with lots of drug bills.

Our rent did not go up but our utilities, food and non-food necessities did. A bill from some time ago severely limits food stamps to people who get rent assistance.

[renate]

78. those are all such sad stories

My gosh, what goes on in people's lives... it's so sad. I'm glad the woman with diabetes and leukemia is getting help from friends--thank goodness for the kindness of others, but it shouldn't be necessary for people in a situation like that; there should be a safety net. And it must be so difficult for your friends to see their kids going through such hard times. :cry:

[treestar]

20. If the cost of living did not go up it's not necessary

It's a mathematical formula.

[WinkyDink]

58. The CoL has most decidedly gone up. Check grocery shelves.

[ThomCat]

73. The formula says that the cost has definitely gone up.

The increase has just been blocked. Again.

But that's a nice way to throw out an excuse. You just used the standard republican talking point.

[Name removed]

76. Deleted message

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

[L0oniX]

21. Well ...let's not forget that we have reached peak oil.

[femrap]

22. I fear it will get

worse. I'm sorry.

The War Boyz rule....selling weapons to both sides.

We The People have to depend on each other. TPTB don't care about the 'little people.'

[SargeUNN]

24. yes it is true sadly

I talked to Rep. Harry Mitchell about this and he explained that COLA is based on inflation and attempts to change it have failed mostly due to Republicans refusal to change it.

[SidDithers]

25. +1...

Put the blame where it truly lies.

Sid

[Spazito]

26. Yep, exactly!

Changes to COLA as what is included in the Consumer Price Index, etc, have been fought by the repubs every time there is an attempt to change it unless, of course, it is to reduce what can be included in calculating inflation then you can be damn sure the change is being put forth by a repub and those changes have, in the past, been made.

[SargeUNN]

27. Just proves why Republicans getting power is not acceptable

No matter what we let them back in power, and make no mistake we will be the ones who do, then the I am upset with the Democrats is going to be the good ole days.

[Sinistrous]

29. This should not come as a surprise:

From an article dated May 8, 2009:

<snip>

"However, both the Obama administration and the Congressional Budget Office (pdf) are forecasting that Social Security beneficiaries will not receive any cost of living adjustments in fiscal 2010 or 2011. The reason? The pronounced recession in the United States, which has created pricing pressure -- not pricing power -- for businesses."

<more>

http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/no-social-security-cola-in-2010/1540465/

[Name removed]

33. Deleted message

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

[bobbolink]

49. Well, then, as long as you're doing OK, that is all that matters.

:eyes:

[MineralMan]

35. You expected a COLA increase?

How so? The Cost of Living index has not gone up. President Obama and Congress didn't have anything to do with that. I receive Social Security each month, It didn't go up last year, and it won't go up for 2011, apparently. That's because the math doesn't trigger an increase.

Why would that cause you to lose your "trust in the dems," assuming you ever had any in the first place?

Do you suppose the Republicans are going to do better? Do you think they'll give us a COLA increase? It is to laugh.

[Imajika]

36. Did the cost of living go up?

I thought COLA's were based on inflation and such.

Aren't we almost in a deflationary spiral? There is practically no inflation at all right now.

[Ichingcarpenter]

48. Others in the feds get more money and raises

We paid into a system that got them their jobs

The cost of living and the value of the dollar
over the last decade has not equated what they say what inflation is

You're a realist If you think 30 is worth 90 now
and a fool to think it does.



The dollar is worth shit now
they are telling you that the NEW minimum wage and non increases in SS is what seniors and others can live on or deal with.

One can see what the dollar was worth
through time.

[ThomCat]

74. And yet, major costs are going up.

But they are costs that are deliberately excluded from the calculations.

COLA calculations deliberately do not include costs for health care, which take up a lot of the income from people who live on SS. Health care costs keep going up by double digits.

COLA calculations deliberately do not include transportation costs. Here in NYC bus fare is about to go up to $2.50 per fare. So it will cost you $5.00 every time you leave the house. That's a lot of money to someone who is poor.

COLA calculations have not been updated in 50 years, so they assume that we only pay for the things we paid for 50 years ago, and that just isn't true. We pay more and different bills to survive now. But the COLA hasn't kept up. Deliberately SO, because by keeping the COLA calculations out of date, they keep poor people poor and don't provide support.

[KansasVoter]

38. Who are you going to trust then?

[seabeyond]

42. not only has hubby not had increase in pay 3 yrs, he lost incentive bonus he always got

and two other sources of income, as price escalates.

we probably have 40% less income coming in.

not fair... but reality for so many. hurts like hell

[bobbolink]

45. Yes, we were told it was to be for a MINIMUM of two years. It could be three, or even more.

Yet, don't expect Dems to give a rip.

We are expendable, and if you didn't know that before, then you know it now.

[Bigmack]

47. Let's not argue about a SS COLA ....

it's a formula, and out of Congress' hands. Unless they want to do a one-time payment.

Let's not argue about Congressional pay raises... they aren't getting any. (unless you count the huge money to be made in campaign donations and speaking fees and lobbying jobs later and .....)

Let's talk about the obscene raises in CEO pay.... 51% for Wellpoint's CEO... 23 Billion in bonuses at Goldman Sachs...CEOs making 541 times what hourly workers get.

We're talking about the crumbs from the couch cushion, while the Greedheads are swimming in the Benjamins.

[southernyankeebelle]

50. Grow up buddy. We all are having to make scarifices. At least they

didn't take away some of your pension. Stop bitching if it was up to the republicans they would have had your money in the stock market where you would have lost all your money.

[Liberal_in_LA]

51. k&R

[Matariki]

52. I'm sure the Republicans will help you out so much better with this issue.

"this is the straw that will break my back and my trust in the dems"

This isn't "the dems" doing. It's a calculation on the part of the agency that oversees Social Security. Their reasoning is that there hasn't been an increase in the cost of living this year. Of course anyone living in the real world knows that isn't true.

But don't blame it on 'the dems', don't let that become the meme at election time, and make sure you vote for the Democrats running in your state election this November.

[Initech]

54. George Carlin was right - it's a big club and you and I aren't in it.

[sl8]

57. What cost of living adjustment would have been appropriate?

1. Currently the COLA is tied to the CPI-W. What would be a better indicator of changes in the cost of living?

2. What does the over-funding of the Pentagon, or any other government program, have to do with cost of living adjustments?

[noamnety]

60. It has everything to do with the cost of living.

When we suck all our tax revenue into a gigantic toilet of military operations, we don't have the funds we need to properly invest in programs at home. The lack of investment (from education on up) causes poverty and unemployment. That causes foreclosures. Then when housing prices plummet because so many houses are in foreclosure, the government comes through and makes the assessment: "Due to huge numbers of foreclosures, people don't need as much money to get by."

Nevermind that people apparently need more social programs to prevent the foreclosures. The COLA folks have managed to reverse cause and effect in such a tidy way that they think we won't notice.

[maryf]

59. Pentagon spending 58%

K&R

and when they come for you, will you have spoken up?

[elleng]

61. First, I'm a senior,

Second, no COLA because no cost of living increase, no inflation.

Let's be reasonable with cries about 'Fair,' please.

[Individualist]

63. Costs of groceries, insurance, medicines, and utilities have increased. No COLA

is inexcusable.

[Celebration]

64. too bad that COLA

isn't tied to the price of gold.

:rofl:

Of course if gold was in the formula, and the price went up, (which it did) COLA would find a substitute that didn't go up, like tin or something. Tin jewelry is just so fashionable now.

[slackmaster]

66. I have never counted on government to take care of my needs in any particular situation

I expect to collect Social Security after I've finished busting my ass for 40+ years, but that's not what I'm planning to live on. It will just be a supplement.

[aikoaiko]

69. Is the lack of COLA due to the same formula that provided COLAs in the past or are they ....

...changing or ignoring the formula? :shrug:

[Celebration]

71. the COLA formula changes

If steak goes up by 50 percent, they are allowed to substitute chicken mcnuggets. This all started when housing went way up once, and that was getting calculated into the formula, but the cost of senior's housing supposedly didn't go up. So the so called cost of living thing is pretty much a sham number

Although this is from Canada, look at substitution bias

http://ion.uwinnipeg.ca/~jtownsen/1103/chapter6_slide-handouts.pdf

[Lagomorph]

70. The CPI is flat....

...it's just the price of everything we actually buy keeps going up.

Our state snuck a bunch of taxes into our utilities and many essential products that have done a great job of significantly eroding our budget.

[jillan]

75. I'm just waiting for there to be cuts. I don't think it will be this administration that does it,

but heaven help us if the repugs get in power. Medicaid was cut this year in my state...Az. I'm sure the repugs can't wait to do the same to seniors.

[Lucian]

77. It's sad. And what's worse is that few people give a shit about it.

[Individualist]

81. The "I've got mine, so the hell with the poor" attitude is disgusting.

[Codeine]

79. Our company hasn't given raises in three years. nt