Why Is It So Acceptable to Lie to Cut Social Security Benefits?

[Hannah Bell]

We aren't supposed to use the word "lie" in Washington, probably because the practice is so common, but let's just use normal English for a moment. NYT Roger Cohen devotes his column to a tirade against the French for their opposition to raising the retirement age....Cohen is a huge proponent of the increase -- he calls it a "no-brainer." This is fine, he is a columnist and this is his opinion. But how about getting the basic facts right...?

Age 60 is not in fact the age for getting full retirement benefits in the French Social Security system. It is age 65. Age 60 is an early retirement age at which it is possible to retire with reduced benefits. It is comparable to the age 62 early retirement age in the U.S. system. Cohen is not alone in failing to make this point clear, but he certainly does raise this distortion of the debate to a higher level.

The 15 year increase in life expectancy is also deceptive. The implication is that the French expect to be retired on average for 15 years more than in 1950. Actually, much of the increase is due to reduced infant mortality rates... Cohen also includes the bizarre assertion that France has to raise its retirement age because "the Chinese don’t get the notion of retirement." Unfortunately this sort of junk is often used in arguments for cutting wages and benefits for ordinary people. Unfortunately Cohen's misrepresentations (we're being polite again) are the norm in this debate...

But talking about cutting Social Security benefits, rather than raising financial speculation taxes, or other progressive taxes, cannot honestly be called making tough choices. It is making a cowardly choice. It is serving the interests of the rich and powerful at the expense of the vast majority of the population. That may be what politics is about, but it should be described accurately.


http://www.cepr.net/index.php/blogs/beat-the-press/why-is-so-acceptable-to-lie-to-cut-social-security-benefits

[TBF]

1. If politics is described properly in this (and many other) countries,

non-rich people will fight back. Can't have that.