Obama's actual record on COLA and Social Security.

[mzmolly]

I wish to clarify a few things because some are chanting "Obama stopped COLA payments," which is false.

In 2009/2010 SS recipients did not get a cost of living increase due to how the COLA has been calculated since the 1980's. ... After *1983, COLAs have been based on increases in the CPI-W from the third quarter of the prior year to the corresponding quarter of the current year in which the COLA became effective." http://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/colaseries.html

Given the fact that Seniors have had no cost of living increase over the past couple of years, President Obama has called for emergency payments of $250, to help offset their hardship.

"Even as we seek to bring about recovery, we must act on behalf of those hardest hit by this recession," Obama said in a statement Wednesday. "That is why I am announcing my support for an additional $250 in emergency recovery assistance to seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities to help them make it through these difficult times."

Obama's 2012 budget also called for a $250 payment to Senior Citizens.

"Obama Budget Raises Taxes On Rich And Big Estates, Sends $250 Checks To Seniors" ~ Forbes Feb. 2011

President Obama's 2012 budget proposal failed to pass.

I wanted to set the record straight. Obama is not responsible for the lack of COLA increases to SS recipients. However, he is responsible for making sure that they received some relief.

Sources:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/15/AR2009101504036.html
http://blogs.forbes.com/janetnovack/2011/02/14/obama-budget-raises-taxes-on-rich-and-big-estates-sends-250-checks-to-seniors/
http://retirementrevised.com/money/250-social-security-payment-resurfaces-in-obama-budget
http://money.cnn.com/2009/10/14/news/economy/obama_seniors_payment/index.htm
http://www.moneysmartsblog.com/250-stimulus-check-in-2011-for-social-security-recipients/

[ClarkUSA]

1. Thanks for the FACTS about President Obama, mzmolly!

:hi:

[mzmolly]

3. My pleasure.

:hi:

[blue neen]

2. .

:thumbsup:

Thanks, mzmolly! :)

[mzmolly]

4. You

bet. :hi:

[johnaries]

5. Wow, actual facts instead of empty rhetoric and speculation. Thank You!

:thumbsup:

[mzmolly]

6. I was beginning to think Obama really did want to

kill grandma. ;)

[johnaries]

10. LOL!

;)

[toddwv]

7. The problem with your "facts" is that

they are actually facts.

It's ALL Obama's fault. Just repeat that 10 times daily and watch Fox "New" for at least 4 hours a day with at least 3 hours of that being during the hours of 4 and 9 o'clock.

That should take care of your desire to present actual facts over mindless rhetoric.

[Tx4obama]

8. Thank you for posting a factual OP :) n/t

[mzmolly]

11. You're welcome.

:hi:

[pnorman]

9. K&R!!!!!!!!

I see some initial unrecs here. I suspect that they're by the same ones who are forever howling: "The unrec. trolls are busy!" whenever THEIR favorite OP gets hit!

[lbrtbell]

23. Just FWIW

I didn't unrec OP's post. I'm just trying to make it clear that it's just typical of Obama's record--doing too little for any given situation.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

12. Bookmarking for the Obama Derangement Syndrome! Thanks so much! K&R!!!!

[gateley]

13. Facts? We don't need no stinkin' facts!

Good job, mzmolly -- thanks! :headbang:

[flamingdem]

14. REC this please! Good info nt

[joshcryer]

15. My mom was so happy to get that other one with no COLA increase in two years.

I got her hopes up when I told her Obama was going after it again. :(

[babylonsister]

16. Oh my goodness gosh, mzmolly! Thank you!!! nt

[eridani]

17. I'd like to hear him take chained CPI off the table

I hope you realize that this is like compound interest, only in reverse. The older you get, the poorer you get.

[bhikkhu]

18. I'd like a real reform to the whole CPI system of adjustment

everyone knows it doesn't track actual inflation or cost of living very well at all.

...which is why I'm ambivalent over the "chained CPI" thing - its just replacing one bad idea with another. At some point the thing needs to do what its intended to, and help people keep up with inflation.

[eridani]

20. There is another option out there--CPI-E

http://www.atouchofgrey.com/cola.html

The next question obviously is what can be done to have the CPI accurately reflect older Americans living expenses? Well, believe it or not, in 1987 Congress took a positive step toward correcting the way the CPI is calculated. Responding to the criticism of senior groups, Congress amended the Older Americans Act of 1965.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics was ordered to come with an experimental CPI that would better reflect the buying the buying habits of consumers 62 years and older. A new experimental CPI was born called CPI-E that accurately shows what older adults actually spend their money.

[lbrtbell]

24. That's what this country needs. n/t

[mzmolly]

55. E = "experimental"

I'd need more information to dig my heels into any particular formula.

Methodology, sources of data, and limitations.

"Although this study indicates a higher overall inflation rate for older Americans compared to the official CPI population groups, any conclusions drawn from it should be used with caution because of the various limitations inherent in the methodology."

http://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.br12396.a06.htm

[eridani]

59. Bullshit. ALL CPI calculations have limits of methodology n/t

[mzmolly]

61. It would help you understand if you'd read the link I provided rather than

post a purely reactionary response. The Bureau of Labor is the originator of the stated "Experimental Price Index for Elderly Consumers". The E = experimental by their own accord. THEY also caution "Finally, the experimental price index has limitations as an estimate of the inflation rate experienced by older Americans. Because of the various limitations inherent in the methodology, any conclusions drawn from these data should be made with caution."

http://www.bls.gov/cpi/cpiexpcpie2005.pdf

Regardless, we have no idea if a in COLA calculations is a valid concern at this point.

[eridani]

65. ALL CPI calculations are experimental, period

The data behind the base assumptions for any CPI calculation is ALWAYS shifting. However, the basid idea that older people have different spending patterns remains valid, as is the notion that COLA adjustments should take them into account.

[Bluenorthwest]

31. No, the Chained CPI would be replacing a bad idea with a worse

one, not just another bad idea, a far, far worse idea. Yes it needs to do what it is intended to do, and going from bad to worse is simply not the right direction.

[mzmolly]

45. I'd like confirmation that it's on the table

and clarification about its effects, before I demand such a thing.

[pnwmom]

19. Thanks!!!

:hi:

[lamp_shade]

21. Thanks. Kick and rec.

[lbrtbell]

22. You seriously think $250 is a great thing?

That's for ONE year. We're talking $20.83 a month. About $4.81 a week.

Do you know how much groceries cost? Utilities? Gasoline? These expenses are going through the roof. $250 is NOTHING!

If he wanted to help seniors, he'd do more than just toss them a few crumbs for one year. Yes, I know he must work with Congress, but each journey starts with a first step, and that step should be to declare that the method for determining the COLA should be adjusted for real-life expenses. The second step should be actually engaging other Democrats, instead of shutting them out, to fight for this, and make it clear to the public that they're the party on the side of seniors.

$250 for one year is like putting a band-aid on a severed femoral artery. Our seniors need a freakin' tourniquet, and they need it now! :(

[JoePhilly]

25. Would have been better if he ignored them I guess.

Even when Obama does something good, for some, its still bad.

[freedom fighter jh]

26. It's about 2%.

In a recent post someone said the average social security payment is $1000 per month. That's $12,000 per year. 250/12,000 = about 2%.

In the past couple of years, prices for living expenses have gone up much faster than that.

But the kicker is that next year's increase, if there is one, will likely be figured on the basis of this year's expenses *without* this 2% figured in. So payments do not go up exponentially, as costs do.

[Bluenorthwest]

30. No 'likey' about it. Costs in Oct of this year will be compared to

October last year. That is how it is done every year. So tossing in phrases like 'will likely be figured' I do not think is helpful. There are rules and regs and they are in fact followed. They should be improved to serve the beneficiaries better, but Oct to Oct is the comparison, each and every year. All of these things are knowable facts, no need for 'well, they will likely figure it this way'.

[freedom fighter jh]

32. You know the rules. I don't.

I was guessing that they would not change the way they figure the increase, that they would not take into account that the present rate is too low, something that the Administration has tacitly acknowledged by sending out that $250 check.

[MessiahRp]

41. LOL I know $250 is a slap in the face.

I find it amusing how many here will say, 'oh well he dropped us the smallest bread crumb from the table so we should at least be happy about that.' (paraphrased of course)

Obama could have fought for COLA increases. It would have been easy. Tie them to Congressional Raises which no member of Congress ever seems to disagree with. He could have easily have used the bully pulpit to make the case. People would much rather see Seniors get a tiny increase in yearly costs versus giving it to the most corrupt group of politicians ever. People HATE Congressional payraises more than CEO payraises (sadly).

But Obama doesn't fight for jack shit. Nothing. He is a spineless coward who seems to love giving the GOP everything they want and more instantly on the very first round of negotiations.

Rp

[mzmolly]

46. Of course. Zero, is so much more dignified.

:eyes:

[MessiahRp]

49. As per the usual, you avoid the rest of the topic completely.

Because it makes Obama look bad. He could fight for a lot of things, he fights for none. He let those COLA raises expire because he refused to fight for them. He has the bully pulpit. He has the ability to air nationally covered prime time press conferences. Nobody else in Congress has such an advantage! And he squanders it by never fighting for anything.

$250 is pathetic. You know it. You refuse to acknowledge that Obama refused to fight for anything better.

Rp

[mzmolly]

50. Let the COLA rates expire?

Get a clue, and then we'll talk.

[MessiahRp]

53. Clearly bad wording on my part.

Typing quickly often produces such results.

He did not push for COLA raises. There, does that better suit the terms you require before arguing a point? Or is it that your point is indefensible?

Rp

[mzmolly]

54. He did push for cola increases in the only way available,

thus the $250 checks he requested. Changes to the formula for calculating COLA require an act of congress. And, discussion about making changes, has led to apparent panic.

[mzmolly]

43. I think $250 is helpful.

I don't think SS amounts to a "great" amount, regardless.

[theFrankFactor]

27. Is there anything he can't do? Swoon!

[Bobbie Jo]

33. Is there anything he can do right? Gag! Spew!

:eyes:

[mzmolly]

44. I'm not swooning. I'm adding context to the suggestion that Obama

is "throwing seniors under the bus" and/or "killing grandma" with his mythical ending of COLA payments.

[Bluenorthwest]

28. Important to point out that the Republicans killed the $250 for

2011. To say 'his proposal did not pass' is to make it passive, when it was not the proposal's fault, nor the President's. The Republicans in the House are fully to blame for that, and there is no reason on Earth to skip a chance to point that out. They are culpable. They killed it. They ripped that money out of Grandma's hands.

[mzmolly]

47. True.

Thanks for the clarification. :hi:

[MilesColtrane]

29. That's one of two of the most common misunderstandings about...

SS I've seen here lately - that Obama stopped COLA payments, and that Social Security COLAs don't account for the rise of food and energy prices.

Both are as wrong as can be.

K&R

[Bobbie Jo]

34. K&R

Thank you, mzmolly!

:kick:

[JNelson6563]

35. K&R for the facts.

[elleng]

36. Thanks for the facts, with which many don't care to be confused.

(P.S., I'm a SS recipient.)

[madfloridian]

37. Did you hear his speech today? Did you get the message?

All us seniors and our little sacred cows need to share the sacrifice...or something like that.

I got the message.

[mzmolly]

42. Got a quote?

I'd love to see the context.

[cstanleytech]

57. Yes, he said he would cut it to the bone and destroy SS and medicare

:sarcasm:

Oh wait, he didnt say that at all but hey lets spazz out early and help the GOP by spreading rumors before he releases more details.

[grantcart]

38. "facts we don't need no stinking facts"

[bluestateguy]

39. Oh I don't know. That sounds awfully wonky and complicated.

Pretty adult stuff there.

Not for everybody.

[mikekohr]

40. Facts are stubborn things

there are people on this board that are going to be dissapointed. Why must you insist on being such a buzzkill? ;)

[mzmolly]

48. Cynicism is contagious

it seems.

:hi:

[LynneSin]

51. I think it's a great post but the Obama haters will still find a way to blame Obama

and it's starting to get fricking annoying as hell.

For ages I heard everything from the Corporations to the DLC having people paid to post in DU to try and sway the message in their favors. I kinda held it suspect but lately I'm starting to think there are a couple of GOP plants here in DU whose sole purpose to rile up anti-Obama sentiments here at DU and to concept that it's ok to not vote for Obama outside of the primaries (either by not voting, leaving the field blank or going 3-party). Let's face it - only one group benefits from that ideal and it's the republicans.

[mzmolly]

52. Thanks

LynneSin. I agree with you fully.

[barbtries]

56. ditto

[cstanleytech]

58. It wouldnt surprise me in the least if it were to turn out that

some of the self proclaimed democrats/liberals on here are just that.

[jaysunb]

62. +1000 n/t

[Bobbie Jo]

63. I Certainly Believe It.

+1000

[graywarrior]

60. Rec'd, with pleasure

[MadMaddie]

64. Thank you for facts and data!