Today, Obama blinked (in his struggle against Social Security)

[MannyGoldstein]

An interesting bit from http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/08/08/remarks-president">Obama's statement today:

"Last week, we reached an agreement that will make historic cuts to defense and domestic spending. But there’s not much further we can cut in either of those categories. What we need to do now is combine those spending cuts with two additional steps: tax reform that will ask those who can afford it to pay their fair share and modest adjustments to health care programs like Medicare."

Notice anything different? No call to cut/strengthen/secure Social Security. Today Obama only called for cuts in Medicare (and presumably Medicare, perhaps the VA as well).

My theory is that Pelosi and Reid told him "no way, no how" on Social Security cuts. Those two have been good on this issue, because they realize that Social Security has zero to do with the deficit, and cutting benefits is pure, unabashed theft from working Americans. There are still Democrats who won't do pure, unabashed theft. I believe that Pelosi and Reid told Obama that their picks for the putative Catfood Commission II have pledged to vote against Social Security cuts.

Of course I'm not happy about Obama's continued call to cut Medicare/Medicaid, but unlike Social Security, there is an actual argument to be made that these programs will eventually add to the debt if the US continues to have the most expensive health care in the world by far. However, what we really have is a health care cost problem rather than a Medicare/Medicaid problem: if we bring our health care costs down to anywhere near what other countries pay, then Medicare and Medicaid are in fine shape for as far as we can see into the future.

Now it's possible that Obama's omission of Social Security today was a mistake, but this looks like a telepromptered speech, so I'm guessing that Obama said what he meant to say.

So tonight when I drink my bottle of Wachusett IPA, I will toast Pelosi, Reid, and the other Democrats on our side. We're not out of the woods yet - there are many treacherous traps and capitulations ahead - but, for now, I think we've made a little progress for working Americans.

[truedelphi]

1. Nah, I think that he didn't mention Soc Security for the same

Reason no Upper level politician wants to mention it:

It is already gone.


http://www.sott.net/articles/show/232087-Social-Security-Scam-Where-Did-the-2-5-Trillion-Surplus-Go-

[MannyGoldstein]

2. Two weeks ago, Obama said:

"We then offered an additional $650 billion in cuts to entitlement programs — Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security."

Something changed.

[TheWraith]

3. That article is utterly crazy and full of bullshit.

It's conspiracy theory nonsense based on a complete misunderstanding of reality.

And frankly, the OP is full of bullshit too, again based on the lie that Obama wants to cut Social Security.

[MannyGoldstein]

4. Sigh:

http://www.handsoffss.org/what-is-the-deficit-commission-why-did-it-recommend-deep-cuts-in-social-security.html
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/The-Vote/2011/0707/Briefing-room-word-games-What-s-a-slash-versus-a-cut-in-Social-Security
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2011/07/22/transcript-of-obamas-news-conference-on-the-debt-ceiling/
http://bluemassgroup.com/2011/08/rep-conyers-obama-demanded-social-security-cuts-not-gop/

etc.

[TheWraith]

7. All of which provide no evidence of the repeated claim that Obama wants to end Social Security.

Doubly so when it has been repeatedly pointed out that there would be no benefit cuts for recipients.

[MannyGoldstein]

8. Please provide a link of Obama stating that is his position.

As to whether the links provide evidence to support my thesis - one of us has a reading comprehension issue.

[TheWraith]

12. Actually, you need to provide a link saying that that is his position.

You made the claim: provide proof or apologize.

You can't, of course, because it's never been his position, and this OP is so much BS. But I'll be nice, and provide you not just with one statement, but a dozen or so.

http://www.ourfuture.org/fact-sheets-briefs/2011010212/barack-obama-s-statements-social-security

[MannyGoldstein]

13. I provided four links upthread

As I said, one of us has a reading comprehension issue.

[TheWraith]

15. Cite Obama saying that he wants to cut Social Security benefits, or apologize.

It's really quite simple. Fourth party speculation and rumor-mongering doesn't count.

[truedelphi]

16. Larry Summers explained what he kenw to be

Obama's position on Social Security way back in February 2009 -

That it would be necessary for the Republicans to have more power than was currently the case, but once the Republicans were in office, then Obama could oversee the major "reform" efforts to Social Security and MediCare that "are needed."

[TheWraith]

23. Your interpretation of a third-hand quote about what someone thinks someone's motives are...

...and frankly, I don't trust you to relay even that much accurately and without bias.

[truedelphi]

25. Just reporting what people are talking about

The remarks that Summers made were to TIME magazine.

Here is one link:

http://anewworldsinbirth.wordpress.com/2011/07/16/larry-summers-in-2009-obama-will-launch-a-plan-to-reform-social-security-and-medicare/

No one is saying you have to believe anything, and certainly you don't have to trust me more than I trust you.

But since only 32% of Americans are dyed in the wool, "GEe, I'll vote for anybody with a "D" after their name" Democrats, and far fewer than that are Republicans, I do think people on this board should understand what is being said outside of sermons from the DLC pulpit.

[MannyGoldstein]

17. And once again:

“Social Security... faces real long-term challenges in a country that is growing older. As I said in the State of the Union, both parties should work together now to strengthen Social Security for future generations. But we must do it without putting at risk current retirees, the most vulnerable, or people with disabilities; without slashing benefits for future generations”
- Barack Obama, April 13th 2011

And if you need the definition of "slashing", here's Jay Carney's entertaining cut-vs-slash dance:

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/The-Vote/2011/0707/Briefing-room-word-games-What-s-a-slash-versus-a-cut-in-Social-Security">Briefing room word games: What's a 'slash' versus a 'cut' in Social Security?

So, a reporter asked, what does “slash” mean?

“Haven’t you got, like, a dictionary app on your iPhone?” Carney replied.

Q: Well, it’s a word that you use instead of “cut.”

Carney: “Slash” is, I think, quite clear. It’s slash. It’s like that. (Carney makes a slashing motion with his hand.) It’s a significant whack.

Q: So it means a significant …

Carney: I’m not going to put a numerical figure on it.

Q: So it means a significant cut.

Carney: I think slashing is a pretty sharp, direct …

Q: It’s not the same thing as cutting – the point is, it’s not the same thing as “cut.”

Carney: It’s slash. (Laughter.) And I don’t mean the guitarist. (Laughter.)

Q: A pledge to not slash benefits is not the same thing as a pledge to not cut benefits.

Carney: I’m not – again, we’re talking about a policy enunciated by the president back in January, and that is …

Q: This is a diction you guys have chosen.

Carney: No, no, I get that, and we did choose it, and the president used it. But I’m not here to negotiate the semantics …

Q: Just so everybody understands – just so everybody understands, when you say “slash,” you don’t mean “cut.”

Carney: We have said that to address the long-term solvency of the problem – of the program, because this is not an issue that drives short- or medium-term deficits, that we would look – the president is interested in looking at ways to strengthen the program and enhance its long-term solvency that protects the integrity of the program and doesn’t slash benefits.

Q: Which is not the same thing as not cutting benefits.

You're welcome.

[MannyGoldstein]

20. Self-delete

[TheWraith]

22. So your cite that he wants to cut Social Security is him saying the exact opposite.

Wow. That's some proof you have right there.

[truedelphi]

26. Then there's that situation that Obama wanted to

"Improve" and "Reform" the Health Care System.

For all of us who are still insured but paying 15 to 55% more each month on account of his efforts, and for all of us who can no longer afford insurance, we certainly can see how the President uses those words, "improve" and "reform."

[JoePhilly]

28. See post 27 ... trust me, you'll laugh.

[frylock]

6. all the buzzwords in this post without rebutting a damn thing..

well played.

[TheWraith]

9. I'm supposed to prove reality to someone?

The inability to understand the difference between treasury bonds, and claiming that $2.5 trillion dollars has been magically stolen because it's not all in a big pile in a bank vault, does not lend itself to reasoned debate.

[izquierdista]

5. Blinked?

He's like Betty Boop when confronted by Republicans.

[scheming daemons]

10. we told you all along that Obama wasnt going to cut SS

But you continued you disinformation campaign.

And now you have the nerve to claim Obama blinked when you were proven wrong?

As Michele Bachmann would say... chutzpah.

[MannyGoldstein]

11. General Lee never intended to take Gettysberg

It was 12-dimensional chess.

Got it.

[TheWraith]

14. Don't you know? We've always been at war with Eastasia.

Any time that Obama doesn't do the horrible, terrible things the bashers accuse him of or claim that he's going to do, it's only because they forced him to back down. Even if the "evidence" was wholly made up bullshit.

[JoePhilly]

29. See post #27 on your point.

[ProSense]

18. "We can compromise with reasonable Republicans about restricting entitlements."

That was Howard Dean yesterday, but somehow his comment was simply the greatest!!!

Full quote here

Now Obama's statement, which is a point about increasing taxes, is being misrepresented to further the false meme that he's going to cut benefits?

Hmmmm?

[MannyGoldstein]

19. You accidentally forgot this part:

Dean: There are some bottom lines. Everybody has to have bottom lines. Can we limit the outlay on social security, yes, but can we take away people's benefits? I don't think so. Can we limit the outflow on Medicare? Yes, by using a payment system that encourages wellness not sicknesses. But you cannot eliminate people from Medicare. You cannot raise the age of Medicare to 67. That's unfair and outrageous. People wait to get on Medicare because their private insurance is so lousy when they're under 65. So you've got to pick and choose what you can do. We can compromise with reasonable Republicans about restricting entitlements. We are not interested in compromising unless everybody bears their share. And that includes the wealthiest people in America, who by the way lead us into this mess with the outrageous behavior of the major banks.

You're welcome.

[ProSense]

21. No

I didn't. Here's the full quote along with the President's comment.

[MilesColtrane]

24. Maybe those Social Security cuts Obama was planning

were all in your mind to begin with.

[JoePhilly]

27. Yea ... he's HELL-BENT on gutting social security.

Everyone knows that.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=702316&mesg_id=702316

Apparently, he SUCKS at being HELL-BENT on gutting social security.

:rofl:

[Hawkowl]

31. Are only hope is that he CAVES

on gutting social security. If we keep beating him up about it, he should cave.

[swilton]

30. Thanks for the encouraging analysis -

I won't believe that SS/medicare/medicaid are safe until Obama is replaced in the primaries...Some may say - never happen - so be it - SS/medicare/medicaid are not safe.

[Vicar In A Tutu]

32. Well, Howard Dean has been more overt in his quest to...

"restrict" them, so I hope he's not one your bandwagon saviours....