Pelosi: Medicare, Social Security Benefit Cuts Are Line In The Sand On Debt Limit Bill

[babsbunny]

Pelosi: Medicare, Social Security Benefit Cuts Are Line In The Sand On Debt Limit Bill

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/07/pelosi-medicare-and-social-security-cuts-will-compromise-vote-on-debt-limit-bill.php

Brian Beutler | July 7, 2011, 4:10PM

After a contentious White House meeting with President Obama and other Congressional leaders, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) returned to the Capitol and drew an important red line: Members of her caucus won't vote for a grand bargain to raise the debt limit and reduce future deficits if the final deal includes cuts to Medicare and Social Security benefits -- and that means it probably won't pass.

"You , 'could the changes compromise the vote?'" Pelosi said at a Thursday afternoon briefing near the House chamber. "I said yes."

It's widely believed that House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) will need Democratic votes to raise the debt limit. Democratic leaders, including House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) have offered to help him out -- but not on Boehner's terms alone. Pelosi has her own terms.

[librechik]

1. Go, Nancy!

kick those old boys in the teeth with real life needs!

[whathehell]

2. GO Nancy!!!!

[Dawson Leery]

3. Can 41 votes be secured for a filibuster in the Senate?

[Fearless]

4. Good god maybe there is some "hope" left in the Democratic Party.

My money goes to anyone who opposes cuts to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, etc.

[Obamanaut]

5. "Lines in the sand" are easily obscured by the changing tide. A meaningless

statement that only sounds good to sycophants.

[whathehell]

10. Your concern is duly noted.

[Obamanaut]

12. No concern, simply pointing out that a poltician is using 'politicspeak', which

some people mistake for sincerity and/or the truth.

So, a sycophant?

[whathehell]

23. I'm no sycophant

but I do have some faith in Nancy Pelosi.

[Obamanaut]

24. "faith" - confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person,

idea, or thing. Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence

[whathehell]

27. Um...No.

"Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence"

I don't think that describes Pelosi.

[Obamanaut]

43. Um...you used the word, not me. If you don't like the definition, well,

not liking it will not change it.

[whathehell]

44. The first definition

didn't match the second.

Have a nice evening.:hi:

[Obamanaut]

46. Belief, faith. Two swatches of the same cloth. You need not like it, or

agree, but there you have it.

People say "I don't believe in (beauty pageants, death penalty, etc), but they exist.

Some might say "I have faith that you will do well on (insert activity)..." but they cannot accurately predict an outcome.

Blind loyalty is a fine example of faith. Religion is one too. And, here you go:

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Faith

1. Confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing.
2. Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence. See Synonyms at belief, trust..
3. Loyalty to a person or thing; allegiance: keeping faith with one's supporters


I always have nice evenings.

[whathehell]

47. No, the analogies with religion won't work here, as

my "faith" in people like Pelosi is neither blind nor absolute.

Now, I really do have things I'd rather do tonite

than play word games with you, okay?

Good night and good luck.:hi:

[Obamanaut]

50. New thread presented without comment. ->

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1447220

[ixion]

13. exactly

it's Kabuki Theater, as usual.

[indepat]

22. The only hard, permanent line Nancy has drawn in the sand is "impeachment is off the

table." :patriot:

[csziggy]

48. Oddly I don't see that quote attributed to Pelosi

It is in the headline and in one paragraph of the article:
"Other top Democrats have drawn the same line in the sand, both today and in the recent past. But none with Pelosi's clout and leverage." But it is not attributed as a quote.

It seems to be a TPM line - one of the articles linked from that paragraph also use the "line in the sand" line that is not a quote or even used anywhere other than the headline: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/06/senate-dems-draw-line-in-sand-no-medicare-benefit-cuts-in-debt-limit-deal.php

I agree with you - that line should be carved in stone. Deeply

[spanone]

6. k&r...

[markpkessinger]

7. Hang in there, Nancy! God knows the President won't. n/t

[ClarkUSA]

8. Bullshit. Pres. Obama in his SOTU said he'd cut costs & fraud but not benefits. Nothing has changed.

The actual story is that the President will not slash SS benefits. Where are the appropriate headlines to this effect?

"There is no news here," Carney said. "The President has always said that while social security is not a major driver of the deficit, we do need to strengthen the program and the President said in the State of the Union Address that he wanted to work with both parties to do so in a balanced way that preserves the promise of the program and doesn't slash benefits."

Let's not take the bait. Wait for actual information, before assuming the worst, please.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=702658&mesg_id=702658

[Obamanaut]

15. Yes, it's been nearly 2 1/2 years, and nothing has changed, except the names

of the players.

And a couple of added wars.

[ClarkUSA]

19. WTF has your subjective opinion that got to do with the facts I posted?

[Obamanaut]

20. It's like, well, an opinion board on the internet. And that is my opinion. nt

[ClarkUSA]

33. Here's an opinion: "The Progressive Caucus DEFENDS President Obama on his Social Security Stance"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=702936&mesg_id=702936

[nashville_brook]

9. hang tough, nancy.

[Better Believe It]

11. Where did she say that cutting future benefits, not current ones, are unacceptable?

Pelosi didn't say that she's drawn a line in the sand, contrary to what the news headline suggests.

Lots of wiggle room with her short opening comment.

Does Congresswoman Pelosi oppose ....

1. A new "chained CPI" to calculate cost-of-living increases that would result in lower social security benefit increases in the future.

2. An increase in both the early and full Social Security retirement age.

3. "Means testing" Social Security by providing different levels of benefits depending on a beneficiary's financial status. According to CNN negotiators are considering the possibility of trimming benefit levels for older Americans with incomes over $60,000.

4. A further reduction in the Social Security payroll tax paid by employers or employees.

[ClarkUSA]

14. "If enacted, the average social security recipient would get 14 cents less of an increase per month"

I'm not going to get my knickers in a twist over 14 cents less a month conditional on a $34 increase:

"If enacted, the average social security recipient would get 14 cents less of an increase per month, but only in a month in which the social security benefit actually went up by about $34."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1435830

[lumberjack_jeff]

17. Your source for that is.... DU? Seriously? n/t

[ClarkUSA]

18. Wrong. You just proved that you didn't even bother to go and read the OP.

BTW, if you can prove the economist's analysis wrong, feel free to post it in rebuttal to me in reply.

[lumberjack_jeff]

21. I can prove his "factual analysis" wrong because the administration hasn't released its proposal.

The facts are invented. It's speculative and completely implausible. Obama isn't going to offer a $50 million a year benefit cut. That's too trivial to pass any kind of giggle test.

[ClarkUSA]

29. Well, everything is speculative, including all the recent outrage over what may or may not happen.

[Marr]

26. That's speculation from another Obama fan here at DU, not fact.

[ClarkUSA]

31. Wrong. You didn't read the OP, either. Furthermore, all the outrage is speculative.

[Marr]

34. Yes, I did. It was something Hamden Rice wrote on Kos, and

was reposted and quoted here.

It's speculation about made-up specifics, which is not exactly the same as speculation and outrage around a general concept.

[ClarkUSA]

36. Not really. It was crunching some numbers based on some outraged people's numbers.

Furthermore, all the outrage here is based on pure speculation.

[whosinpower]

28. That is some fuzzy math there

14 cents a month morphs into....TRILLIONS saved!?!

And, on top of that supposed fairy tale math - how is this supposed savings strengthen social security.....it does not.

[ClarkUSA]

32. lol! What's "fuzzy" is all the recent outrage over what is pure speculation.

[Name removed]

35. Deleted message

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

[ClarkUSA]

37. lol! Do you know "The Progressive Caucus DEFENDS President Obama on his Social Security Stance"?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=702936&mesg_id=702936

Are they on a "salary" too? :sarcasm:

[Creideiki]

39. Thank you for admitting that you are.

It's enlightening.

[ClarkUSA]

40. Quote me. That's a false statement. You just made a strawman argument.

"It's enlightening" for me to know what you are capable of.

[whosinpower]

42. Your math is wrong.

And you do not even bother to correct it....even if it is speculation.

And you did not take into account the compounding factor.

14 cents cannot morph into hundreds of billions, or trillions in savings, because the increase will still be there - it just won't be quite as high.
14 cents will not make social security last longer or "protect" it.

If it is a savings in the hundreds of billions, or trillions - it must be higher than 14 cents.

Besides - candidate Obama stated that he would not strengthen social security by fiddling with the CPI during a debate with McCain. oops.....were we supposed to forget that? Awwwwwww,

[Greybnk48]

16. Nancy Pelosi IS what's called a Democrat.

Tough as nails and fighting for the people.

[Marr]

25. Uh-huh, sure. They'll get the votes they need. The politicians will just

have to sort out who can withstand the backlash and who cannot. I guarantee you, when it comes down to it, the House will give Obama what he wants by the slimmest margin of votes, if need be.

[mmonk]

30. Stand firm this time so your words mean something.

Be the opposition we have voted in office for since 2006.

[Shagbark Hickory]

38. She said that back about the health bill when the PO was taken out.

They'll vote for it no matta what.

[Shrek]

45. +1

Nancy Pelosi : "A bill without a strong public option will not pass the House." *

* Not intended to be a factual statement

[Shagbark Hickory]

49. That would've been the quote allright.

nm

[BlueIris]

41. Thanks, Ma'am. Thought we'd lost you there, for a while. nt