Growing signs Social Security, Medicare changes will be part of debt deal (binding commission?)

[Karmadillo]

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20079911-503544.html

Growing signs Social Security, Medicare changes will be part of debt deal
By Stephanie Condon
July 15

Washington leaders gave more indication today that changes to Social Security and Medicare are likely to be part of a potential deal to reduce the deficit and raise the debt ceiling.

President Obama on Friday acknowledged for the first time that he was considering changes to the programs like raising the retirement age or applying means testing.

Additionally, an administration official tells CBS News political analyst John Dickerson that a deal based on Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell's "back up plan" could include a binding commission charged with reviewing the entitlement programs.

The suggestion that changes to Social Security and Medicare are on the table has rankled defenders of the programs, including liberal activists and the nonpartisan senior group AARP. The fact that tinkering with those programs -- undeniably a politically risky move -- appears to be a central part of the debate illustrates the great challenge lawmakers have ahead of them, if they want to reach a deal by August 2.

more...

[librechik]

1. hands off medicares and SS--deal done

bastards, all of them

[Karmadillo]

6. It will be interesting to see if they can force something like this through. A binding

commissino is such a joke, one can hope we would actually be able to bring enough pressure to stop it.

[OHdem10]

2. Who is surprised?

They had better determine what means testing means

For years, when Republican Libertarians said Means Testing
it meant if you could afford to do withougt Medicare and
SS you could opt out.

Now the Pres. is saying means testing. And trying to say it
means the richer pay more.

Do not walk into a Brer Rabbit trap, Mr. President.

Pragmatists always give in. The Deal is more important
than your country or your party.

[Ragnarok]

5. I agree because...

"For years, when Republican Libertarians said Means Testing
it meant if you could afford to do withougt Medicare and
SS you could opt out."

...that's about the only way I'd support means testing. Either everyone pays in and everyone gets benefits, or those who are rejected get to opt out.

[William769]

3. I can't wait to hear the excuses. You know they will be coming. NT

[Marr]

4. I know-- remember all the condescending accusations of "paranoia" about the Deficit Commission?

How it didn't mean anything, or even better-- that it was another piece of strategy. I believe the actual argument was that Obama was letting the Republicans expose their intentions of cutting those programs. Same crap we're hearing now about Obama himself putting those options on the table. Same bullshit excuse. It's unreal.

[Autumn]

7. Sorry but I think Social Security, Medicare changes

will signal Presidential changes in 2012. This is not a good thing.

[Karmadillo]

9. Given there are much better alternatives, cutting defense, ending Bush tax cuts, it's

hard to see why he is so dedicated to doing something so damaging to the future of the Democratic Party.

[Angry Dragon]

8. With no jobs people will get no SS worth anything anyway

[Bluenorthwest]

10. We have unemployment problems but to suggest no one

has a job is reckless hyperbole. No one has a job, so why have Social Security? Yeah, great argument.

[Angry Dragon]

11. We do have an unemployment problem

and the jobs that are being created are paying less.
So the people have less earnings, meaning less SS
A lot of people have had their hours cut but still working

To touch SS is a stupid move
To cut out fraud in Medicare is a good move

However whenever I hear or read anything it is always about cutting
the programs for the bottom.
This will mean less money being spent by the people
and the people servicing the bottom will also be cut
because of less money going into services.
Just read the other day about a non-profit closing their doors

The last deal that was done in December was a stupid move
to drop the payroll tax by 2%
Money has to come out of the genera fund
The people paid for it anyway

[TheKentuckian]

12. What does not having Social Security mean for jobs other than even less of them

due to a black hole in demand?

[Yo_Mama]

14. It cuts Social Security benefits for the jobless!

It also cuts revenue to the fund, which is why it is running a deficit now and did last year.

[TheKentuckian]

18. Understood but how does that justify eliminating the program?

No Social Security would mean less jobs rather than more.

[QC]

13. Cat Food II: The Nightmare Continues

Opening soon at a theater near you!

[Lil Missy]

15. Such cuts have previously been suggested on the PROVIDER side, not in benefits. n/t

[mzmolly]

16. True. But facts be damned!

:hi:

[Lil Missy]

17. Never let an opportunity to create an unnecessary crisis go to waste.

:hi:

[MyshkinCommaPrince]

19. He explained "means testing"...

The President explained "means testing" in his press conference as a process of screening out benefits for wealthier persons who don't need the assistance. His emphasis was on the top income brackets, not lower or middle. Which context may or may not make the idea less troubling.