Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
Showing Original Post only (View all)Sen. Bernie Sanders ‘Deeply Disappointed’ With Obama’s Social Security Cuts, Vows To Block Them [View all]
Sen. Bernie Sanders Deeply Disappointed With Obamas Social Security Cuts, Vows To Block Them
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) on Friday joined the liberal pile-on of President Barack Obama's proposed Social Security cuts, saying he's deeply disappointed in the White House and vowing to do "everything in my power" to block the proposal.
The independent senator and avowed socialist followed a host of liberal groups such as MoveOn to criticize Obama's proposal.
http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/sen-bernie-sanders-deeply-disappointed-with-obamas-social
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) on Friday joined the liberal pile-on of President Barack Obama's proposed Social Security cuts, saying he's deeply disappointed in the White House and vowing to do "everything in my power" to block the proposal.
The independent senator and avowed socialist followed a host of liberal groups such as MoveOn to criticize Obama's proposal.
I am terribly disappointed and will do everything in my power to block President Obamas proposal to cut benefits for Social Security recipients through a chained consumer price index. As chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, I also am especially concerned about the impact this change would have on disabled veterans and their survivors.
The Senate just last month went on record in opposition to the presidents approach. In poll after poll, the American people are overwhelmingly against cutting Social Security. And organizations representing a broad spectrum of millions of Americans from the AFL-CIO to the American Legion to AARP to NOW have urged the president not to make this terrible mistake.
This is not a minor tweak, as its proponents contend. Under Obamas proposal, according to the Social Security Administration, 65-year-old retirees would lose more than $650 a year by their 75th birthday, and more than $1,000 a year would be cut from their benefits once they reach 85. The proposed change would also affect more than 3.2 million disabled veterans receiving disability compensation benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterans who started receiving V.A. disability benefits at age 30 would have their benefits reduced by $1,425 a year at age 45, $2,341 at age 55 and $3,231 at age 65. Benefits for more than 350,000 surviving spouses and children would also be cut.
I remember when Obama said he was concerned about retirees struggling to get by and was unequivocal in his opposition to cutting cost-of-living adjustments. On September 6, 2008, then Sen. Obama spoke to the AARP 50th anniversary convention. John McCains campaign has gone even further suggesting that the best answer for the growing pressure on Social Security might be to cut cost-of-living adjustments or raise the retirement age. Let me be clear. I will not do either.
I also hope the president follows up on another suggestion that he made during that campaign and gets behind my legislation to raise the cap on income subject to the payroll tax, extending the life of Social Security for generations to come without the need to cut benefits or raise taxes on the middle class.
Yes, we must move forward on deficit reduction, but it must not be done on the backs of some of the most vulnerable people in this country.
http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/sen-bernie-sanders-deeply-disappointed-with-obamas-social
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
68 replies, 6689 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (104)
ReplyReply to this post
68 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Sen. Bernie Sanders ‘Deeply Disappointed’ With Obama’s Social Security Cuts, Vows To Block Them [View all]
ProSense
Apr 2013
OP
Pete Peterson and groups of billionaires he works with that have think tank sounding names
Dragonfli
Apr 2013
#5
Correct. He's changed things for the WORSE just by putting it out there. n/t
whathehell
Apr 2013
#59
I think (hope) a lot of Dem Senators will balk. I'm so glad you talked to his office regarding this
gateley
Apr 2013
#29
That is EXACTLY what they're doing, plus attacking the ACA, PP and promoting Keystone on EVERY bill.
freshwest
Jun 2013
#65
There isn't much push, so I imagine it won't affect 'em. I hurts those I love, though. Thanx, Aerows
freshwest
Jun 2013
#67