How do Independent voters feel about Republicans cutting Social Security and Medicare?

[Rosa Luxemburg]

I guess the Independents are going in droves to the Republicans. They can't wait to have their social security taken away away from them for good and no Medicare or Medicaid.

The Republican voters of course are like lemmings who are willing to have their Social Security cut for good and jump off a cliff. They are willing to lie down and die because Medicare will be ended. There will be a lot of dead, sick, bankrupt people around.

We will be saying I told you so peering over from the Canadian border!

[DJ13]

1. I think by the time the cat food commission's report comes out

the report thats expected to advise the lame duck Congress how to slash SS, it will be widely considered to be the Democratic Party thats responsible.

Obama set up the commission, and our party will still control Congress during the lame duck session, so.......

[Rosa Luxemburg]

4. So do you hope that it is the case?

[DJ13]

5. No, because I dont think SS should be tampered with

Im in favor of shoring up the fund by increasing the cap, but not in favor of any cuts or increased retirement age.

My prior post wasnt "I hope this happens", it was a caution that it will happen ..... if they mess with it.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

6. What we have to do is ask for a written report on what the Commission is doing?

there is a lot of guessing going on.

[DJ13]

7. No, just read up on the people Obama selected

Its stacked with people who have long histories of criticizing SS and wanting it either reduced or eliminated.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

8. but they have to report what they are doing and held accountable

[Dr.Phool]

2. The same way I feel about Democrats trying to cut it.

It sucks, no matter who does it.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

3. what evidence have you that we are going to cut it?

how are you going to be under a Republican regome again?

[Dr.Phool]

9. What's a "regome".

The answer is above in post #7. And they'll be held accountable o a lame duck Congress.

The information has been out here for months, but there are none so blind, as those who refuse to see. Commissions are the cowards way of getting something through. It gives plausible deniability, and lets parties point the finger at someone else.

[Honeycombe8]

10. I'm an Independent who usu. votes Democratic. Ask me anything!

So you want to know how Independents feel about the Repubs planning on cutting SS and Medicare benefits?

I can't speak for all Independents (and I think most Independents lean right, but I could be wrong about that)...we have known for decades that something would have to be done to pay for the coming Baby Boomers' retirement. In Social Security, current workers pay for current beneficiaries of Social Security. When all the Baby Boomers hit their rocking chairs, there won't be enough workers to pay for the retirement, given the massive numbers of Baby Boomers there are. So...we've known a long time that something would have to be done. I'm guessing an increase in retirement age AND a decrease in benefits AND a slight tickup in SS taxes. I'm in my 50's, so I'm hoping I'm grandfathered in to existing levels, since I can't make up NOW for lower benefits. I just don't have the years to do it.

Social Security was solvent and looking decent, until Bush stole the funds from the lockbox. But I digress.

I hadn't heard that about Medicare. Ironic that the Repubs massively increased Medicare by adding that prescription coverage (where the government is prohibited from negotiating price, making it a pharma giveaway...cont'd by the Obama administration). And now the Repubs are saying that Medicare is too massive and needs to be cut. Ironic.

Medicare has already been cut a tad, I think, in the new Health Care Reform Act. I will be unhappy about more cuts. Very unhappy. But I think both parties will do that. I don't think that the Repubs will be more inclined than the Dems to cut Medicare, since most older people are Republican. But there again, I could be wrong on that.

It's beginning to look like I'll never be able to fully retire. And that would be fine, except for one thing. The one thing that the government never talks about, when they talk about increasing the retirement age. Which is that...companies don't want elderly employees, generall speaking. There are exceptions, I'm sure. But employers typically don't want old folks as employees.

[KakistocracyHater]

11. so how are the Democratic politicians keeping Social Security?

& Medicaid/Medicare? what are they doing to keep it alive?

[ItNerd4life]

12. Exactly what are they cutting? I only know the healthcare bill cut Medicare.

I hear Republicans want to cut SS, but I can't find any exact things they want to cut. I just figured it's politics by the Democrats.