Reid wants no cuts to Social Security

[cal04]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110217/ap_on_re_us/us_reid_social_security

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Wednesday that cost-cutting in large government benefit programs is possible "as long as you eliminate Social Security" from the discussion, registering opposition to prominent proposals to hold down spending.

"Social Security has contributed not a single penny to the deficit. So we can talk about entitlements as long as you eliminate Social Security," said Reid, D-Nev. "Because Social Security is not part of the problem we have in America with the deficit."

Reid's spokesman, Jon Summers, said the Nevada Democrat opposes any cuts for Social Security recipients, as well as any reduction in benefits promised to future retirees. He also rejects an increase in the age at which workers can begin to draw full Social Security retirement, Summers said, because "he sees that as a benefit cut."

Senior lawmakers in both parties have talked in general terms of seeking a broad deficit-reduction agreement later this year. Reining in the growing costs of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid is widely cited as essential to any such compromise.

[mike_c]

1. the only "costs" of social security will occur when the loans made to the general fund...

...become due. The notion that SS will cost the nation, or that it's part of the deficit, is a lie and always has been. I'm a bit surprised that Reid is being honest and upfront about this-- virtually everyone else participating in the debate is not-- but I'm happy to see it. I hope he works hard to keep the debate about SS honest.

[Little Star]

2. Bout time Reid earns his keep! k&r

[w4rma]

3. Sen. Reid is a fighter. I'm glad to have him on our side. (nt)

[MannyGoldstein]

4. But it has a $2.6 trillion (and growing) trust fund

So the Predator Class wants it.

Social Security is fully solvent for the next 75 years at least. The figures that claim it will need reduced benefits in 27 years are based on cooked numbers.