Do you support Social Security, Medicare cuts to reduce deficit?
President Barack Obama sat down with leaders of Congress at a crucial deficit-reduction negotiating session Thursday as the White House signaled a willingness to reduce costs for major benefit programs like Social Security and Medicare while Republicans indicated they might consider new steps to raise revenue, Associated Press reports.
While discussions on trimming the costs of entitlement programs had centered on Medicare, the White House is revisiting a proposal raised earlier in the negotiations to change the inflation measurement used to calculate Social Security cost-of-living adjustments, AP writes. That would reduce annual increases.
Is this the right thing to do?
Should both Social Security and Medicare be on the chopping block or just one of the programs? If just one, which one and why?
- Henry Unger, The Biz Beat
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86 comments Add your comment
Cindy
July 7th, 2011
12:50 pm
Social Security definitely should not be on the table as SS did not cause the crisis we are in today. They have already robbed it to pay for 12 yrs of useless wars and now they don’t want to pay it back. We need to do something about the health costs in this country but to gut medicare where its not going to be worth having isn’t the answer either. In fact, if they don’t want to give the people that paid into SS and medicare their monthly checks being they keep saying we are going to get more out of it then we paid in to it due to people are living longer, than just give everybody back their money they have paid into them and end the programs!Stop trying to find a way to screw the people! Let them end thier own retirement and health benefits since they like to talk about shared sacrifice!
gary
July 7th, 2011
1:06 pm
why does the goverment always try to steal our money. if we did that we will go to jail
Anne
July 7th, 2011
1:13 pm
It seems like a lot of what the Republicans call ‘entitlements,’ and the Democrats call ‘safety nets’ are in trouble. In spite of all the rhetoric, nothing gets fixed. NOTHING.
Sad really. Instead of cutting, why not FIX?
So, how about infusing some common sense strategies or legislation that would help to reduce the costs of these programs?
Start by identifying perhaps a dozen programs we all know are rife with fraud.
1. Medicare
2. Medicaid
3. SSI- Social Security
4. SSDI-Social Security Disability Insurance
5. WIC
6. FMNP WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program
7. Food stamps/SNAP
8. Government housing
9. Student loan program
10. Disaster assistance
11. Federal pensions
12. your choice
Now, Legislate a simple rule that says:
ANYONE who is determined to have committed fraud in ANY of these dozen programs will be permanently (permanently means for the rest of their lives) banned from participation in any of these programs (banned from ALL twelve programs).
‘ANYONE’ means:
RECIPIENTS
PROGRAM ADMINISTRATORS or CONTRACTORS who looked the other way or encouraged fraud
THIRD PARTY BENEFACTORS OR CONTRACTORS, some one who knowingly received these benefits without earning them (ex.. people who buy WIC coupons at a discount and resell them)
-A smart and simple deterrent, before the crime is committed.
-An effective cost reduction that could save billions of dollars almost immediately,
-A simple way to and make the programs more sustainable without punishing the honest hard working Americans who need them most.
mtooth
July 7th, 2011
1:16 pm
EXCUSE ME….Do we not live about 15 years longer now then when SS was started?
Bob
July 7th, 2011
1:19 pm
I’m 70 and have had cancer surgery using medicare. The amount charged to medicare during the last 4 years is appalling; and every physician and health care facility has severely abused the system.
Although it would directly impact me, I still feel very strongly that the system has to be modified to reflect the realities of life expectancy and the unbridled greed of the entire medical system starting with physicians, drug companies and hospitals
Victor
July 7th, 2011
1:20 pm
Everything should be on the table. One of the problems with entitlements is the cost of future benefits. Why can’t the eligibility age be increased past 65 when people are living into their 80’s and 90’s or longer? AARP scares seniors into believing their benefits will be taken, when really they want to decrease benefits or change dates for people like me or my kids. I’m all for reduced benefits, or later age eligibility, or both, if the savings are used correctly and it means we can get rid of the half trillion in interest we pay each year to just service and revolve the debt. I’m not a fan of the President, but it takes some brass to put this on the table, and cudos to him for promoting a real ‘change’ in government.
Dan
July 7th, 2011
1:39 pm
Not bad Anne, are you a lawyer by chance? seriously though a good direction to go, but it would require very specific definitions of fraud and there would undoubtedly be some political free passes
Dan
July 7th, 2011
1:41 pm
Didn’t Obamacarre require a sizable reduction in medicare? So why is this news, or is it supposed to be on top of those cuts, or (more likely) is he trying to take credit for the same cuts twice
Corrine
July 7th, 2011
1:44 pm
I paid into Social Security, at work, for 30 years. So did my employer. I agree with Cindy when she says “Social Security definitely should not be on the table as SS did not cause the crisis we are in today. They have already robbed it to pay for 12 yrs of useless wars and now they don’t want to pay it back.” Congress has also robbed from Social Security for a lot of other things that have nothing to do with any retirement Social Security. And why do people, who have assets of millions, get the same benefits. Why are they even included in Medicare if they have millions? In addition those in Congress are so well taken care of, that it’s no wonder they don’t get it.
S
July 7th, 2011
1:50 pm
NO NO NO and NO again..Social Security and Medicare are not the reason for the deficits. They can be fixed very easily. Corporations and the rich are making money hands over fists, they have to pay their fair share of taxes like the rest of us in the middle, that’s the problem. There is a reason that 45% of our population don’t pay taxes that’s because they don’t have the income, they live pay check to pay check and have nothing left over. You can’t get blood from a turnip and it is about time people realized this. If the rich don’t want to pay taxes and the poor don’t have the money to pay taxes, then what is to become of this country? I ask all out there in never never land, who should pay the taxes, those that can afford it or those who have only enough to live on now. I don’t believe there is a choice. We give up everything this country stands for or we turn into a third world country with people starving, begging on the streets, which in places is going on now. The rich, living behind walls and in castles, and the poor in shanty’s or on the street..with no middle class. These are appalling choices for our great Country.
Ralph
July 7th, 2011
1:50 pm
I am 60 years old and soon to be on Social Security and Medicare, and I understand that cuts are necessary. I would like to see clawback of payments from current Social Security and Medicare participants. They have collected lavish benefits with small contributions. Why then can’t they participate in making the programs whole. I’m tired of hearing Politicians and News talking heads say no changes should be made for current or those nearing retirement. That’s XXXXXXXXXXX!!!!! Anyone receiving benefits are the problem not the 18-55 year olds who never received a check and are paying more and being asked to pay even greater amounts to support programs that will not be there for them. Let’s start with a decrease of 2% for every year someone has received a check with a 20% cap. This would go a long way to making things right!!!!!!!!!! Then the people who caused the problem could be par of the solution..
Jeffrey
July 7th, 2011
1:57 pm
The American people believe they pay too much in taxes, yet we are paying the lowest effective tax rate in over 65 years. The generation of today is unwilling to sacrifice for a better society by paying a few more dollars in taxes. The politicans talk like taxes are way, way too high, but they are all too willing to authorize wars that last for 10 years but bring us little in return for our investment. The costs of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have cost us well over $1,000,000,000,000.00 (yes, that right, one trillion) and it doesn’t even count the cost of caring for the brave men and women who come back maimed and emotionally injured for the rest of their lives. We should have increased taxes immediately upon authorizing the war to ensure every single American sacrificed something for the cause. Now, taxes are not the only answer–just part of it. As other posters have stated, there is so much fraud in the system, that has to be sought out and the guilty mightily prosecuted. It is a shame to allow the waste and abuse everyone knows is going on to continue. Sadly, we have no politicans from either party with the backbone to do anything about our problems. They just whined, point fingers across the aisle, then sit back and enjoy a lifetime of enviable benefits paid for by us, the American people. Sickening!
George Litz
July 7th, 2011
1:59 pm
SS and Medicare should only be modified if the pain is truely shared. Reform the tax system so everyone pays equally ( we need revenue NOT just cuts). Let Congress cut THEIR entitlements by an equal amount, and finally -do not cut programs without first cutting the fraud and waste washington wants to ignore.
John T. Radney
July 7th, 2011
2:00 pm
I am 67 and when the money is gone, that means gone. Cut it out but stop the foreign aid for things pertaining the so called Green crap. The art are for phoneys and fagish. Cut that out. Stop the low income tax credit. Getting paid for not working. Cut all the crap.
Kevin
July 7th, 2011
2:00 pm
WTF?
Republicans talk about cutting Social Security or Medicare, and people start howling that Republicans are greedy and that they’re kicking grandma out on to the street.
Obama signals he’s open to an idea, and we get none of those comments.
Typical hypocrisy.
To answer Mr. Unger’s question– Yes, they should be on the chopping block. But as soon as they’re cut, the amount I pay in should be reduced as well. Yea, that’s likely to happen . . .
MrLiberty
July 7th, 2011
2:01 pm
Social Security is a Ponzi scheme and has been since the beginning. YOU WERE ALL LIED TO, and continue to be lied to. The first recipient got paid WAY more than she paid in. That is the case with MOST SS recipients. The current recipients are being paid with the taxes taken from TODAY’s workers. It doesn’t matter how long you paid into the system. The system has never SAVED your money. It has always gone right out the door. You always knew the bills would come due. You have known since the criminal Johnson administration that the SS funds went into the general fund and were being spent, but you never elected libertarians who would be honest about the situation or work to fix it. We either cut now or your checks will be as worthless as the dollars they are denominated in. It will matter little if the check says $1500 if that’s what it costs for a loaf of bread. It can and it will happen unless we CUT – MASSIVELY.
Only Ron Paul is proposing a way to take care of those dependent on the failed systems while letting the future folks opt out. It begins by bringing ALL of our troops home and using the savings to wean us off these failed programs.
Either you are ready to take your medicine NOW or you will be facing the consequences shortly. You are betting that you will live JUST long enough to not feel the pain. Well do you feel lucky? Well do ya punk?
MrLiberty
July 7th, 2011
2:03 pm
And by the way, Ron Paul has NEVER participated in the Federal Employees pension fund, has rejected the last 4 automatic pay raises that congress got, and routinely gives back a significant amount of his annual office budget at the end of the year – because HE WALKS THE WALK, not just talks the talk.
Steve
July 7th, 2011
2:03 pm
I say we elect Cindy and Anne to office! I could not have said it better. With respect to Medicare (and Medicaid for that matter) it is simply a mismanagement issue. If any social or assistance program were run properly they would work. Physicians are denying Medicare and Medicaid at astonomical rates and it will only get worse if the administration continues cuts!
And to “S”, wake up, you’re not seeing the real problem(s) and the 45% who do not pay taxes AT ALL is part of the problem. It is not that they don’t work and don’t receive an income, they simply get so many breaks that they end up paying no income taxes. Everyone should pay their fair share. Why do you think that I should pay taxes to support you? Obama considers my household income as “rich” and should be taxed as such. Well, I worked damn hard, went to college, worked harder and make pretty good money, but why is it just for anyone to think that because of that I have to support a group of people who have grown up with entitlements and continue to LET the Government pay their way. Remember Government $$$ are my tax dollars!
Steve
July 7th, 2011
2:05 pm
Mr. Liberty, a simple fix is that you get out what you put in! The Government needs to treat SS just like a controlled 401k plan.
Producer
July 7th, 2011
2:15 pm
Hell, yes! What magically happens when a person reaches the age of 65 that allows them entry into my wallet? Reduce/Cut it 5% this year! Also, raise the age of retirement by one year beginning next year until the new age is 70! Begin doing it now!
Mary
July 7th, 2011
2:15 pm
The waste in the “entitlement” programs is a large part of the problem. Especially food stamps and medicaid. By waste I also mean fraud.
MrLiberty
July 7th, 2011
2:16 pm
Steve – Too late for that. FDR screwed us all. There is no reason for the government to force us to save, nor can they be trusted to keep our money safe. Thanks to the Federal Reserve and the unlimited printing press, the dollar from just 20 years ago has lost 80% of its value. By your standard, we would all still be hosed. Since the FED was created in 1913 the dollar has lost over 98% of its value.
Only a sound currency based in gold, silver, or whatever the market decides, would preserve the savings of all americans and retain the value of the currency so that a modest savings annually would assure one of a sound retirement (without the need to participate in speculative games like the stock market, etc.
And as for SS and Medicare not being the cause of the problem, nothing could be further from the truth. My personal list would begin with our empire-building budget (namely the military), but there are really only 4 things we spend a ton of money on – SS, Medicare (and the horrible Drug Benefit program), the Military, and the interest on the debt. Go to www(dot)usdebtclock(dot)org and check out the unfunded liabilities that SS and Medicare have racked up. Over $75 trillion alone!!!!!!!
If we don’t fix them, then any solution is just kicking the can down the road again. And after all, isn’t that what the past generations have done to the problem?
The can is waiting. I think we should give FREEDOM a try for a change.
retiredexec
July 7th, 2011
2:27 pm
Fact: Social Security and Medicare are nothing but Ponzi schemes. They have never been honest or realistic. Money flows into them for the benefit of people who have not contributed anywhere near what they take out. Current cash collected is spent almost immediately, now almost exclusively on beneficiaries, but previously cash was siphoned off by other federal government programs. Future beneficiaries are told that they will receive benefits, but there is absolutely no money set aside or budgeted to pay them. The supposed Trust Funds are empty shells containing unmarketable IOUs. The interest earned on the IOUs is paid with yet more unmarketable IOUs. Bernie Madoff would be proud.
Even if the federal government were to seize all of the stocks of all United States companies owned by all Americans and their pension plans, the total value would not equal the estimated Medicare liabilities through 2050. So, when you hear that these programs are “unsustainable” what you are really being told is that the entire United States will be totally broke a long time before the bills can be paid. Unsustainable = Lie = Bankruptcy.
Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid need total and complete overhauls now. Today. No matter what else might be cut from government spending, unless those 3 programs are cut nothing else matters.
Starting January 1, 2011, 10,000 Baby Boomers turn 65 each and every day. They automatically start to use Medicare and many of them begin to take Social Security. They were tax payers, but now they are benefit consumers. The time to fix Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid was before the Baby Boomers retired and it surely is Before the rest of the 78 Million Baby Boomers convert from payers to users.
At present we have almost zero interest rates. Much as that is a manufactured result which is slowly destroying the value of the US dollar, the zero interest rates have hidden the true cost of US debt. For the last 3 years we have run deficits of almost $5 Trillion on top of the $9 trillion run up over the prior 200+ years. Yet we are not paying that much in interest on the debt because of artificially low interest rates. But a few more years of deficits like these and a modest increase in inflation will explode our federal budget beyond its current pathetic state. Then we will not have many, if any, options.
The only difference between the US and Greece right now is time. Both have impossibly burdensome bureaucracies; both have high social benefits and both are broke. The Greeks just happen to be a few years ahead of us. They may be tied to the Euro and unable to devalue their currency, but once they exceeded 100% of GDP in total debt they entered the slippery slope to failure. The US has now reached that level. We can devalue our dollar, but does anyone have a plan to ever repay this debt?
Chillen
July 7th, 2011
2:35 pm
Cuts need to be made in ALL areas. Funny how obama picks out medicare and not medicaid. Typical.
MrLiberty
July 7th, 2011
2:35 pm
There was NEVER enough money being taken out for Medicare to pay for its costs from DAY ONE. It has always been a fantasy proposition. Waste, corruption, etc. ONLY made it worse. It was unsustainable from the beginning.
As for SS, again, the first recipient paid in virtually NOTHING but got a heck of a lot. In the beginning, 16 people used to pay for 1 recipient. Today it is just less than 3 ! That is also not sustainable. With or without the worthless IOUs the government has written for all the money it has stolen from the system, earlier this year the system started paying out MORE than it was taking in. We have reached the end game. It cannot be fixed. Stealing more money from more people isn’t going to change the system and certainly isn’t going to improve its morality. Taking the money away from the Military Industrial complex, our foreign benefactors, etc. and using it to fund a sound transition for everyone is a great approach. If we do not fix the situation, the economic collapse of our economy will be far worse than the closing of 750+ bases around the world (which will be forced to close anyway following the collapse).
Of course we also need to shut off the government money machine by abolishing the Federal Reserve and returning to a sound currency backed by gold, silver, etc.
Howard
July 7th, 2011
2:36 pm
Maybe….but, ONLY after tax rates rise on the rich. When hedge fund managers walk away with billions in profits something is wrong with our system. When we bail out Wall Street firms and allow their executives receive billions in bogus bonuses from federal bailout money something is wrong. Unless loopholes in the tax code are closed for mega rich corporations and tax rates rise on the super rich average individuals will be the only ones who suffer with these cuts.
MrLiberty
July 7th, 2011
2:37 pm
retiredexec – Excellent post.
RGB
July 7th, 2011
2:55 pm
Howard,
What if we imprisoned all executives, rich people (which as we all know constitutes anyone making more than $200k/yr.) confiscated all their assets, forced all hedge fund managers to become indentured servants, set off a nuclear bomb on Wall Street, closed all corporations and sold their assets on the courthouse steps, and recycled all corporate jets to produce green, sustainable energy (whatever that is)–and all those steps didn’t retire our debt, what’s your next move?
Did you know that if Obama’s “jet tax” were approved it would take more than 7,000 years just to pay for the deficit on this year’s budget? Not the entire budget–just Obama’s deficit.
You corporation-, “rich people-” bashers know little about economics, less about finance, and even less about human behavior and what makes this country great. You engage in class warfare and have no appreciation for all the people who do pay taxes. America has the second highest corporate tax rate and that’s not enough for you. Why not move to #1 Japan?
Go to the mailbox–your check’s probably here.
MrLiberty
July 7th, 2011
2:58 pm
The amount of money the federal government has WASTED (yes, both republicans and democrats) is truly beyond belief. If the pay of every millionaire and billionaire was siezed, we would not even cover the current budget, let alone the $100 trillion in unfunded liabilities that are promised.
The end is here. Are we going to continue with the same bunch of clowns that got us here?
Bonnie Ray
July 7th, 2011
2:59 pm
It is easy to go after low hanging fruit, and its lazy. If we need to tax more to deliver Social Security and Medicare, then do it. It is unfair to keep all those tax deductions that allow horse parks, airplanes, boats, golf, hobbies etc. to be treated as charitable organizations just because they put on a couple of “shows” a year, and purport to serve the poor from time to time. PLEASE!!! And, why are corporate jets landing at general aviation airports all over this country for free still? Stop corporate welfare before you try to take my SS and Medicare away!
Tychus Findlay
July 7th, 2011
3:01 pm
Make SS a voluntary program as it was originally designed. Those who volunteer to pay in get to collect, those who do not, don’t collect. I can take the 6.25% I pay every month and invest it for much better returns over the next 35 years than Uncle Sam, who can F up a cup of coffee.
MrLiberty
July 7th, 2011
3:02 pm
“MY SS and Medicare”….there’s the root of the problem. The lie has been believed. The government propaganda machine has done its job well.
Not that all corporate welfare, bailouts, subsidies and the like need to end. Just saying.
KPH
July 7th, 2011
3:05 pm
NO! It is our money and we should not let them just take it from us and spend it any way they please. I payed into these systems for the last 39 years and now when it is about time for me to reap MY benefits and get MY money back for my golden years they want to give it to some sorry worthless bum who does not even work? NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
yuzeyurbrane
July 7th, 2011
3:08 pm
SS and Medicare have served America’s Seniors well. We have paid into our SS and Medicare our whole working lives. We worked hard and kept our end of the bargain. You bet we are entitled to have the govt. keep its end and not just for those of us over 65 but for our children and grandchildren. Without SS, many would have saved nothing and be living their twilite yrs. without dignity. SS is a very secure investment which is there as long as we live and if bought on the private market, the average benefit would be about the same as with a $460,000 annuity. Minor modifications to the program to assure its continuation without benefit cuts for at least another 75 years are prudent but there is no need to throw out the baby with the bath water.. More importantly, your article somehow implies that SS and Medicare have something to do with the current deficit. This is demonstrably incorrect. Both programs are funded thru FICA taxes and a trust fund mechanism. To date, there have been sufficient revenues to fund both programs without touching a penny of general tax revenues or requiring govt. borrowing. In fact, SS would remain in this status for another 25 years even if nothing were done to modify its finances; Medicare, 10 yrs. Indeed, the $4.5 trillion SS Trust Fund lends the rest of the govt. money by being one of the creditors which have purchased US Treasury Bonds. Even Cong. Ryan sed he could fix SS’s financing issues on the back of a paper napkin. A minor modification, like easing the regressive nature of FICA by raising its income cap to say $150,000, would make the program actuarily solvent for another 75 yrs. So there is absolutely no need to consider fixes such as raising the retirement age to 70 or reducing the COLA which de facto cut benefits. While the COLA should realistically represent the cost of living increases experienced by Seniors, the main problem with the COLA proposal currently being bandied about is that it does the opposite and in fact would result in more than a 9% benefit decrease, starting now. What is the benefit for Seniors of just waiting until 2036 and taking a 20% benefit cut then by leaving the program totally unchanged? As a Senior, I can tell you that I would prefer my 100% for the next 25 yrs. although of course a minor tax change to assure 100% for our children and grandchildren would be preferable.
Medicare is a more difficult problem, although as pointed out above, it is not the source of 1 penny of our current deficit. Overall, many studies have shown that it is far more efficient than any private insurer in spending money on patients. But it was never intended to be a profit maker. Old folks get sick more often then and now. But it has been both a fiscal and physical success story for Seniors. Many have attributed the dramatic decrease in Senior poverty levels to be due to this program. But it still costs a lot. Part of this is addressed by policies reflected in last year’s Health Reform Act which encourage results oriented medicine. Another area for savings is the elimination of fraud, which some est. to be 10% or more of the prog. Most of this fraud is not the caricature of some welfare mom gaming the system but is organized crime and some doctors using sophisticated computer billing schemes. Govt. efforts to crack down here have increased and are welcomed.
Most importantly, both of these programs should not be altered at all at the point of a gun but should be part of the normal legis. process with hearings, votes, etc. It should be done in the light of day and not in a backroom deal in the heat of summer.
Bobby
July 7th, 2011
3:13 pm
I wouldn’t mind medicare cuts if Congress would get rid of their insurance benefits and have to get private insurance on their own. Wonder how many would be uninsurable?
Teacher Reader
July 7th, 2011
3:16 pm
@ Bonnie Ray
I say stop the welfare for those that don’t want to work, don’t pay taxes, have more kids than they can afford, and don’t take care of themselves. 45% of the citizens in our country don’t pay taxes-shouldn’t they pay their fair share? Also taxing corporations will just mean higher cost of goods for all. Corporations aren’t going to eat their higher taxes, you will.
scot41
July 7th, 2011
3:41 pm
Social Security did not get COLA. Congress voted a pay raise. We have to 65 to get Social Security, congress only has to be there 2 year or if they resign wait till 55 and get full salary for life. How do they justify pay raise when the poor on social security does not even get a COLA. PRICE OF GAS—UP UP UP. FOOD..UP CLOTHES OUT OF SITE. WE CAN NOT EVEN PAY FOR MEDICAL HELP. OH! THAT RIGHT WE HAVE SAME INSURANCE AS CONGRESS.. THEY VOTE THEIR SALARY..WHY NOT PUT ON BALLOT AND LET US VOTE THEIR SALARY, INSURANCE ETC AS THEY DO US..
Kevin
July 7th, 2011
3:57 pm
Is there not already $500 billion in Medicare and Medicaid “savings” over the next ten years that are to be used to finance the Affordable Health Care Act? Presumably the “savings” being discusssed will be in addition to the $500 billion??
Let's Be Reasonable
July 7th, 2011
4:19 pm
Calm down, folks. I work in government and cuts include administrative costs and eliminating unfilled positions along with reducing government contracts to private sector contractors. Grandma will still get her monthly payments.
Let's Be Reasonable
July 7th, 2011
4:28 pm
Teacher Reader, please educate yourself on the facts and policies governing welfare elegibility and the length of time people can remain on welfare. First hand experience should be your best baptism. Go apply, and if you don’t feel like you want to go stick your head in a shredder after the experience you are one made of steel. It’s no longer the welfare as we knew it. Have you noticed the correlation between homeless women and children and homelessness in general and welfare reform? Leave your comfort zone and take off the blinders.
Jennie
July 7th, 2011
4:29 pm
Most of the people on here should go ahead and kill all the older people,sick people,and poor people and then they could be in the country all by their self.
no cuts!
July 7th, 2011
4:45 pm
i’m tired of the government trying to cut my benefits. They better not cut medicaid or social security! Just raise taxes on rich people or big corporations to keep these benefits. They should be higher.
duder
July 7th, 2011
4:51 pm
“fair” share is a matter of perspective. Those who generate income believe everyone should pay something. Those who leech income believe that someone else should pay because they’re in better position to do so.
Defen$e Department
July 7th, 2011
4:58 pm
No cuts to SS or Medicare. Why must the poor, elderly and middle class bear this burden on our backs? Slash the defense budget in half (it would still be more than China, Russia and the next three largest countries budgets combined!) and end the Afghan (”graveyard of empires”) war and Iraq war – said recently to have cost this country $3.7 TRILLION to date.
Oh yeah, push taxes on those making more than $100k back to the pre-Ronald Reagan days and END THE BUSH TAX CUTS.
Richard Neva
July 7th, 2011
5:29 pm
The Bilderberg group has already decided to kill 90 percent of the people. America is doing as told by their handlers in the consortium of rich barons in this world. This is the last nail in the coffins! First it was poisoned water, then wars, then poisoned food and now they just want to kill us all. I am not ready to die and if they come I will take as many as I can with me!
Vietnam Vet
July 7th, 2011
5:50 pm
No to both.
Stop wasting money and lives on useless wars.
WAW
July 7th, 2011
6:00 pm
Get the hell out of other countries where we’re not wanted in the first place… If Social Security is cut, local Republicans can kiss it off as far as I’m concerned… if you run with this pack – it’s on your back!!!
obama the hypocrite
July 7th, 2011
6:06 pm
Less than a month ago the dems were using an ad showing grandma being pushed off a cliff by republicans to help (and it did) get their guy elected. Now Obama had stated virtually the same thing and the morons are out in force defending him. Just gotta laugh –the hyprocites are so clueless
WANDA
July 7th, 2011
6:48 pm
NO,NO,NO…………..WE NEED OUR SS
SOME PEOPLE GET LESS THAN I DO,THEY REALLY NEED THEIRS ALSO.
R. Donovan
July 7th, 2011
6:51 pm
Don’t blame the President.
Seniors as a block put these savages (republicans) into office last fall. There are consequences to be paid when common sense is replaced by bigotry and hate.
I am a senior as well and it is to bad that I am going to have to pay for the stupidity of this block of numb skulls.Go ahead ;vote against your own interest. You will be punished for it again in the future.