Greatest generation becomes greediest generation
To placate cranky seniors, the Obama administration wants Congress to send out $250 checks to all Social Security recipients. The checks would be in lieu of cost-of-living increases, which SS recipients are not scheduled to receive. Why not? Because the economy is in the toilet, and there is NO inflation.
For the first time in more than three decades, people who rely on Social Security and federal pensions will not get an increase in their monthly benefit checks because consumer prices have stagnated lately in the weak economy, the government announced Thursday.
The twin statements, by the Labor Department and the Social Security Administration, came less than a day after President Obama and Democratic leaders in Congress tried to salve the impact on older and disabled Americans by saying the government should provide $250 payments to 57 million people who depend on Social Security, pensions, or disabled veterans benefits.
The cost-of-living adjustment is supposed to reflect actual increases in prices; it’s not supposed to be an entitlement in itself. But seniors have come to expect it, and because they vote in large numbers, the Obama administration is trying to keep them happy.
Andrew Biggs, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and former deputy commissioner of the Social Security Administration under the Republican administration of President George W. Bush, said: “There is essentially no substantive case for this on policy grounds. . . . This is a case of both Democrats and Republicans bending over backward to do the politically popular thing for seniors.”
Meanwhile, senior citizens are also unhappy because cost-cutting in health care reform bills could squeeze the subsidies they receive in Medicare Advantage, which pays for such things as gym memberships and blood pressure machines. When did the Greatest Generation become the Greediest Generation?
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164 comments Add your comment
joe matarotz
October 15th, 2009
12:45 pm
Inflation may be zero across the board, but the price of food has skyrocketed.The answer to your question, Cynthia, is they didn’t become the greediest generation. You are just a leading member of the ignorant generation. Someday you’ll be trying to make ends meet on a fixed income. You can pull out a copy of this particular blog and reread it. Then maybe you’ll understand.
Pat Phelps
October 15th, 2009
12:53 pm
How dare you. Most of these people were working to make this country the greatest on earth while you were still soiling your diaper. You sit back with your liberal buddies and destroy everything these people have built in this country.
If you want to show outrage over an entitlement program start with government run health care and you can end with welfare. Oh, but you can’t do that because those are the people that keep electing you idiot liberals.
Davo
October 15th, 2009
12:55 pm
Tucker and her fellow affirmative action hero Obama like to dismiss the previous generation. It’s not like they saved the world from Hitler, or put a man on the moon, or actually had the foresight to save money so their spoiled brats could go to college and learn to burn flags.
They paid into it, they deserve every bit of the pitence they get out of it. Greedy…ya w/e, not much of an insinuation from someone as shallow as Tucker.
Thought Well
October 15th, 2009
12:56 pm
I guess you will never reach seniordom Cynthia. It will be sooner than you can believe. I am one of those “greedy” seniors who finds the things I spend money on, like food and medical costs are rising sharply.
The fact is I have to eat less or cheaper quality food and do without some doctor visits because they are too expensive.
BLong
October 15th, 2009
1:11 pm
Ms. Tucker seems surprised to find that entitlement programs lead to an entitlement mentality. Of course, in Ms. Tucker’s world, greed is always someone else’s desire to get ahead.
TheOne
October 15th, 2009
1:13 pm
Cynthia, first of all your referring to older people as “cranky old seniors” is akin to Imus’ calling the woman’s Rutgers basketball team “nappy headed ho’s”. You should be ashamed of yourself. Different stereotype, same lack of class.
Putting that aside, why is it that your desire for entitlements is selective? Not long ago you posted a blog (and wrote an editorial in the AJC, about which, by the way, I submitted a scathing letter to the editor that was printed) stating that illegals should be covered by universal health care. If that’s not an entitlement, I don’t know what is. Now you criticize the “entitlement” mentality of those seniors who helped make this country as great as it is because they want their adjustment. Please, show some consistency in your opinion.
And I’m sure those “cranky old seniors” (and let’s not forget greedy) were held in high regard by you after they STUPIDLY helped get your man in office. So don’t be so quick to turn on them, Ms. Tucker. They may be cranky, but they don’t forget.
Caveman
October 15th, 2009
1:14 pm
It’s amazing that reich wingers are all for government handouts as long as they are the ones with their hands out. You should have been responsible for your own retirement rather than relying on productive working people to pay your bills. Stop trying to steal even more of my hard earned money you senior parasites.
Pat Phelps
October 15th, 2009
1:17 pm
Caveman – I tell you what. Tell the government to stealing money from my taxes and I will not hold my hand out at retirement. Until then, I was forced to pay in against my will, I want back what was stolen from me.
TheOne
October 15th, 2009
1:18 pm
Hey Dingbat Caveman, it was a Democrat who came up with Social Security. Either go back to your cave or go back to your Geico commercial!
Thought Well
October 15th, 2009
1:44 pm
Really funny Cynthia. Because of higher costs for food and doctor visits I had to give up my subscription to the Atlanta Journal Constitution for the first time.
Phyllis Bearden
October 15th, 2009
1:51 pm
When my mom who is 89 complained to me about not receiving the cost of living increase in 2010, I pointed out that people I know are losing jobs, and the employed ones are not getting any raises – only cuts to their salary. Yes, food is more expensive, and my family has cut way back on anything but necessities. Most people I know are on a fixed income and we’re facing a non-retirement because we have 401k’s and no pensions. So, I’m afraid the economy has rained on all parades, even people slightly older than me.
DirtyDawg
October 15th, 2009
1:56 pm
It’s interesting that ‘thought well’ brought up the AJC subscription. I too have given up mine because for the first time in my experience they were not willing to discount their published price. Strange strategy when they are faced with shrinking advertising dollars that are based on circulation.
So Cynthia, if you don’t think it’s costing seniors more to live these days, you ain’t payin’ attention. Oh yes, you also must not have an American Express card that just increased their APR by some 20% – along with their annual fee – for their ‘flexible’ charges. Don’ t know who’s keeping track of the Cost of Living Index but they ain’t giving enough weight to the bonuses in the banking industry either…which reduces ’shareholder value’ to seniors that still have some stocks with any value left.
Chris Broe
October 15th, 2009
2:08 pm
The greatest generation became the greediest generation when they became the evilest generation. They started being evil about nine months before the baby boomer’s born-on date. (1946-1964) Why evil then? Because they were all bumping uglies French-style. Most GI’s learned the nasty from dime-a-dance can-can girls in France, (where the woman don’t wear pants). This created evil sex-monsters out of our parents.
These greedy, evil seniors spawned the 75 million mini-me’s (who all attended the original woodstock, BTW) that have depleted our water, our fuel, and our breathable nitrous oxide. (Follow the yellow brick road).
I detest greed. I deplore evil. But I hate old. It’s a good thing that 58 is the new 40, eh?
You know, I was wondering: when can I get my early social security money? At 62? Oh goodie!
OMG! I’m becoming greedy and evil too! OMG! (Someone teach me how the French do it and complete the transformation).
mike
October 15th, 2009
2:10 pm
I love how “tolerant” liberals like Tucker have no problem applying their smears across large groups of people (i.e. “Republicans are racist”, “Senior citizens are selfish”.
Maybe someday these “tolerant” liberals might grow up and acknowledge that individuals deserve to be treated as such, as opposed to just being monolithically smeared with a label because of their age or political views.
Joey
October 15th, 2009
2:16 pm
I think you are condemning the wrong group. I think it is the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) is has pushed for this.
This is not the first, nor the 101st, time that the AARP has mis-represented the interest of its members or done a disservice to its members. They mis-represent our interest regularly.
Joey
October 15th, 2009
2:23 pm
I did notice that our Senators and our Representatives got a pay increase. I suspect that their staff members also got a pay increase. And most likely all federal employees got a cost of living increase.
What should have happened is that every federal employee’s, including Senators and Representatives, salary should have been frozen or reduced.
Shananeeeeeeee Fananeeeeeee
October 15th, 2009
2:46 pm
“As President I will end income taxation for all Seniors making less than $50,000 a year.” – President Obama. The Change President becomes the Broken Promise President.
stands for decibels
October 15th, 2009
3:03 pm
The A-man put it pretty well:
“Whatever the rationalization, it’s stimulus and pretty good stimulus. Not all elderly people are poor, but plenty really do live on modest fixed incomes. They’ll spend the extra.”
Yep.
Shawny
October 15th, 2009
3:42 pm
They will get a big COLA next year, as the current administration and congress devalues the dollar through excessive spending. The COLA was based on the past year. In the current year, it is taking off while the dollar tanks.
Fire them all!
TnGelding
October 15th, 2009
3:45 pm
Thought Well didn’t plan well, but I’d bet they have something stashed away for a rainy day, or a little something to leave to the grandkids they need to spend on themselves. Don’t look now, but it’s pouring!
TnGelding
October 15th, 2009
3:46 pm
Shawny
October 15th, 2009
3:42 pm
The “current” year is 15 days old.
Tom Middleton
October 15th, 2009
3:51 pm
As a long-time fan, Cynthia, I’ve agreed with 99.9 percent of everything you say, but not this time. As someone who’s only a short stumble-and-fall from a possible wheel chair, walker, and gumming food herself, I’m deeply shocked by your conclusion.
How you can call this latest bunch of throw-away unfortunates to hit the retirement ranks “greedy,” when all they’re trying to do is survive on a fixed income long enough to see the next spring, I don’t know. Where’s the love and concern for who we’re all going to become at the end of this difficult thing we call life?
You know, the young generation has traditionally been called short-sighted , hedonistic, and unconcerned about society as a whole, but what are we doing to combat these self-serving, fatalistic attitudes, besides nothing?
Is calling the elderly “greedy” and making it hard as heck to live at the end of life doing anything to stabilize our society (and world) AND make it more of a “kewl” place to live? Is demoralizing our retirement ranks doing anything to tell our young that retirement is OK and shouldn’t be feared or ignored?
How about we call the elderly “valuable” instead, and make them glad as heck we’ve got them around. By giving out $250 checks to retirees, Cynthia, at least our president is doing SOMETHING, and thank you very much, Mr. President!
Atlanta Native
October 15th, 2009
3:56 pm
The “Greatest Generation” are those who were of age to fight in WWII. In 1945, they had to be 18. That means they have to be at least 82 now. So what exactly are you saying? Are you begrudging them their cost of living request?
So what about the the 62 through 81 year olds? They are the overwhelming majority of those on Social Security.
So now your math is as bad as your logical thinking!
Tn Gelding – When I read your posts, I have to admit it makes me smile to think that you cannot reproduce.
TnGelding
October 15th, 2009
3:57 pm
Well, my 3:42 disappeared into cyberspace. Suffice to say it was an excellent essay, if I must say so myself.
In summary, most of the Greatest Generation are dead. Most of us drawing SS now are their children, and yes, many of us do appear to be rather greedy. We are among the wealthiest of all citizens and those of us that worked and planned are doing quite well, thank you. I have notified the WH of this on more than one occasion, the latest just before coming here today.
Any payment should be targeted to the unemployed and those living in poverty, which would include about 10 million senior citizens.
TnGelding
October 15th, 2009
4:03 pm
Atlanta Native
October 15th, 2009
3:56 pm
I’ll try to recompose my 3:42 just for you.
I hate to disappoint you, but I did produce one offspring before becoming disabled. Maybe he’s the reason I was put on this Earth. He has four of his own and has been a foster parent and adoptive parent as well.
Have a great day! It’s good to have a place to present our opinions and critique our peers.
TnGelding
October 15th, 2009
4:17 pm
Tom Middleton
October 15th, 2009
3:51 pm
You’re right, Cynthia should be ashamed for painting with such a broad brush, but 75% of us retirees need another $250 like we need another pet, “free” investment seminar, casino junket or island cruise. We’re doing quite well, thank you. Target the payments to those that truly need it, if you have to do it at all.
I’d like to see a change in SS where the ones now receiving the smallest checks start receiving the largest and those receiving the largest, like John S. McCain and Joe Biden, start receiving the smallest, if anything at all. Can you believe they applied for benefits while they were drawing taxpayer funded salaries that put them in the top 5% of “wage earners?” And taxpayers paid their contributions to SS as well. They could have waited until they retired and got a bigger monthly benefit, but even that would have been outrageous considering their Senate “pension.” And McCain is drawing over $50k in disability benefits from the Navy, too.
godless heathen
October 15th, 2009
4:24 pm
Obama saw the latest poll numbers about how POd the geezers are about him wanting to take their Medicare to pay for health care insurance for illegals and slackers. So he throws them a $250 bone in hopes that will shut them up. Not going to work.
Douglas
October 15th, 2009
4:27 pm
I disagree with most of Cynthia’s opinions. However, I am mostly with her on this. I just would not have used the adjectives she used to describe seniors. But like she said, the COLA is not an entitlement. It is supposed to to be based on inflation. That has been understood for years. The one time there is no inflation, then you have the uproar over the basis for the COLA.
I am 50 yrs old now. I have been receiving annual reports from the SS Admin. for years that show me the estimated amount my benefits will be from SS when I retire. I realize that SS is, and was always meant to be, a supplement to my retirement income. I am not planning on it being my sole source of retirement income. It looks to me like many people are depending on SS alone for their retirement income. Unless those people had some misfortune or disaster, etc., then those people have only themselves to blame. They should have planned better for their retirement.
TnGelding
October 15th, 2009
4:34 pm
Douglas
October 15th, 2009
4:27 pm
I don’t hear the uproar. Most of us drawing it understand and don’t want the $250. Send it to someone that truly needs it, if you have to send it at all. At some point an austerity program has to be adopted and implemented. It might as well be now.
jconservative
October 15th, 2009
4:38 pm
TnGelding October 15th, 2009 3:57 pm
I agree totally with TnGelding on this one. I do not need this & do not want it. But it will probably pass & Treasury will send a check.
I will probably throw it in the grand kids college fund like I did the
others.
Like TnGelding, everyone I know who draws Soc Sec does not need anymore money. I am sure there are those who do need it. Why not send us a form – sign & return & we will send a check. If you do not want a check do not return the form.
Or is too simple?
TnGelding
October 15th, 2009
4:42 pm
jconservative
October 15th, 2009
4:38 pm
The politicians must still think this is 1929.
Atlanta Native
October 15th, 2009
4:50 pm
Tn Gelding:
Thanks for taking a bit of ribbing so well! Glad to hear you were not actually snipped and have been fruitful and multiplied.
I, too am the offspring of that generation, though I’m many years away from drawing Social Security and do not expect it to be there for me. And I get to pay the matching funds for my employees as well!
The $250 check reminds me of Bush’s $300.00 pre-refund boondoggle.
Cynthia’s rude comment on that generation is what ticked me off. She seemed to be growing up a bit while she was still in Atlanta, but since she moved to Washington, she has become a petulant little child again. Perhaps worship of our man-child president is doing it to her.
I remember when she got in an argument over the email with my mother about whether Americans knew FDR had polio in the 40’s. Cynthia kept telling my mom that the American people did not and that my mom, even though she was there and did know, did not know what she was talking about. Pesky facts.
TnGelding
October 15th, 2009
5:16 pm
Atlanta Native
October 15th, 2009
4:50 pm
I don’t think Cynthia has as much time to devote to her blog as Jay does to his.
Did you see my suggestion for transferring the employers’ FICA costs to the employees over 7 years?
Atlanta Native
October 15th, 2009
5:31 pm
TnGelding: What is she doing then? I am serious about the regression, though. I rarely agreed with her on things, even when I was younger and more liberal minded. However, she seemed to be taking a reasoned look at things for a while. Lately she seems willing to say anything to prop up the present administration.
I don’t know what to think about the transfer. I am often amazed that people do not know it exists. If it does shift, that realization may lead to a significant backlash, but if done slowly, they’ll just take it like a frog in a pot that slowly heats.
Yankee in Gooberville
October 15th, 2009
7:26 pm
Cranky old whites sucking from the teats of young workers like withered vampires. And they’re more likely to be Republicans.
Let them eat cat food.
TheOne
October 15th, 2009
8:33 pm
Yankee: are you crazy? The whole Social Security program was dreamed up by a parasite named FDR!
Tom Middleton
October 15th, 2009
9:14 pm
TNGelding: Target the payments to those that truly need it, if you have to do it at all.
There it is, TN. However, while I don’t know where you got your numbers, I’ll bet that of that 75 percent you say don’t need it, only a handfull will turn it down.
Maybe we should ask them first, because there’s always something we could use a little extra money for these days that we wouldn’t have been able to do otherwise. There are always unexpected car or home repairs, unexpected medical bills for those of us on early retirement, and, of course, we all know that the cost of living has definitely gone up during this recession. Been to the grocery store lately?
TN, I’m deeply grateful that you and your family are in such great shape, but there are undoubtedly others who can’t say that with such conviction. I guess you’re lucky.
But since this is America, and we’ve never done well with an “I’ve got mine and to heck with you” philosophy, I’m glad we’ve got a president who cares about all of us, not just those who have everything they need. With him, we’ll be able to stay nationally strong in a way we never would have been able to do under John McCain. And if you’re listening, John, TN and I say GIVE IT BACK, GOSHDARNIT! You too, Biden!
TnGelding
October 15th, 2009
9:14 pm
godless heathen
October 15th, 2009
4:24 pm
The proposed cuts are in Medicare Advantage (Part C) which pays subsidies directly to the private insurance companies so the plan can be “competitive.” It’s the subsidies that will probably be reduced. Some salesmen have misrepresented their plans to unsuspecting seniors.
From Kaiser:
“Recently, attention has focused on
concerns that Medicare pays more for beneficiaries in Medicare
Advantage plans than for those in the FFS program,
contributing to fiscal challenges facing Medicare’s future.”
“The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act
(MIPPA) of 2008 included changes in payments to plans, and
added beneficiary protections, focusing on marketing practices.”
“In 2009, the majority of the 45 million people on Medicare are
in the FFS program, with 22 percent now enrolled in a private
Medicare Advantage plan. Since 2003, the number of
Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in private plans has nearly
doubled from 5.3 million in 2003 to the current level of 10.2
million (as of March 2009)”
The president mentioned the losses in the stock market and housing values as well in announcing his proposal:
“Even as we seek to bring about recovery, we must act on behalf of those hardest hit by this recession,” Obama said in a statement. “This additional assistance will be especially important in the coming months, as countless seniors and others have seen their retirement accounts and home values decline as a result of this economic crisis.”
TnGelding
October 15th, 2009
9:19 pm
FDR’s bill was very modest. Most, if not all, of the enhancements have been signed by Republican presidents, as have the tax increases. Of course they were backed heavily by the Democrat-controlled Congresses.
marie
October 15th, 2009
9:30 pm
I, too, have agreed with Cynthia more times than not. But I am highly insulted by these remarks. My husband and I are senior citizens, and while we live comfortably, we do not have extra to do the things we used to do. Most of our investments are in real estate, and you know where that leaves us now. We have no prescription insurance except the Part D Medicare. Some times our drug store bills are over $1,000 per month. We have no plan that allows gym membership or anything like that. How dare you insult the generation of Tom Brokow’s book. They are a little older than my husband and I, and I have complete respect for them. Have you watched the veterans visit the memorials at Normandy? If they had not fought, Ms. Tucker, you would be living (if at all) under entirely different circumstances. I never saw you as shallow, but now I do. By the way, we did not ask for the $250.
TnGelding
October 15th, 2009
9:39 pm
Tom Middleton
October 15th, 2009
9:14 pm
Whoa, we’re not in that great of shape, mostly because I “invested” in the Las Vegas strip. But we have a secure (is anything secure these days?) income with our modest house and serviceable vehicles paid for. We do have a little extra each month we try to share and don’t plan on touching IRAs and 401(k)s until it’s mandatory.
The government knows who needs it. I would funnel it to those receiving food stamps, Medicaid, heat assistance, SSI, unemployment, etc.
I hear you on the early retirement. Before the ink on my wife’s retirement request had dried our health care premium went from $50 each to a $100. Before we were eligible for Medicare it was nearly $300.
I just realize what a burden we are on minimum wage workers and small business people (many that work from dawn to dusk) during these trying times. We have benefits they can’t afford. It’s bad enough during boom times.
I hope you’re right on Obama. I’ve been trying to push austerity as his theme starting in FY2011.
Tom Middleton
October 15th, 2009
10:08 pm
TN Gelding
Occasionally, I meet someone I think is a very, very good person, and guess what, TN? I’ve just met another one – YOU! You’re the best!
TnGelding
October 15th, 2009
10:34 pm
Tom Middleton
October 15th, 2009
10:08 pm
Thanks, but I doubt if I could hold a candle to you.
I just hate to see the young folks struggle day to day. Surely in a country this wealthy we can give them the same deal we have.
Tom Middleton
October 15th, 2009
11:46 pm
TNGelding: I just hate to see the young folks struggle day to day. Surely in a country this wealthy we can give them the same deal we have.
If we can keep the right people in office, I think we can do better. If I didn’t believe that, I wouldn’t even be trying. But we had to work hard, my friend, and so will they.
deborahinAthens
October 16th, 2009
6:40 am
I agree with you about 80% of the time, but this time I have to point out, Cynthia, that Social Security is money that has been taken out of my paycheck since I earned my first paycheck in 1968 and I am still paying into the system, since I’m only 59. This is not an entitlement like welfare. So when you start tossing out accusations about how we are not “entitled” to this money, I would have to argue that the government wasn’t “entitled” to the money in the first place!
Caveman
October 16th, 2009
6:52 am
Awww. The old Cons feel that they are entitled to a boost in their welfare check because, once apon a time, they paid taxes. Too bad that money is long gone.
Why don’t you guy man up, follow your own advice and GET A JOB!!! Darn deadbeats.
Independent
October 16th, 2009
7:02 am
Cynthia gets it wrong once again. How can she equate greed on the part of seniors with PrezBO’s $250 checks? PrezBO offered them up not out of concern for seniors but as another vote buying scheme. PrezBO knows full well that if there’s one group that votes regularly, it is the seniors. Perhaps PrezBO will ask his buddy, former bomber Bill Ayers, to handle the check mailing and the envelopes will explode upon opening thus reducing the cost of social security, medicare, and of course the $250 vote buying scheme.
SouthernGal
October 16th, 2009
7:05 am
Greedy….can you live on $900 a month?
Bob
October 16th, 2009
7:20 am
This has more to do with vote buying and not placating. Obama is throwing a bone to the old people that are upset that Dems are sucking 500 mil out of medicare.
Eddy
October 16th, 2009
7:21 am
Didn’t ask for the checks to begin! And so, it is ok for O to print money for ACORN, go to Copenhagen on the boondoggle of the Olympics, thrown money at the banks, GM, etc. And where is your outrage about all of that and more…. I guess you are just struggling to come up with another topic to write about that will feed the libs insatiable appetite for outrage and pettiness. Oh for the race-baiters…last time I looked at the senior citizen ranks, they were populated by all races and creeds! If you believe that only whites receive SS, you really should seek help for your delusions.
fitzgerald
October 16th, 2009
7:38 am
The last time I got the $250, it was sent to an organization that helps those in a lot worse shape than me. This time, I will do it again. I give thanks to God every day for my good fortune.
TnGelding
October 16th, 2009
7:45 am
SouthernGal
October 16th, 2009
7:05 am
No one is expected to. If a SS check of $900 is all they get there are many other programs available; Medicaid, food stamps, SSI, heat assistance, rent subsidies, etc.
But just like you have 8 months to plan for the birth of a baby and 18 years to plan for its college education, you have 40 years to plan for retirement.
TnGelding
October 16th, 2009
7:51 am
fitzgerald
October 16th, 2009
7:38 am
Thanks, we did likewise, at least 4 times the amount, much to my wife’s chagrin.
I’m not going to question the president’s motive, but he’s simply wrong on this, just like on health care (insurance?) reform. Let him and Congress know that most of us are doing quite well, thank you. At least we have a steady income and don’t have to worry about losing our jobs or not being able to make the mortgage payment. Not to mention getting sick and not having insurance.
janicelcook
October 16th, 2009
7:52 am
Cynthia, you are definitely wrong on this issue. While I am one of those “baby boomers”, my Mother who is in her 80′S and worked over 40 years does deserve that $250. Have you been to the doctor or grocery store lately? We better pray that our kids don’t feel that way about us should we live that long.
Turd Ferguson
October 16th, 2009
8:13 am
Wow Tucker…you are full of it.
“When did the Greatest Generation become the Greediest Generation?”
Perhaps you might cover these topics also.
When did the Baby-mama become the greediest and most likely not to contribute anything to society and a future jailbird.
When did the kid of the Baby-mam come to be entitled to free school breakfast and lunch?
When did the public housing oouple come to deserve subsidized rent?
When did the illegal immigrant come to deserve “free” medical care at the expense of the working class and the rich?
When did the rich and working class come to deserve over taxation to support the Baby-mama, her 7 kids who will end up in jail or dead?
When did the homeless?BUMS become so greedy they refuse to find employment.
Most of these persons on social security are the ones who fought to give you the civil rights that you so cherish and how do you thank them? With utter disdain. You are very bitter little girl.
ohmy
October 16th, 2009
8:52 am
i usually appreciate your perspective Cynthia. not this time. the greediest generation is the one that has not reached pension age the majority of whom are obese, have mounting credit card debt, no savings and refuse to take responsibility for much of anything.
fed up
October 16th, 2009
9:18 am
I’m tired of hearing about seniors on fixed imcomes. My husband and I are salaried. Doesn’t that make us have a fixed income too? My health insurance at work is increasing 8% and unlike seniors, I still have children therefore I must purchase the family plan. I just looked at my paycheck today and 16% goes towards Health Insurance, 8% to Social Security, 4% towards Medicare, and 12% towards Federal and State taxes. What the heck is my family supposed to live on? My company is not giving cost of living raises and the is talk of making full time workers part time. This means I will lose my family’s health insurance.
Sorry, I can’t subsidize your gym memberships anymore. I have a family to feed!
Joan
October 16th, 2009
9:23 am
Congress had no problem giving itself a big raise this year, and with cap and trade, it is all seniors can do to make their food, heat and light bills. I don’t know of many seniors shopping in the mall for “consumer goods”. And I paid the maximum every year for 43 years into SS, and I know I share the payments now with low lifes, and good for nothings who never put in a dime. But that is life. I will roll with it, but you smack talking bag are clearly a liberal on steroids.
Donovan
October 16th, 2009
9:23 am
Have I not warned you good people about this commie writing her poison for the AJC? Now she insults the Greatest Generation. This group of Americans earned their distinction for the many sacrifices they endured through their earlier lives. When liberals do not get their way or when liberals feel threatened they castigate and demonize any thing and any one who opposes them. You saw it when they faced the scorn of town hall meetings. You have heard the insults from Barney Frank, Nancy Pelosi, and David Letterman. It is time to consider what is right for this country and do what must be done in 2010. We have seen what liberals are capable of doing and what they have already done. Ccomrade Tucker represents the core evil of thier ideology. This bunch who have hijacked this country needs to be vanquished by voting against such lunatics. How it got this far is another story for another day. Wake up, America!
Joan
October 16th, 2009
9:24 am
How about all of the above paying more attention to the qualifications of the people you put into Congress and the White House in future, and then you might not be so messed up.
Jack
October 16th, 2009
9:29 am
Each time Tucker calls me greedy, it makes me that much more determined to vote against all liberals and at the same time encourage everyone I know to do the same.
Joe
October 16th, 2009
9:36 am
What’s with all these greedy black kids robbing folks. Their level of greed is deplorable.
TnGelding
October 16th, 2009
11:07 am
fed up
October 16th, 2009
9:18 am
Duh, the other 60%?
But I hear you and agree. Hang in there.
TnGelding
October 16th, 2009
11:16 am
Joan
October 16th, 2009
9:23 am
Certainly Congress should have forgone its COLA as well, but cap and trade is just being discussed so it has nothing to do with our bills. Food is cheap, and heat and lights can be managed with conservation.
If you paid the maximum into Social Security then you should be donating your benefits to charity or the national debt. You’re loaded. Spend it on yourself instead of saving it for your grandchildren.
TnGelding
October 16th, 2009
11:17 am
Joan
October 16th, 2009
9:24 am
We need to do something to attract better candidates.
TnGelding
October 16th, 2009
11:23 am
Jack
October 16th, 2009
9:29 am
What has she got to do with liberal candidates? Each one has their good and bad points. Vote for the most qualified that represents your positions on the issues.
NetBanker
October 16th, 2009
1:40 pm
As someone who regularly works 50+ hours a week and didn’t receive a raise this year I fully agree with no $250 check because no COLA. The is a reason for the COLA and why it was set as a trigger. Those conditions didn’t happen so why should the government spend $250 per SS recipient when WE’RE BROKE?! If we’re going to hand out $250 checks I’d rather see it go to the unemployed person or a struggling family with children.
Did these people pay into the system? Sure they did, but the majority have recieved more in benefits than they paid into the system. That’s why money that current workers are paying into the system is flying right out the door…leaving NOTHING to fund the system when we retire in another 20 years.
My ultimate point is that (with the exception of the Government apparently) EVERYONE is having to cut back or control their spending. Is a single $250 check honestly going to help seniors more than it’s going to hurt our future generations stuck with paying the $250 plus the interest on it?
Kevin
October 16th, 2009
2:01 pm
Silly Cynthia.
This is not a freebie to seniors. This is a payoff, plain and simple.
Which demographic group is complaining the most about healthcare reform? Seniors. And for good reason. How on earth do you and others sit back and allow BO to say that $500 million will be reduced from Medicare through “inefficiencies” without questioning what this means? There is absolutely, positively, undoubtedly NO WAY IN HELL that cuts to service will not occur. Are you so naive to think there are honestly $500 MILLLION in ineffiencies in this system? If so, enjoy that kool-aid.
This is a bribe. Plain and simple.
Kevin
October 16th, 2009
2:08 pm
It literally turns my stomach when Cynthia uses the word “greedy”.
For someone who espouses redistribution of wealth, how dare she question anyone else’s greed? She and her ilk are the worst kind of greedy– those that believe they have a right to what you have earned.
EVIL REPUBLICANS TIME IS UP
October 16th, 2009
2:08 pm
CYNTHIA YOU GIVE THESE REDNECKS THE BAT TO HIT YOU OVER THE HEAD WITH,IT’S LIKE YOUR THROWING GASOLINE ON THE FIRE! YOU ARE CALLING OLD PEOPLE GREEDY? AND CRANKY?
GreedyGuy
October 16th, 2009
2:28 pm
Ah, you folks just don’t understand. See now Cynthia is most likely under the impression (right or wrong) that most of these Greedy and Cranky seniors are not people of color. Were that $250 going to the welfare mamas and the oh so beat down jail bird brothers, she’d be complaining that it’s not enough.
Sunshine and Thunder
October 16th, 2009
2:32 pm
One solution is to privatize a portion of SS. Remember, this is an “entitlement” that these seniors paid into their whole lives and the funds were so stolen and mismanaged that they barely get anything back.
Maybe now people like Cindy are beginning to realize that government has all the guns and they put them to our heads figuratively to coerce us into paying them a king’s ransom so that politicians can buy votes with the money. That’s the MO of the democrat party.
Joan
October 16th, 2009
2:32 pm
Cynthia is so brain dead, she is irrelevant. Why does a paper like the AJC even keep her on staff? I guess it is so she can toss these idiocies around and get us to respond. And we do. Maybe we ought to boycott her for a few days and get her fired. Wouldn’t that be great?
joe matarotz
October 16th, 2009
3:22 pm
I agree. Boycott Cynthia next week.
JF McNamara
October 16th, 2009
4:42 pm
1. I can’t believe a baby boomer, “the greediest generation EVER”, is saying anything about the greatest generation. They left you pensions, social security, medicare, medicaid, good health insurance, plenty of educational opportunities, and a country in reasonable financial shape.
My generation is going to have no social security, no pension, skyrocketing healthcare and higher taxes to pay the bill for you because baby boomers wouldn’t pay one dime more even though they knew the country faced massive debt in the future. Baby Boomers have (and continue to) rob this country blind.
NEVER, EVER say anything bad about the greatest generation. They left you and you baby boomer ilk a Bentley and you’re handing off a Yugo, because you wouldn’t sacrifice one thing for the future.
Now you complain that they’ve got their hand out after everything they did for you. You make me want to puke with your George Bushian Baby Boomer arrogance.
2. No one is forced to read this blog. I just release magic pixey dust so the next time your finger tries to force you to click the link to Cynthia’s column, your Brain will send an electrical pulse to you finger telling it to stop.
Hopefully, your brain will also remind you that you are an insensitive loser for anonymously personally attacking a columnist on their blog or injecting race into the conversation for no reason at all.
If you have an actual well founded and thought provoking response, post, I love to see the posts. If you just want to personally attack, send her an e-mail with your real name and address with what you want to say and take credit for it.
Tom Middleton
October 16th, 2009
4:47 pm
Cynthia, even though I disagreed with you on this, I’m still a fan and always will be. I know you’re just trying to make us think and get involved, and me thinks it’s working just fine. You definitely woke us up with this one. Good job!
marie
October 16th, 2009
4:49 pm
How can the Obama administration be blamed for the economic condition of this nation? He inherited a crumbling economy, and is making an honest effort to correct problems caused by the previous administration. I almost do believe CT’s column was meant to provoke readers to comment for a count of how many read the opinion pages.
Ayn Rand Was Right
October 16th, 2009
8:15 pm
Cynthia is simply worried that if seniors get the extra $250, more will be able to pay the heating bill this winter. If that happens, more seniors will be alive when the Health Care Life Cycle Efficiency Czar is named next Spring. More seniors mean the health care system will run out of cash faster, thus the need to implement Life Cycle Efficiency Analyst Panels to reduce the “waste”. (Notice how Cynthia is already priming the pump for the qualification). If seniors don’t get the extra money this winter, less seniors by spring and voila! Obama can avoid the responsibility of creating …death panels.
marie
October 16th, 2009
9:59 pm
Pat Phelps. The Obama administration has not torn down everything the greatest generation worked for. That particular task was accomplished by George W. Bush and Dick Chaney. And it wasn’t done to help the helpless or downtrodden. It was done to enrich himself and his rich cohorts. How ignorant are the sheeple.
TnGelding
October 16th, 2009
10:15 pm
Light bulb minute: instead of sending $250 checks to 40 million seniors, send $1,000 to the 10 million that truly need it. That would be enough to make a difference in their day to day lives. But not because of not getting a COLA. Rules are rules.
marie
October 16th, 2009
4:49 pm
They just can’t admit their philosphy is wrong and have to blame someone besides themselves. He inherited a mess and we’re far from being out of the woods. We children of the Greatest Generation are going to have to rise to the occasion and support the unemployed and homeless. We are also going to have to demand that our education system prepare our grandchildren and great-grandchildren for the challenges of the 21st century.
John Galt Jr.
October 16th, 2009
10:21 pm
Tucker, you make me puke. Not worthy of any more of a comment than that.
Patsy Collins
October 17th, 2009
1:31 am
I came here to post my thoughts on the current hold up of an emergency bill in the Senate that was passed by the House almost a month ago to extend unemployment compensation for the thousands of unemployed in states with the highest numbers of out of work Americans. GA ranks high on this list. With hundreds applying for each job opening, people are searching and meeting rejection after rejection as their resources dwindle.
. I thought this column might be more likely to be discussing such a timely subject. What a surprise it was to be confronted by so much misunderstanding and cavalier posturing. I am a senior on Social Security but I also have a son who through no fault of his own has been unemployed for nearly two years. He and I have used up our resources and face a dire future if things don’t change. The COLA increases in each of the eight years I have received them, except for last year, have been so small, that after factoring in the increase in the deduction for Medicare, they wouldn’t have paid for a Happy Meal. I applaud those seniors who report how well they are faring but I’ll bet that there are more like me who, in this economy, are using any extra to help our unemployed children. Urge our Senators to stop holding up this bill and approve it now. Unlike other legislation, it will be paid by FUTA and the money will go directly into the economy to pay mortgages, credit cards, electric bills and such. . Yes, I can also use that $250.00 check. If it comes, we can pay an electric bill for a month or maybe buy a couple of tires. Do understand that I don’t resent other seniors who are doing so well but “what goes around, comes around” Please urge Senators Isakson and Saxby to get the Unemployment Extension passed immediately. It will help us all.
TnGelding
October 17th, 2009
2:11 am
Patsy Collins
October 17th, 2009
1:31 am
I agree that extending unemployment benefits is one of the best ways to help and the most fiscally responsible. The trust funds will be replenished during the coming good times. But I’m concerned things will never return to the way they were. We’ll just have to learn to make lemonade out of lemons.
I’m sure your son is very thankful for your support. Hang in there.
SouthernGal
October 17th, 2009
7:52 am
SS should be means tested…why should Streisand, Pelosi, Bush or any other wealthy person even be allowed to collect SS benefits? Yes the paid in…but they should be willing/forced to contribute to the common good.
Tell Congress to stop borrowing from the non-extistent SS trust fund!
TnGelding
October 17th, 2009
8:55 am
SouthernGal
October 17th, 2009
7:52 am
I wonder if any of them have shown enough class not to apply? Their accountants probably insist, tho.
TheOne
October 17th, 2009
9:04 am
marie:
You are just plan ignorant, and your hatred for Bush blinds you so much that you are left with the logical capability of a caterpillar.
If you think that a country that has been around for over 200 years was destroyed by Bush in a mere 8 years, you aren’t smart enough to earn the right to drive a vehicle. Worse yet, while Obama has, in 9 months, tripled the deficit that he “inherited” after 8 years of that evil Bush/Cheney duo, you will continue to delude yourself by saying that everything Obama does is because of the “mess” he “inherited”. The faster this adminstration prints money to “fix” the issues is irrelevant to you because Obama is trying to do something due to what he “inherited”. The only thing faster than the rate they are printing money is the blame you are pushing on the previous administration. You are the sheeple who has fallen in love with the celebrity that Obama has become. Your types give him a pass on everything. Just think about it. Suppose Bush made a crack about bowling like someone from the Special Olympics. While that comment didn’t bother me when Obama said it, Bush would have been crucified. If you come to any other conclusion then you are more delusional than I thought. If you do come to the same conclusion then you will realize the media is having the same love affair with him as you are.
Enjoy your Kool Aid, and enjoy being a part of the sheeple.
TheOne
October 17th, 2009
9:12 am
Cynthia, while I don’t align with you politically, some of the comments in here are uncalled for. I do think though that you should read between the lines though. So much of what you say is race based (not saying that this blog was but others have been). It really does get tiring when blacks throw in the race card. We are just getting sick of it all the time. We’re sick of disagreeing with Obama and the best conclusion that Obamamaniacs can come to is it is based on race. Would it be fair for me to say you didn’t like Bush because he is white? Or does that just not matter? I guess my being a white guy means it’s payback time, even though I am too young to have been around during the civil rights movement. This hurts racial relations more than any confederate flag of a few ignorants does.
The Other Patrick
October 17th, 2009
10:17 am
So one of the leaders of the “it’s all about me” generation thinks seniors are greedy? Cynthia, you are a joke!
Spartann
October 17th, 2009
11:15 am
Ms Tucker… How dare you ?? I’m not gonna waste any more words on you… why bother??
My question is this … How can the Feds deny seniors a cost of living increase due to LOF , when every year the Congress votes one in for itself ??? an oxymoron or just plain moronic ??? You decide….
Sam
October 17th, 2009
11:36 am
Terrence, why are so full of hate?
TheOne's History teacher
October 17th, 2009
11:58 am
I prefer anonymity
booger
October 17th, 2009
12:21 pm
Seniors did not ask for this handout. This is a marketing stunt by the big O to garner favor. There is not a person reading this who is not fully aware of who the greedy culture really is. Watch the news for any give away program, look who has their hand out, then look at who is doing the giving.
Your generalization of an entire generation of people reminds me of something you claim to detest. PROFILING.
booger
October 17th, 2009
1:49 pm
So all seniors are greedy, all Republicans are racist and greedy, Anyone who dares go to a town hall meeting and raise questions about health care reform is racist. Cynthia has demonized a fairly large chunk of the US population with her recent articles and interviews.
Guess the only truly good, honest, and hard working Americans are black or in this country illegally.
I would say Cynthia’s pulitzer is as deserved as Obama’s nobel peace prize.
Just because
October 17th, 2009
4:27 pm
Cynthia Tucker has always in every one of her “opinions” been down on seniors! She obviously has an obsession and disdain for senior citizens. It is absolutely strange to me that she thinks of the seniors as “greedy” but spends all of her time whinning about giving more and more to the lazy . . . hands out. . . . pitiful . . . . generation of people who she declares needs a “hand-up” (see she can’t bring herself to say “hand-out”) . . which is exactly what it is. When Katrina hit the gulf coast (Mississippi to be exact) . . . who were the ones who whinned the most and still to this day. Where did Obama go just last week . . not to Mississippi where the storm hit dead on . . no . . to New Orleans . . .why because the citizens there were the biggest whinners!!!
Just because
October 17th, 2009
6:22 pm
TnGelding, Southern Girl probably don’t even qualify for Medicaid with a $900/per month check. Of course, 3/4 of those on Medicaid shouldn’t be on it. . . they don’t report all their income that’s why they have their checks sent to P. O. boxes and to their mama’s house. And, Southern Girl . . . SS shouldn’t be means tested!! What’s wrong with you gal??? What has gone wrong with Social Security is that it has been amended by every Congress and President since its inception. The purpose for which it was intended has long been diminished. It has been expanded (just like every government program) to include everybody and their brother. Add to that the fact the the government has “borrowed” from it to fund other things and . . . .well, what can I say. . . it’s another fine mess that our government has got us in!!!
I think Cynthia is upset because she probably opted out of Social Security and the stock market with ka’pooey! And, she is bitter that she won’t have anything in her old age.
Reader
October 18th, 2009
8:12 am
Cynthia wants to distract us from OBAMA BUYING VOTES by pointing fingers at the elderly recipients. And did she really have to use the phrase ‘in the toilet’?
Kamchak
October 18th, 2009
10:57 am
Cynthia wants to distract us from OBAMA BUYING VOTES by pointing fingers at the elderly recipients.
Oh no!! A politician BUYING VOTES? Say it ain’t so.
Bush: It’s the president’s job to make sure Congress doesn’t have the money to spend in the first place. It is the president’s job to stand up to express the will of the people, advocate and fight for a meaningful real tax cut. And that’s what I’m going to do.
Rant
October 18th, 2009
1:46 pm
When did the Greatest Generation become the Greediest Generation?
Cynthia — where is a similar statement and blog on the generational government dependent welfare queens and their never ending sense of entitlement?? Try taking a look at the fraud and abuse by that segment of the population!!
Until that time I suggest you stay away from the senior circuit!!!
dewstarpath
October 18th, 2009
2:47 pm
- TheOne. Sheesh.
I agree with your “history teacher”. You are definitely
too young to be around for A LOT of American history,
made evident by your postings that you think FDR, the
President that took on two dictatorships in WWII while
suffering from polio, was a “parasite (!)” and that the US
can’t be destroyed in eight years (Ever heard of nuclear
war ? Enough said). Go back and get your GED before
you become a poster child for the fringe right.
Tommy Maddox
October 18th, 2009
4:59 pm
Shame on you Cynthia Tucker.