Republicans Tell Constituents Theyre Defending Social Security By Ryan Grim | HuffPost | 05/07/2013 7:41 pm EDT Excerpts: WASHINGTON Two House Republicans have told constituents they oppose proposed cuts to Social Security and veterans benefits by reducing the cost of living adjustment, according to letters they sent to constituents. President Barack Obama included the plan, known as chained CPI, in his annual budget, but specified that he was only offering it as a concession to entice Republicans into a compromise. For Reps. Phil Gingrey (R-Ga.) and Sean Duffy (R-Wis.), however, the concession is itself objectionable. For months, Republicans demanded that Obama spell out specific cuts that he was willing to agree to, though they themselves wouldn't do the same, because specific cuts to government spending tend to be unpopular. And cuts to Social Security are about as unpopular as anything currently under discussion, according to a variety of surveysof the program's popularity and repeatedly refers to cutting it as "the president's plan," though he leaves the door open to cuts for younger generations. "I strongly disagree with the President's plan to reduce Social Security benefit increases for current seniors. As your Congressman, I will fight to make sure there are no COLA reductions for current retirees. Today's seniors deserve the benefits they have rightfully earned and I will continue working on proposals that strengthen the program." Gingrey also rejected the plan. "One of the reasons I decided to run for Congress was to protect Social Security for current retirees, as well as to fix the program so that future retirees can benefit from it as well. My commitment to protect Social Security, not only for today but for the future generations, has not waivered." Gingrey spokeswoman Jen Talaber said the letter does not spell out opposition to chained CPI. He "remains committed to preserving Social Security for current and future beneficiaries," Talaber said. "Nowhere in his letter does he contradict himself or indicate opposition to chained CPI." Gingrey is running for Senate in a competitive primary in Georgia. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/07/republicans-sean-duffy-phil-gingrey_n_3232931.html ....... IMO: Neither the Democrats nor the republicans should ever touch Social Security except to add to its benefits if the United States can ever again accomplish a surplus as in the Clinton years. Until then they need to keep their grimy hands off our SS because every American has contributed to their own Social Security program during our working years. SS belongs to workers and is something we pay into; it does not belong to Congress! Social Security doesnt need reform, Congress needs reform! To have the republicans say they are defending Social Security for us is just more republican lies and innuendo. We already know you cannot trust a republican to stand by his word, but to listen to them blatantly say in para 5 that he strongly disagrees with any decrease in benefits for current seniors because they rightfully earned...but refrains from stating what he plans to cut from future benefits for workers who are currently now paying into the SS program!! It is another Ponzi scheme to take the cash cow from SS and distribute it to other republican endeavors sure to benefit the wealthy.
A President is not a island, Clinton did not accomplish a surplus. There was a Republican controlled Congress during his last 6 years that was primarily responsible for any surplus thanks to Newt's and the Republicans 10 points. Considering all that happened on the Bush watch, he did relatively well with a Republican Congress. Bush fell working with a Democrat Congress his last two years in Office. Obama with 2 years of Democrats in charge of the Budget killed America's future chances of any surplus. The only thing that has kept America out of another major Depression is a Republican House standing in his way as his agenda attempts to Europeanize our economy short-term and lead to a revival of Communism long-term. How has anything Obama has tried or done contributed to an improved economy or a resurgence in American pride and hope?
Yawn. Republicans had the Presidency and Congress from 2001 - 2006. They didn't raid the piggy bank. No one is going to touch your retirement.
