Romney ad says Medicare, Social Security "at risk" under Obama

Using a clip of Mitt Romney's remarks during Tuesday night's presidential debate, a new Romney campaign ad argues that President Obama's policies have failed, specifically charging that Medicare and Social Security are "at risk" under Mr. Obama's leadership.

"His policies haven't worked," Romney said during the debate. "Median income is down $4,300 a family and 23 million Americans out of work... He said that he'd cut in half the deficit... He just hasn't been able...to put in place reforms for Medicare and Social Security to preserve them...That's what this election is about."

Between clips of Romney speaking, text in the ad reads, "Under President Obama: Medicare And Social Security At Risk."

A May study by the Maryland-based research firm Sentier Research did find that real median American income in March was down by $4,300 since January 2009, when Mr. Obama took office. And while the technical number of unemployed persons stands at 12.1 million, it's t

true there are about 23 million Americans looking for more work -- that is, they're only employed part-time but would like to work full time, or they've stopped looking for work.

As for Medicare, the 2011 Medicare Trustee Report said the Medicare trust fund could be insolvent as early as 2016. However, the $716 billion in cuts Mr. Obama enacted in his health care law could keep the program solvent another eight years. Romney has said he wants to repeal those cuts.

The president hasn't done anything to stabilize Social Security, but in an April 2011 town hall, he suggested lifting the payroll tax cap. "So if we just made a little bit of an adjustment in terms of the cap on Social Security, that would do a significant amount to stabilize the system," he said. For now, the Social Security payroll tax remains capped at $110,100.

By comparison, Romney's running mate Paul Ryan said in the vice presidential debate last week that a Romney administration would "slowly raise the retirement age over time" to keep the program solvent.

[marychgo]

The biggest threat to Social Security and Medicare is the Republicans' Spoiled Fratboy ticket. Remember that when you vote!

[daffodil36]

There is nothing wrong with Social Security? The US Government is BROKE, we are printing money, our Credit rating is damaged, other countries do not want to buy our Bonds, and the Interest on the Debt is crushing us. The Money we paid into Social Security and Medicare is not there, we robbed Peter to pay Paul, and it will continue and worsen with Pres Obama. We need a Money Manager, one who is a Leader and Business Expert, who can Invest and Create Jobs and Income, Who believes in Private Enterprise. Do the Math, no ticky, no shirtie as the saying goes. We would be SAFER with Private Investing than Government Investing because the Government is Insolvent.

[steeepe]

More lies from the lying liar. Ryan and Romney, the fraud and the phony, both liars.

[gulfwarvet94]

Medicare and Social Security have been talked about for years but Congress just kicked it down the road. What a surprise I heard a generation "Baby Boom" is retiring of which I am proud of. The government through the years must have thought it was a dream

[BeaK1960]

As it is now, Medicare bad deal for everyone: both those who benefit and the others who are financing it. The current system spends faster than any other government program. It is generating trillions of dollars of massive debt, which we will feel in the long-term.

Congress and the American people have to make a better choice. Medicare cannot continue on it's current road: its a mathematical certainty that is cannot sustain itself for much longer. We need a system that includes choice, competition, and the targeting of groups that need the system's aid the most.

[A_Moderate]

This one affects me because I am 55 and have paid into SS my entire life. I don't want Mitt/Ryan to "Privatize" SS to "save it"! Really what that's about is giving the money over to wall street to maintain it. I know how wall street watched over my 401K in 2008. Ryan has already told us what he would do. I trust Obama more on Social Security and Medicare.

[Necroscope84]

Let's all take a moment to get to know the Real Mitt Romney. Forget the facts and the myths let's all have a sit down and read about who he really is based off of past comments, interviews and real life encounters:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Rude-Guide-Mitt-ebook/dp/B007UPDEG0

And then let's discuss growing up the Republian way. This one comes straight from the horses mouth: A Republican
http://memspoliticalscrapbook.blogspot.com/2012/09/like-myself-some-republicans-do.html

Let's not forget what Mitt thinks of the 47% or how he treats his own dog:
I've always thought you can tell what kind of person someone is by how they treat animals and we all know how Mitt treats animals. He's super rich but won't buy a trailer for his dog to ride in or a bigger vehicle and then insists the poor thing loves being strapped to the roof. Besides being extremely dangerous i don't understand how he isn't investigated for this. Oh yeah, he's rich.....just not rich enough for a nice trailer for his dog? Weird.
http://www.dogsagainstromney.com/

And last but certainly not least I love how Mitt Romney keeps saying that Governments don't create businesses but my government will create businesses. Can't have it both ways mitt. Oh I guess you can, you always have you're rich and never had to actually work.

[mountainstates1]

There is nothing wrong with Social Security. There is a A LOT wrong with the Republican party who want to privatize it.

[WHAT-IS-HE-SMOKING]

MIty's cure, give out vouchers and say good luck.

[BuckeyeChuck]

"Median income is down $4,300 a family" and will be down a lot more under a romney administration.

[nomoreniceguy]

So who's fault is it now? Who's in charge, Romney? No, Obama and his failed policies. Under Carter gas went up, groceries went up, people were losing their homes left and right (sound familiar?). Two years after Reagan was elected I had money in the bank and bought my first home.

[bgdavis47]

Yep, Mr. NOMORENICEGUY - the rich got richer and the poorer got poorer ...... Same as with both Bushes!