White House: Social Security should be off limits in "fiscal cliff" talks
It appears another issue of disagreement has surfaced in regard to the negotiations over the so-called "fiscal cliff".
White House spokesman Jay Carney said Monday that Social Security is one entitlement program that should be addressed on a "separate track."
"We should address the drivers of the deficit and Social Security currently is not a driver of the deficit," Carney told reporters today. The senior retirement program is solvent for another 21 years, at which time recipients could see a reduction in benefits.
It's a similar position taken by Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill, the number two Democrat in the Senate, on Sunday. "Social Security does not add one penny to our debt -- not a penny. It's a separate funded operation, and we can do things that I believe we should now, smaller things, played out over the long term that gives it solvency," Durbin said on ABC's "This Week."
But Republicans have insisted that reforming entitlement programs, including Social Security, which constitute more than one-third of federal spending, must be part of the equation if Republicans are willing to increase revenue by limiting tax deductions and loopholes.
"I don't think you can look at entitlement reform without adjusting the age for retirement," Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said on Sunday. "I don't expect the Democrats to go for premium support or a voucher plan, but I do expect them to adjust these entitlement programs before they bankrupt the country and run out of money themselves."
"Without compromising our principles, we put skin in the game and recognition of the fact that while Democrats don't run this town, neither do we," Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said on the Senate floor today.
McConnell places the onus on the president to meet the Republicans in the middle. "We have been clear about what we'll do and what we want, and yet we remain at an impasse, leading us to ask why," McConnell said. "Because a vocal minority on the hard left continues to argue to leaders of their party from the president on down that Democrats in Washington should do absolutely nothing about short-term or long-term spending problems."
"We're going to get to a deal that works," Carney said before renewing the president's demand that taxes on those making more than $250,000. "His goal is to protect the middle class."
"The only person in America who can really make or break it is the president himself," McConnell said.
But Carney said that the president "remains committed" to the notion of compromise in order to reach a deal, which is why he is willing to discuss changes to the retiree health program, Medicare, and the health program for the poor, Medicaid.
Despite the gap in positions between Republicans and Democrats, Carney offered optimism about an impending deal to avert more than $500 billion worth of tax hikes and spending cuts set to take place after Jan. 1.
"Compromise requires both sides to make tough choices," Carney said.
The White House spokesman also confirmed that Mr. Obama spoke on the phone with House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., over the weekend about the tax and spending negotiations.
As for upcoming meetings with the leaders, Carney said the president will "meet with them at the appropriate time." He added that White House staff are working with congressional staff "as we speak."
Reagan famously stated the fact that Social Security was funded by payroll deductions and had not relation to the debt. Of course leave it to the greed ridden Wall Street Republicons to covet the wealth of others no matter where it is. Nothing is safe from these leeches.
Social Security and Medicare are funded separately through payroll tax and medicare tax. They should be kept separate from general tax revenue and disallow congress from spending those two funds as general spending. Right now both SS and Medicare funds are in good shape. SS has $2.6 trillion surplus. Reforms of SS and Medicare must be made within the systems themselves separate from general tax policies. Financial institutions couldn't wait to have their hands in SS and Medicare fund money. They have been lobbying congress, especially republicans, to allow them to "manage" that pot of money so they can make themselves management fees, profits, salaries and bonuses. Only whatever is left would go to SS and Medicare recipients.
"Compromise requires both sides to make tough choices," Carney said.
As long compromise doesn't require listening to Republican propaganda, that if you can rob 2.6 Trillion from Social Security, then you can call it revenue for discretionary spending and an entitlement program, which makes defense spending look like a smaller piece of the spending pie than it actually is.
Sorry, Social Security is a fund which is financed and managed through separate legislation then revenue for discretionary spending. And yes, Defense spending -- including all of it's associated costs -- is an ENORMOUS piece of the actual federal "spending" pie.
On the other hand if hard choices means a painful kick to the groin of Mitch McConnel until he stops lying.... weeeellll, I'd all be in favah of legislation to make that happen. Absolutely.
When Republicans are in power, they simply pass through anything their lobbyist give them. When they are the minority all they have left to do is try and impeach the president. They don't know how to do anything else, and it's all they have done for the last 20 years. Nothing but start wars,stir poop, and screw the American people.
RepubliCon_Liar_RobMe replies: linkicon reporticon emailicon . . LMAO! If there's ever a prime example of ignorant Republi-minion "gibberish"... folks, this one is it!\ =========================================================== Your moniker shows us all who is ignorant. God you still don't get it do you? You ***** about the Republican Minions, yet you are the leader of the Democrat Minion
On Social Security issues why is the goverment as well as reporters avoiding the 1 simple question. The goverment owes Social Security close to 5billion dollars that they have borrowed from tax payers. If i were to owe this goverment monies i would have to pay it or go to jail. Now the sticking point for them is how much more will we have to pay that affects every citizen retired or to retire in future in monies and benefit cuts to help get off this fiscal cliff when the goverment has a right under what law that says they can borrow from the tax payers and not pay it back. If anyone out there can answer this question why not go on CBS News and explain it or are you afraid of the consequences you'll have to pay to those in goverment for getting to the bottom of a true story. 60 minutes has ask tough questions about other issues but why are you avoiding this issue unless this is not news worthy according to who? Thanks. Wiley E.Foutz @cox.net
That $2.6 trillion now takes the form of $2.6 trillion in bonds, backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, and generating interest that's added to the Social Security program's reserves. Lots of Republicans might like to default on those bonds, but the fact is that defaulting on what the government owes the Social Security System would produce exactly the same sort of market revolt as if the government tried to default on T-bills sold to wealthy Americans or to China. So it AIN'T gonna happen!
Hands off Social Security and medicare. The veterans, disabled and the elderly need these programs. What is it that politicians don't get? Maybe is because they retire with full pay.
Dear Mitch you have no political capital you lost seats in both the Senate and house, plus Obama is still the President.
Take what you can get and stop this nonsense. If we go off the fiscal cliff there will be no doubth that this is the fault of the conservatives and I can assure you that if you think it was bad in 2012 then 2014 will make it 2012 look like a ride at he park.
So go ahead make your point at the expense of the country see what happens.
I agree ANTONIOF123. Stop the madness of it all, time to stop being like children and get together. The GOP has already been shown what the American people want but refuse to hear that. If there is no agreement then we all suffer.
Both Democrats and Republicans need to do what they get paid for.
duzmafuzt replies: The fiscal cliff cannot get here soon enough. The leaders we elected, have good spending habits. The 500 billion in taxes, and spending overhaul, is the answer. It is the only chance that will allow reigning in an extraordinarily over-sized government, or perhaps it is too late. Centralization continues, and with the advent of 1500 page medical system overhaul, it cannot be stopped. Wierd. The model democracy, has already turned itself into a fiscal cliff black hole. Is it too late? This black hole will suck in our order, and everything with it. There is no money. Why do we continue to debate about spending money that does not exist?
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As long compromise doesn't require listening to Republican propaganda, that if you can rob 2.6 Trillion from Social Security, then you can call it revenue for discretionary spending and an entitlement program, which makes defense spending look like a smaller piece of the spending pie than it actually is.
Sorry, Social Security is a fund which is financed and managed through separate legislation then revenue for discretionary spending. And yes, Defense spending -- including all of it's associated costs -- is an ENORMOUS piece of the actual federal "spending" pie.
On the other hand if hard choices means a painful kick to the groin of Mitch McConnel until he stops lying.... weeeellll, I'd all be in favah of legislation to make that happen. Absolutely.
linkicon reporticon emailicon
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LMAO! If there's ever a prime example of ignorant Republi-minion "gibberish"... folks, this one is it!\
===========================================================
Your moniker shows us all who is ignorant. God you still don't get it do you? You ***** about the Republican Minions, yet you are the leader of the Democrat Minion
Take what you can get and stop this nonsense. If we go off the fiscal cliff there will be no doubth that this is the fault of the conservatives and I can assure you that if you think it was bad in 2012 then 2014 will make it 2012 look like a ride at he park.
So go ahead make your point at the expense of the country see what happens.
Both Democrats and Republicans need to do what they get paid for.
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Dead nuts on,winning post of the day.