Comments on: David Broder and Five of His Friends Mean the “Nation” is “Ripe” to Cut Social Security Benefits http://firedoglake.com/2009/05/08/david-broder-and-five-of-his-friends-mean-the-nation-is-ripe-to-cut-social-security-benefits/ Firedoglake weblog Sat, 18 Feb 2012 02:03:10 -0600 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: enslaved http://firedoglake.com/2009/05/08/david-broder-and-five-of-his-friends-mean-the-nation-is-ripe-to-cut-social-security-benefits/#comment-1895942 enslaved Sat, 09 May 2009 19:48:27 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2009/05/08/david-broder-and-five-of-his-friends-mean-the-nation-is-ripe-to-cut-social-security-benefits/#comment-1895942 <p>Really what I wonder is what caused Broder and so many other rich people to become so bitter. I imagine David and his rich friends look at middle class and poor people and realize they aren’t bitter and so he hates them for it.</p> Really what I wonder is what caused Broder and so many other rich people to become so bitter. I imagine David and his rich friends look at middle class and poor people and realize they aren’t bitter and so he hates them for it.

]]> By: enslaved http://firedoglake.com/2009/05/08/david-broder-and-five-of-his-friends-mean-the-nation-is-ripe-to-cut-social-security-benefits/#comment-1895937 enslaved Sat, 09 May 2009 19:39:31 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2009/05/08/david-broder-and-five-of-his-friends-mean-the-nation-is-ripe-to-cut-social-security-benefits/#comment-1895937 <p>I’m forever amazed at how resentful rich people like David Broder are of the middle class and the poor for having what little money they do. Broder, and so many rich people in America, are so disdainful toward anyone who hasn’t achieved their level of wealth and success. Yet, I seldom see middle class or poor people harboring equal amounts of resentment and disdain for the rich.</p> <p>What’s up with that?</p> I’m forever amazed at how resentful rich people like David Broder are of the middle class and the poor for having what little money they do. Broder, and so many rich people in America, are so disdainful toward anyone who hasn’t achieved their level of wealth and success. Yet, I seldom see middle class or poor people harboring equal amounts of resentment and disdain for the rich.

What’s up with that?

]]> By: digitusmedius http://firedoglake.com/2009/05/08/david-broder-and-five-of-his-friends-mean-the-nation-is-ripe-to-cut-social-security-benefits/#comment-1895921 digitusmedius Sat, 09 May 2009 19:11:03 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2009/05/08/david-broder-and-five-of-his-friends-mean-the-nation-is-ripe-to-cut-social-security-benefits/#comment-1895921 <p>Is it just me, or does it seem that none of the people calling for cuts in SocSec benefits will ever depend on those benefits as a principal source of retirement income?</p> Is it just me, or does it seem that none of the people calling for cuts in SocSec benefits will ever depend on those benefits as a principal source of retirement income?

]]> By: lambertstrether http://firedoglake.com/2009/05/08/david-broder-and-five-of-his-friends-mean-the-nation-is-ripe-to-cut-social-security-benefits/#comment-1895859 lambertstrether Sat, 09 May 2009 15:39:23 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2009/05/08/david-broder-and-five-of-his-friends-mean-the-nation-is-ripe-to-cut-social-security-benefits/#comment-1895859 <p>Allow me to revise and extend my remarks. </p> <p>Perhaps “The Ripe One” would be an appropriate sobriquet for Mr. Broder? (a la, of Krugman, “The Shrill One”?)</p> Allow me to revise and extend my remarks.

Perhaps “The Ripe One” would be an appropriate sobriquet for Mr. Broder? (a la, of Krugman, “The Shrill One”?)

]]> By: lambertstrether http://firedoglake.com/2009/05/08/david-broder-and-five-of-his-friends-mean-the-nation-is-ripe-to-cut-social-security-benefits/#comment-1895858 lambertstrether Sat, 09 May 2009 15:36:38 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2009/05/08/david-broder-and-five-of-his-friends-mean-the-nation-is-ripe-to-cut-social-security-benefits/#comment-1895858 <p>Broder’s the one who’s ripe. In fact, I’d say Broder’s over-ripe.</p> Broder’s the one who’s ripe. In fact, I’d say Broder’s over-ripe.

]]> By: alank http://firedoglake.com/2009/05/08/david-broder-and-five-of-his-friends-mean-the-nation-is-ripe-to-cut-social-security-benefits/#comment-1895847 alank Sat, 09 May 2009 12:44:12 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2009/05/08/david-broder-and-five-of-his-friends-mean-the-nation-is-ripe-to-cut-social-security-benefits/#comment-1895847 <p>The ting is, all the government agencies who’ve wound up underfunded relative to the splendor of the Pentagon’s ballooning budget over the past clot of election cycles and fiscal years under the Bush Junta, are now vying for business with the Pentagon in order to get a piece of their very large slice of the budgetary pie. They’re coming up with reasons why they can contribute to the security of the realm and ancillary type tasks. When the Pentagon finally drains away the budgets of the major entitlement programs, silver-haired little old pepperpots deployed in theatres of some Democracy Cause™ in farflung areas of the world will indeed become a more familiar sight.</p> The ting is, all the government agencies who’ve wound up underfunded relative to the splendor of the Pentagon’s ballooning budget over the past clot of election cycles and fiscal years under the Bush Junta, are now vying for business with the Pentagon in order to get a piece of their very large slice of the budgetary pie. They’re coming up with reasons why they can contribute to the security of the realm and ancillary type tasks. When the Pentagon finally drains away the budgets of the major entitlement programs, silver-haired little old pepperpots deployed in theatres of some Democracy Cause™ in farflung areas of the world will indeed become a more familiar sight.

]]> By: unionave http://firedoglake.com/2009/05/08/david-broder-and-five-of-his-friends-mean-the-nation-is-ripe-to-cut-social-security-benefits/#comment-1895846 unionave Sat, 09 May 2009 11:47:52 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2009/05/08/david-broder-and-five-of-his-friends-mean-the-nation-is-ripe-to-cut-social-security-benefits/#comment-1895846 <p>The thing that is never said by those assailing SS is that the government uses SS money to hide deficits and the less withdrawn from SS the more over spending they can hide in the budget . The last fix was in the early 80’s made by RR and AG to hide a tax cut deficit . When the smoke cleared after that fix the eligibility age had gone up which reduces the number of people withdrawing . The other thing seldom said is that Wall Street wants to get their hands on the SS money and the GOP is the political arm of Wall Street so that is where all the noise is coming from . All of the WS inventions like 401K’s , IRA’s , and MUTUAL FUNDS were invented by WS to funnel the retirement money in to WS and as we have found out the hard way that retirement savings are as safe with WS as they are in a casino and look at the power it has given WS . Had the retirement savings been put in US Treasury accounts our government would not be such debt and nobody would have lost one penny . We bailed our country out during WWII and we can do it again the same way .</p> The thing that is never said by those assailing SS is that the government uses SS money to hide deficits and the less withdrawn from SS the more over spending they can hide in the budget . The last fix was in the early 80’s made by RR and AG to hide a tax cut deficit . When the smoke cleared after that fix the eligibility age had gone up which reduces the number of people withdrawing . The other thing seldom said is that Wall Street wants to get their hands on the SS money and the GOP is the political arm of Wall Street so that is where all the noise is coming from . All of the WS inventions like 401K’s , IRA’s , and MUTUAL FUNDS were invented by WS to funnel the retirement money in to WS and as we have found out the hard way that retirement savings are as safe with WS as they are in a casino and look at the power it has given WS . Had the retirement savings been put in US Treasury accounts our government would not be such debt and nobody would have lost one penny . We bailed our country out during WWII and we can do it again the same way .

]]> By: jdpriestly http://firedoglake.com/2009/05/08/david-broder-and-five-of-his-friends-mean-the-nation-is-ripe-to-cut-social-security-benefits/#comment-1895816 jdpriestly Sat, 09 May 2009 08:06:32 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2009/05/08/david-broder-and-five-of-his-friends-mean-the-nation-is-ripe-to-cut-social-security-benefits/#comment-1895816 <p>Social Security cuts won’t happen in this economy. It would be political suicide. Baby boomers are the big demographic bulge, and they (we) are beginning to retire at a moment when their (our) homes have lost value, 401(K)s have been emptied and interest on their (our) savings is only 0.05%. </p> <p>Let’s say you are 65, have high blood pressure, diabetes and arthritis. You’re willing to work but you were laid off from your last job because your employer was downsizing and shipping your job overseas and with unemployment as high as it is you can’t find another job. In fact, the last employer to whom you sent your resume e-mailed you to let you know that you would not receive a personal response because there were over 500 applicants for the job, part-time job, I might add.</p> <p>Old people vote — regularly. And no president wants old people out demonstrating against cuts in Social Security benefits. That would be really bad publicity, the kind that shortens political careers. What’s more, the generation that is now beginning to retire and receive Social Security, is the generation that fought for civil rights and against the Viet Nam War. They (we) know how protest. </p> <p>I’m a senior. Trust me, it’s not just poor seniors who rely on Social Security to get them through the month. Thanks to the economic crisis, middle class seniors are relying on Social Security to pay the rent and buy groceries. They (we) aren’t complaining, but they (we) aren’t spending money either, and they (we) will scream bloody murder if their (our) benefits are cut. </p> <p>So don’t touch Social Security benefits — not if you want your candidate to get elected. They are rock bottom low as it is, and touching them will be political suicide. </p> <p>Broder is a Republican, and his comments on cutting Social Security show just how out of touch with reality the Republicans are at the moment. Don’t they have grandmothers?</p> Social Security cuts won’t happen in this economy. It would be political suicide. Baby boomers are the big demographic bulge, and they (we) are beginning to retire at a moment when their (our) homes have lost value, 401(K)s have been emptied and interest on their (our) savings is only 0.05%.

Let’s say you are 65, have high blood pressure, diabetes and arthritis. You’re willing to work but you were laid off from your last job because your employer was downsizing and shipping your job overseas and with unemployment as high as it is you can’t find another job. In fact, the last employer to whom you sent your resume e-mailed you to let you know that you would not receive a personal response because there were over 500 applicants for the job, part-time job, I might add.

Old people vote — regularly. And no president wants old people out demonstrating against cuts in Social Security benefits. That would be really bad publicity, the kind that shortens political careers. What’s more, the generation that is now beginning to retire and receive Social Security, is the generation that fought for civil rights and against the Viet Nam War. They (we) know how protest.

I’m a senior. Trust me, it’s not just poor seniors who rely on Social Security to get them through the month. Thanks to the economic crisis, middle class seniors are relying on Social Security to pay the rent and buy groceries. They (we) aren’t complaining, but they (we) aren’t spending money either, and they (we) will scream bloody murder if their (our) benefits are cut.

So don’t touch Social Security benefits — not if you want your candidate to get elected. They are rock bottom low as it is, and touching them will be political suicide.

Broder is a Republican, and his comments on cutting Social Security show just how out of touch with reality the Republicans are at the moment. Don’t they have grandmothers?

]]> By: bgrothus http://firedoglake.com/2009/05/08/david-broder-and-five-of-his-friends-mean-the-nation-is-ripe-to-cut-social-security-benefits/#comment-1895740 bgrothus Sat, 09 May 2009 05:37:55 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2009/05/08/david-broder-and-five-of-his-friends-mean-the-nation-is-ripe-to-cut-social-security-benefits/#comment-1895740 <p>And all the people who have just recently retired hoping their Point.401Ks were going to cover their asses are sure going to be happy when they hear that there is a move afoot to cut their social security checks too. Yep. That is going to go over very very well.</p> <p>Permanent. Republican. Minority.</p> And all the people who have just recently retired hoping their Point.401Ks were going to cover their asses are sure going to be happy when they hear that there is a move afoot to cut their social security checks too. Yep. That is going to go over very very well.

Permanent. Republican. Minority.

]]> By: BargainCountertenor http://firedoglake.com/2009/05/08/david-broder-and-five-of-his-friends-mean-the-nation-is-ripe-to-cut-social-security-benefits/#comment-1895733 BargainCountertenor Sat, 09 May 2009 05:30:01 +0000 http://firedoglake.com/2009/05/08/david-broder-and-five-of-his-friends-mean-the-nation-is-ripe-to-cut-social-security-benefits/#comment-1895733 <blockquote><p>I, as a sensible, bipartisan, moderate, and very sensible person, agree with Miss Broder and disagree with Ms. Hamsher.</p> <p>I think we should use this opportunity to give a victory to the sensible centrist moderates, and I enthusiastically support a Distinguish Blue Ribbon Commission and Social Security Cuts.</p></blockquote> <p>The last time we got a distinguished Blue Ribbon panel, it was chaired by Alan Greenspan and we got f***ed in the checking account. What we got out of the Greenspan revisions were:<br /> (1) Delays in enacting COLA adjustments;<br /> (2) Social Security became taxable above a threshold income;<br /> (3) Increases in the OASDI taxes (contributions, whatever you want to call them) were accelerated;<br /> (4) The Social Security Trust Fund was supposed to be taken off-budget. A law was passed to do this, but it’s never happened.</p> <p>St. Ronnie of Raygun sold us this bill of goods and told us that Social Security was saved for future generations. He used the money to expand the military. Gee thanks, Ronnie.</p> <p>Well, I’m getting closer to collecting. My defined benefit pension plan has lost a sh**load of money in this crash. I figured that my University pension was going to be the cornerstone of my retirement. Now they’re worried about the solvency of that fund, and have substantially increased our contributions and this time it’s not being shared by the U. Suddenly, Social Security is looking more important to me. I’d figured it was going to be our ‘having fun’ money.</p> <p>Now, I’m not sure that I’m going to have any kind of retirement plan. I guess I may find out just how continuous my continuous contract is.</p>

I, as a sensible, bipartisan, moderate, and very sensible person, agree with Miss Broder and disagree with Ms. Hamsher.

I think we should use this opportunity to give a victory to the sensible centrist moderates, and I enthusiastically support a Distinguish Blue Ribbon Commission and Social Security Cuts.

The last time we got a distinguished Blue Ribbon panel, it was chaired by Alan Greenspan and we got f***ed in the checking account. What we got out of the Greenspan revisions were:
(1) Delays in enacting COLA adjustments;
(2) Social Security became taxable above a threshold income;
(3) Increases in the OASDI taxes (contributions, whatever you want to call them) were accelerated;
(4) The Social Security Trust Fund was supposed to be taken off-budget. A law was passed to do this, but it’s never happened.

St. Ronnie of Raygun sold us this bill of goods and told us that Social Security was saved for future generations. He used the money to expand the military. Gee thanks, Ronnie.

Well, I’m getting closer to collecting. My defined benefit pension plan has lost a sh**load of money in this crash. I figured that my University pension was going to be the cornerstone of my retirement. Now they’re worried about the solvency of that fund, and have substantially increased our contributions and this time it’s not being shared by the U. Suddenly, Social Security is looking more important to me. I’d figured it was going to be our ‘having fun’ money.

Now, I’m not sure that I’m going to have any kind of retirement plan. I guess I may find out just how continuous my continuous contract is.

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