Kerry tells MA AARP members he will fight against cuts to SS and Medicare

[karynnj]

US Senator John Kerry told 7,100 Massachusetts seniors this morning that he would fight to protect Social Security and Medicare benefits from being cut as federal debt-reduction talks continue.

In the telephone town hall with AARP Massachusetts members, the Massachusetts Democrat vowed to oppose any measure that would privatize or weaken Social Security. That includes proposals that would slash benefits to current recipients or future generations, or reduce disability and survivor benefits, he said.

“Under no circumstances should benefits be cut in order to balance the budget,” Kerry said, urging seniors to be vigilant and weigh in on the discussions in Washington. “Social Security is not a driver in our near-term deficit and it’s not currently in crisis, but it can be reformed so that we strengthen it for the rest of the century.”

http://www.boston.com/Boston/politicalintelligence/2011/07/kerry-tells-aarp-members-will-protect-social-security/Irc8izmVJUJbfUvIolNx9O/index.html

[Mass]

1. It's the Globe, so I should not be surprised that half the article is aimed at excusing

Brown for not participating to the telephone meeting (too busy). He was preparing to speak on the senate floor. Did anybody see him? Was he more articulate than he is normally? (I guess he was probably not ready to do what Snowe did and say he would not support cuts is SS and Medicare).

[karynnj]

2. ALWAYS ENJOY LISTENING TO MY NEW ENGLAND COLLEAGUE SPEAK. THE RIGHT-WING RHETORIC STUFF, THOUGH, IT

DOESN'T WORK FOR ME" Said in reference to Bernie Sanders. That was the completely incoherent start to his speech - that he practiced apparently all morning.

He confused me at the beginning - saying after the wonderful Bernie Sanders, "ALWAYS ENJOY LISTENING TO MY NEW ENGLAND COLLEAGUE SPEAK. THE RIGHT-WING RHETORIC STUFF, THOUGH, IT DOESN'T WORK FOR ME WHEN THERE ARE PEOPLE OF GOOD WILL ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE WHO ARE TRYING TO SOLVE THESE VERY REAL PROBLEMS." After translating into English, I realized that he was not accusing the Senator from Vermont with speaking right wing rhetoric, but of calling out the right wing.

Brown spoke about his sense of the Senate amendment that there should be no tax increases on Small Businesses - apparently he forgot he filibustered the small business bill he co-sponsored that would have continued two important small business programs - after amendments he supported to gut the EPA failed! He speaks of having visited MA businesses 30, 40 times since being elected. He rambles on. He also says as a member of the small business committee, he hears them all the time. (except he skips most of them - at least for the ones I looked at.) He spoke of regulations.

Here is the link: http://www.c-spanvideo.org/videoLibrary/clip.php?appid=600238400

It is scary that this 6 minutes was AFTER he spent the morning "preparing for it" Not to mention - Not to mention, I think from his description that this amendment is completely unlikely to be taken seriously by anyone.

[Mass]

3. Now, I know what he spends his time doing. Writing bills like this.

S.1348 A bill to amend title 36, United States Code, to encourage the nationwide observance of two minutes of silence each Veterans Day


At least, this type of bill does not hurt anybody, so I guess it is a progress. (Nothing wrong with 2 min of silence, but is that really worth a bill, or was he looking to increase the number of bills that he passed in 2 years. Who can object to this).

[karynnj]

4. I suspect that you are right on wanting to boost his resume

I suspect that is also why his media buddies write an article whenever he co-sponsors anything.