Blitzkrieg on Social Security starts in one short month

[MannyGoldstein]

Obama's commission issues their recommendations in December, and the lame-duck House is slated to vote on these recommendations (as is the Senate, I presume).

The commission members have indicated that they want to raise the retirement age to 70 for those under 58 - by my calculations, that's a $50,000 grab from our pockets, just so they can keep tax cuts for the rich.

Anyone have any ideas on what to do? This is really making me angry.

[Historic NY]

1. They only have to raise the cap above 75k....most poor people are dead by 70.

[Skink]

2. Seems like a good place to take a stand.

[MannyGoldstein]

3. What stand would you take?

Assuming others would as well? I'm curious.

[Skink]

6. If they recommend anything other than raising the cap I'd disband the commission.

[leveymg]

8. We should let Obama and the Party leaders know that's what we want, then.

[applegrove]

4. That is a transfer of wealth to the wealthy.

[MannyGoldstein]

5. Yes, like we need more of that!

It's astonishing that a Democratic President would pull this on working Americans. Astonishing.

[bluestateguy]

7. Absolutely nothing. That's what.

These commissions always deliver a much ballyhooed report and then it is forgotten soon afterward.

They need 14/18 votes to even send a report to Congress, and there is no guarantee they will have it.

[dflprincess]

9. Pelosi promised an up or down (no debate) vote on whatever recommendations

the committee comes up with.

The Senate is also expected to give them an "up or down" vote. And I'll bet, they will both be voice votes as well.

[bluestateguy]

12. OK, so?

It isn't going anywhere.

Write it down. Nobody is going to remember this silly commission in 3 months.

[pa28]

10. You've hit on what could be one of the few silver linings to losing the house.

We might see them act like actual Democrats for once and vote the recommendations down in the house or at least delay a vote until this Congress adjourns causing the report to expire.

There is no reason at all for Dems to take the blame for implementing a VAT tax and cutting Social Security. If the Republicans want that badly enough they are free to draft their own bill in the next Congress, put their names on it and try to sell it to the public.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

11. Merry fucking Christmas.

What to do? Bombard Congress and the White House with phone calls and emails. And get everyone you know to do the same. Get the word out anyway you can -- this is one issue that seems to unite Dems and many Republicans.

[Bitwit1234]

13. I think we should all grab signs (misspelled of course)

and parade in front of the House and ask the republicans why they haven't given us a raise. Why they haven't manufactured jobs as posted in another thread. I think we should constantly give em hell. Eventually the press will have to show us.

[Whisp]

14. I have an idea what you can do

but I can't say it out loud

[MannyGoldstein]

15. Love, Love, Love

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4p8qxGbpOk

[doc03]

16. It would be suicide for a Democratic president

to cut SS, I can't believe they would be stupid enough to fall for it. No I believe it. Oh yea the Rethugs will go through their dog and pony show like they are being by-partisan and helping save SS but you can bet next election they will blame Obama for the cuts. Even though far more Republicans voted for NAFTA then Democrats the Bill Clinton has always got the blame for it.

[MannyGoldstein]

17. Obama appointed the commission, and

appointed the co-commissioners - both of whom have made deals to cut SS in the past, and have vowed to cut it in the future.

[ProSense]

18. So you think he plans on doing something that amounts to political suicide?

Let it go, it will result in exactly what some people want: Obama being a one-term President.

Would that please you?

[MannyGoldstein]

19. I want Social Security to not be slashed nt

[StreetKnowledge]

20. He's headed in that direction as it is now.

As far as I see it, I'd rather we try to force a halt to any Social Security cuts. If he allows cuts to it to appease the GOP, I say remove him. And I don't mean by making sure he loses in 2012 to the GOP. I mean by primarying him and sending him packing.

[OHdem10]

21. For what it is worth, did they not learn one thing. Why start

with something that is going to be as gutwrenching
as health care and will end up looking worse????

Tin ear Politicians.

[trackfan]

22. Blitzkriegs eventually must run into their Stalingrad.

I hope there will be some way to get enough congress members to reject the recommendation.