Liberals fear betrayal from Obama on Social Security

[Enrique]

http://thehill.com/blogs/on-the-money/budget/135779-liberals-fear-betrayal-from-obama-on-social-security

Liberal groups say they are increasingly worried that President Obama will strike a deal with Republicans on Social Security reforms in exchange for a 'yes' vote on increasing the nation's debt ceiling.

(...)

Maria Freese of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare said she thinks Social Security is "more at risk than it was in 2005,” when President George W. Bush proposed far-reaching changes to the program, including personal accounts. The plan was vigorously opposed by Democrats and liberal groups and never came up for a vote in Congress.

Now, with Social Security coming to the forefront once again, liberal groups are preparing a campaign to oppose any “backroom” deals on retirement benefits.

“What I am really afraid of is another deal behind closed doors,” said Nancy Altman, the co-director of Social Security Works. “At least with President Bush, he went around the country on a tour and presented his plan, and people didn’t like it.”

(...)

[lob1]

1. If Obama cuts social security, I'm done with him.

I'll never vote for him again. And I don't want to hear any crap about the pubs would be worse. Obama, if he does it, will do something the republicans haven't been able to do.

[jenmito]

7. And if he DOESN'T cut it? n/t

[OKNancy]

12. Not and IF he doesn't ..it is WHEN he doesn't

He's not going to touch it.

[KeepItReal]

2. +1

Screw the unrecs.

This post has merit.

[elocs]

4. UnRecs mean very little within the first 15 minutes than a thread is posted.

Keeping the OP kicked is more important, but my guess is that it will get enough Recs to make the Home Page.

[elocs]

3. Obama strike a deal with Republicans on Social Security?

This single issue will determine whether or not Obama gets reelected. It is the line in the sand for many.

[jaxx]

5. This is the usual fear mongering rumor mill at work.

No news so they make it up. I don't know what they get out of it, clicks I guess.

[still_one]

13. The so-called "fear mongers" have not been that far off in their assessment. If Daley is chosen as

Cheif of Staff as the rumor mongers are saying, will he be good for the "little guy"?

My point is simply that if the past is any reflection of future policy, it won't surprise me if the President compromises on Social Security or Medicare to the regular person's deteriment

I hope I am wrong

[Sheepshank]

14. lots of "if's" in that post.

lots of those ifs have to align just right to make your "hoping" fall to pieces.

[still_one]

15. It wasn't an if when the public option proponents were excluded from the HCR start. The committee

the President just appointed recommended major cuts in Social Security. That is a fact. Just by looking at the advisors he appointed on his staff, it should come as no surprise these compromises

[Sheepshank]

18. No, not real facts.

self appointed assumptions based on your personal paradigm. Which in an of itself is fine, to have an opinion I mean. But to call them facts?...you are jumping the shark here.

[still_one]

24. Of course it is only my opinion, but I base it on the observations I perceive. /nt

[tridim]

22. Note this is coming from "Liberal groups" not "Liberals" as the OP stated.

[Name removed]

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[jenmito]

11. +1.

[Uzybone]

8. FEAR and SMEAR

[AtomicKitten]

9. rinse and repeat

[asjr]

10. I am really tired of hearing so and so says

they are afraid Obama will cripple Social Security. I wonder how much money the Republicans are paying them to say it. Obama knows the people of this country would storm the White House and ride him out of town on a rail if he tried to disable SS. He would have to flee the country for his own safety. Obama is not a stupid man.

[rurallib]

28. Obama agreed to the SS tax holiday, thus making a cutback believable

totally believable. Especially with the advisors he has.

[Name removed]

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[NorthCarolina]

17. The first wiff of possible betrayal for me was with his appointments to the Deficit Commission. nt

[chimpymustgo]

20. A whiff from Alan Simpson?? Honey, that's a stinkbomb.

[NorthCarolina]

23. LOL....True. nt

:hi:

[whathehell]

25. Yup. Me too.

[ProSense]

19. Look on the bright side of such speculation:

It would end President Obama's political career. Certainly such a move would become the greatest motivation for a primary challenge, which is what a lot of the speculators are hoping for. Hell such a move would almost guarantee a win by Democratic challenger in the primary.

[whathehell]

26. You may not believe this, ProSense...but most would prefer he simply start acting like a Democrat.

[ProSense]

27. Yeah, I know

When did he cut Social Security?

Relying on speculation to define the President as not a Democrat is still speculation.

[whathehell]

29. Obviously, he didn't do it yet but

he did head up his "deficit commission" with two social security hating idiots.

[Name removed]

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[bluethruandthru]

21. I heard that Obama plans to talk about cutting SS in his State of the Union address.

While I doubt he'll be specific..I'm sure it'll be couched as "we all have to tighten our belts" blah, blah, blah.

[Name removed]

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