You see, your [Senator Alan Simpson] argument rests on a big myth: that in order to save Social Security and Medicare for the young, you have to cut our benefits. This couldn’t be further from the truth. There are fairer ways to ensure that these pillars of American progress stand the test of time. One option includes making wealthy individuals pay more by lifting Social Security’s cap on wages, currently set at $110,100.
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#senator #politics #social security #alan simpsonThe Washington Post gave Erskine Bowles and Alan Simpson another opportunity to push their case for deficit reduction, which includes plans for cutting Social Security and raising the age of eligibility for Medicare. The Post does not mention Mr. Bowles affiliation with Morgan Stanley. This could have something to do with his persistent refusal to ever include a Wall Street speculation tax in his deficit reduction plans.
The Washington Post gave Erskine Bowles and Alan Simpson another opportunity to push their case for deficit reduction, which includes plans for cutting Social Security and raising the age of eligibility for Medicare. The Post does not mention Mr. Bowles affiliation with Morgan Stanley. This could have something to do with his persistent refusal to ever include a Wall Street speculation tax in his deficit reduction plans.
They just don’t get it.
Martha Marsh doesn’t follow politics or the machinations of the federal government very much but she knows one thing about Social Security.
“I’m living on it. I hope nothing happens to it,” Marsh said after finishing a lunch of pork loin and vegetables Tuesday at The Westerly Senior Citizens Center.
Alan Simpson’s the lead pitchman for a billionaire- and corporate-funded initiative to slash Social Security that has subjected the public to years of nonstop haranguing and lecturing.
Asking the wealthiest Americans to contribute more into Social Security, would not only extend the solvency of Social Security through 2060, it also would allow Social Security benefits to be expanded for millions of Americans.
Senator Bernie Sanders has circulated a dear colleague letter in the Senate declaring that Social Security benefit cuts should NOT be a part of any deficit so-called “Grand Bargain” destined to be the focal-point of this fall’s lame duck Congressional session. Sen. Sanders is the founder of the Senate’s Defending Social Security Caucus, and organized this effort with the help of Senators Begich (D-AK), Franken (D-MN) and Whitehouse (D-RI).
It’s become an article of faith among certain “serious” people in Washington that any agreement to rein in deficits must include cuts to Social Security. I couldn’t disagree more strongly. After all, Social Security can pay full benefits until 2033, by law it is not allowed to add to the deficit or debt, and is not driving our long-term debt. So we need to ask ourselves, what’s really going on here?
Expand Social Security.
Despite what some of my Republican colleagues have said, Social Security is not going broke. It has a $2.8 trillion surplus and can pay every benefit owed to every eligible American for the next 18 years.
On this date in 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed the #ADA into law — making it easier for older Americans and others with #disabilities to get around at home, participate in their communities, and go to work. #ADA31