Obama Cuts Deal that Will Reduce Social Security, Medicare and all Entitlements (surrender?)

Baltimore Chronicle ^ | 1/20/10 | James Ridgeway

[silverleaf]

“Conservatives” would not favor an unconstitutional power grab by an 18 member appointed panel of obama commissars-

a “bipartisan” panel no doubt. and BOO HISS NA NA NA NA Good bye to any Republican who participates

This is cover for passing radical panicky CYA legislation in the face of looming democrat induced US bankruptcy- without the democrats having to reveal themselves and vote

[Reagan69]

Anyone see this:
http://www.baltimorechronicle.com/2010/012010Ridgeway.shtml

[YOUGOTIT]

Goodbye congress as you are to be replaced by a 16 person committee directed by the White House.

[kabar]

The US must reform the entitlement programs. They are unsustainable. SS will go permanently in the red in 2017, i.e., it will be paying out more than it is taking in. Medicare is already in the red. We have been cashing in the HI trust fund (Medicare Part A) IOUs since 2008. By 2014, 45% of all Medicare expenditures will come from the General Fund. By law, the General Fund pays 75% of the costs for Medicare Parts B and D. The revenue collected pays for only 25% of the costs.

I think the panel is a reflection of the lack of political leadership in this country, which cannot make the hard decisions. The politicians don't want to be held responsibile for the inevitable cuts in benefits and an increase in taxes.

A SUMMARY OF THE 2009 ANNUAL REPORTS Social Security and Medicare Boards of Trustees

[mo]

Far easier to manipulate 18 rather than 435....this is unconstitutional...and hopefully will be challenged.

[Reagan69]

Sorry, disregard my last post, which is on the wrong thread !!! (I’m blonde.)

[Kakaze]

The deal is based on rickety interpretation of the country’s basic laws governing taxation. Normally, any change in taxes must be passed first by the House, with legislation wending its way through the Ways and Means Committee up to the floor. This proposed arrangement short cuts—indeed appears to bypass—this procedure. The appointed commission is to make a recommendation on the budget after the election and that recommendation then goes straight to the floor of both houses for an up or down binding vote

Good Lord, taking control in plain sight.

Control the economy and control everyone, with a 18 person star chamber and a token congress.

Our laziness and a congress full of power hungry game players, have delivered this on us.

[MortMan]

The Baltimore Chronicle may want to believe that the panel will advocate cuts, but the truth is more likely the panel will be the catalyst for further tax increases.

May I safely assume that this paper is rabidly left-wing?

[Happyinmygarden]

Maybe he’ll appoint an “Entitlements Czar”! That should help! Along with a staff of 50 in cushy offices in D.C. the new Czar should be able to “oversee” the cuts to entitlements and save jobs, and create jobs, and, and, and....

Oh wait, we already have 100 Entitlement Czars; they called Senators.

[rhombus]

Cut grandma’s social security with an election coming. Hahahahaha Yeah, sure.

[b4its2late]

Executive Order huh? That’s gonna be his work around now?

[ModelBreaker]

Actually, I’m going to be a contrarian here. All of these programs need significant cuts. The US is bankrupt unless they get made. Congress cannot do it.

So long as BO doesn’t hide a bunch of nasty left wing poison in this proposal, I’d be inclined to give it tentative support. The problem is, I don’t trust him to only address those issues. He’ll try to sneak free health care for illegal immigrants, gay marriage, death panels, and cuts to missile defense into the package.

So it needs to be watched carefully. But in general principal, why should we be opposing cuts in three of the worst entitlement programs ever devised.

[KosmicKitty]

As I’ve poster elsewhere on FR, watch out. Brown’s win made Barry realize that if he wants a second term, he’s got to swing to the center.

And 3 years is a long time in most American’s memory!! Barry’s first year goofs will be forgotten or forgiven by then.

[KosmicKitty]

As I’ve poster posted elsewhere on FR

[machman]

Yeah, let some panel do it. He ain’t got the time, the first tee is open at 1 o’clock

[WellyP]

Obama is “messing” with the wrong people! He cuts US and WE cut him!

If they want to cut, start with the Dept. of Education and its $56 BILLION budget! That would pay for the SS gap!

[Lokibob]

I can handle a 3% or even a 5% cut in social security, but I want Obambi and congress to take the same cuts. Oh yes, and federal employee wages also.

They can reduce medicare 3-5% if they choose. I carry supplemental insurance to pick up the slack. Now the cut to the care is a different story. Trying to find a doctor today that will take medicare patients is impossible. Of course, again, having supplemental insurance really helps. But I have given up on medicare and use the VA medical services for my health needs. They love me in the VA, cause they can give me great care and charge it off to medicare and my supplemental insurance.

......Bob

[Daisyjane69]

Looks like Dick Morris was right, all along.

[maggief]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/20/AR2010012002599.html

WASHINGTON — Republicans on Wednesday branded the White House deal with Democrats on a budget deficit commission as a “nothing burger” because it wouldn’t require votes on how to stem the red ink.

A tentative agreement would let President Barack Obama name the 18-member bipartisan commission. It would seek a compromise on the tax increases and spending cuts needed to tackle the deficit, which reached $1.4 trillion last year and could climb this year.

(snip)

[listenhillary]

I said the other day “Look for Obama to dissolve congress via executive order”.