"In 1997, Clinton and Gingrich made a deal to cut Social Security."

[ProSense]

This was a good reminder:

In 1997, Clinton and Gingrich made a deal to cut Social Security. The fellow who brokered the deal was Erskine Bowles, a fantastically-rich warrior against the 99%, named by Business Week as "Corporate America's friend in the White House". Now that's a very, very high bar!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002227973

H/t Manny.

Evidently, this isn't a first for a Democratic President. Maybe we'll be lucky and dodge the bullet again. We need a plan. I think the best path is to pressure Democratic Senators to reject this. The President's budget is a proposal. If Senate Democrats are serious, they should include one of the alternative proposals (http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022475178 http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021871773) in any package.

At the very least, they should filibuster any package that cuts benefits.

Sanders Statement on Chained CPI
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022618445

[ProSense]

1. Kick! n/t

[ProSense]

2. Kick for

let it sink.

[DJ13]

3. Kick

[HiPointDem]

4. kr

[MichiganVote]

5. K&R

[ProSense]

6. Another FYI

Clinton taxed Social Security benefits.

<...>

Q3. Which political party started taxing Social Security annuities?

A3. The taxation of Social Security began in 1984 following passage of a set of Amendments in 1983, which were signed into law by President Reagan in April 1983. These amendments passed the Congress in 1983 on an overwhelmingly bi-partisan vote.

The basic rule put in place was that up to 50% of Social Security benefits could be added to taxable income, if the taxpayer's total income exceeded certain thresholds.

The taxation of benefits was a proposal which came from the Greenspan Commission appointed by President Reagan and chaired by Alan Greenspan (who went on to later become the Chairman of the Federal Reserve).

The full text of the Greenspan Commission report is available on our website.

President's Reagan's signing statement for the 1983 Amendments can also be found on our website.

A detailed explanation of the provisions of the 1983 law is also available on the website.

Q4. Which political party increased the taxes on Social Security annuities?

A4. In 1993, legislation was enacted which had the effect of increasing the tax put in place under the 1983 law. It raised from 50% to 85% the portion of Social Security benefits subject to taxation; but the increased percentage only applied to "higher income" beneficiaries. Beneficiaries of modest incomes might still be subject to the 50% rate, or to no taxation at all, depending on their overall taxable income.

This change in the tax rate was one provision in a massive Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) passed that year. The OBRA 1993 legislation was deadlocked in the Senate on a tie vote of 50-50 and Vice President Al Gore cast the deciding vote in favor of passage. President Clinton signed the bill into law on August 10, 1993.

(You can find a brief historical summary of the development of taxation of Social Security benefits on the Social Security website.)

http://www.ssa.gov/history/InternetMyths2.html

Let's see, under Reagan benefits of $1,500 would see about $750 of that taxed. At 15 percent, that would be about $112.

Under Clinton, the taxable amount rose to $1,275. At 15 percent, that would be about $191, an increase in taxes of about $78.

[GeorgeGist]

7. Tiresome.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002227973#post4