General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsCurious... does anyone FAVOR the CPI proposal?
Like, you know... affirmatively FAVOR it.
Like, "I think this is good policy and should be adopted."
Can someone make an affirmative argument for the thing as policy so that such an argument will exist be discussed on its merits?
It seems perverse to have a raging policy debate wherein there is no advocacy for the policy.
(An argument that people opposed to a policy are risible, disloyal, effeminate, hysterical and/or un-serious is, whatever its merits, not affirmative advocacy of a policy. I am talking about defending the policy itself.)
Cleita
(75,480 posts)yellowcanine
(35,692 posts)But in general, I don't think SS payments are going up too fast, so if this means they go up more slowly, then it seems like it is not a good idea. Before we do this, we should remove or at least significantly raise the cap on income subject to the SS payroll tax and I suspect SS would be good for many years to come even with the current method of calculating COLAs. I would like to see Obama propose that and see if he can get it through Congress.
AnotherMcIntosh
(11,064 posts)cap.
If you would like to see Obama propose removing the cap, don't hold your breath. He said that he was going to propose removing the cap more than two years ago. He didn't do that. He's had plenty of time. If he wanted to do that (in a sincere way), he would have done that.
randome
(34,845 posts)The proposed Chained CPI is also politics but it's to peel off a few Republicans from the House to support the revenue increases.
I think.
Politics is not rational nor consistent.
AnotherMcIntosh
(11,064 posts)yellowcanine
(35,692 posts)avaistheone1
(14,626 posts)NCTraveler
(30,481 posts)treestar
(82,383 posts)It surely has been debated before. There is some argument is more accurately adjusts for inflation, but nobody has bothered to look into that. Basically someone looked for something to be outraged about and found something that, with hyperbole, can be called a "cut" to SS.
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)Odd, huh?
woo me with science
(32,139 posts)The Third Way Obamaian interpretation of quantum mechanics applied to everyday policy proposals results in a contradiction with common sense.
The scenario presents a boxed senior citizen who may be both alive or dead, impoverished or well-fed, depending on the political spin of the day. When the policy is being proffered as a cynical multidimensional chess game to expose the avarice of Republicans, it is malignant policy and no Democrat actually supports it. However, when the policy is presented as a serious and necessary reaching out to Republicans to which munificent safeguards have been applied to perhaps keep from fully starving the already starving, it is artful policy being maliciously miscast by poutragers and hissyfitters.
The Third Way interpretation of quantum mechanics implies that after a while, the senior citizen is simultaneously helped and harmed by the proposal. Yet, when one looks in the box, one sees the senior citizen either alive or starving/dead, not both alive and starving/dead. This poses the question of when exactly quantum superposition ends and reality collapses into one possibility or the other.
We have to get the damned corporatists out of our party.
bluestate10
(10,942 posts)proposal. It is better to adjust increases to reflect inflation rather than have an axe taken to the program later. Those that are frothing at the mouth about Chained CPI should study the history and intent of Social Security, the program was NOT created to take care of the needs of everyone, FDR didn't want that. I for one favor raising the SS Tax Cap and means testing for recipients that can fore-go some benefits, I am pure on this because I will pay if both changes are implemented, that is more than some of the mouth frothers are willing to admit to.
marions ghost
(19,841 posts)not taking an axe to the program later?
Arugula Latte
(50,566 posts)The banksters, the military and the top two percent are swimming in trillions. It's ridiculous we're even mentioning Social Security.
Cal Carpenter
(4,959 posts)What? POLITICS is about POLICY?
Rec'd.
WhaTHellsgoingonhere
(5,252 posts)
OP Jaysunb
Emotions are running high about SS and these supposed cuts to the program, but as a recipient and strong supporter, I urge others to take a look at the facts as they were presented in this segment.
I don't remember who said it, but I remember a quote about trying to fit a man in a boys coat. Four Presidents since FDR (Francis Perkins) created SS , have made cuts/adjustments to the program. (Nixon,Carter,Reagan and Clinton) In every case there was either a Democratic controlled Congress or voted for by a majority of Democrats. The sky is not falling.
And btw, I got 0 cola the first three years I drew SS. The $21 bucks a month don't make too big a difference in real life. I'm still poor.....
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022658518
Robb
(39,665 posts)I don't however like the measurement it's being "chained" to. It makes good policy sense to tie benefits to actual costs of living, but I don't think the index used is adequate.
I believe I expressed support early on, when it appeared a better index was being proposed that might more accurately reflect the costs of goods and services as felt by beneficiaries.