My objection to chained CPI in obama's budget is boring:

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While I'm vehemently opposed to substituting a measure of spending inflation for a measure of price inflation, I'm not overly bothered but the short-term ramifications because I agree with those who say it won't actually happen in this congress.

So I say my objection is boring because I think there is considerably less short-term drama either way than most people seem to think.

My objection is that having chained cpi in obama's budget makes it more likely that it WILL happen somewhere down the line. Maybe not while Obama is potus, but some later republican potus can say, hey, this was proposed by a democratic president! It's a bipartisan idea!

I give a lot of props to this administration in terms if their n-dimensional chess abilities. There really are some sharp political strategists in there. But between this and the payroll tax-cut, they don't seem to be applying those skills to protecting the long-term politics of social security.

[Rex]

1. If they are that desperate to save money

I hear there are huge conglomerates that pay zero in taxes, yet enjoy every possible liberty given to them by law. Maybe start collecting taxes from companies like GE? How much would we save if we ended corporate welfare?

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2. Or just raise or eliminate the cap on social security taxes?

[AnnieK401]

7. Yes, but would that ever get through the Republicans?

My guess is no.

[OKNancy]

3. I want to see what the exact protections are first before I get in a tizzy.

There has been some information about it, but I'd like to see what it is exactly.
There are some other great things in the budget. Those things are getting drowned out by the noise about CPI.
Of course it isn't going to pass so that's another reason not to blow my top about it. I do agree that there is danger in the future that Republicans will mess with the safety net, but then again, they have ALWAYS want to, so that's nothing new.

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4. No sense handing them talking points, though.

He could have left it out of the official budget then added it in later as a concession after republicans push the idea.

The protection, of course, run the risk of compressing social security payouts to a bare minimum, regardless of contributions. I think one of the reasons the program has remained as popular as it has is that those who contributed more eventually get more out as well, even if it's hardly a bonanza.

[OKNancy]

5. Oh, I agree. Putting it in the budget was a mistake IMO.

My opinion is that Obama is sheltered and is getting bad advise. I don't think he's a corporate/right-winger/satan/shill/whatever evil name... some are calling him.

[Bluenorthwest]

8. Presidents are all temp hires, thinking about their term and knowing that problems they

create for later will be other people's problems. We will be fighting Republicans over Obama's proposal while he is languidly sipping a cocktail on some beach year after year.

[Squinch]

6. A rare bit of common sense on the subject.