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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsLabor puts Dems on notice: Don’t touch Medicare and Social Security benefits
With the crisis chatter in Washington now turning to speculation about the coming budget talks and the possibility of a grand bargain to replace the sequester, liberals and unions are getting increasingly nervous that Congressional Dems will give up entitlement benefits cuts in exchange for, well, whatever is on offer from Republicans, which isnt at all clear.
In an interview, Damon Silvers, the policy director of the AFL-CIO, laid down a hard line, putting Dems on notice that any agreement that cuts entitlement benefits even in a deal that includes GOP concessions on tax hikes is a nonstarter. Silvers strongly suggested labor would withhold support in 2014 from any Dem lawmaker who supports such a deal.
We are opposed to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid benefits cuts. Period, Silvers told me. There will be no cover for members of either party who vote for such a thing.
Silvers said the AFL-CIO also opposes the entitlements cuts in the Presidents budget, such as Chained CPI and a form of Medicare means testing. Its unclear how, or whether, those will figure in what Dems bring to the table in the budget talks, which are mandated by the deal just reached to end the crisis.
Chained CPI is like the vampire of American politics, Silvers said. It keeps being shot through the heart and it keeps reviving. The reason it keeps coming back is because it has billionaires behind it.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2013/10/17/labor-puts-dems-on-notice-dont-touch-medicare-and-social-security-benefits/
PeteSelman
(1,508 posts)They don't give fuck one about us and haven't for twenty-five years.
They're coming for the big three and there ain't nothing to be done about it. What are you going to do? Vote republican?
Is like them to prove me wrong on this but don't expect it.
AtomicKitten
(46,585 posts)and tell them to VOTE NO! on any bill that comes before them with Chained CPI or ANY alteration to the social safety net.
bread_and_roses
(6,335 posts)It is not surprising but it IS distressing that this thread sank like a stone ...
Silvers said the AFL-CIO also opposes the entitlements cuts in the Presidents budget, such as Chained CPI and a form of Medicare means testing. Its unclear how, or whether, those will figure in what Dems bring to the table in the budget talks, which are mandated by the deal just reached to end the crisis.
I hope the AFL-CIO doesn't cave on this either .... perhaps this being POTUS's second term will stiffen their spines ... as he'll not be running again.
onethatcares
(16,188 posts)Entitlements. They are programs contributed to by every working class person in the United States. They are not like a fucking ice cream cone after you finish dinner.
Wrote to my Senator already, Bill Nelson that is. He seems to be very wishy washy and I've yet to see him come up with any progressive ideas but what the hey?
bread_and_roses
(6,335 posts)The labor movement is going to fight to the death to stop cuts to Social Security and Medicare and Medicaid, AFL-CIO policy director Damon Silvers told Salon Thursday afternoon. Not unreasonable cuts. Not cuts without tax increases. Cuts period. Were against all of them, we will fight them ferociously, and we will give no cover to any Democrat who supports them.
WillyT
(72,631 posts)hughee99
(16,113 posts)"Cadillac Tax" waiver to bring them back in for the election?