In Obama Budget, Social Programs Face a Cutback
Source: NY Times
WASHINGTON President Obama next week will take the political risk of formally proposing cuts to Social Security and Medicare in his annual budget in an effort to demonstrate his willingness to compromise with Republicans and revive prospects for a long-term deficit-reduction deal, administration officials say.
In a significant shift in fiscal strategy, Mr. Obama on Wednesday will send a budget plan to Capitol Hill that departs from the usual presidential wish list that Republicans typically declare dead on arrival. Instead it will embody the final compromise offer that he made to Speaker John A. Boehner late last year, before Mr. Boehner abandoned negotiations in opposition to the presidents demand for higher taxes from wealthy individuals and some corporations.
Congressional Republicans have dug in against any new tax revenues after higher taxes for the affluent were approved at the start of the year. The administrations hope is to create cracks in Republicans antitax resistance, especially in the Senate, as constituents complain about the across-the-board cuts in military and domestic programs that took effect March 1.
Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/05/us/social-programs-face-cutback-in-obama-budget.html?hp
tblue
(16,350 posts)smh
Amonester
(11,541 posts)I don't get it.
msongs
(67,367 posts)PSPS
(13,580 posts)The only time the GOP doesn't pursue their own agenda is when Obama proposes it.
Cancer patients being turned away, people losing their jobs, furloughs, food programs in schools being curtained, meals on wheels, et al., all because the GOPers refuse to allow taxes raised on the 1-2%, i.e. pay their fair share of the taxes and closing loopholes. GOPers won't even look at Pres O's bill and continue the sequester because they don't give a shit. Now of course people will cry foul which has already started, attacking the person who is trying to keep America from going under. He knows what he is doing.
JDPriestly
(57,936 posts)Your 5% cut has not moved us. We see through it. You will make up that 5% after you leave office with speaking engagements for the 1%.
We who are retired will never make up our losses in Social Security and Medicare payments. And our children will never make up the money they have to pay toward our support because the Republicans and the Obama administration have stolen the money WE SAVED IN THE SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUND.
No cuts to Social Security or Medicare.
forestpath
(3,102 posts)olddad56
(5,732 posts)starzdust22
(11 posts)I rely mainly on my SSDI and a small federal pension. So, it looks like I'd be hit twice with these proposals. I can't make it through the month now on what I get. I live in a small travel trailer and pay a large chunk of my SSDI for space rental. No chance to ever own my own home again, forget about a new truck and boy those hotdogs are tasty, but 4 or 5 nights a week?
Just became eligible for Medicare and now my primary doctor doesn't seem to want to keep follow up appointments every few months like before Medicare.
medical bills up the wazoo, no way to pay them. Monthly drug bills still take a bite out of my budget.
No money to go anywhere other than the necessities, no money for entertainment except for TV.
I could go on but why bother...nobody cares anyway. My life sucks now and will suck worse in the future as it appears...thanks Mr. Obama!
StarzDust
madrchsod
(58,162 posts)as for medicare we still have to pay the difference if we can`t afford the supplemental.
if he does put these programs on the table he is just another bought out politician.
LeftInTX
(25,150 posts)Milliesmom
(493 posts)progressoid
(49,952 posts)fasttense
(17,301 posts)Thanks Mr. Obama.
"FDR's argument was that the "political rights" guaranteed by the constitution and the Bill of Rights had "proved inadequate to assure us equality in the pursuit of happiness." Roosevelt's remedy was to declare an "economic bill of rights" which would guarantee:
Employment, with a living wage
Freedom from unfair competition and monopolies
Housing
Medical care
Education
Social security"
And Obama gives us cuts in social programs. It's hard to believe these 2 presidents are from the same party. In fact Obama's plan would have had Herbert Hoover's strong endorsement.
Alkene
(752 posts)n/t
ProfessionalLeftist
(4,982 posts)Still hasn't learned?
Oi.