Explaining the Pure Cruelty of Obama's Gimmick, "Chained CPI" in Simple Language

[limpyhobbler]

By Thom Hartmann

...It’s nice to be thought of as an insider. It’s cool to get invited to the right parties. And it’s an adrenalin rush to be invited to the White House for an off-the-record briefing or conference call. I can tell you all those things from personal experience. But all those things said, it’s crazy for a Democratic president to shoot the Democrats’ number one Santa Claus program, and it’s crazy for progressives to try to pretend it’s something else.

If Obama goes along with a “chained CPI,” he will be the first Democratic President in the history of the Party to have actually cut Social Security. Even though it doesn’t do a thing – nothing! – to reduce the budget deficit. And, as we saw with Bill Clinton “reforming” welfare, once the Republicans can corner a Democratic president into shooting a Democratic Santa Claus, the Republicans can finish the job through the death of a thousand paper cuts over the next decade and in the states, and everybody just remembers that it was a Democratic President who started it.

President Obama has brought into his negotiations with Republicans an offer to cut more out of Social Security than he would cut out of the bloated Pentagon budget. So he’s supporting the Republican’s Santa Claus and shooting the Democrat’s Santa Claus. And, like with Clinton and welfare, this will just be the beginning, once the first cut is made. Eventually, the bloody carcass of Social Security will be swept up by right-wing cons like Peterson, Simpson, and Bowles, and handed over with a bow and a ribbon to the billionaires on Wall Street.

If President Obama is still pushing a “chained CPI” on December 21st, then maybe the Mayans were right. It is the end of the world as we know it. Or at least the end of the Democratic Party as we knew it.

via http://www.alternet.org/economy/explaining-pure-cruelty-obamas-gimmick-chained-cpi-simple-language

[awoke_in_2003]

1. I take exception at the term...

Democratic Santa Claus"- when I eventually join the ranks of those on SS, it will not be a gift. I paid into it. Otherwise, I agree with the article.

[limpyhobbler]

2. true

good point, i agree with you

[shireen]

6. i was thinking the same ...

Santa Claus implies a gift. SS is not a gift, it's more like an insurance program. People paid money for it.

[Cleita]

3. Our Thom, our treasure. It's too bad there aren't more like

him out there explaining how we are being railroaded by the elite.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

4. More than just "the first Democratic President in the history of the Party".

Even Reagan didn't offer to cut SS.

Nor did Nixon, Ford, Bush-41, or Bush-43.

Karl Rove must be celebrating.

[Doctor_J]

5. He might be a mole sent to kill the party

If he cuts SS, the only way for him to save the D party will be to leave it - join the R's or call himself an I.

[truedelphi]

9. Those of us who have been paying attention understand the deep truth of politics -

There is always a tremendous pay out to anyone who does the Corporate Overlords' bidding.

Look at how Bill Clinton made off with the ability to charge some $ 125,000 or more per speech. All he had to do to get that promise of speech royalties was to sign off on the Banking "Modernization" Act, and then let Glass Steagall protections fall by the wayside. he may say he feels our pain, now that the Glass Steagall protections are gone and the housing bubble imploded, hurting so many people, is he out there helping people re fi? And now Chelsea, a hedge fund manager through her mommy and daddy's connections, is being groomed to occupy office as yet another "caring Dem."

None in the political class cares one bit about their actions. They don't even care if they win or lose elections. People think Romney cares about his losing - why should he? The money inside SuperPacs is basically beyond the ability of any mere mortal to audit. He is probably ten million to a quarter billion bucks richer for having run for office and lost.

[JanT]

7. this is truly scary to me

i will turn 62 in July 2013. I have paid into SS since 1967. I have worked every week and every month since then except to have two children. I paid into SS & my employers have paid into SS. It is not a freakin' gift wrapped up in a pretty bow, entitlement or whatever name anyone wants to give it. That is my money and dam it, i deserve it. If this is really true, then i am disgusted, angry, & mad as hell because i supported and fought for this president in 2008 and 2012. Thom is right. If this one small slice is taken, then more will follow. We all in DU know that. It is what the REPUGS do best. I will wait to see what unfolds, because the deadline is after the 31st. I will hope in my heart that O will not go there.

[thebeast]

8. Quit whining

Why are you all complaining, we know all know republicans want much deeper cuts than this in the budget deal. THis will help shut them up without dramatically affecting the program.

I take that back. This wont shut them up. Nothing will/.

[donnasgirl]

10. No

People will not quit whining,we the people paid into ssi for our whole lives and in this last election we voted for Obama because he said it was off the table. NO WE WILL NOT LAY DOWN AND TAKE WHAT THEY HAVE TO GIVE which is steal more money from us.

[Quantess]

12. I sure hope that's sarcasm.

If it is, you need to be more clear about it.

[JayhawkSD]

11. Social Security has been cut twice.

Reagan cut Social Security by making 50% of benefits taxable as income in 1984.
Bill Clinton cut Social Security further by raising the taxable portion to 85% in 1993.

[Bluenorthwest]

13. Thom butters that bread on both sides. Sells gold to the hoarding rich. Calls insurance 'Santa Claus

and claims to be liberal while characterizing that which we pay for as a gift. Millionaire calls retirement benefits a gift. To me, that's what Republicans do.