General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Brass Tacks 2.0... Would YOU Support ANY Democrat That Proposes Cutting SS & Medicare Benefits ??? [View all]okaawhatever
(9,479 posts)cutting is a whole different animal. I don't believe what's going on right now is designed to cut Social Security. I believe it's purpose is to either, get people talking about it and who really wants to cut it (Republicans) or a way for Obama to improve the economy short term and add jobs knowing we can make it a 2014 election issue and turn some senior citizen Republican voters out for democratic candidates.
The Republicans have stated they are willing to close tax loopholes (which benefit the 1%) and increase spending (which benefits the 99%) if Obama will cut entitlements. Most Republican voters, and probably all tea partiers, don't realize social security is an entitlement program. By Obama announcing, "sure, i'll cut entitlements. Let's talk about chained CPI" he accomplishes two things. One, he makes everyone aware that when Republicans are talking about entitlements they're talking about SS and two, forces the Republicans to either state publicly they want to cut it or hush. Obama puts the Republicans on the defensive, and splits their voting blocks. Seniors won't accept the cuts and rabid tea partiers won't support them not cutting it. Besides, the majority of senior citizens vote Republican, and the majority of defense of the program comes from Democrats. Time to stop giving the Republicans a free pass on the issue.
Worst case scenario: They put it in the budget and 2014 becomes about cutting it. How will the Republicans get elected if they have to choose between their business supporters and their senior citizen supporters?