Social Security Advocates Slam Obama's Cautious Response To Debt Commission Co-Chairs' Proposal

[democracy1st]

WASHINGTON -- President Obama's cautious response to the fiscal commission co-chairs' proposal was "quite frankly, a disappointment," according to Terry O'Neill, president of the National Organization for Women. The draft report would slash Social Security benefits for millions of Americans, hurting poor people and minorities in particular.

"These proposals to cut social security really push hundreds of thousands of middle class women into poverty," said O'Neill on a conference call with reporters Thursday afternoon. "Women are far more likely than men to head into their retirement years without savings and why is that? Well, when you work a lifetime with unequal pay, you have a hard time sucking away money for your own retirement."

Indeed, a new report issued by the Government Accountability Office found that raising the retirement age for Social Security would have a disproportionate impact on low-income workers and minorities.

Women today are paid 77 cents for every dollar earned by men, and for minority women, the pay is considerably worse.

The president earned the ire of Social Security advocates around the country when he told reporters last week that the commission's proposal deserved review rather than the dismissive response it received from leading Democrats like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

"President Obama did not come out clearly and forcefully in opposition to the co-chairs' proposal and quite frankly, that was a disappointment," said O'Neill.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/18/social-security-advocates_1_n_785539.html

[katandmoon]

1. K&R

[FiveGoodMen]

2. K&R

[soryang]

3. Slaughtering Social Security Is On the Table

The administration saved that debate for after the election.