Obama says he cannot guarantee Social Security checks will go out on August 3

[Cali_Democrat]

It's actually good that Obama is saying this. He needs to make it clear that it's the Republican hostage takers that are causing this phony crisis. If checks don't go out, the finger should be pointed squarely at the GOP for their extremism.

Obama says he cannot guarantee Social Security checks will go out on August 3
By Corbett B. Daly

President Obama on Tuesday said he cannot guarantee that retirees will receive their Social Security checks August 3 if Democrats and Republicans in Washington do not reach an agreement on reducing the deficit in the coming weeks.

"I cannot guarantee that those checks go out on August 3rd if we haven't resolved this issue. Because there may simply not be the money in the coffers to do it," Mr. Obama said in an interview with CBS Evening News anchor Scott Pelley, according to excerpts released by CBS News.

The Obama administration and many economists have warned of economic catastrophe if the United States does not raise the amount it is legally allowed to borrow by August 2.

Read more...http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20078789-503544.html

The Republicans voted to raise the debt limit 7 times under Bush. Now they've suddenly become fiscally responsible? :rofl:

These fuckers need to get called out. If seniors don't get their checks, the GOP will be at fault.

[dixiegrrrrl]

1. But DOD and the Pentagon will get their money, isn't that interesting?

Notice he did not say he can't guarantee the military won't be paid to stay in the Middle east
or that the contractors won't get their money
or
that Congress won't get their checks and perks....

nope...just the disability and Soc. Sec, checks.

Saw this coming a long time ago.

Not everyone on Soc. Sec, has a savings account to tide them over for a few months, either.

[vaberella]

3. Yes, because that doesn't affect the American people directly to cause a reaction of citizenry.

He's talking about something ALL Americans will get in a hoopla about. But it is bloody common knowledge, and don't spin it the way you want---which you've already done. When the Debt Ceiling isn't raised EVERYONE is affected from DOD to Congress and so on and so forth. But this one is the one that hurts the American people and he spun it to make sure we know and we actively condemn Repubs. And even conservative/Repub regions actively condemn Repubs.


This isn't something hard to grasp.

[polmaven]

14. That is true...plus...

he was specifically asked about SS checks...not DOD, etc.

[marlakay]

9. Few months...most people need the money on pay day! nt

[jenmito]

12. Don't you get it? The reason he said that is so the people will realize how important it is to get

it raised, and that if it's NOT, the REPUBS. will be responsible for people not getting their SS checks. But the truth is people WILL get their SS checks, even if the ceiling isn't raised. He wouldn't let people go without them. He's bluffing-and he's smart to do so.

[Vinca]

2. My husband is supposed to get his first SS check in August.

I've got to go and tell him he's put the whammy on the whole program.:rofl: But, on a serious note, maybe this is the only way to wake people up to what the Republicans want to do.

[vaberella]

4. EXACTLY! n/t

[bahrbearian]

5. He is the decider, he chooses where the money goes, he can guarantee where the money goes

[vaberella]

6. To an extent. The Treasury decides where the money goes.

The pay out will be problematic when face with so many fundamental programs that are necessary.

[Cali_Democrat]

7. The Treasury Department falls under the Executive Branch

Tim Geithner is the Secretary of Treasury and was appointed by Obama.

This is similar to other departments like the Department of Defense. The boss in President Barack Obama. He ultimately gets to decide what gets paid and what doesn't. Just like Obama gets to decide about troop deployments and other military issues.

Obama has the authority over Geithner.

[bornskeptic]

11. The top priority is preventing default. The 14th Amendment, remember?

Social Security recipients will get their cheks eventually and I'll get my income tax refund eventually, but enough cash has to be kept on hand to pay off obligations coming due. In the long run Social Security beneficiaries would be hurt far worse by a default than by having their checks delayed for a few days.

[OwnedByFerrets]

8. No matter what, the President will get the blame for this

if it happens. Just the way things are. And just who is going to call them out?

[phleshdef]

10. This is way the bully pulpit has to be played in the year 2011.

[robcon]

13. Obama should be denounced. There are a lot of other govt. programs/vendors to cut on 8/3

I think Obama was just creating some political theater by zeroing in on the third rail as if SS checks won't be issued.

Shameful, IMO.

[Tennessee Gal]

15. Shameful describes the Republican behavior.

Obama was just attempting to put pressure on them as he should.

[Kingofalldems]

16. Alerted