HANNITY (forgot to read official GOP Social Security and Medicare memo): "I believe in a safety net"

[kpete]

Zombies

by digby

I think Hannity forgot to read the official GOP Social Security and Medicare memo:

.....................

HANNITY: You know, everybody that I've talked to in Washington, I said alright, my working life started at twelve when I was scrubbing pots and pans in the Norwood Inn in West Hempstead, Long Island and tending bar and waiting tables and hanging wallpaper, painting and laying tile and building houses and reconstruction, I did all that, all these years, and I paid into Social Security my entire life, John, and you know, now because I’ve been, I’ve tried, I've saved some money, I want my money back. I - because they promised that it was going to be there, and now I'm told we're going to means test it and we're also going to raise the retirement age so probably like three days before I die I'll get five cents back.

STOSSEL: Tough, deal with it. We have to means test it, we have to raise the retirement age.

HANNITY: So the government is going to legally - think about this though. The government is going to legally steal people's money.

STOSSEL: They legally steal people's money all the time. And -

HANNITY: Does that make it right?

STOSSEL: No, it is wrong, but the only practical measure is to raise the retirement age. I mean, means - give you your money back until you get back what you paid in, and then those of us that are wealthy, we can afford to pay people who, who won't have.

HANNITY: I believe in a safety net.

the rest:
http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/zombie-lies.html

[lumberjack_jeff]

1. This is the good cop / bad cop routine. n/t

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. And pretty obvious at that.

[JohnnyRingo]

3. Like so many Conservatives, Sean Hannity thinks Social Security is a savings account.

If one corners an older conservative about why they participate in a socialist program that they oppose, they always reply "I paid into it, and I want my money back", as if they'll stop collecting once they reach the amount of their lifetime contribution.

They always exaggerate the amount they paid in as well, like when Hannity points out how he was washing dishes or tending bar for a few bucks an hour, and don't seem to realize that the only reason it works is because so many die before they collect a nickel. That's called socialism, pure and simple where everyone pays in and everyone collects as per need.

I often mention to those Barstool Republicans who think they're making withdrawals from a savings account when they use Medicare that their 1st heart attack will exceed the money they paid in during their entire 30 years af employment. If they're lucky enough to cash Social Security checks into their 80s they have an overdraft of unimaginable proportions.

[Capitalocracy]

4. Deliberate mixed messages

Remember, the Republicans are the ones who are going to save Social Security. By destroying it. As they should. Because it's socialism. But keep your government hands off my Social Security!
:freak: :crazy:

[Flying Dream Blues]

5. John Stossel is a very cold-hearted

human being, from what I've seen. His little hit-pieces never fail to make my blood boil.

[bluestate10]

6. I actually believe in means testing.

I have paid a large amount into SS all of my working career. But, because of my earnings, I also have a sizable private nest egg. While I should be able to get medical care from SS if I need it when I retire, I should not get the monthly check from the system that I am designated to get. Retirees that are less fortunate should get some of the money that is designated for me. Think what you will of Stossel, his last statement about him not getting money back that he put in because he is a millionaire is right, he should not get it back. Stossel does not need the money.

[Turbineguy]

7. All conservatives believe in safety nets.

for themselves. Not others.

[underpants]

8. 1. Stossel is a joke 2. in 5 years get all their money back from S.Sec. 3. ....

means testing has not, to my knowledge, actually been discussed. This is more of the RW "you are richer than you are so you should side with people who are REALLY rich" line of BS. Also, there are very few S.Sec. recipients who would be affected by this.

More SCARE THE OLD WHITE PEOPLE nonsense from two non-serious actors.