At GOP Debate, Two Presidential Hopefuls Say They’ll Cut Social Security
“Last night’s Republican debate was not reassuring for American workers who are counting on collecting the Social Security benefits they earn with every paycheck. Two of the GOP presidential hopefuls promised, in effect, to cut Social Security for future beneficiaries. Nikki Haley, falsely claiming that Social Security is going “bankrupt,” said she would raise the retirement age for workers now in their 20s and means-test benefits. Chris Christie said he would raise the retirement age and eliminate benefits for higher earners, essentially converting Social Security into a safety net program instead of an earned benefit. Governor Christie and Ambassador Haley fail to recognize that future generations of retirees will rely on their Social Security benefits even more than today’s seniors do — and that means testing would cut deep into the heart of the American middle class. Ron DeSantis — to his credit — promised not to cut Social Security, but demonstrated a fundamental misunderstanding of the program’s finances by perpetuating the myth that the government is ‘stealing’ from the trust fund. With public polling consistently showing that voters want to see Social Security strengthened and expanded — not cut and fundamentally altered — it is puzzling that GOP candidates continue to embrace policies that are so out of step with the American public.” – Max Richtman, President and CEO, National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare
-------------- History is no more than the lies agreed upon by the victors.
Did Medicare Advantage Fraud Cost America Billions Only To Put Lives In Danger? w/ Ro Khanna You thought you had Medicare? But a private, for-profit corporation is cheating Americans out of the healthcare they paid for! California’s Rep. Ro Khanna (D, 17th District) joins Thom Hartmann to discuss how Medicare Advantage is putting vulnerable Americans into medical debt, stealing the country’s money, and even denying life-saving care to the people who need it.
A Vote for a Commission is a Vote to Cut Social Security
(Washington, DC) — Today, the House Budget Committee voted to advance the so-called “Fiscal Commission Act of 2023”. Every Republican present voted for the commission.
VIDEO: During the hearing, Social Security Works Executive Director Alex Lawson delivered over half a million petitions opposing the commission. Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-TX) responded by having Lawson arrested.
The following is a statement from Nancy Altman, President of Social Security Works, in response to the final vote:
“Republicans are plowing ahead with their closed-door commission designed to cut Social Security and Medicare. Many of the Republicans tried to claim that was not their goal, but they tellingly voted down Democratic amendments to rule out cutting those programs and instead require billionaires to pay their fair share.
The vast majority of Democrats on the committee rightfully opposed the commission. Shame on the handful of exceptions: Reps. Scott Peters (D-CA), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR). They have stabbed the American people in the back, and undermined President Joe Biden.
The White House has rightfully referred to the commission as a ‘death panel for Medicare and Social Security.’ That is the position of the Democratic Party. Moreover, it is indisputable that Social Security doesn’t add a penny to the deficit.
Despite that, Republicans will now try to claim the mantle of ‘bipartisanship’ for the commission based on receiving a handful of votes from fringe corporate Democrats (one of whom is retiring).
President Biden, Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) should quickly demolish that narrative by slamming the commission. There’s nothing bipartisan about cutting Social Security and Medicare behind closed doors.”
-------------- History is no more than the lies agreed upon by the victors.
