Behold the GOP’s not-so-secret plan to dismantle government services: Defund, degrade and then privatize
"Social Security and Medicare have both been top targets via various schemes over the years, and this budget cycle is no exception, regardless of what noises Donald Trump may make."
9/25/16
8/28/16
Here are the lies about Social Security in Donald Trump's new nationwide ad
http://www.latimes.com/business/hiltzik/la-fi-hiltzik-social-security-trump-20160822-snap-story.html
"The Trump Presidential campaign rolled out its first major television ad last week, aimed at voters in Florida, Ohio, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. For Social Security experts and advocates, it wasn’t worth waiting for."
"The Trump Presidential campaign rolled out its first major television ad last week, aimed at voters in Florida, Ohio, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. For Social Security experts and advocates, it wasn’t worth waiting for."
Trump's New Ad: Social Security Lies, White Nationalist Sources
Trump's New Ad: Social Security Lies, White Nationalist Sources
"Donald Trump hasn't spent much money on political ads so far, but when he does he makes sure they have as many lies as possible."
"Donald Trump hasn't spent much money on political ads so far, but when he does he makes sure they have as many lies as possible."
8/19/16
Happy Birthday Social Security—Let's Remember That Mike Pence Was A Cheerleader For The Program's Destruction
Happy Birthday Social Security—Let's Remember That Mike Pence Was A Cheerleader For The Program's Destruction:
"On August 14, 1935, President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law. Eighty-one years later it still represents one of the most successful social programs in our country’s history. Nearly 2 out of every 3 seniors rely on the Social Security for the majority of their income. If it did not exist, 44% of the elderly would live in poverty (added link). Currently only 9% do. As a member of Congress, Donald Trump’s vice presidential nominee Mike Pence was one of the biggest cheerleaders for George W. Bush’s privatization plans and other reforms that would have harmed the program."
"On August 14, 1935, President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law. Eighty-one years later it still represents one of the most successful social programs in our country’s history. Nearly 2 out of every 3 seniors rely on the Social Security for the majority of their income. If it did not exist, 44% of the elderly would live in poverty (added link). Currently only 9% do. As a member of Congress, Donald Trump’s vice presidential nominee Mike Pence was one of the biggest cheerleaders for George W. Bush’s privatization plans and other reforms that would have harmed the program."
Meet The Anti-Obamacare Myth-Maker Trump Just Named To His Economic Team
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/betsy-mccaughy-trump-team
"the greatest asset she brings to Team Trump: an ability to serve up distortions and flat-out falsehoods about Democratic legislation that mainstream Republicans and even credible media outlets devoured and regurgitated as conventional wisdom."
"the greatest asset she brings to Team Trump: an ability to serve up distortions and flat-out falsehoods about Democratic legislation that mainstream Republicans and even credible media outlets devoured and regurgitated as conventional wisdom."
Donald Trump's Healthcare Plan Would Lead to Disaster Americans would be paying more for worse coverage
http://www.theatlantic.com/video/index/476301/how-realistic-is-donald-trumps-healthcare-plan/?utm_source=atlfb
"In this short video, we explore the hypothetical reality of TrumpCare and what it would mean for Americans—in short, a public health disaster."
"In this short video, we explore the hypothetical reality of TrumpCare and what it would mean for Americans—in short, a public health disaster."
7/27/16
Groundbreaking Study Shows Cannabis Can Counter Alzheimer's Disease @alternet
Groundbreaking Study Shows Cannabis Can Counter Alzheimer's Disease @alternet:
"This promising treatment for Alzheimer’s disease is yet another way that the miraculous cannabis plant provides medical benefits to a host of human ailments."
"This promising treatment for Alzheimer’s disease is yet another way that the miraculous cannabis plant provides medical benefits to a host of human ailments."
7/24/16
Mike Pence's 0 percent rating on Social Security, Medicare
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/7/22/1549416/-Mike-Pence-s-0-percent-rating-on-Social-Security-Medicare
"That would be privatizing Social Security, just to be clear. In fact, he thought Bush's plan didn't go far enough or wouldn’t happen fast enough, "calling for an even larger private accounts scheme to be implemented sooner, putting Americans at even greater fiscal risk than the President's doomed plan." This deficit peacock was so serious about privatizing Social Security, he wanted to do it with increased deficit spending. Oh, but that's not all! He was an enthusiastic supporter of the Paul Ryan budget that first proposed making Medicare a voucher program. Raising the retirement age? You betcha. Cutting Medicaid? No problem. "I think everything has to be on the table … I think it's absolutely imperative, whether it's Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid," he said in 2010. "With regard to entitlements we're going to have to take some deep cuts in domestic spending." All of that led the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare to score Pence at 0 percent on issues important to seniors during the 2011-2012 Congress. Just one more bad record to add to the Pence pile—and one more group of voters the Republican ticket is going to alienate."
"That would be privatizing Social Security, just to be clear. In fact, he thought Bush's plan didn't go far enough or wouldn’t happen fast enough, "calling for an even larger private accounts scheme to be implemented sooner, putting Americans at even greater fiscal risk than the President's doomed plan." This deficit peacock was so serious about privatizing Social Security, he wanted to do it with increased deficit spending. Oh, but that's not all! He was an enthusiastic supporter of the Paul Ryan budget that first proposed making Medicare a voucher program. Raising the retirement age? You betcha. Cutting Medicaid? No problem. "I think everything has to be on the table … I think it's absolutely imperative, whether it's Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid," he said in 2010. "With regard to entitlements we're going to have to take some deep cuts in domestic spending." All of that led the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare to score Pence at 0 percent on issues important to seniors during the 2011-2012 Congress. Just one more bad record to add to the Pence pile—and one more group of voters the Republican ticket is going to alienate."
7/15/16
Conservatives Just Lost Their Battle To Privatize The VA
Conservatives Just Lost Their Battle To Privatize The VA
"a Congress-appointed commission has come out with findings that will disappoint privatization fetishists who want to dismantle the VA hospital system. The outlook for that Commission wasn't great. Congress appointed two Koch Brothers types to the panel, as well as hospital executives who stand to profit from moving veteran's healthcare to the private sector. The problem for conservatives in Congress is that the commission actually talked to veterans, and looked at the real data on how healthcare is delivered within the VA structure. Veterans overwhelmingly like VA hospitals and the care they receive at those facilities. In some cases, yes, wait-times for appointments are too long, and specialists in certain areas of the country are hard to come by. The process for being deemed eligible for care is still onerous, and needs a fix. And of course, VA hospitals deliver care at a lower cost than private hospitals."
"a Congress-appointed commission has come out with findings that will disappoint privatization fetishists who want to dismantle the VA hospital system. The outlook for that Commission wasn't great. Congress appointed two Koch Brothers types to the panel, as well as hospital executives who stand to profit from moving veteran's healthcare to the private sector. The problem for conservatives in Congress is that the commission actually talked to veterans, and looked at the real data on how healthcare is delivered within the VA structure. Veterans overwhelmingly like VA hospitals and the care they receive at those facilities. In some cases, yes, wait-times for appointments are too long, and specialists in certain areas of the country are hard to come by. The process for being deemed eligible for care is still onerous, and needs a fix. And of course, VA hospitals deliver care at a lower cost than private hospitals."
7/6/16
Ron Johnson Says Employers Should Be Allowed To Deny Coverage To Cancer Patients
Ron Johnson Says Employers Should Be Allowed To Deny Coverage To Cancer Patients
"Alan Grayson was right when he said Republicans want everyone to die, and die quickly. Here's a shining example of it for all to see."
"Alan Grayson was right when he said Republicans want everyone to die, and die quickly. Here's a shining example of it for all to see."
7/4/16
BREAKING, Republicans Unveil Plan To Raise Medicare Eligibility Age For Seniors
http://occupydemocrats.com/2016/06/23/breaking-republicans-unveil-plan-raise-medicare-eligibility-age-seniors/
"Ryan thinks that we should strip 20 million Americans of their insurance, cut healthcare subsidies for the poor, give the rich a tax break, and raise the Medicare age of eligibility. Ryan frequently attacks the poor, as we have written about previously, but this assault of senior citizens’ right to healthcare is a new level of appalling. Senior citizens already face many challenges. According to the National Counsel on Aging, more than 25 million senior citizens are economically insecure."
"Ryan thinks that we should strip 20 million Americans of their insurance, cut healthcare subsidies for the poor, give the rich a tax break, and raise the Medicare age of eligibility. Ryan frequently attacks the poor, as we have written about previously, but this assault of senior citizens’ right to healthcare is a new level of appalling. Senior citizens already face many challenges. According to the National Counsel on Aging, more than 25 million senior citizens are economically insecure."
7/1/16
The consequences of an election in Louisiana: 200,000-plus people now have Medicaid
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2016/6/20/1539922/-The-consequences-of-an-election-in-Louisiana-200-000-plus-people-now-have-Medicaid
"New Democratic Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards is justifiably taking a victory lap after 204,000 people have signed up for the expanded Medicaid he enacted, since June 1—yes, just this month. He sees an upcoming trend."
"New Democratic Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards is justifiably taking a victory lap after 204,000 people have signed up for the expanded Medicaid he enacted, since June 1—yes, just this month. He sees an upcoming trend."
5/30/16
Surprise, Surprise. Trump's Been Lying About His Opposition To Cutting Social Security
Surprise, Surprise. Trump's Been Lying About His Opposition To Cutting Social Security
"It should come as a shock to no one that Trump's been saying one thing to his supporters on the campaign trail, while telling the Zombie-Eyed Granny-Starver from Wisconsin something else in private."
"It should come as a shock to no one that Trump's been saying one thing to his supporters on the campaign trail, while telling the Zombie-Eyed Granny-Starver from Wisconsin something else in private."
5/26/16
5/24/16
Warren Incensed at GOP Effort to Gut Financial Protections for Retirees
Warren Incensed at GOP Effort to Gut Financial Protections for Retirees
"The U.S. Senate is expected to vote on Tuesday to repeal a new Labor Department rule aimed at protecting retirement savers from Wall Street brokers. Yes, you read that right. The Labor Department rule, issued last month, requires financial advisors to adhere to a "fiduciary standard" that places client interests ahead of potential profits for themselves."
"The U.S. Senate is expected to vote on Tuesday to repeal a new Labor Department rule aimed at protecting retirement savers from Wall Street brokers. Yes, you read that right. The Labor Department rule, issued last month, requires financial advisors to adhere to a "fiduciary standard" that places client interests ahead of potential profits for themselves."
5/21/16
26 Preventative Health Care Services Available To Women Under Obamacare
http://samuel-warde.com/2016/05/26-preventative-health-care-services-available-women-obamacare/
"All Marketplace health plans and many other plans must cover the following list of preventive services for women without charging a copayment or coinsurance."
"All Marketplace health plans and many other plans must cover the following list of preventive services for women without charging a copayment or coinsurance."
5/20/16
Health insurance coverage in the US just reached a historic high
Health insurance coverage in the US just reached a historic high
"The number of people without health insurance coverage is now at a record low."
"The number of people without health insurance coverage is now at a record low."
5/12/16
House Republicans Have A Temper Tantrum Over Rule That Bans Financial Advisers From Scamming Retirees
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2016/04/29/3773960/republicans-fiduciary-rule/
"The Department of Labor (DOL) has finalized rules that require financial advisers who help people make investments for retirement to put their clients’ interests ahead of their own. But House Republicans aren’t letting the rule go into effect without a fight."
"The Department of Labor (DOL) has finalized rules that require financial advisers who help people make investments for retirement to put their clients’ interests ahead of their own. But House Republicans aren’t letting the rule go into effect without a fight."
Paul Ryan Versus The Cancer Patient
Paul Ryan Versus The Cancer Patient
"Because starving grandma isn't enough to get him attention, he now wants to stop the part of Obamacare that allows people with preexisting conditions to also have affordable health care insurance."
"Because starving grandma isn't enough to get him attention, he now wants to stop the part of Obamacare that allows people with preexisting conditions to also have affordable health care insurance."
5/10/16
3 Oligarchs-Turned-GOP Governors Who Are Laying Ruin to Their States @alternet
3 Oligarchs-Turned-GOP Governors Who Are Laying Ruin to Their States @alternet:
"If any state was justified in describing itself as a major Obamacare success story, it was Kentucky; that is, before Republican Matt Bevin was sworn in as governor. Kentucky, under Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear, was the home of Kynect, a state-operated Obamacare exchange that resulted in 500,000 Kentucky residents gaining health insurance, including many poor people with preexisting conditions. But Bevin, a rabid Tea Party ideologue who defeated Democrat Jack Conway in Kentucky’s gubernatorial race in 2015, campaigned on dismantling Kynect, and he has been making good on his promise, causing considerable misery to people like Louisville mother Emily Pickett (who, on February 29, found out Medicaid coverage for her two small children had been cut off). Bevin, according to Cara Stewart, a legal aid attorney with the Kentucky Equal Justice Center, has brought about a “dramatic reduction in accessibility” to health care in his state. But the suffering of America’s poor is not a concern to Bevin any more than it is to Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner or Florida Gov. Rick Scott. Bevin, Rauner and Scott epitomize a toxic breed of far-right Republican ideologues: greedy, enamored of corporate power and only too happy to attack the poor at every turn while their considerable fortunes continue to grow. Scott, Rauner and Bevin were all worth millions when they took office. But being ultra-rich was not enough for them; like true oligarchs, they craved more money and more power. And while Rauner and Scott’s states have suffered, their own bottom lines certainly haven’t."
"If any state was justified in describing itself as a major Obamacare success story, it was Kentucky; that is, before Republican Matt Bevin was sworn in as governor. Kentucky, under Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear, was the home of Kynect, a state-operated Obamacare exchange that resulted in 500,000 Kentucky residents gaining health insurance, including many poor people with preexisting conditions. But Bevin, a rabid Tea Party ideologue who defeated Democrat Jack Conway in Kentucky’s gubernatorial race in 2015, campaigned on dismantling Kynect, and he has been making good on his promise, causing considerable misery to people like Louisville mother Emily Pickett (who, on February 29, found out Medicaid coverage for her two small children had been cut off). Bevin, according to Cara Stewart, a legal aid attorney with the Kentucky Equal Justice Center, has brought about a “dramatic reduction in accessibility” to health care in his state. But the suffering of America’s poor is not a concern to Bevin any more than it is to Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner or Florida Gov. Rick Scott. Bevin, Rauner and Scott epitomize a toxic breed of far-right Republican ideologues: greedy, enamored of corporate power and only too happy to attack the poor at every turn while their considerable fortunes continue to grow. Scott, Rauner and Bevin were all worth millions when they took office. But being ultra-rich was not enough for them; like true oligarchs, they craved more money and more power. And while Rauner and Scott’s states have suffered, their own bottom lines certainly haven’t."
Paul Ryan: Let's Bring Back Pre-Existing Conditions
Paul Ryan: Let's Bring Back Pre-Existing Conditions
"Paul Ryan is not working for his constituents, and neither are many of his cohorts in Congress. They are working to increase the profit margins of health insurance companies, period. Speaker Ryan wants to remove the provision of the president's signature health care legislation that prevents insurance companies from denying care to those with pre-existing conditions."
"Paul Ryan is not working for his constituents, and neither are many of his cohorts in Congress. They are working to increase the profit margins of health insurance companies, period. Speaker Ryan wants to remove the provision of the president's signature health care legislation that prevents insurance companies from denying care to those with pre-existing conditions."
Conservatives Were Stunningly Wrong About Obamacare, New Report Finds
http://mediamatters.org/research/2016/04/18/conservatives-were-stunningly-wrong-about-obamacare-new-report-finds/209966
"A New York Times analysis found “historic increases” in those covered by the Affordable Care Act, destroying right-wing media predictions about health care reform including that it would “topple the stock market” and enslave Americans. The Times analysis is just one of many pieces of research that have highlighted the successes of the Affordable Care Act."
"A New York Times analysis found “historic increases” in those covered by the Affordable Care Act, destroying right-wing media predictions about health care reform including that it would “topple the stock market” and enslave Americans. The Times analysis is just one of many pieces of research that have highlighted the successes of the Affordable Care Act."
4/19/16
The Conservative Plan to Fix the VA Has Vets Hopping Mad
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/04/veterans-groups-really-dont-idea-privatized-va-system
"Some members of the commission established by Congress to evaluate the Department of Veterans Health Administration have proposed drastically reducing the size of the VHA by closing its health facilities and transferring the care of the nation's millions of military veterans to the private sector. But in a letter sent to the chair of the Commission on Care, leaders of eight of the country's most prominent veterans' advocacy organizations blasted the proposal."
"Some members of the commission established by Congress to evaluate the Department of Veterans Health Administration have proposed drastically reducing the size of the VHA by closing its health facilities and transferring the care of the nation's millions of military veterans to the private sector. But in a letter sent to the chair of the Commission on Care, leaders of eight of the country's most prominent veterans' advocacy organizations blasted the proposal."
A Secure Retirement Demands Limiting Conflicts of Interest
https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/economy/news/2016/04/06/134883/a-secure-retirement-demands-limiting-conflicts-of-interest/
"Can you trust your financial adviser? Many Americans aren’t so sure. Thanks to a recent announcement from the U.S. Department of Labor, however, the answer may soon be “yes.” Today, the Department of Labor announced its final rule on conflicts of interest in retirement investment advice, also known as the fiduciary rule. Fiduciary is a five-syllable legal concept, but in practice, the intended effect of the rule is quite simple: All financial professionals selling retirement products will be legally required to act in the best interests of their clients rather than their own. The only reason why financial professionals are not required to do this currently is because of a 40-year-old loophole in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, or ERISA, that the Department of Labor is now closing. This effort has the potential to return at least $17 billion a year to savers and retirees through lower fees, according to the White House Council of Economic Advisers."
"Can you trust your financial adviser? Many Americans aren’t so sure. Thanks to a recent announcement from the U.S. Department of Labor, however, the answer may soon be “yes.” Today, the Department of Labor announced its final rule on conflicts of interest in retirement investment advice, also known as the fiduciary rule. Fiduciary is a five-syllable legal concept, but in practice, the intended effect of the rule is quite simple: All financial professionals selling retirement products will be legally required to act in the best interests of their clients rather than their own. The only reason why financial professionals are not required to do this currently is because of a 40-year-old loophole in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, or ERISA, that the Department of Labor is now closing. This effort has the potential to return at least $17 billion a year to savers and retirees through lower fees, according to the White House Council of Economic Advisers."
4/16/16
Job killing? Obamacare? Bwahahahahah
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/4/4/1509064/-Job-killing-Obamacare-Bwahahahahah
"Hospitals, doctors' offices and other healthcare settings added 36,800 jobs in March, representing roughly 1 out of 6 jobs that were created in the entire U.S. economy last month. That's after an amazing February, with 38,100 new jobs in the sector. So it's creating healthcare jobs, and it's not killing any other jobs. That's pretty cool! And one of the reasons why you just aren't hearing many Republicans uttering that "job-killing" phrase all the time now."
"Hospitals, doctors' offices and other healthcare settings added 36,800 jobs in March, representing roughly 1 out of 6 jobs that were created in the entire U.S. economy last month. That's after an amazing February, with 38,100 new jobs in the sector. So it's creating healthcare jobs, and it's not killing any other jobs. That's pretty cool! And one of the reasons why you just aren't hearing many Republicans uttering that "job-killing" phrase all the time now."
NY Times Report On Employer-Provided Insurance Puts Another Nail In The Coffin Of Conservatives' ACA Fearmongering
http://mediamatters.org/blog/2016/04/05/ny-times-report-on-employer-provided-insurance/209753
"Right-wing media have relentlessly hyped debunked myths and evidence-free claims about the ACA since its passage"
"Right-wing media have relentlessly hyped debunked myths and evidence-free claims about the ACA since its passage"
Idaho governor on not expanding Medicaid: People with insurance 'still die'
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/3/29/1507746/-Idaho-governor-on-not-expanding-Medicaid-People-with-insurance-still-die
"if you could secretly survey Republicans everywhere on what they think about poor people and health insurance, this is what you'd hear back: They're all going to die anyway—might as well be sooner as later."
"if you could secretly survey Republicans everywhere on what they think about poor people and health insurance, this is what you'd hear back: They're all going to die anyway—might as well be sooner as later."
4/7/16
Wall Street Won’t Be Able To Bilk Retirees Anymore
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2016/04/06/3766942/fiduciary-rule-final/
"Up until now, the financial advisers who help retirees decide where to put their investments could legally steer clients toward decisions that made themselves more money at their clients’ expense. Now that practice will be against the rules."
"Up until now, the financial advisers who help retirees decide where to put their investments could legally steer clients toward decisions that made themselves more money at their clients’ expense. Now that practice will be against the rules."
Republican Lies About Social Security Debunked Again: So Why Does Mainstream Media Keep Repeating Them? @alternet
Republican Lies About Social Security Debunked Again: So Why Does Mainstream Media Keep Repeating Them? @alternet:
"Republicans have been gunning for Social Security for decades. This is understandable, as an ideological matter, because Social Security’s very existence undermines the anti-government mythology on which the modern conservative movement thrives."
"Republicans have been gunning for Social Security for decades. This is understandable, as an ideological matter, because Social Security’s very existence undermines the anti-government mythology on which the modern conservative movement thrives."
Ten Huge Drug Rip-Offs -- and Big Pharma's Massive Price-Gouging Campaign
http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/35390-ten-huge-drug-rip-offs-and-big-pharma-s-infuriating-campaign-to-keep-on-price-gouging
"PhRMA, which spent $18.4 million lobbying lawmakers last year and BIO which spent $8.4 million, are among the top lobby groups on the Hill. Until 2010, PhRMA was headed by former Louisiana Rep. Billy Tauzin who resigned from Congress where he chaired the committee which oversees the drug industry only to immediately reappear as the leader of PhRMA where he drew a $2 million salary. Who can say revolving door?"
"PhRMA, which spent $18.4 million lobbying lawmakers last year and BIO which spent $8.4 million, are among the top lobby groups on the Hill. Until 2010, PhRMA was headed by former Louisiana Rep. Billy Tauzin who resigned from Congress where he chaired the committee which oversees the drug industry only to immediately reappear as the leader of PhRMA where he drew a $2 million salary. Who can say revolving door?"
3/19/16
Donald Trump's healthcare 'plan' is objectively awful
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/3/14/1501128/-Donald-Trump-s-healthcare-plan-is-objectively-awful
"Insurance would be so poorly regulated it would become essentially worthless for many. This, like every Republican proposal so far, wouldn't just take us back to the bad old days pre-Obamacare. It would be much, much worse than those days."
"Insurance would be so poorly regulated it would become essentially worthless for many. This, like every Republican proposal so far, wouldn't just take us back to the bad old days pre-Obamacare. It would be much, much worse than those days."
3/18/16
Elizabeth Warren Pressures Washington For a Vote on Her Sanders-Backed Bill That Would Give Seniors a Raise @alternet
Elizabeth Warren Pressures Washington For a Vote on Her Sanders-Backed Bill That Would Give Seniors a Raise @alternet:
"This week Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren delivered a petition of 800,000 signatures to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell calling on him to hold a vote on her Social Security bill. Warren, who was joined by Sen. Chuck Schumer, Sen. Tammy Baldwin and a group of activists, is trying to get a vote on her SAVE Benefits Act, a piece of legislation that would give 70 million seniors, veterans and disabled people a one-time payment of $581 to compensate for the dormant cost-of-living adjustment in government benefits during 2016. The cost-of-living adjustment went into effect in 1975 and this is only the third time Social Security recipients will not get their annual raise."
"This week Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren delivered a petition of 800,000 signatures to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell calling on him to hold a vote on her Social Security bill. Warren, who was joined by Sen. Chuck Schumer, Sen. Tammy Baldwin and a group of activists, is trying to get a vote on her SAVE Benefits Act, a piece of legislation that would give 70 million seniors, veterans and disabled people a one-time payment of $581 to compensate for the dormant cost-of-living adjustment in government benefits during 2016. The cost-of-living adjustment went into effect in 1975 and this is only the third time Social Security recipients will not get their annual raise."
3/12/16
GOP Debate: Setting The Record Straight On Social Security
GOP Debate: Setting The Record Straight On Social Security
"1) Social Security is not going to "run out of money" and is not "going broke." The Social Security Trust Fund will rise to approx. $2.9 trillion at the end of 2019. Then it begins to draw on this fund and there is a potential funding shortfall in about 20 years. If nothing is changed the program would be forced to pay a bit less out to recipients. There are many proposals for fixing this, most do not involve future cuts in benefits."
"1) Social Security is not going to "run out of money" and is not "going broke." The Social Security Trust Fund will rise to approx. $2.9 trillion at the end of 2019. Then it begins to draw on this fund and there is a potential funding shortfall in about 20 years. If nothing is changed the program would be forced to pay a bit less out to recipients. There are many proposals for fixing this, most do not involve future cuts in benefits."
3/11/16
Why Seniors—Not CEOs—Deserve a Raise
Why Seniors—Not CEOs—Deserve a Raise
"Any conversation about tackling poverty in the United States should include protecting and expanding Social Security. The reason is pretty straightforward: Social Security is the most powerful tool available to lift people out of poverty. Nearly two-thirds of seniors depend on Social Security for the majority of their income, and millions more children and adults depend upon survivors and disability benefits. According to Center for Budget and Policy Priorities analysis of Census data, Social Security kept 21 million Americans out of poverty in the last year alone. All told, that’s more people than any other government program. Social Security works. No one runs out of benefits, and payments don’t rise and fall with the stock market. Despite scare tactics from Republicans in Congress, the facts are clear. Social Security has a $2.8 trillion surplus. If we do nothing, Social Security will be safe for the next 18 years, and after that will continue to pay three-quarters of benefits through the end of the century. Of course, we don’t have to sit by and to do nothing. Since its beginning, Social Security has been adjusted from time to time, and that’s what we need to do now. With some modest adjustments, it is possible to keep the system solvent for decades more, even while increasing benefits."
"Any conversation about tackling poverty in the United States should include protecting and expanding Social Security. The reason is pretty straightforward: Social Security is the most powerful tool available to lift people out of poverty. Nearly two-thirds of seniors depend on Social Security for the majority of their income, and millions more children and adults depend upon survivors and disability benefits. According to Center for Budget and Policy Priorities analysis of Census data, Social Security kept 21 million Americans out of poverty in the last year alone. All told, that’s more people than any other government program. Social Security works. No one runs out of benefits, and payments don’t rise and fall with the stock market. Despite scare tactics from Republicans in Congress, the facts are clear. Social Security has a $2.8 trillion surplus. If we do nothing, Social Security will be safe for the next 18 years, and after that will continue to pay three-quarters of benefits through the end of the century. Of course, we don’t have to sit by and to do nothing. Since its beginning, Social Security has been adjusted from time to time, and that’s what we need to do now. With some modest adjustments, it is possible to keep the system solvent for decades more, even while increasing benefits."
3/8/16
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