Social Security 10-31-12

Salon (NAT)

Was Ryan’s Social Security plan inspired by Pinochet?

Bruce Wilson

10-30-12

The conceptual basis of Ryan’s Social Security privatization approach was hatched as the Piñera plan that was implemented under the radical right-wing Chilean torture regime of 1973 military coup leader Augusto Pinochet. The Pinochet regime honed many of the techniques later used at the Abu Ghraib prison, in Iraq, was known to dispose of its unwanted citizens by throwing them out helicopters into the sea, and ran a transnational terrorism syndicate that murdered thousands and has been accused of a 1976 car bombing assassination in Washington D.C.

http://www.salon.com/2012/10/30/was_ryans_social_security_plan_inspired_by_pinochet/

 

Huffington Post (NAT)

The Great Betrayal -- and the Cynicism of Calling It a Grand Bargain

William K. Black

10-30-12

Wall Street's greatest desire is privatizing Social Security. Wall Street stands to make scores of billions of dollars annually in additional fees should it ever buy enough politicians to privatize Social Security. The Republican Party's greatest goal is unraveling the safety net. They always wish to attack the most successful and popular programs introduced by the Democratic Party. Their problem is that they know it is toxic for Republican candidates to try to destroy the safety net. Only Democrats, through a "Great Betrayal" can give Republicans the political cover they need to unravel the safety net.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/william-k-black/obama-austerity-social-security_b_2042876.html

 

Media Matters

Fox Obscures Important Facts To Attack Disability Benefits

HANNAH GROCH-BEGLEY

10-30-12

Fox figures claim that many federal disability benefit payments are fraudulent because the number of people in the program has increased under the Obama administration. In fact, improper payments of disability benefits are minimal and experts agree the higher levels of disability benefits are a direct result of the recession.

http://mediamatters.org/research/2012/10/30/fox-obscures-important-facts-to-attack-disabili/191008

 

The Hill (DC)

Business group says Bowles-Simpson wants too much revenue

Bernie Becker

10-31-12

A business group is cautioning that any broad deficit package should not lean too heavily on revenues. The Tax Relief Coalition, a group of more than 1,000 companies and business groups, said that President Obama’s fiscal commission, led by Erskine Bowles and Alan Simpson, was right to push for both spending restraint and tax reform.

http://thehill.com/blogs/on-the-money/domestic-taxes/265117-business-group-says-bowles-simpson-wants-too-much-revenue

 

NR Today (OR)

Seniors measure Social Security benefits against their expenses

Carisa Cegavske

10-31-12

“The cost of groceries is atrocious and gas, oh my. You can’t afford to go anywhere hardly,” said Claudia Jensen, 74. Social Security recipients will receive a 1.7 percent increase in their checks in December, the sixth-smallest cost …

http://www.nrtoday.com/news/3023966-113/security-social-increase-cost

 

Hattiesburg American (MS)

Social Security increase far less than inflation

Fenton Koehler

10-29-12

Recently we heard that the annual increase to the Social Security payments will be increased by only 1.7 percent next year. As the average payment is just $1,300 a month, this increase amounts to just $2.50 per week — a really big deal! This does not cover a loaf of bread.

http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20121030/OPINION03/310300007/Social-Security-increase-far-less-than-inflation?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE%7Cs

 

Winter Park Observer (FL)

Blanca Taylor: Social Security helps veterans

10-31-12

Nov. 11 is more than just a national holiday; Veterans Day is a time to honor the men and women who risk their lives to protect our freedom. We at Social Security ask you to join us in saluting the men and women of the armed forces. Be sure to say “thank you” to a veteran on this important day.

http://www.wpmobserver.com/news/2012/oct/31/blanca-taylor-social-security-helps-veterans/

 

Politics

 

Pal-Item (IN)

Obama would protect Medicare, Social Security

Mary Jane Thomas

10-30-12

After watching the presidential debates in my opinion as a senior citizen and looking into the future of our children and grandchildren. Medicare is a vital program depended on by seniors and the disabled across the country. President Obama has expressed specific and strong support of Medicare – Mitt Romney, on the other hand, had embraced the “Ryan Budget” which contains numerous changes to Medicare and Social Security that will forever alter them.

http://www.pal-item.com/article/20121031/OPINION/310310004/Obama-would-protect-Medicare-Social-Security?odyssey=nav%7Chead

 

Kulr8 (MT)

TESTER TALKS MEDICARE AND SOCIAL SECURITY

Katie Chen

10-30-12

Sen. Jon Tester joined forces with the state's Republican Lt. Gov. John Bohlinger to criticize Congressman Dennis Rehberg for supporting what they call “irresponsible changes” to the programs.Tester said he wanted to set the record straight on Medicare and Social Security and how he and Rehberg differ. Bohlinger joined Tester saying the Democrat will protect benefits for Montana's seniors. Tester says Social Security is an important safety program for seniors and, instead of weakening it, the program should be made stronger. He says Rehberg proposed cutting $764 million from Social Security. These cuts would mean delayed benefits for seniors and five to six billion dollars in fraud wouldn't be addressed. He also disagrees with a Republican proposal to turn Medicare into a voucher system.

http://www.kulr8.com/news/local/Tester-Talks-Medicare-and-Social-Security-176513001.html

 

Michigan Live (MI)

Rep. Tim Walberg says Social Security, Medicare cuts not off limits; Kurt Haskell wants defense cuts

Bob Wheaton

10-31-12

JACKSON, MI -- U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg and challenger Kurt Haskell both have expressed alarm about the federal budget deficit and national debt, but they have different ideas about how to fix the situation. Walberg, R-Tipton, says he would look at reductions to the entire budget and would include reductions to entitlements in the discussion. Haskell, D-Newport, wants to make large cuts to defense spending. "There is nothing I would avoid cutting at all costs," Walberg said. "Everything has to be looked at and I think that's where an adult conversation has to be taken in Congress, and not the spreading of fear that's been undertaken on the issue by Democrats in Congress."

http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2012/10/us_rep_tim_walberg_says_social.html

 

Politico (DC)

Republican Simpson backs Democrat Kerrey in Neb. Senate race

DAVID ROGERS

10-29-12

Former Republican Sen. Alan Simpson endorsed the uphill Senate campaign of Democrat Bob Kerrey in Nebraska Monday, describing his former colleague as a friend and someone willing to “place the national interest ahead of the howling special interests” in addressing the federal debt and entitlement reforms.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/on-congress/2012/10/republican-simpson-backs-democrat-kerrey-in-neb-senate-147634.html?hp=r4

 

Capitol Incite (ME)

King picks up backing from Simpson of Simpson-Bowles

Matthew Stone

10-31-12

Independent U.S. Senate candidate Angus King has received the endorsement of Alan Simpson, the former Republican senator from Wyoming who crafted the Simpson-Bowles deficit reduction plan along with Democrat Erskine Bowles. Bowles endorsed King in September, when the former chief of staff to President Bill Clinton visited Maine to host a town hall with King focused on the national debt.

http://capitolincite.bangordailynews.com/2012/10/31/king-picks-up-backing-from-simpson-of-simpson-bowles/?ref=blogswidget

 

Huffington Post (NAT)

Shelley Berkley Vows To Oppose Social Security Cuts, Gains Progressive Group Support

Michael McAuliff

10-30-12

The Progressive Change Campaign Committee had already started phone banks to push four other Democratic Senate candidates: challenger Elizabeth Warren in Massachusetts, Sen. Sherrod Brown in Ohio, Rep. Tammy Baldwin in Wisconsin, and Rep. Mazie Hirono in Hawaii.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/30/shelley-berkley-nevada-senate_n_2045761.html