Social Security 6-21-12

LA Times (NAT)

Ron Paul, Social Security opponent, acknowledges he receives benefits

06-20-12

Morgan Little

Ron Paul, a staunch opponent of federal welfare programs, acknowledged Wednesday that he receives Social Security checks, shortly after advocating that younger generations opt out of the program.

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-ron-paul-social-security-opponent-acknowledges-he-receives-benefits-20120620,0,4149995.story

 

The Christian Science Monitor (NAT)

Unpacking 'Romneyomics': How Mitt Would Adjust Dials on the US Economy

06-21-12

Ron Scherer

“We don’t need Social Security to provide retirement income for upper-income people,” says Glenn Hubbard, a top economic adviser to Mr. Romney and the dean of the Columbia University Business School here, in an interview.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/47732208

 

Reuters (NAT)

Five Things to Consider Before Cutting Pension Benefits

06-21-12

Staff

30% of state and municipal workers work for states that have not opted into Social Security. That means pensions are their only source of guaranteed lifetime income in retirement. Social Security comes with automatic cost-of-living adjustments to protect retirees from inflation - a feature that is on the chopping block under many public sector reform plans.

http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2012/06/20/column-five-things-to-consider-before-cutting-pension-benefits/

 

Reuters (NAT)

Retirement planning checklist for LGBT Americans

06-21-12

Staff

But when it comes to retirement security, LGBT Americans still have a long way to go. The federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is a core obstacle to equality for a range of important benefits and legal protections, because it defines the word "spouse" as applying only to different-sex married couples for any purpose involving interpretation of federal law.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/47904878

 

Huffington Post (NAT)

Gen X and Social Security: Will We Choose to be Cynical or Practical?

06-20-12

Kristin Maschka

Ah, Gen X, we are easy targets for propaganda that we can't count on Social Security to be there for us. We've learned the hard way we can't count on any institution to be there for us.

But that is dangerous thinking. Social Security will be more important to our well-being than perhaps any generation since the Great Depression, and we can play a critical role in keeping it strong.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kristin-maschka/gen-x-and-social-security_b_1604020.html

 

NPR Boston (MA)

Study: Most U.S. Workers Are ‘Unprepared’ To Retire At 65 | WBUR

06-21-12

Bob Oakes and Benjamin Swasey

Despite the low 401(k) balances for near-retirees, Webb said “we really are, in relative terms, if not in absolute terms, living in a retirement golden age.”

That’s because, he said, older workers are more likely to be covered by a finally salary pension and Social Security benefits will be lower for younger workers as a result of the increase in the normal retirement age.

http://www.wbur.org/2012/06/21/retirement-study

 

The Times Free Press (TN)

Social Security payments ensure retirement benefits

Martin Coffey

Q. I just started my first job and my paycheck is less than I expected. Why am I paying for retirement benefits when I have a lifetime to live before retirement? A.  Besides being required by law, you are securing your own financial future through the payment of Social Security and Medicare taxes.

http://timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jun/21/chattan-social-security-payments-ensure-retirement/

 

Observer and Eccentric Newspapers (MI)

Democrats battle in 11th congressional race

06-21-12

Ken Abramczyk

Taj believes increased employment can help save Social Security. “Social Security is not in trouble,” Taj said. “We have enough money up through 2037.” With more workers contributing to the system, the money will continue to grow to fund Social Security and keep it solvent.

http://www.hometownlife.com/article/20120621/NEWS10/206210554

 

Winston-Salem Journal (NAT)

Column: Exploring the future of Social Security and Medicare

Doug Dickerson

06-21-12

In North Carolina, two-thirds of those over age 65 depend on Social Security for at least half of their income, with one-third counting on it for virtually all their income. Nationally, Social Security benefits go to 55 million Americans of all ages, including retirees, survivors, disabled workers, spouses and children

http://www2.journalnow.com/news/opinion/2012/jun/21/wsopin02-doug-dickerson-guest-columnist-what-is-th-ar-2373257/

 

Southeast Missourian (MO)

Paid Letter: Keeping Social Security solvent

06-21-12

When legislators refuse to cut spending, the Treasury Department must seek more funding. Before they borrow from the Chinese, they first draw from collected payroll taxes that were originally intended to fund Social Security.

http://www.semissourian.com/story/1862487.html

 

New Mexico Telegram (NM)

Did Heather Wilson support privatizing Social Security?

06-20-12

Staff

While Heather Wilson took to Facebook to say she never supporting privatizing Social Security, her record may speak otherwise.

http://www.nmtelegram.com/2012/06/20/did-heather-wilson-support-privatizing-social-security/

 

Gainesville Sun (FL)

Disability allowances to expand

06-20-12

Kay Louder

In April, the Social Security Administration announced plans to add 52 new compassionate allowances conditions to the growing list of severe medical conditions that qualify for expedited medical decisions.

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20120620/GUARDIAN/120629972/-1/entertainment?Title=Disability-allowances-to-expand

 

Star Tribune (MN)

Readers Write (June 21): War Against Young: Looks like there's still money in the till

06-21-12

William Beyer

Matt Miller ("Right and left unite in war against the young," June 19) is trying to incite a generational war, warning the 35-and-under crowd that they are being swindled. He cites the truly lousy economic priorities of both political parties and concludes that the youngsters are out of luck: "Sorry, kids, the till is empty."

His sad solution to this mess is to embrace former U.S. Sen. Alan Simpson's approach of swindling seniors instead by cutting Social Security.

http://www.startribune.com/opinion/letters/159799375.html

 

Public News Service (NAT)

KY Voices On the Hill for Medicare, Social Security

06-20-12

Staff

According to AARP Kentucky president James Kimbrough, most residents with whom they've spoken with aren't buying the notion coming from some lawmakers that, financially, the programs are at death's doorstep.

"About 90 percent of everybody who's responded have told us that Social Security and Medicare are not in crisis. They need some tweaking, they need some changes - but it's not a crisis situation."

http://www.publicnewsservice.org/index.php?/content/article/27048-1

 

San Jose Mercury News (CA)

Retirement Planner: Defying the odds and Social Security benefits

06-20-12

Steve Butler

All of which brings me to the Simpson-Bowles Social Security plan -- part of the overall plan commissioned by President Barack Obama to solve our nation's fiscal problems. I realized that my classmates attending the reunion at age 68 have a life expectancy of 20 more years. That means that half of us will still be alive in 2033 when the Social Security trust fund surplus (now $2.6 trillion) is expected to be depleted. From that point on, the only money paying for the benefit of those of us still standing will be derived from new inbound Social Security deposits from those then in the workforce

http://www.mercurynews.com/columns/ci_20901057/retirement-planner-defying-odds-and-social-security-benefits

 

Policy Mic (Blog)

If Ron Paul Were President...

06-21-12

Robert Taylor

By 2050, "entitlement" programs will incur nearly $120 trillion of debt. Not only is the forced transfer of private property and wealth from one person to another immoral, Paul reasons, the program is bankrupt. Paul urges a program that would allow the young and most tax-burdened to "opt out" of the Social Security payroll tax, voluntarily creating a generation of more independent and free people.

http://www.policymic.com/articles/9995/if-ron-paul-were-president

 

Politics

 

The New York Times (NAT)

‘Fox & Friends’ Finds Ratings and Controversy

06-20-12

Jeremy Peters

“Fox & Friends” finds both big ratings in the morning and dismay from Democrats.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/21/arts/television/fox-friends-finds-ratings-and-controversy.html?_r=1

 

The Hill (DC)

Supreme Court experts predict justices will strike down healthcare mandate

06-20-12

Sam Baker

Legal insiders are increasingly convinced that the Supreme Court will strike down all or part of President Obama's healthcare law, according to a new survey of former Supreme Court clerks and attorneys who have argued before the court. The survey was conducted by Purple Strategies on behalf of the conservative American Action Forum.

http://thehill.com/blogs/healthwatch/legal-challenges/233757-supreme-court-experts-predict-justices-will-strike-down-healthcare-mandate

 

Bloomberg (NAT)

Romney Campaign Said to Ask Scott to Downplay Job Gains

06-21-12

Michael C. Bender

Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign asked Florida Governor Rick Scott to tone down his statements heralding improvements in the state’s economy because they clash with the presumptive Republican nominee’s message that the nation is suffering under President Barack Obama, according to two people familiar with the matter.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/print/2012-06-21/romney-campaign-said-to-ask-scott-to-downplay-job-gains.html

 

The Atlantic Magazine (NAT)

Why Women Still Can’t Have It All

06/21/12

Annie-Marie Slaughter

It’s time to stop fooling ourselves, says a woman who left a position of power: the women who have managed to be both mothers and top professionals are superhuman, rich, or self-employed. If we truly believe in equal opportunity for all women, here’s what has to change.

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2012/07/why-women-still-can-8217-t-have-it-all/9020/

 

Associated Press (NAT)

Obama could become 1st incumbent president outspent in campaign 

06-21-12

Ken Thomas

President Barack Obama’s campaign said Wednesday it expects the president to become the first incumbent to be outspent by his opponent, outlining the potential for $1 billion in spending from Republican-leaning outside groups supporting Mitt Romney.

http://thegrio.com/2012/06/21/obama-could-become-first-incumbent-president-outspent-in-campaign/

 

The New York Times (NAT)

C.I.A. Said to Aid in Steering Arms to Syrian Rebels

06-21-12

Staff

A small number of American officers are operating secretly in southern Turkey, helping decide which Syrian rebel fighters across the border will receive arms.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/21/world/middleeast/cia-said-to-aid-in-steering-arms-to-syrian-rebels.html?hp