White House suggests Social Security cuts remain 'on the table'

[Redfairen]

Even though President Barack Obama's formal budget proposal Tuesday omitted cuts to Social Security, the White House strongly suggested that a controversial policy to cut the program "remains on the table" if Republicans are willing to compromise.

"In last year's Budget, the President included a compromise proposal intended as a show of good faith to spark additional negotiations with Congressional Republicans about the nation’s long-term deficits and debt and to encourage all parties to come together to remove the economically-damaging sequestration cuts," the White House said in a fact sheet that accompanied its budget release. "Although that compromise proposal remains on the table, given Congressional Republicans' unwillingness to negotiate a balanced long-term deficit reduction deal, the President’s 2015 Budget returns to a more traditional Budget presentation that is focused on achieving the President’s vision for the best path to create growth and opportunity for all Americans, and the investments needed to meet that vision."

The "compromise proposal" is a thinly veiled reference to a policy known as Chained CPI, which slows the rate of inflation for Social Security benefits. The White House included the proposal in its budget released in 2013 as an olive branch to Republicans. Obama made clear he wouldn't support it without new tax revenues in the mix, which the GOP refused to accept. Liberal advocates had also mobilized against the proposal. But senior administration officials made clear that while Chained CPI is not a policy that the president ideally wants, he's still willing to support it if Republicans reciprocate with tax revenues.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/white-house-social-security-cuts-on-the-table

[Octafish]

1. It's like they watch ''House of Cards.''

Which, when they act on what they see on tee vee, is not a good thing for the People.

[Ichingcarpenter]

35. Third Rail Monty

He's gives a little gain to the player to keep him in the game but in the end.....

[ananda]

138. I know.

I was thinking the same thing.

House of Cards dealt with raising the retirement age and it was
the Dem whip, FU, pushing it through.

[PowerToThePeople]

2. DoD cuts

DoD IS the table.

[woo me with science]

14. Thieves.

White House: SS cuts remain on the table
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024603578

White House 2015 budget=$26.4 billion in extra funding for Pentagon
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024602860#post1

[PowerToThePeople]

15. rec.

[Demeter]

53. FRSP!

Now THAT'S a cut!

[840high]

3. Oh shit.

[1000words]

4. Plenty of dough for the Ukraine, though.

[tridim]

5. Chained CPI lives!!!!!1111

Just like Weekend At Bernie's.

ODS apparently isn't curable.

[MannyGoldstein]

16. You're right! These people are sick, they're obsessed! Remind us,

who was the #%^*er who claims the White House has Catfood cuts on the table? Whoever said the President would do that should be run out of town!

[beerandjesus]

20. Let me be the first to deliver the inevitable reply:

Well, if you don't LIKE it, I guess you can just vote for RAND PAUL!!!1!!

[SammyWinstonJack]

24. HA!

[L0oniX]

82. Hopefully Rmoney will run again so there's a better choice in the caboodle ...err not!

[beerandjesus]

107. Ha! Way to make Rand Paul sound like a reasonable choice.

I'd vote for someone who's lying 90% of the time over someone who's lying 100% of the time!

[Jackpine Radical]

129. It's just an N-dimensional chess move

(N being any digit that is higher than the one you think it is).

It's all a big trap aimed at luring the Republicans to their DOOOOM!

You just don't get it. Obama is having to destroy SS in order to save it.

Rand Paul.

[beerandjesus]

19. Same old, same old......

Obama administration: "Chained CPI is on the table!"

Random DUer: "The Obama administration says Chained CPI is on the table!"

Obama apologist: "ODS! ODS!"

[tridim]

23. Yes, ODS'ers typically call me an "Obama apologist"

When I point out their chronic ODS and their obsession with Chained-CPI which was killed last week.

DERP.

[beerandjesus]

25. What's annoying is this "ODS" lie.

I can handle conservative Democrats. I can't handle conservative Democrats who pretend you have to be a teabagger to disagree with Obama.

[tridim]

26. ODS is far more annoying than whatever you just said. nt

[beerandjesus]

27. Your constant slander of DUers is more annoying than just about anything.

And I said two things:

1. Your claim that Obama criticism = ODS is a lie.

2. You're obviously a very conservative Democrat, since any hint of liberalism seems to irk you so much. I don't mind conservative Democrats; I think there's plenty of room in the tent. But you don't get to pretend that everyone to your left is a teabagger by slinging around an epithet like ODS, since that is a lie (see point #1).

[Sirveri]

126. Except that today's Conservative Democrats were yesterdays Republicans

Just because the GOP has shifted so damned far to the right doesn't mean we have to give their cast aways a home.

Pull the tent to the left, and if they still want to come in, so be it. Until then conservative Dems are just Republicans who realized that their own party is too nuts to govern.

[dreamnightwind]

128. +another one

Can't make this point often enough. The exact opposite has happened, the tent keeps moving to the right.

Their strategy is that, by moving our tent to the right, they can push the Republicans tent so far to the right it goes over the cliff. Which works, but then where are we? Sitting in a tent on some right-of center rented corporate land, awkwardly co-habitating with whatever portion of Republicans were unwilling to go over the cliff, leaving our true home to the left filled with people who have no representation whatsoever.

[beerandjesus]

132. Ha! Awesome post.

I would advocate a bigger tent, rather than moving the tent further and further to the right (which I agree, the Democrats have been doing for the last 30 years). I would just add that if someone wants to come in through the right flap, once they're in, we need to usher them toward the left!

[dreamnightwind]

133. If we were camping on level ground I'd agree

to continue this metaphor, perhaps past its usefulness, never stopped me before so I'll continue.

The corporations and MIC that use their money and media control to set the agenda make damn certain that the ground tilts to the right, and everyone slides to the right of the tent no matter where it's pitched. So no matter the size of the tent, it's the right edge of it that sets the agenda.

I'm completely serious about this, whatever is the right-most edge of Democratic Party policy alignment is exactly where the party will govern from, due to the influence of money.

[beerandjesus]

131. Agreed. But keep in mind that if they're IN our tent, we can work on winning them over to the left.

If they're out kissing the asses of the teabaggers, it's much harder to get them to respond to reason.

[Union Scribe]

34. There is only one person in this thread

exhibiting the "D" from your acronym. Hint: it isn't any of the people you've accused so far.

[Isoldeblue]

125. If I'd see more here give credit

to Obama when he may deserve it, instead of criticizing him 24/7, then I'd believe that ODS were a lie. But unfortunately, there are those who don't feel he can do anything right, ever.
It seems like it's the cool, clever way to sound, that they know so much better than he does. But they fucking don't. Not really. If they did, I'd be reading about their alternative solutions and means of getting things done. Hello??? Crickets.

I don't feel he is 100% right on everything, either. I am disappointed about a couple issues, so far. But that may change. It has before.

But when I do stick up for him, I'm accused of being an Obama apologist. When I feel I'm trying to judge him in a reasonable way.

Too many criticize him, but never offer an alternative solution. As if they know what they would do if they were the POTUS. Too many don't really have a clue of what he has to deal with. But talk like they are in the position to know. What a crock!

[beerandjesus]

130. I actually don't disagree with your central point.

And although I do disagree with Obama a lot, and feel disappointed by him on many fronts, I think it's frankly childish to do the "cool, clever, acting smarter" thing you're talking about; and I mean literally childish, in the sense that I thought it was hip in my teens but, like most people probably, outgrew it. On the other hand, it's human nature to be more motivated to write on here when you disagree than when you agree.

I think the main reason Chained CPI is "on the table" right now probably is that the Republicans are going to reject it anyway, so Obama gets to look reasonable and willing to "make the tough choices" without having to actually do any harm to Social Security. (I think you were saying this elsewhere in this thread, pardon me if I'm wrong.) I'm still very uncomfortable with him playing that game, and wish he would stake out turf farther to the left, but I do think he knows what he's doing.

The reason the "ODS" thing infuriates me so much, specifically, is that it amounts to calling liberals teabaggers. The REAL ODS crowd is made up of the idiots still clamoring for the "real" birth certificate and talking about how Obama "thinks he's a king". To lump ANYONE on here (who survives the ban hammer for more than about 5 minutes) in with those morons is nothing but slander, or as I put it before, a lie, and a malicious one at that. This case was particularly egregious, since the OP merely copied and pasted an article in which the Obama administration said that CPI was still on the table, and for that was accused of "ODS".

And now I've pretty much lost my train of thought, but the point is, we don't all have to agree, and some of can even be assholes, but--and I'm not proud of this--that "ODS" thing PISSES ME OFF.

[dreamnightwind]

127. +1

[cali]

36. bwhahaah. concern over this is clearly legitimate as the administration is the one

that keeps it on the table thus keeping it topical.

sorry but it's a delusion of those who are so wrapped up in defending the President from anything but laurels, that discussing the administration's own words is an obsession.

When I point out how deeply ill these sufferers are, they get offended. I can't imagine why. I just want the poor sick, deluded adorer/defenders to get help.

I come in peace.

DERP

[Autumn]

65. So the White House and Obama are liars? Or are these words from the White House invisable to you?

"a controversial policy to cut the program "remains on the table" if Republicans are willing to compromise."

[Isoldeblue]

75. "if Republicans are willing to compromise."

being the key phrase. Sure. When hell freezes over... Obama knows they won't. You know and I know that. He is calling their bluff and just exploiting their own inane, shitful behavior, knowing that SS and CPI is safe from them under these circumstances, that they've created.

That's what I've come to believe. But if I'm wrong, then I'll feel bad and admit I was. But i don't think so...

[Autumn]

76. You and I will have to disagree on that.

My problem is that a Democratic President that I voted for offered it to them in negotiations. I don't think playing poker with other peoples lives and income is acceptable. Those fucking republicans are irrational, one never knows what they will do, thinking that one knows what they will do is about as smart as cornering a rabid skunk.

[Isoldeblue]

78. I felt the same way

till a few months ago. But what else can he do? I agree it's not best way to show the public what hypocrites they are. But he has so few options in being pres. But by this time he can predict pretty much what they'll do and what he can safely get away with, showing their asses..

Like your analogy to a rabid skunk, I feel that one should never corner anyone meaner than you.... But he's not really. In this case he only casually throws it out there, but it's not an offical bargaining chip. When it is, then I'll worry.

[Autumn]

80. It was an official bargaining chip. One the republicans hadn't asked for, he offered it.

. The budget was submitted and we will see what happens from here.

[Isoldeblue]

86. Then what did I miss?

Last week I read here that CPI was taken off the table. When did it go back on, officially? This article is saying it's a "suggestion", not an offical offer or WH statement.

I reread this article and I see that IF cons were willing to give more tax revenues, only then would he consider cutting CPI. that's the key. They will not raise taxes on the rich and he knows that. I still feel our SS is easily safe, based on that.. I'd expect he'd want a hefty increase in tax revenue, before he'd cut SS.

[Autumn]

88. I don't think you are missing anything.

Different people will have different comfort zones.

[Isoldeblue]

89. Fair enough.

If you're right about him, then I'll buy you a drink...

[Autumn]

92. Isoldeblue, I don't want to be right.

It saddens me that I have lost so much trust in my party. I want the trust back that I had over 40 years ago when I so proudly registered as a Democrat. But for so long now I have watched them move away. But for now, it's all good.

[Isoldeblue]

95. I get that

and am discouraged as well.

I guess it's difficult to discover that I could have been so wrong about our pres... But the list is getting longer on too many issues that we don't get any communication on like the Keystone pipeline and TPP. I really thought he would have made more moves on decriminalizing weed. That's the toughest one for me. It's so hypocritical. And I need it for health issues.

Are we about the same age? I'm 68 and I remember so well the thrill of JFK and the promise he made seem possible.

[Autumn]

96. Come to Colorado. We have it

And it's good stuff. I think the rest of the country will legalize it very soon. I'm coming up on 62 real quick

[Isoldeblue]

97. I'm in the armpit of the south,

NW Florida. I'd love to go to CO. But I'd have to come back here for family. And I wouldn't want to try bringing back any kind herb....

We have a bill this year to legalize medical. How that will help remains to be seen. Florida is such a messed-up state.

[Autumn]

98. I'm sorry. My neighbor buys the cheesecake and comes over for coffee, it works

and the butter she uses for cooking is great. The dried herb she buys to vape is wicked

If you have a bill it will probably pass. Colorado is raking in the taxes from the recreational and I think that will help the other states

[Isoldeblue]

99. Accccccccccccccccccck!!

You're killing me! LOL I'd love some of that!

Awhile back I got some kush oil and made a little butter from it. I was semi-comatose for hours and even had a few mild hallucinations. I'll know better for next time to not use as much. DOH. I like glued to the bed, but not that.

It's time for me to get my nightly illegal smile going...

[Autumn]

100. Get your smile going and keep the faith

[Marr]

109. Why? So he can brag that he offered to cut SS, but the GOP was too leftist to take the offer?

Seriously-- please answer that question for me, because I've seen defenders of this president offer that defense repeatedly, and it makes zero f'ing sense.

For one thing, he's not running for office again. For another, the political stain is on the guy who *offered* to cut SS, not the people who refused the offer. Hell, they can even frame their refusal to compromise on a budget as a defense of Social Security, if need be.

[Isoldeblue]

124. I did say I could be wrong...

But I don't think so on this. Just because he's not running for an office doesn't mean he doesn't want what's right for us.

I think he's calling their bluff, after they spouted so loud about the need to cut SS. And he knows they won't raise tax revenues from the wealthy, and this proves their hypocrisy and leaves our SS safe. It's his way of proving how unwilling they are to compromise and do squat for us.

I don't feel Obama is perfect and I have some problems concerning his lack of certain policies and communication on some issues. But I am willing to give him credit where credit is due, He promised he would never cut SS and I choose to believe him on that.

[TheKentuckian]

136. One problem with this logic is it fails to account for the fact that nobody wants to cut

Social Security so there is no price to be paid from the public for not doing it.

Not even TeaPubliKlan voters want this so what is the rationale for punishing politicians who don't go along with a plan they are against?

There is no traction, no wedge here.

[Marr]

108. That statement was made yesterday.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/white-house-social-security-cuts-on-the-table

Who is deranged again?

[AgingAmerican]

6. The rightward frogmarch continues unabated

Another right wing wet dream on the table and up for grabs.

[Cheese4TheRat]

30. Don't worry, we'll all rally around Hillary because

Who are you going to vote for, a Republican.

And the march will continue, unabated.

[AgingAmerican]

33. Fascism with an angry frown

...or a wave and a smile. Take your pick!

[Cheese4TheRat]

60. Whichever represents the lesser of two evils?

[AgingAmerican]

67. Sadly...

yes

[L0oniX]

83. Can't wait for the bumper sticker: We Suck Less

[woo me with science]

7. K&R

[progressoid]

8. Hooray! Another pawn for the pan galactic chess game!

Silly old people can just pull themselves up by their support hose.

[rhett o rick]

9. I hope no one here fell for the, "but it's not in the proposed budget therefore it must be off the

table" bullshit.

Here's how it works: "Mr. President, the people object to cutting Social Security benefits as you suggested in your last budget proposal. You have two options, 1. Take SS cuts off the table, or 2. Merely remove the item from the proposal."

[Hassin Bin Sober]

11. I'm sure we'll go back to sqaure one here on DU.

1. They never said that - it's a lie

2. Well they said it but they really aren't cuts. They're just adjustment thingies.

3. Now that they are out of the budget, they really were cuts but all part of the master plan to trick the repigs.

[MannyGoldstein]

18. Or... we need to find the person with ODS who claims cuts are on the table:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=46036

[rhett o rick]

55. And just because it's not "on the table" doesnt mean it's "off the table". nm

[DeSwiss]

47. And if you have fallen for it.......

...maybe you'd also be interested in investing in some prime real estate in sunny Florida!!!!

- Really, at this stage is there anybody except his fan club that still believes anything he says???

[Enthusiast]

10. An actual Democrat could never do this.

[Demeter]

54. + Several Brazillion!

[L0oniX]

84. Engangered species: "actual Democrat" ...Sanders is more of a Dem than the majority of Dems IMO.

[ProSense]

12. I'm sure

"In last year's Budget, the President included a compromise proposal intended as a show of good faith to spark additional negotiations with Congressional Republicans about the nation’s long-term deficits and debt and to encourage all parties to come together to remove the economically-damaging sequestration cuts," the White House said in a fact sheet that accompanied its budget release. "Although that compromise proposal remains on the table, given Congressional Republicans' unwillingness to negotiate a balanced long-term deficit reduction deal, the President’s 2015 Budget returns to a more traditional Budget presentation that is focused on achieving the President’s vision for the best path to create growth and opportunity for all Americans, and the investments needed to meet that vision."

...Republicans are going to jump on that. I mean, it's not in the President's budget and Senate Democrats aren't interested.

5 Reasons Paul Ryan Is In A Budget Jam
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024601975

[jsr]

13. Affirmations often come true with constant repetition

[L0oniX]

85. So that's where the ol "It's only a movie" comes from.

[jsr]

90. Yep.

[beerandjesus]

104. Nice reference!

[HereSince1628]

17. It's never going to go off the table. Bringing it off the 3rd rail

is by itself a bright star in the legacy of the Obama administration as seen from the point of view of a post-social interest austerity society.

[grahamhgreen]

119. Only food is going off the table.

[woo me with science]

123. Food and shelter.

[polichick]

21. What's that old saying? I think it goes like this...

"When somebody shows you who they are, believe it."

(Doesn't just apply to the prez, but to a lot of party leaders.)

[WillyT]

22. K & R !!!

[woo me with science]

28. I see the garbage, dishonest talking point is back

already in this thread, that threatened SS cuts are just rhetoric and don't harm anyone. They harm EVERYONE.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=edit&forum=1002&thread=4535742&pid=4535966

K&R for this OP.

[Cheese4TheRat]

31. Yes! First desensitize, then destroy.

[ProSense]

43. The "garbage, dishonest talking point"

is serving its purpose, keeping the outrage going and causing Republican confusion.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024601975

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024602285

[BlueJac]

29. Wake the fuck up Obama...

Quit being a Reagan lover and step up to the plate for the average American. I have been misled my entire life and I am SICK AND TIRED OF IT. Tax to top 1% and give the other 99% a fucking break! You always seem to have money for the other guys!!!!!!

[Cheese4TheRat]

32. I stepped up and voted Jill Stein.

Of course, my state is deep blue.

[bigwillq]

39. I voted third party in 2012

because I knew Obama was going to win my state (CT) with or without my vote.

The two-party system has ruined American politics.

[Cheese4TheRat]

61. I like what they do in Oregon.

Instant runoff lets you make multiple, ranked selections. If your first choice doesn't reach a threshold, your voted automatically rolls over to your second choice, etc.

It let's people vote third party without the false fear of "wasting" your vote.

[bigwillq]

62. Or they can just get rid of the electoral college (nt)

[Cheese4TheRat]

64. That won't promote third party choices, though.

And there have only be two instances where the popular vote didn't match the electoral vote.

[bigwillq]

66. This is true

but I would rather vote for one candidate than that First Choice-Second Choice Oregon Model.

[Cheese4TheRat]

101. You still could.

[BlueJac]

134. I ready for Warren...

If she is not all talk like Obama.

[Cheese4TheRat]

139. If Senator Warren is a primary candidate I will vote for her.

If Senator Warren is the nominee for President I will vote for her.

[The Masked Shrike]

41. He is wide awake

He knows exactly what he is doing. It's a big club and you ain't in it.

[Divernan]

42. You got that right! & Welcome to DU.

[woo me with science]

103. Awake and deliberate. nt

Barack Obama in 2006: "This is not a bloodless process."

[Divernan]

37. With Obama, it's the death of a thousand cuts.

A friend who has been on 18 months of medical disability leave (unpaid after the first 3 months) from her job just worked on her federal taxes today and learned the following change had been slipped in to this year's tax code, which screws over everyone under the age of 65 who themself or one of their dependents suffered significant medical expenses.

If you itemize deductions and you're under 65, you may deduct the amounts you paid for medical and dental expenses that exceeds 10% of your adjusted gross income (AGI). If either you or your spouse is 65 or older, you can deduct the amount that exceeds 7.5% of your AGI.

However, don't breathe a sigh of relief, fellow senior taxpayers:

Beginning in 2013, assuming that nothing changes, the floor for itemizing medical expenses will be increased from 7.5% of AGI to 10% of AGI. Seniors are exempt from the increase only through January 2017. http://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2011/06/20/deduct-this-the-history-of-the-medical-expenses-deduction/

I suppose Obama's cheerleaders will blame the Congress, and the Congress will blame Obama. I choose to blame all of them. Wherever the change originated, Obama signed off on it. Just like his hero Ronald Regan increased the threshold from 3% to 5%.

As part of the 1954 changes, the threshold for claiming expenses was lowered to 3% and the cap on the expenses was doubled. Ten years later, the ceiling on medical expenses was eliminated though the floor remained.

In 1982, as part of the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (“TEFRA”), the first of then President Ronald Reagan’s tax bills, the floor for the medical expense deduction was increased (again) to 5% of AGI.

So tuff news for all you folks with chronic diseases; or whose kids have chronic diseases; or who faced catastrophic medical expenses of every sort. Even if you had health insurance, you still had to pay the co-pays, the deductibles; transportation and parking costs. Changing the threshold from 7.5 to 10 percent just reduced your deduction by 25%.

There are no such floors for other, more popular deductions, such as taxes paid and home mortgage interest. Is that because bankers have better lobbyists? Or do we just value homes over health care generally?

[Hoyt]

57. You do realize very few folks will be impacted, and the amount those few might have

to pay in additional taxes is quite small. Someone with an ajusted gross income of $40, 000 might have to pay an additional $150 in taxes, and very few would be hit with it. It's not a big deal for most people, and it's doubtful anyone with an inome under say $25, 000 would pay one penny more.

[woo me with science]

58. Wow. Our Democratic President will not hurt very many!

Let's cheer that! Only limited assaults!

Good god, you can't even parody this Stockholm Syndrome garbage anymore.

[Hoyt]

59. I see no reason to trump up criticism of Obama. Maybe you guys should find something that matters.

This one doesn't pass that test.

[Doctor_J]

71. I was afraid the conversation would bend this way

Every democrat should be outraged that the president we voted for is in favor of ss cuts. Instead we're being told that "not many people will be impacted". This is how a party dies.

[woo me with science]

79. They honestly seem to believe that they've transformed what a party is...

from an organization that people willingly join together to create and choose to be a part of because it serves their interests and works on their behalf...

to a hostage-keeping organization that can demand loyalty because it will not hurt and assault you quite as much as the other one would.

You are right. This is *exactly* how a party dies.

[Hoyt]

87. We are talking about income taxes, not SS.

[Skittles]

91. if that was true he wouldn't be using it like a political football

[Hoyt]

94. I'm responding to poster 37 above who is trying to make an issue of taxes that

will not impact anyone, but some higher income retirees, and then only a few dollars for the few affected.

[Doctor_J]

38. change you can believe in

Or it might be chess. Help me here

[fleabiscuit]

40. Oh what the hell.

There should be room for some interesting conversation between "I am a soul mate to Obama and channel him frequently and he doesn't really mean what he says because he's like a master 3D chess player." and "Obama has inherited the dead soul of Pol Pot and is going to use your children to kill you."

A big ol' K & R!

[markpkessinger]

44. Pray, tell, what do the Palace Guard have to say about this? n/t

[pinto]

45. I don't see that quote anywhere in the cited fact sheet.

The embedded fact sheet link -

http://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/USEOPWHPO/2014/03/04/file_attachments/275002/Fact%2BSheet_The%2BPresident%2527s%2BFiscal%2BYear%2B2015%2BBudget%2B%2BFINAL.pdf

I think TPM's Sahil Kapur is stretching it a bit.

[Doctor_J]

46. read the last sentence in the op

What

would

make it clear to you that president dino would be okay with benefit cuts?

[pinto]

48. This one? -

"But senior administration officials made clear that while Chained CPI is not a policy that the president ideally wants, he's still willing to support it if Republicans reciprocate with tax revenues."

No citation, no clear reference. Still think this is Kapur's take. We'll see...

[Divernan]

50. What part of multiple "senior administration officials made clear" don't you understand.

Of course there's no citation - it's how administrations deliberately leak info. And if Kapur was spinning this from whole cloth, of course a named official from the Obama administration will immediately correct it. I'm not holding my breath.

[pinto]

52. I'm just suggesting that we take speculation, reading between the lines, and vague references

as just that. I understand clearly the phrase "senior administration officials made clear" in a journalistic use. My point is that we ought to take that at face value without jumping to conclusions.

No more, nor less. Did you read the cited fact sheet? There's a lot there.

[rhett o rick]

56. Do you think SS cuts are off the table? nm

[winter is coming]

49. And they wonder why Dems have a "meh" attitude vis a vis the midterms. n/t

[Doctor_J]

72. word

Then the no shows will be excoriated if they don't vote.

[closeupready]

51. And this is why Elizabeth Warren's star keeps rising.

To the chagrin of 'serious' Democrats.

[sibelian]

63. TREMBLE, MORTALS AND... BEHOLD ! THE MAGIC TABLE OF MORAL DISCUSSABILITY!

See the Mage of Legitimacy stroke his Beard of Wisdom as he places the Orb of Social Security ON the ancient, cracked slab... lightning flickers dramatically, lending the surroundings a serious, politically charged sort of air and the faces of dispossessed children dance expressionlessly and languidly in the Orb...

FLASH! MY HEAVENS! The Orb comes alive, athrob with a golden, eldritch aura of POLITICAL SIGNIFICANCE! Sparkling, aetheric embers of experienced perspective and attention to context glitter and cavort in arcane spirals about the curves of spooky, mysterious, slightly-difficult-to-understand-in-some-slightly-awkward-sort-of-way Orb, as if oozing of their own accord... The children's faces are alive and talking! They need stuff like food and shoes! They have ordinary, prosaic needs like other living organisms all over the planet! WHO KNEW?!??!? The Mage's eyes gleam with glittery political magic knowledge that is beyond our ken.

But now, SEE, little muggles, as he takes the Orb, polished form the touch of many wise hands, OFF the sacred altar...

GASP! The aura of being-something-we're-talking-about-right-now... has GONE. VANISHED, as if it never was. The Orb has no more meaning than a piece of glass, humble and without consequence of any kind. The children's faces are sort of fake-looking, like cheap holograms. Guess we won't be talking about that then. Marvellous! We can admire the sexy aura of OTHER stuff.

I SO WANT a table like that. Or at least a Table of Familial Responsibility that I can put my Crazy Fundy Aunt Jill's Christmas Visits on or off. It would make everything so convenient.

[Doctor_J]

69. don't sound like you thank God every day for Obama

Shame!!!!!!!

[jsr]

74. He is the reason for the season.

You'll find it hard to imagine life otherwise.

[QC]

105. He is the wind beneath my wings.

[woo me with science]

113. Don't worry. There is more glory waiting in the wings...

Actual thread title before edit:

"That Obama-Clinton Chemistry (They Glory In One Another's Radiance)"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022271797

Creepy. http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=2666860

[jsr]

115. Behold the radiant glow

Is there a halo?

[woo me with science]

137. It might be a halo.

It might be a reflection from the fire of the drones.

[sibelian]

122. It is not my intention to offend the Radiant One, nor his patient, persecuted followers.

I just wish they'd speak in plain English. I like that sort of thing. I get testy when they don't. It makes me think they think I'm stupid. Which I don't like.

[woo me with science]

117. You just made my day.

Perfection.

[sibelian]

121. Why thank you, woo, thank you.

One day my genius will be more widely recognised, chortle, wink!

[bigwillq]

68. Whether the cuts are ultimately made or not, it's sad

that a Democratic President and Democratic Lawmakers would even consider keeping them "on the table"

[Doctor_J]

70. yeah it's a shame. his legacy will be that of an appeasing dino

whose only accomplishments of any note will be republican policies

[Cleita]

73. I have written him on this and he replies politely with a lot of clap trap about

programs like food stamps to help out. He doesn't get it, especially since food stamps are getting cut up too.

[jsr]

93. We need to send $1 Billion to Ukraine ASAP

Last edited Wed Mar 5, 2014, 02:04 AM - Edit history (1)

because we have too much money.

[KoKo]

110. According to Victoria Nuland we already gave them 5 Billion so what's

another 1 Billion. (from the intercepted phone conversation).

[jsr]

112. Next time, make it a total of 7. Heck, round it off to 10.

No biggie.

[pacerbluedrum1949]

77. yeah right

Exactly let's comprise to the party that has done nothing but cause pain and undo hardship even to their constituents that cries Gov spends to much turns around and shuts down the same Gov for the tune of twenty three billion they have never been honest players ever and ,Mr President too reward these AWFULL people with any cuts too S.S IS ABHORRENT .And that we can as country come with and endless supply of money to kill people but we are so broke for our citizens that a Democrat is willing a cut to a social safety net to appease the same people that are creating the problem??? .I don't understand it I will NEVER UNDERSTAND IT And you can't be the only adult in the room, if it's filled with three yr olds

[AgingAmerican]

102. The GOP know that cutting SS would be suicide

Why does Obama keep trying to hand it to them? I will never understand this third way nonsense.

[L0oniX]

81. I thought progressives were the only ones thrown under the bus but Dems are there too.

Nothing like the smell of 3rd rail road kill to help the 2014 and 2016 Dem candidates .......loose! Oh and the 2 million deported Mexicans won't be voting so no big deal with that huh ...I'm sure those left here without parents will vote Dem ...eventually. ...but hey ...at least I don't hate Obama.

[KoKo]

111. Dem Voters will be blamed when TPP & Keystone XL are passed after Mid-Term Elections

When all along it's Obama Administrations policies that caused the low turnout and it seems to be exactly what they wanted all along.

Hope I'm wrong but the the rhetoric from this administration doesn't give me confidence that they are anything but Corporatists.

[L0oniX]

114. With Obama now the king of deportation ...don't expect a lot of Latino votes either.

[workinclasszero]

106. But hey Ukraine have a free billion on us! Let us know if you need more!

Kerry bearing gifts: $1 Billion for Ukraine

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024604576

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

[ProSense]

116. Jared Berstein: What’s Not DOA in the Obama Budget

Jared Berstein: What’s Not DOA in the Obama Budget
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024609603

[grahamhgreen]

118. Take SS cuts off the table, not food.

2 billion/week for Afghanistan. Must starve grannie for war!

[woo me with science]

120. "the embrace of a culture of cruelty"

Henry Giroux on Resisting the Neoliberal Revolution
http://billmoyers.com/2014/02/21/henry-giroux-on-resisting-the-neoliberal-revolution/

Neoliberalism is..."the embrace of a culture of cruelty."

Barack Obama, advocating globalism and SS cuts/"reform" in 2006
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1540315:

"This is not a bloodless process."

They know these policies hurt millions.

They. Don't. Care.


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