General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: I hold a straight forward opinion: Obama offered moving to Chained CPI because he's open to it [View all]grantcart
(53,061 posts)"Call it more accurate."
One of the technical aspects of the discussion (putting aside the question of who it affects) is the question of the most accurate calculator of index.
I don't have time to investigate it but you seem to be on top of it.
A number of people, even on the left, seem to indicate that economists at the peer review level have concluded (without apparent dissent) that the new formula is a more accurate predictor of inflation and that seems to be backed up with studies.
It seems like it would be helpful to establish what indicator actually is considered more accurate. Given that I don't see any liberals charging that the status quo is more accurate it seems that our defense of it is not that it is more accurate but that it helps the elderly more.
So which formula is held by economists to be the more accurate?
Greenfield advances an argument that it may not be more accurate for the elderly but suggests that the studies haven't been done to actually prove it.
There are many ways to read the tea leaves.
For example you allege that
"Obama, how DARE you cave on tax cuts for the rich & then raid Social Security to pay for them"
When there is neither any evidence that the President has caved on tax cuts for the rich or the rather fanciful explanation that he was going to raid Social Security to pay for them.
Do you now regret that OP?
Does it give you any pause that LO who served for both Moynihan and the Senate Finance Committee doesn't share your concern?
Oh and "the guest" that you don't seem to be familiar with, here is what people have said about him
Greenstein & Co. have been there for every hearing, every amendment and every budget reconciliation, ensuring that the interests of the poor and working class are considered
"They are the national conscience on issues having to do with income and poverty," says Wendell Primus, a policy adviser to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
"They've given low-income people a seat at the table," Charlie Rangel
"The center was among liberal groups that criticized President Bill Clinton for not vetoing the Republican version of welfare reform, predicting it would throw a million Americans into poverty. But two days after Clinton signed the legislation, Greenstein was back at the White House, eventually helping roll back some of the bill's most draconian provisions".
I also found it interesting that Howard Dean said on Maddow yesterday that it was a very technical issue and that he always had found Pelosi on top of the subject and that he was happy to hear her reassurance on the entire package.
I have always considered you one of the most balance and fair minded posters but it appears that you have joined the DU "shoot first and ask questions later" herd to brand Obama as the guy who "caved in" on tax cuts for the rich and then "raided Social Security".
Unfortunately I just don't have more time to spend on the subject.
Having to choose between those that are apparently looking for an inflammatory OP title to get a bunch of recs on the one hand and O'Donnell, Greenstein, Dean, and the President on the other, I am going to have to go with the later.
I would have put more credence in your OP if instead of having to search for the other parts of the package you would have commented on the entire package on the OP and not had to drag it out in the replies.
Now that you have had a chance to get a little more up to date on what is understood to be at least some of the other parts of the PROPOSED negotiations will you add that to your OP or just let it stand as is?
Do you still stand by your well loved:
Obama, how DARE you cave on tax cuts for the rich & then raid Social Security to pay for them.
Frankly I found the inaccuracy of both parts separately, the bizarre attempt to connect the two and the condescension toward President Obama to be completely unlike your previous outstanding analysis.
I have a long drive ahead today so won't be able to check back, but Seasons Greetings.