Need counter argument regarding COLA not being increased.

[chknltl]

I've an elderly friend named Ray. He is a WWII vet, an ex-republican precinct commander and a hopeful for the Newt to unseat President Obama. Our debates are a peaceful way to pass the time. He is also a retiree who worked for the government over in Bremerton Naval Shipyards. Ray says that my claims that the Dems are for the working class are unfounded. He cites as an example that President Obama has refused to allow for Cost Of Living Allowance increases during his Presidency.

So what is the truth behind why President Obama chose not to sign for the raises in COLA that my friend Ray feels he deserves?

[shraby]

1. Cola is based on the percentage of raise in the cost of living.

It was determined that there was no raise in the cost of living, ergo..no cola for those on social security, etc.

[chknltl]

4. Cost of living didn't go up?

That's it?? Well that was too easy. Thanks.

[Freddie Stubbs]

2. President Obama did not refuse to sign for raises in COLA

COLAs are determined by a formula set by law. President Obama is following the law.

[chknltl]

6. Thanks (n/t)

[Zen Democrat]

3. Republicans want to slash all the social programs.

If they had enough power they would completely privatize everything, including Social Security and Medicare, prisons, the military, everything. He's pissed that he's not getting a SS increase this year, and he's a Republican??? What a dumbass.

[chknltl]

5. He and I rarely agree but...

...he has done enough good works in his life for me to label him one of my heroes. Dumbass is not a term I would call him....that said he did not like my calling him a supporter of fascism overmuch. I prefer to believe that my friend Ray has had his judgement clouded deliberately... (He thinks Gingrich is one of the good guys....nuff said)

[madrchsod]

7. suggest to him to call the a republican critter and...

ask them when they will call for a change in the way cola is formulated. it totally fucks us old folks over...the republicans would vote against changing the formula and the democrats are to cowardly to ask for a change.

my wife has not had a pay raise in 3 yrs and probably not in another three yrs. i have`t had a ss cola for two yrs now.

[chknltl]

9. I'll do that....or something similar

I'll ask him what the current repugs have in mind for COLA increases. This won't change his assertion that the Dems are against the working class but it should be amusing to hear what he'll come up with. (FWIW: to me, the more money circulating through the economy the better that economy becomes. It stands to reason then that a raise in COLA should benefit us all.)

[lonestarnot]

8. CEO annual salary increases and bonuses last year and this year.

Enough for me.

[chknltl]

10. He has heard that from me....

...he has no problem with capitalism, (his words), and folks getting rich is what we are all about. He utterly refuses to understand that money is not infinite. When I ask him if the middle class is struggling he says "Sure", when asked if the rich are getting richer he says "So?" He can't comprehend the relationship. When I ask him where the money was during the Great Depression, he just shrugs his shoulders and says "How should I know?"

[lonestarnot]

11. And how does he explain away that the top 1% own 65% or more of the fucking wealth in this country?

[chknltl]

12. He doesn't!

I am amazed at how callously he can respond with; "What's wrong with that?" Once when I pressed him further on this he snarkily replied that he still (at 80+years), intends someday to be rich! He just doesn't get it that as the rich get richer, the poor become more and poorer!

Now before we go calling my friend Ray a knuckle draggin' freeper fascist, the man has done a tremendous amount of good for our local community and is much loved by those of us he has touched. (There are thousands of folks who appreciate what he has done and continues to do for the sport of Disc Golf in the Pacific Northwest). I will defend HIM unconditionally, but I'll not defend his position on politics or his views on what America is about. We enjoy the hell out of our debates but I fear I'll never be able to uncloud his fuzzy thinking when it comes to politics.