So now Social Security Cuts are a Grand Symbolic Gesture to the Stock Market?

[jtown1123]

We all know Paul Ryan is a turd sandwich. Recently, he is admitting Social Security cuts will not do anything to ease our deficit, it would, however, make the stock markets really, really happy:

I’m boggled. That just boggles my mind…I would argue, even though, it’s not really a driver of our debt, it’s not a significant part of our debt problems, it would build great confidence, fixing Social Security on a bipartisan basis, because it would tell not only the credit markets that Americans are getting their act together, it would buy us more time and space with them, it would show that our government’s not broken--Paul Ryan via: http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/2011/03/17/ryan-social-boggled/

Why aren't Democrats repeating this nonsense from the rooftops? Exposing Ryan and Republicans for what they really are?

Is it because some big wig Democrats actually agree?

The Hill

Geithner and his lieutenants argue that benefits reform will give the markets confidence that Obama and Congress have the will to address the problem of long-term national debt.

http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/149489-social-security-reform-splits-the-white-house

Digby writes:

This is an interesting insight because what it really illuminates is the fact that Obama’s economic team’s main job is to “send messages” to the bond market. As Krugman has written extensively, this is a particularly bankrupt and almost desperate move that makes little economic sense unless the Treasury Dept has now literally bought into the idea that they need to sacrifice human beings to appease the market Gods.

It’s not reassuring at all that it’s only the political actors who are arguing against cuts because Social Security is not contributing in any way to the deficit or the current economic challenges. The last people who should be advocating for this are the policy people and the fact that they are is very disturbing. It’s either fantasy or corruption.

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/grand-bargains-and-adult-conversations.html

It's time to get really vocal with Democrats on this. So far, Harry Reid may be the only obstacle in the way of Social Security cuts. If they cut Social Security to appease the almighty bond market Gods, we have officially and visibly crossed over into the government run by the corporations, for the corporations. I don't doubt it's that way already but at least they used to lie about it. Now they are boldly spewing this crap and expecting us to roll over and accept it because they have a capital "D" next to their names.

[dkf]

1. I would like to see where he said it would do nothing for our deficit ever.

The problems are farther out. That is why they aren't talking about current benefits, but about making sure growth in future benefits are contained.

[Angry Dragon]

2. Raise the caps and then problem solved

see how easy that was ..........

[jtown1123]

4. There is no Social Security problem or crisis. Are you a fan of Ryan?

[OHdem10]

3. Of course, Wall Street has been lusting after the SS Fund for eons.

The Boomers are going to be taking more and more out
of Wall St upon retirement and there is a whole lot
of them. They want the SS for gambling money once
the Boomers start pulling out.
Privatize SS once you make the cuts. This has been
the GOP Plan since Reagan first tried.

An awful lot of Seniors got hurt and some wiped out
with the Wall ST. Crash this great recession. I am
sure they thank their lucky stars they at least have SS.

SS is not contributing to the deficit and therefore take
it off the Budget AXE table. Any reform to SS can be done
later and as a stand alone program.

[jtown1123]

6. I 100% agree. I am disturbed some Democrats agree with this.

[closeupready]

17. Of course. When they get their hands on it, they will seize the cash by 'fee'ing it to death.

Same ole song and dance.

[Brickbat]

5. If the market is doing well, they can keep talking about it as if the market = the economy.

It's the biggest lie they've got, and I have no idea why people fall for it over and over.

[jtown1123]

8. Yes, it's a lie. I think this stuff is too wonky for your average person on the street

to be interested in studying or understanding. Which sucks.

[liberal N proud]

7. That is all anything these monsters do is for

The Wall Street thugs.

The only important factor in any decision made politically or corporately is to appease the investor. The GOP would divest the entire nation lock stock and barrel to make Wall Street happy. Corporations likewise would sell off every last parcel and make nothing if it would reap a profit for the investor.

Never mind tomorrow, it is all about profit today!

[Aerows]

9. Excuse me, but why are we discussing cutting SS?

Clearly we have PLENTY of money if we can afford to get involved in a war with Libya. Wall Street needs to "enjoy" the gifts they have already received via the bailouts, not to mention stocks in defense companies will soar because there is yet another war.

It's time to get vocal with D's AND R's and tell them if you keep plunging our nation into war, then you need to stop cutting public services. I'd much rather spend millions on education than I would on wading into a civil war in Libya. We have people in the US dying from lack of health care - I'm more worried about them than I am the people in Libya, and excuse me if that sounds cold.

It's past time for the American people to get extremely pissed off about our adventures in the Middle East while we are busy getting budgets at home sliced to the bone.

[jtown1123]

14. Agreed. We just need to say exactly that, "Why are we even discussing this??"

[Scuba]

10. On behalf of all decent Wisconsites, I apologize for that POS. n/t

[gratuitous]

11. All is proceeding according to plan

I'll admit I'm a bit surprised to see that some of the robber barons are publicly admitting that they're out to cut social security for reasons having nothing to do with the deficit. I guess that lie was just too enormous to sustain anymore. Ryan is basically saying that if we fix this problem, which isn't a problem, it will impress the credit markets. Is Ryan saying that the credit markets are run by really stupid people? Why do we need to impress them?

[Enthusiast]

12. "Is it because some big wig Democrats actually agree?"

They play for the same team. No question.

[DirkGently]

13. The complete disconnect between the good of the people & benefitting the wealthy, in a nutshell.

[daa]

15. Better watch dems! The repuke Michigan gov

promised business tax cuts. Now he proposes to pay for it by taxing old folks income. Fuck old folks = recall.

[closeupready]

16. Raising taxes on the rich is the only way we will show we are serious about reducing our debt.

Fucking up social security will NOT do that - it will simply lower taxes EVEN FURTHER on the wealthy.