Discussion for article #231812
How is it that the GOP could engineer cuts to SS by passing a rule? Isn’t that an end run around the constitution that says the President has to sign bills? They complain when the President issues executive orders (to execute the laws, as he is supposed to do,) isn’t this worse, some kind of dictatorial coup?
I suppose the president or citizens could respond like the House did and sue congress over this rule.
Making changes to SS is consistent with standard republifascist practice here in michigan. For example, effective road funding has declined as the gas tax hasn’t been increased to keep up with inflation in 18 years, but instead of just increasing the tax, they are trying to blow up the whole system such that it is hard to be sure what the tax increase is, or whether the proposal includes back door cuts in other areas.
It’s about time someone stood up to the disabled. They’re the ones who are tearing this country apart. Thanks, Republicans!
I wonder why they were allowed to “QUIETLY” lay the groundwork to destroy social security since 2010?
This is another example why the democrats needs new leaders to be confrontational with these right wing traitors.
What is the end game. Do conservatives want to see dead people in the streets?
Democrats should already be screaming from the rooftops that the Republicans are planning to slash Grandma’s Social Security check. That would be sound and savvy political action.
But, except for a few progressives generally ignored by the press, and TPM and a few other smart web sites, there’s silence. Anything from the DNC or the DSCC or the DCCC? Give me a break.
Is this the fraud we find in the voting booth? Instead of making it possible to root out the fraud the Republicans take the more “reasonable” approach of gutting the system. Like cutting off your foot because of an ingrown toe nail.
Unless democrats want to aid and abet the republicans, I don’t really see why any negotiations are necessary. Even in the current media environment it would seem that this plays a lot like a government shutdown, only more mean-spirited. “Republicans stand firm on rule slashing disability payments by 20%” is not something that plays well in the middle of an election cycle.
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Only commies and pinkos have facial hair.
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Poster child, never held a real job except driving a wiener mobile, family became wealthy building roads on taxpayer’s money, then found aid and comfort in the fascist Kemp camp.
Is there a single tendency that defines today’s GOP more succinctly than their eagerness to punch down?
The “end game” here is to eventually lay the groundwork to means test Social Security.
Cable companies, where the Democratic voice could and should be heard, and unfortunately where most people are getting their news these days, will provide more cover for all the antics of the Republican majority in Congress. They’ve always let them off the hook.
Even though they’re in the majority now in both Houses, the focus will be why won’t President Obama go along if he’s for bipartisanship. Besides cable is a one story a day, for 24 hrs straight news service now. I suspect we’ll be hearing about terrorism in France evolve into a scary stories of potential terrorism in the US story soon…and then the 24 hr. cable can suck the air out of that for another week or two and ignore all domestic issues that are clearly in need of attention. Meanwhile the Thugs will continue to concoct one issue after another according to their domestic agenda and the destruction through legislative nihilism will hardly be reported.
Thankfully some progressive sites like TPM are taking a good hard look at the games these Republicans are already playing with the social safety net.
We’ve known for a long time that Ryan received SS survivor benefits for about two years after the death of his father. So he got his and as to the rest of you, whatever.
Somehow I think disability fraud is about as high as voter fraud. If you have ever been close to or handheld anyone who has been through a Social Security disability application, you would witness a very lengthy and highly scrutinized process. More often than not it takes years of persistence which probably keeps more people out that should qualify than allows those to qualify that should not. Those becoming disabled, by the very nature of their diminished capacity, often lack much of wherewith-all to confront the complicated process it becomes, even with strong advocacy.
The next rightwing eruption will be about this: The Nebraska Supreme Court has said the Keystone pipeline can go ahead, and the righties will be pressuring the president to approve it, providing jobs, and happiness and freedom
I think the more general goal is privatization, aka dissolution.
“Republicans are seizing a once-every-20-years opportunity to force a crisis in the Social Security disability program and use it as leverage to push through reforms”
Hahahahahahahaha!!! You said “reforms”!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAhA!!!
Note to TPM: Teatroll Rosetta Stone says “Reforms” = “Breaking things on purpose.”
Heavens no! find some place to put them so that they are out of sight… nobody wants to see dead people.