Liberals angry Obama playing with Social Security/Medicare
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Liberals are upset that Obama even mentioned putting social security and medicare on the bargaining table
I have long supported President Obama even when some of his most loyal followers deserted him. I supported him when, among other things, he did little to force universal health care, and settled for the watered down version. I supported his Afghanistan policy, even the troop surge. I remained loyal when he seemed not to care about DADT, and I stood by him when he chose to sacrifice the lives of hundreds, if not thousands of America’s wolves in favor of bi-partisanship. Speaking of which I even supported him when he would, figuratively speaking, appear to get on his knees in supplication to the Republicans.
If, however, he tampers with the benefits section of either Social Security or Medicare, I won’t support him anymore. I don’t care what he trims on the administrative end as I have no doubt there is unbelievable waste, but don’t cut services.
That’s not to say I will vote for the GOP because a Republican in the White House would be a nightmare for our country, one that would have disastrous consequences well into the future, but I won’t trumpet Obama’s accomplishments, and will be less understanding of his tactics. I’m not so naive to think that what I do or what I write is going to make a difference in the changing fortunes of time but it will make me feel better.
I suspect he knows that the Republicans will never support doing away with the tax cuts for their corporate pals, the exchange for entitlement cuts, so he’s just gambling, but this is one hand he has to win.
Here’s the story:
We won’t know for a while what, if any, deal will emerge on the debt ceiling. Or what, if anything, that might mean for Social Security and other entitlement programs. But this much is clear: Liberals are livid that President Obama even raised the possibility of touching them, reports the Los Angeles Times. Two examples from today: Sen. Bernie Sanders reminded all that then-candidate Obama rebuffed John McCain’s proposal to hit Social Security. “The American people expect the president to keep his word,” said Sanders. Moveon.org, meanwhile, warned that Obama would have trouble drumming up volunteers for his 2012 run if he didn’t keep that promise.
Negotiators better not dismiss such opposition, writes Nate Silver at the New York Times. The debt deal vote is a rare instance in the 112th Congress in which the liberal vote could sway the outcome. John Boehner will have trouble enough getting a majority of Republicans to approve any deal. By Silver’s reckoning, he also will need at least 12 of the 80 or so members of the liberal Congressional Progressive Caucus to go along. That makes a big deal on entitlement programs unlikely. In this case, “the views of liberal Democrats are far more than a token issue.”
What do you think? If the president tampers with the benefits of either social security or medicare will you still support him?
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I also think it’s a bluff Mike. The good thing out of this is that it may unify all the Dems. I admire hell ut of republicans for their loyalty. Misguided sure. But the Dems need more loyalty and party discipline. Look when we had the majority and still had gut everything on the agenda because of a few jackoffs like Ben Nelson.
It sucks I know having to put up with the pandering to the right. Until we achieve real party unity and loyalty that’s what we gotta do. A unified party controls it’s leaders. Our disunity is allowing the right to set the agenda and decide what gets done.
Obama can’t do it. It would certainly be political suicide if he cut ss/mc services.
Agreed. It’s a bluff, and from what I’m hearing if the Righties actually do agree to raise taxes on the wealthy the only cuts he would make are purely administrative and would have no effect whatsoever on benefits.
Yes, I’ll still vote for him. The latest news is that rethugs want to raise retirement age for Social Security to 70. When I vote, I will add a write-in: Senator Barbara Boxer.
I have always believed that the nomination should have been Biden for president and Obama for vice president. There is still enough of a difference between the parties that keeps me voting for Democrat.
If you do that your vote won’t make a difference. As to Biden/Obama, I don’t see that and doubt Biden would have beaten McCain.
I know my vote won’t count for president, but it will count for the Senate, progressive Congressional Reps (probably the most important), and local candidates and bonds.
Collin is right–if Obama tries to cut social security services, we will probably have Jon Huntsman in office. He’s extremely conservative, so if you hear the word “moderate” used with his name, be suspicious.
What needs changing is Congress. And, yes, I agree that, possibly, Biden wouldn’t have won the general election. Still, based on his experience, he might not have been willing to compromise with the lunatic GOP fringe. Then again, who knows…
I’m still not an Obama hater: he’s tried so hard to unify this country. I blame anyone who doesn’t want to sit down and compromise. When I read that the extreme left wing are being lured to the pee party, then a moderate is who I’d vote for.
Mike, your comments give me hope, if Social Security changes are purely administrative and Obama is able to confuse the extreme right that he is making changes, when in fact he makes none, I’ll be among those that who recognize the “changes” for what they are.
Like lazersdge, I am overwhelmed by the chicannery and non-stop political bombardment, much of which seems like minutia compared to the more important issues that are not presented in the news; if, in fact, any real news still exsits.
I’ll vote for him, but reluctantly. He hasn’t shown me a lot.
NO!
The decision to not support him was already made.
bama putting this on the table only supports that decision.
I won’t vote for a Republican Tom and I will never just stay home.
Nor will I.
Didn’t forget Bill. That comes in installment two 🙂