Jul 9, 2014

Senator Brown Speaks Out In Support Of Social Security Disability Benefits

     From the Columbus Dispatch:
Sen. Sherrod Brown [D-OH] yesterday called on progressives to defend and “expand” both Social Security and Social Security’s disability insurance against what he assailed as right-wing critics.
In a speech at the Center for American Progress — a Democratic-leaning nonprofit organization in Washington — Brown, D-Ohio, said that “the debate over Social Security should not be how much we can cut from the program in order to balance the federal budget.”
Brown added, the “debate over Social Security should not be about raising the retirement age or limiting benefits. The debate over Social Security should be about retirement security.”
Speaking before a group of about 40 people, Brown said in order to help disabled and elderly Americans stay out of the streets, progressives must not “let one piece of Social Security be picked off.”

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

He misses the point.

Brown added, the “debate over Social Security should not be about raising the retirement age or limiting benefits. The debate over Social Security should be about retirement security.”

Sorry, but raising the retirement age/cutting benefits are things that are going to have to happen eventually if we want to have "security" during retirement for those of us young enough to still be on the upward arc of our careers.

Mike B. said...

Benefits are not going to be cut for older people (for example, the baby boomers). If young people want their own benefits to be cut to save themselves a few pennies in taxes, I guess that's their right, but it is not necessary. We could collectively decide what the level of benefits should be, and then raise the necessary funds. I think there would be a lot of support for higher benefits - but the people who run the country want cuts, so that's all we hear about.

Anonymous said...

Cuts from somewhere seem inevitable. It seems like it would be reasonable if Congress gave current workers a heads up. Like those under 50 still working, their PIA will go down 5-10 percent (or whatever makes the numbers work). Then, there would be an open dialogue and workers would not be shocked when they reach retirement age.

I just turned 40. I pretty much already know what I pay into SSA will not be there entirely when I retire (unless I live to be over 100).

Anonymous said...

The money's there to preserve Social Security, but it's a question of priorities. Conservatives have no problem finding money if the issue is giving fat government contracts or tax breaks to big business or the wealthy. The question to ask, is that more important than preserving the dignity of retirees and people with disabilities? Kudos to Senator Brown for standing up and saying no.

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