Social Security Works

By Benjamin I. Page and Lawrence R. Jacobs

Memo to Pete Peterson: Americans don’t want cuts Social Security – and here’s the proof.

Deficit-hawk and investment banker Pete Peterson has devoted a substantial part of his $2.8 billion fortune to pushing for cuts in entitlements like Social Security, in the name of deficit reduction. His Foundation lavishly funded the AmericaSpeaks “town hall” forums held on Saturday, the results of which will be presented to the national Deficit Commission this week — purporting to tell what the American public thinks about various deficit-reduction options.
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By Eric Kingson

As Obama’s Fiscal Commission prepares for its June 30 hearing, New Deal 2.0 invited leading thinkers to participate in our Social Security’s Fiscal Fitness series, which examines the soundness of the program, its relationship to the federal deficit, and the vital role it plays in America’s economic future.

Former Senator Alan Simpson, the co-chair of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, was on a tear when he declared that the traditional defenders of Social Security “don’t care a whit about their grandchildren…not a whit.” Besides being disrespectful, the logic of his assertion is all wrong. The nation’s children have a huge stake in the preservation of Social Security. Even more than their parents and grandparents, they stand to gain the most from the organized efforts of older Americans to strengthen the program, not cut it.
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By RJ Eskow also posted at Daily Kos

A video of retired Sen. Alan Simpson’s foulmouthed rant toward activist Alex Lawson is making the Internet rounds, as well it should: The sheer audacity and rudeness of the guy makes this clip “must-see TV.” It’s a political bloopers reel.

But, while Simpson’s outrageousness makes the video entertaining, here’s what make it important: Alan Simpson is one of two chairs of a bipartisan commission created by President Obama to study the Federal deficit. His comments reveal a number of very important things about his biases, his tendency to distort and mislead, and his ideological extremism. These traits are likely to taint the Commission’s work – work which has great implications for the future.

Your future.
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By Nancy Altman

As Obama’s Fiscal Commission prepares for its June 30 hearing, the Roosevelt Institute’s New Deal 2.0 blog invited me to participate in its Social Security’s Fiscal Fitness series, which examines the soundness of the program, its relationship to the federal deficit, and the vital role it plays in America’s economic future.

Deficit hawks plotting to cut Social Security to reduce the deficit are seriously misguided. The truth is that Social Security contributes not a single penny to the deficit. Indeed, it is the poster child for fiscal responsibility.
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By Ted Marmor

As Obama’s Fiscal Commission prepares for its June 30 hearing, the Roosevelt Institute’s New Deal 2.0 blog invited me to participate in its Social Security’s Fiscal Fitness series, which examines the soundness of the program, its relationship to the federal deficit, and the vital role it plays in America’s economic future.

The National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform set up by President Obama claims both that reducing the projected federal deficit should be a major national objective and that Social Security should be considered as one potential source of relief either through reducing benefits or enhancing revenues or some of both. That much is simply a fact.
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The Honorable Erskine Bowles
The Honorable Alan Simpson
Co-Chairs, National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. Bowles and Senator Simpson:

President Obama and many others have advocated both government in the sunshine and the participatory engagement of those affected by government decisions. They recognize that conducting work in these ways promotes accountability and improves the quality of decisions. We share those values. Accordingly, as advocates for the American people — working families, seniors, women, people with disabilities, children, people of color, veterans, young adults, those in poverty, and communities of faith – we urge that: (more…)

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By Nancy Altman and Eric Kingson

President Obama and the leadership in Congress have delegated enormous, unaccountable authority to 18 unrepresentative, inordinately wealthy individuals. The 18 individuals are meeting regularly, in secret, behind closed doors, until safely beyond this year’s mid-term election. If they reach agreement, their proposal will be voted on in December by a lame duck Congress, without the benefit of open hearings and deliberations in the pertinent committees and without the opportunity for open debate and amendment on the floors of the House and Senate. Despite the speed and lack of accountability, the legislation will affect, in substantial ways, every man, woman, and child in this nation.
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