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Obama Threatens Social Security

Don't bank on the stock market

I don't think anyone can depend on 401(k)s or investing in the stock market for retirement. Since Wall Street owns the two major parties in charge of the economy, it is going down the toilet. Social Security and Medicare are the only hope for a somewhat decent retirement for future generations. Older workers will have a hard time finding a job in the current downturn. They need Social Security as soon as they qualify. We might as well face facts! Obama needs some competition in the Democratic primaries in 2012! Larry Summers, his spokesman hyping tax breaks for the wealthy, saying there would be a double dip without them. I would not be surprised by a double dip, but neoliberal money markets and multinationals will be responsible for it.

Obama on Board with Assault on SS and SSD

Obama on Board with Assault on SS and SSD

To the dismay of the Fox and Friends, NPR woke me this morning as it does every work day, and in time to hear Steve Inskeep's interview of President Obama. He acknowledged his next task is to "simplify" the tax code à la the debt commission by lowering marginal rates and eliminating loop holes. One certainty: the number of lobbyists protecting loopholes for the poor and middle class will be numbered at "none."

Then he will concentrate on deficit reduction, which he attributed to "Social Security and Medicaid" (I think he meant Medicare).

Off to the shower, quite depressed.

Now, on the 8:23, coffee in hand, let's look at Friday's op-ed to commiserate with my boy Krugman. Oh no, dead in between the Times's left and right, the dreaded Orzag, whose prescient idea of extending the tax cuts for all for two years was the deal Obama had just negotiated along with an unexpected "death tax" sweetner on the side. His recommendation:

Social Security Disability, which enabled my sister to survive with dignity and medical coverage, should be overhauled by privatization.

Not a good day for the home team; and our ace on the mound who excels at lobbing batting practice will no doubt throw another curveball at his team. You now know how the rest of the poem goes.