This it big, AARP agrees to Social Security cuts

Ain't this ``interesting`` that this big news comes up LATE FRIDAY NIGHT?

AARP are the lobbying group for older Americans.

Key Seniors Association Pivots on Benefit Cut

AARP, the powerful lobbying group for older Americans, is dropping its longstanding opposition to cutting Social Security benefits, a move that could rock Washington's debate over how to revamp the nation's entitlement programs.

The decision, which AARP hasn't discussed publicly, came after a wrenching debate inside the organization. In 2005, the last time Social Security was debated, AARP led the effort to kill President George W. Bush's plan for partial privatization. AARP now has concluded that change is inevitable, and it wants to be at the table to try to minimize the pain.

Seems to me AARP might have been infiltrated by sell outs or just bought off.

Who's about to get screwed over? The seniors of course. There was never any money to actually pay social security... and there isn't to pay medicare or medicaid.

The government lied to you for decades. This is just the first shoe to drop... and America has three feet apparently.

What a sad story . The guys standing up for the older generation just threw in the towel . I feel terrible for the people who it was stolen from .


I suppose it is a first step to accepting the fact that social sec was sold out long time ago

Yes, I say we keep our very Socialist programs!

We rely on government in old age to make sure we are taken care of and have some type of income.

Don't touch Social Security

reply to post by Vitchilo


This had to happen, either way. Social Security is a cement block around the nation's financial neck due to a bad original design and endless mismanagement. However AARP has had a faith to maintain with it's membership to at least TRY and fight against things which will adversely effect their own people. If the Obamacare sell out from AARP didn't get people to cut their cards up and move to other Senior associations, this sure should.

I couldn't finish reading the article without logging in so
I was wondering if there will be benefit cuts right off
the top of the SS checks people are receiving right now.
If so we are all cooked because we barely make it as
is. I can understand why the AARP would agree in order
to keep it as painful as possible, I hope it works. I will
be following this closely and I am interesting in seeing
what others have to say on this subject.

Originally posted by crazydaisy
I couldn't finish reading the article without logging in so
I was wondering if there will be benefit cuts right off
the top of the SS checks people are receiving right now.
If so we are all cooked because we barely make it as
is. I can understand why the AARP would agree in order
to keep it as painful as possible, I hope it works. I will
be following this closely and I am interesting in seeing
what others have to say on this subject.

We shall see. They just said they accept social security cuts. No actual bill yet on what those cuts are have been presented as far as I know.

If Social Security benefits are taken away from our seniors whom have worked their entire lives while paying into these benefits their entire career, only to be shafted in the end when they need them, there better be a serious uprising in this country...

The irony of it all sickens me. First the govt. limits how many cans of dog food a senior can buy. Then they cut down there Social Security. Nothing like saying hurry up and die.

Originally posted by pplrnuts
If Social Security benefits are taken away from our seniors whom have worked their entire lives while paying into these benefits their entire career, only to be shafted in the end when they need them, there better be a serious uprising in this country...

edit on 17-6-2011 by pplrnuts because: (no reason given)

Especially since $450 Million A DAY is spent on war!!

As a baby boomer, I remember hearing in the early 70s that social security would be broke before it was time to pay out benefits to my generation. So, I didn't count on it. As it turned out, my employers opted out of social security and into other retirement plans. Lucky me.

It's definitely not fair to those who have paid into the program for decades. That money has probably already been spent a few times over by the government, and I'm sure (personal opinion) there aren't going to be any refunds! I've met so many delightful seniors and people with disabilities who would be on the streets or dead if it wasn't for the social security program (that they paid into for a long time), medicaid, and/or medicare.

I'm usually cynical but am on the fence about AARP's decision. On one hand, it does seem like they sold out or were paid off, as the OP said. On the other hand, I want to give them the benefit of the doubt on this one. Our government is set on cutting costs in all areas that aren't generating income for war and big business. AARP has enough sense to realize that the best they can do now is minimize the damage.

(Note: I couldn't read the whole article, because I don't want to subscribe to the Wall Street Journal.)

Interesting, the US is starting to flag some 'austerity measures' and the AARP is capitulating, while resistance to the new AARP position has emerged...

AARP slammed for not fighting Social Security cuts

Perhaps the beginnings of further tensions and unrest to develop in the US as austerity becomes the only option to address the growing debt problem before a full-on crisis is borne.

I dunno....

Yes I feel bad for older people but,....

The baby boomer generation squandered the American superpower, ran up debt, and dramatically used up resources. Part of me really doesn't care and is pissed of how the last generation who ran up the bill for future generations are demanding they get their benefits.

reply to post by Vitchilo


Bossmen at AARP are big Dem contributors, I can only imagine that this means the Dems will sacrifice SS to appease Repubs.

Of course, the less the Gov has to pay in SS the more it can use our SS taxes on other government affairs. If you calculate the total income of SS vs expenditures there is a huge surplus .. I'd say it's really surprising it's broke, but then again it's the Congressional cookie jar.

Originally posted by lokdog
The irony of it all sickens me. First the govt. limits how many cans of dog food a senior can buy. Then they cut down there Social Security. Nothing like saying hurry up and die.

"Hurry up and die..." age and wisdom are something that holds no respect in today's world. When an elderly person on SS or a disabled person on SSI/SSD is in need and has failed to remain active and productive...the only way to TPTB is to "quietly and subversively" throw out the trash.

Yes, the planning for SS was not the best it could have been...but look at how many years they have had to "fix" the problems. Instead...good 'ol uncle sam has been too busy spending money trying to take over the world through wars, and rumors of wars...support and rumors of support from other countries.

In the end...good ol' sam has shot himself in the foot...and still blames those that are elderly and unproductively as being at fault instead of taking the fault upon themselves...then...why should they??? After all the All Powerful Wizard of OB will keep them safe...for only the Wizard holds the "key"....yeah, right...!!!

Stop signing documents allowing deductions from your pay. If it will not be put aside for you, why pay into it?

Furthermore; on the other side of the coin, I think everybody should claim double the deductions so uncle Sam has to carry his own weight for a while. He can't because he has no back-bone. What's he going to do, arrest the entire nation?