New formula would reduce Social Security increases

By STEPHEN OHLEMACHER - Associated Press

 Just as 55 million Social Security recipients are about to get their first benefit increase in three years, Congress is looking at reducing future raises by adopting a new measure of inflation that also would increase taxes for most families — the biggest impact falling on those with low incomes.

If adopted across the government, the inflation measure would have widespread ramifications. Future increases in veterans' benefits and pensions for federal workers and military personnel would be smaller. And over time, fewer people would qualify for Medicaid, Head Start, food stamps, school lunch programs and home heating assistance than under the current measure.

Taxes would go up by $60 billion over the next decade because annual adjustments to the tax brackets would be smaller, resulting in more people jumping into higher tax brackets because their wages rose faster than the new inflation measure. Annual increases in the standard deduction and personal exemptions would become smaller.

Democratic Platforn on Social Security - 2000

Following are excerpts from the Democratic platform,

Americans' golden years should be times of calm and security, not concern and stress. Few achievements testify more to the ability of government to do good than Social Security.

It has lifted millions of elderly Americans out of poverty and helped them make ends meet.

Social Security is more than a government program. It is a solemn compact between the generations. It is our nation's most important family protection. The choice for Americans on this vital part of our national heritage has never been more clear: Democrats believe in using our prosperity to save Social Security; the Republicans tax cut would prevent America from ensuring our senior citizens have a secure retirement.

We owe it to America's children and their children to make the strength and solvency of Social Security a major national priority.

SO MUCH FOR THAT LINE OF THINKING
NO RAISE IN 2010 AND NO RAISE IN 2011
CONGRESS GETS THEIR COLA RAISE
THE ELDERLY JUST GET SCREWED

NEW PLAN
REMOVE MEDICAL BENEFITS FROM THE ELDERLY
THEY WILL DIE SOONER
THEY WON'T NEED THE RAISE
THIN OUT THE "ELDERHERD"