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The Hill: No SS reform from Obama administration.

By: Moe Lane (Diary)  |  March 15th, 2011 at 06:00 PM  | 

RESIZE: AAA

OK, that’s not the title of the piece. The title of the piece is “Social Security reform splits White House political, economic teams.” I’m merely providing a translation from the original Beltwayese.

The problem is this: somebody told The Hill that Obama’s advisers are broken up into two groups. The first group consists of the financial people, who are patiently explaining that Social Security is taking in less money than it puts out, that the supposed Social Security trust fund is actually a bunch of IOUs, that it’s a bad idea to borrow money to pay our Social Security obligations, and that it’s absolutely vital that Social Security be put on a sounder fiscal basis immediately. The second group consists of the political people, who are curtly saying things like “Touch Social Security and you lose the 2012 election.”

The political people will win the internal debate.

And there’s really nothing else to say about that, is there?

Moe Lane (crosspost)

(H/T Hot Air Headlines)

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COMMENTS

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  • spainishirish

    Of course, I’m hard-pressed to recall one Obama decision that didn’t bow to political considerations.

  • victrola

    There’s a good reason why Obama will not give an inch on Social Security, he would like nothing more than to portray himself to older voters as the protector of Republicans raiding Social Security. Nothing could be further from the truth, but I’ve seen first hand how easy it is to scare Seniors when it comes to entitlements like Social Security and Medicare.

    At the end of the day, cutting Social Security and Medicare benefits is political suicide, and it’s not like Republicans are going to achieve any reform anyways as long as the Democrats control the Senate and White House.

    If it were up to me, Social Security would be phased out through privatizations and increasing the age of eligibility, but that’s a death sentence for Republican politicians at this point in time.

    I would focus on discretionary spending where we can score victories and wait until we actually have the power to make real reforms before we tackle entitlements.

  • Adjoran

    “No, Barry, this would be really hard. Besides, you look tired. Tell ya what – let’s get Beyonce and one of the living Beatle guys, throw a big party with wagu steaks on the public dime, then you can send Michelle and the girls off on a separate vacation so you can get some rest. When you wake up, you can have your waffle in peace and then go golfing. Whaddya say?”

  • tjzbears

    Chilean Pensions
    Pass it on to your Reps. IF you agree

    http://www.cato.org/pubs/journal/cj15n2-3-1.html