Social Security Payments: $250 Checks Proposed By Obama For Seniors

washingtonpost.com:

Congressional leaders welcomed President Obama's proposal to make $250 payments to Social Security recipients Thursday, as a government report confirmed there will be no automatic cost-of-living adjustment for the program.

Some public policy experts, however, argued that the action amounts to a politically motivated giveaway to seniors.

Read the whole story: washingtonpost.com

Comments

[treto garza]

Disabled Veterans were finally thinking that the new Patriotism in the US of A was a good thing. The COLA was a way of keeping afloat with the times. Then whoops, no COLA, just a one time payment of $250.00. Might as well give the veterans a combat ration of ham and lima Beans, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam War vintage. (You know what troops/soldiers called it?)

[KIVPossum]

Glad to see there's a different group in this thread. Last one about this I brought up that 250$ amounted to a loaf of bread and a package of sandwich meat every week and was accused of being callous.

We have billions to line the pockets of Wall Street, keep up the mansions and limos, and can only give our senior citizens enough for one meal a week? That's crap.

[iadiedee]

The lady I live with just lost her 81 yo husband. His check gone (SSA shuts it off immediately - no spousal benefits), no savings, no way to pay sub-prime mortgage payment of $644 because her check covered bills and his mortgage. We're fighting foreclosure, attempting a renegotiation of a mortgage where $88 went toward principle $455(!!!!!) to INTEREST! It was a predatory lender who preyed on seniors in homes that needed repair in a good neighborhood. The house is worth 1/2 what is still owed on the mortgage and the bank is dragging it's feet on the paperwork. She MUST make a $750 payment (she receives only $850 a month SSA) by the 21st of next month or the house will be foreclosed. They choose when (1-2 days or 3 months?) and there is little to no notice of when they'd throw a 71 year old woman into the street. $250 is a PITTANCE!! She'll gladly take it but it's an insult. BTW the house STILL needs work, their son blew the money and died in 2004 and it can't be refinanced because of black mold. Insurance companies, health, house, car - they're all heartless bastards only for the bottom line.

$250 - bring it Mr. President. And keep bringing it until the lady can afford her bills, medicines, food AND her mortgage. At 71 she is very active and doesn't NEED assisted living nor want it.

[Haditup2here]

If the payout of social security benefits was dependent on those workers paying into the system, I would think the more prudent action would to work on job creation by revitalizing the manufacturing sector and trimming the purse strings when it comes to Wall Street.

[KarateKid]

$250?? That's all?? Why, they won't be able to get more than a month's supply of Depends with such a pittance.

[Sundialsvc4]

That's a cup-"cake."

[Stock market]

More work needs to be done to ensure equality in America so we can all life the American dream, instead of wall street

hat tip to: http://tiny.cc/financenews

[solarian]

if the government can give wall street and the banks millions for bonuses they can give seniors a measly
250 dollars

[markm8128]

Republicans only help the rich, and refuse to do anything to help the poor, or those on fixed incomes.

When Democrats help these people, Republicans say they are "pandering".

Forget that line about "compassionate conservatives"!

[rbchilds]

In reading the article it looks like there is a difference in agreement on how to pay for the money, not that the republicans are against it.

[jasev01]

Way to go obama pander to the old people at the expense of of the younger people. And what happened to that aid with student loans and jobs for the young, you those who voted for you and got you into office.

[MayorQuimby]

Bah. Politics 101: Right before you deliver bad news, deliver potentially good news. In this case, they mentioned this to placate and mitigate the anger of millions before they found out they'd get no cost of living adjustment to social security (deservedly - no inflation , no need for cost of living adjustment). They won't deliver on this promise of course, it's just a lie to prevent people form getting too uppity.

[TheCommons]

Make no mistake about it. Under the SS rules a cost of living adjustment may not be in order, but you can count on the actual cost of living for seniors and everyone else going up.

[uvymopka]

Ten short months into Obama's rule, ten short months into the Democrat Party with an iron fist aimed at this country, in just ten months we are fighting to keep America and the American dream alive. These are dark days.

[wolf58]

and the days were so bright under Bush/GOP rule, right? Say what you will your dark days started under them.

[MissingAmerica]

It is Bush's war that has cost us. How quickly we forget that the mess we are in is not caused by Obama. Bush was allowed 8 years to wage a war which has been proven to be based on lies created by him, yet we are so quick to blast Obama and the Dems after 8 months. Pathetic. My thought is that we take the SS stimulus check money out of the Bush/Cheney retirement package! That way, the only ones feeling the pinch would be big oil and war contractors.

[solarian]

you have the option of leaving the usa and don't come back

[KIVPossum]

You sound like the repubs of the Bush years - like it or leave it. Let's not leave room for dissent or different opinions. If someone doesn't agree with you, tell them to get out.

People told me the same in the Bush era. I took them up on their offer and glad I did.

[wolf58]

So there will be no COLA for Seniors, Disabled people and Disable veterans. The COLA for these people is based off the Consumer price index (CPI) after removing energy and food. Have to wonder if the Congress will get their COLA in January, for them it is automatic and is not based off the CPI. No the Congress COLA is based off Employment Cost Index (ECI) and if I am reading the ECI correctly the Congress will automatically receive a 2.9 percent pay raise unless they vote not to. So of course they like the idea of paying seniors this way the outrage won't be so loud, so they think.



Here is a link that might help you.

http://www.senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/97-1011.pdf

[austin4]

The Republicans, never fail,,they use seniors to fig ht health care reform,,,than try to hold up the old folks for $250.00,,,,,, do these people have no shame,,or a conscience?

[martinfrosa]

Oh goody! A $250 bribe to get our seniors to back off their opposition to Obama's health care plan. Given that prices have declined over the last year, a year of no COLA would still leave seniors ahead of the game with regard to their purchasing power.

The Santa Claus president lives!