Social Security

Obama Faces Democratic Opposition To Social Security Cuts

New York Times | Posted 03.26.2009 | Politics


President Obama is eager to seek a bipartisan solution to ensure the long-term solvency of Social Security, people who have spoken with him say, but h...

Don't Most Republican Need Social Security, Too?

Russ Wellen | Posted 03.20.2009 | Politics


Russ Wellen

It's folly to give Republicans credit for anything. The lack of rhyme in their response to the stimulus suggests that at this point they stand for nothing more than sheer nihilism.

The Economists Who Missed the Housing Bubble Are Coming After Your Social Security

Dean Baker | Posted 03.16.2009 | Business


Dean Baker

President Obama would be advised to focus his attention on getting the economy back in order instead of attacking the country's most important social program.

Let's Make a Deal Politics

Barbara B. Kennelly | Posted 03.08.2009 | Politics


Barbara B. Kennelly

Social Security and Medicare did not bring us to this economic precipice or turn our budget surplus into record debt in just eight years, and should not be used as scapegoats.

Republicans' 4% Mortgage "Stimulus" Is Latest Ponzi Scheme

Ronald B. Robinson | Posted 03.08.2009 | Politics


Ronald B. Robinson

Does the Republican ploy to provide 4% home mortgages to boost the economy sound too good to be true? It is. Buyer Beware!

More Reckless Spending on the Way

Christopher Ingram | Posted 03.01.2009 | Politics


Christopher Ingram

Barack Obama is our new president calling for change, but nothing has changed other than Washington politicians leaving nothing but change in the pockets of our children.

Native American Veterans Fight VA and Lose

Tim Giago | Posted 02.27.2009 | Politics


Tim Giago

Andy Torress was denied disability pension by the VA, but when he took his medical records to the Social Security Administration, they approved him for 100 percent disability.

Obama Gearing up to Take on Entitlement Programs

Mark Miller | Posted 02.22.2009 | Politics


Mark Miller

There are no easy fixes for Social Security or Medicare, but Obama plans to tackle entitlement reform head-on to get the government's financial house in order.

Fiscal Follies

Robert Kuttner | Posted 02.18.2009 | Politics


Robert Kuttner

No reform is possible if we keep the present health system -- America now spends 16 percent of our GDP on health, and the number of uninsured and under insured rises every year, in tandem with the costs.

Where Has the Time Gone?

Byron Williams | Posted 02.14.2009 | Politics


Byron Williams

Bush, You had more impact on the country than any other president in my lifetime. One may have to go back to FDR to find a commander in chief that had more influence on the republic.

The Bush Legacy: Normalizing the Outrageous

Leslie Weise | Posted 02.13.2009 | Politics


Leslie Weise

When I attended a 2008 hearing for the free speech lawsuit in which I'm involved, I was struck by the defendants' arguments, being made on behalf of government officials, as eerily un-American.

Why Liberals Should Want Obama to Take On Social Security Now

Scott Bittle and Jean Johnson | Posted 02.13.2009 | Politics


Scott Bittle and Jean Johnson

Unless there are reforms in Social Security and Medicare, by 2040 or so, every tax dollar collected will be needed to pay for entitlement programs and interest on the debt.

Bush's Final Press Conference

Chris Weigant | Posted 02.12.2009 | Politics


Chris Weigant

Lest I be accused of "Bush Derangement Syndrome," I'm reproducing some of the most interesting answers Bush gave today, with a minimum of snarky commentary.

President-Elect Obama Suggests Defaulting on the National Debt

Dean Baker | Posted 02.07.2009 | Politics


Dean Baker

If the budget situation is so dire that it is necessary to default on the government debt, then surely we should be considering defaulting on the bonds held by wealthy bankers.

I'm Running for Congress in IL-5

Tom Geoghegan | Posted 02.06.2009 | Chicago


Tom Geoghegan

For years, conservatives have said: "We can't do this. The money isn't there." Well, the money is there. It was there for the Iraq war and for the bailout.

Scrooged Again: Lumps of Retirement Coal from America's Employers

Rev. Peter Laarman | Posted 01.22.2009 | Business


Rev. Peter Laarman

The unkindest cut this winter is coming from big U.S. employers that have decided they just won't fund employees' 401(k) plans to save costs.

State Controller's Office Says Your Money is Waiting: So Why Don't You Just Get it?

Michael Russnow | Posted 01.20.2009 | Business


Michael Russnow

I'm always amazed that so many people bitch about not earning enough money to make ends meet when many of these same folks disregard money that is just sitting and waiting for them to collect.

I.O.U.S.A.: Right on Time

Patrick Creadon | Posted 01.05.2009 | Business


Patrick Creadon

Many have been quick to push the debate as a choice between stimulus and deficit reduction, but solutions committed to both objectives are critical to our short- and long-term survival.

IOUSA: Failed Scare Flick of the Decade

Dean Baker | Posted 01.02.2009 | Business


Dean Baker

Every few years there is a book or movie that stands out for its incredibly bad timing. The new documentary IOUSA seems destined to join earlier classics of this genre.

Four Words Obama Will Never Say

Michael Pento | Posted 12.14.2008 | Business


Michael Pento

Americans must hope that the Obama administration is honest with the people and makes some difficult choices early in his tenure to deal with our growing annual deficits and long term debt.

Obama and the End of Social Security Privatization

Mark Miller | Posted 12.06.2008 | Business


Mark Miller

President-elect Obama made clear during the campaign that he flat-out opposes privatization of any kind, and the Congress won't go there, either. So, what type of solution will emerge?

Why Obama Has Pulled Ahead on the Economic Issues

Mark Weisbrot | Posted 11.24.2008 | Politics


Mark Weisbrot

Senator Barack Obama's campaign for the White House pulled ahead of his opponent, Senator John McCain, as soon as the current financial crisis hit the...

America is a Liberal Country

Cenk Uygur | Posted 11.23.2008 | Politics


Cenk Uygur

The Republicans are about to lose another 20 to 34 seats in the House and at least seven seats in the Senate. It will take decades -- maybe even generations -- for them to recover from that.

IOUSA: Anti-Social Security Propaganda Flick

Dean Baker | Posted 11.22.2008 | Business


Dean Baker

This film should be viewed as part of a larger effort to dismantle Social Security and Medicare, the country's core safety net programs.

Why this Election Actually is About Defining the "Real America"

Robert Creamer | Posted 11.22.2008 | Politics


Robert Creamer

Sarah Palin is right about one thing: this election is in fact a battle between the "real America" and a pretender. But it's not quite the battle she imagines.