Comments on: On a (West) Wing and a Prayer: Obama This Day Is Daley Led

By: Richard Gibson

Richard Gibson — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 01:51:34 +0000

My only point is that social security saved the US from a much greater crisis. If you read the trustee report you know that there is no funding problem with social security as long as we leave it alone and get the people back to work. This also solves the debt problem. The answer is jobs.

By: Matthew Dickinson

Matthew Dickinson — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 01:29:20 +0000

Again, however, what is your larger point? Are you arguing that because of its importance in keeping seniors above the poverty level, and the impending revenue shortfall, social security needs to be reformed in order to remain solvent? Or are you afraid that reform efforts will involve ending social security?

By: Richard Gibson

Richard Gibson — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 01:15:58 +0000

The point is that the billions of dollars going out to the seniors each month keep the country from a much more severe recession, and perhaps even a depression, that would have made the 1930′s look like a walk in the park.

By: Matthew Dickinson

Matthew Dickinson — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 01:05:19 +0000

Papa – You are correct that Social Security has been a remarkably effective anti-poverty program for the elderly. However, I’m not quite sure where you are going with this comment. Do you have a broader point in mind?

By: Richard Gibson

Richard Gibson — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:32:25 +0000

As will be evident, I am new as a commenter. I have yet to hear anyone talk about the impact that the monthly social security payments have had in preventing a second great depression. It would appear to me that if we did not have social security and medicare all would have been lost long ago.