Santorum: Trim Social Security now even if painful

Associated Press ^ | Jan 6, 2012 6:35 PM (ET) | CHARLES BABINGTON

[DJ MacWoW]

KEENE, N.H. (AP) - Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum called Friday for immediate cuts to Social Security benefits, risking the wrath of older voters and countless others who balk at changes to the entitlement program.

"We can't wait 10 years," even though "everybody wants to," Santorum told a crowd while campaigning in New Hampshire and looking to set himself apart from his Republican rivals four days before the New Hampshire primary.

Most of his opponents have advocated phasing in a reduction and say immediate cuts would be too big a shock to current and soon-to-be retirees.

[Girlene]

Yes, and at 76 years young I have never spent a dime of medicare money. You also may be forgetting that I pay for medicare out of my Social Security payment each month. Put that in your pipe...

Well, good for you. You are either quite healthy, have your own insurance plan, or pay for any health services from your own pocket as they arise. I will guarantee that the average 76 year old has used thousands of Medicare dollars. By the time they reach end of life, the amount of medicare dollars spent is pretty large for the average senior citizen. Seniors are living far longer, we provide them with much better quality of life in their later years, and generally spend a huge amount at the end of a person's life for life saving procedures. It's what we expect in America. Your numbers may add up for you, but they just don't add up for the average senior citizen. Not only have you neglected Medicare costs, you have neglected the overhead of gov't workers who will run these programs.

I mean no disrespect, so won't tell you to "put that in your pipe". Entitlements are a HUGE problem in the US. We have to start dealing with facts as they are. Wish I could pull up a pie chart for the last year. We are in deep doo-doo.

[bray]

You’re right, he should lie to them like every other politician.

Pray for America

[Revolting cat!]

Santorums next ad:

Natural Organic Living for Seniors!

[ncalburt]

Your still pushing stealthy that crazy nutter Paul with some small govt bs.
Paul is a 32 year DC insider and a lover of earmarks in fact he pigged out during Tarp and Stimulus .
Paul is a Jew hater nutter 9/11 truther US troop hater and a big govt person .
Newt is the worst one Of all .
He was lobbyist in DC diving for dollars.

[jwalsh07]

Lol, he wants to raise the retirement age and reduce benefits for those with high net worths and you have him starving Granny. Pathetic.

[deweyfrank]

You, my friend, are in your 40’s. You have a long life ahead of you. You can change direction now, knowing that SS might not be around. However, some of us in our late 60’s or older, who were FORCED to pay into this socialist program are living off of it solely. We have no choice. Get a heart, and a brain, and stop being so Obama like. I will pray that my grandchild won't have to pay into this hideous program. Good luck to you 40 somethings. You won't get my vote to cut off my lifeline.

[hinckley buzzard]

I have been saying for two days now, Santorum has a glass jaw and will be gone in a couple weeks. This horrible, unforced rookie error qualifies as the "I have a Scream" of 2012.

All you bleeding deacons who think you're too good to vote for Gingrich or Perry, think again, assholes. Your choir-boy just shat all over himself and self-destructed.

[DJ MacWoW]

From the article: "We need to change benefits for everybody now," Santorum said at the time. "Is everybody going to take a little bit of a hit? No, but a lot of people will."

[ncalburt]

Yes ! It’s the AP !
Where have you been for the last 50 years ?
You actually believe a well documented liar from the AP and Dem party operative named Charley Babington .
Just google this propagandist or check him out on news busters .
He is a Obama front man

[Boston Blackie]

Morals...

There should be no benefits allowed for your children either,such as you receiving a tax deduction for your kids or forcing other people to defray your kids education if they attend public school.

YOU SHOULD FEEL THE PAIN - THEY’RE YOUR KIDS!

In case you missed that.....

YOU SHOULD FEEL THE PAIN - THEY’RE YOUR KIDS!

[hinckley buzzard]

This was a stupid thing to pick

Especially when all knowledgable analysts agree that Medicare, not Social Security, is the deal breaker in the 21st century. Santorum reveals himself to be not only politically incompetent but fiscally ignorant as well. Bad sign. Very bad sign. Color this rookie gone by Groundhog Day.

[central_va]

How is controlling the rate of increase of SS benefits cutting it off? You are being ridiculous. THe program must get under control.

A lot of "poor" older people have paid off houses and many other tangible assets but little income and call themselves "poor".

[alstewartfan]

Well, Rick did say “changing” and not “cutting”, altho the inference is that Rick wants SS cut. It is strange that this story is standing alone, despite scores of reporters taping his every word. Bob

[ExtremeUnction]

Seniors turn out to vote in droves. Santorum is FINISHED.

Oh yeah. I will personally lead the charge against him. Santorum must be destroyed in the remaining primaries.

[Girlene]

That’s not correct. 15% is just SS, Medicare is extra both you and your employer pay.

Wrong. Normally, it runs about 12.4% for SS, 6.2 paid by you, 6.2 by the employer up to $106+K. Medicare is equally split at 1.45% (no cap) each for a minimum total of 15.3%. In 2011, and at least for the first 2 months of 2012, you only pay 4.2% to SS; everything else stays the same. 2011 Social Security tax rate and maximum taxable earnings

[ncalburt]

Just wait one day when it’s quietly reported that
Rick was misquoted by the AP won’t be reporting it!

This is called an ambush hit piece or Rush calls it a drive by media hit.
It’s a lie and a misquote but the victim does not get the benefit
Of an apology or retraction .

That is Chucky B and the AP specialty !

Most of these posters know this is a AP scam .and the
Obama media but their here to smear and fool people
And AstroTurf for their guy .
Many are stealth Paul bots Romney bots or Obama trolls.
I

Tn

[Silentgypsy]

“...if a senior lost money in the stock market, it is no one’s fault but their own.” Yeah. The fact that the subprime mortgage debacle was not prevented by our regulatory agencies and that the SEC failed in its regulatory function is the fault of the people who invested when fully trusting Moody’s ratings—oh, don’t get me started.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

If that is the case, write every Social Security recipient a check for the exact amount of money they paid in to Social Security minus the amount of money they have thus far received from Social Security.

You missed out on the interest due. They can pay out at the same rate that they would have for US Savings bonds.

People who talk about, "got more out then they paid in" always forget about interest.

Oh wait, you mean you can't cut them each a check for a million plus?

Oh dear, you do have a problem don't you?

[jwalsh07]

Read the article again, you somehow filtered out the specifics. And he is right despite all the socialist nimby teeth gnashing on this thread. BTW, the benefits received exceed the money paid in by substantial amounts across the board for the average recipient.

I am a couple of years from retirement and if that needs to be 3 or 4 instead to right the ship I am ok with that as well.

[ExtremeUnction]

Cut all government spending.

You're whistling Dixie Trumandogz. We Boomers all vote and we will get our way. We will not allow our S/S benefits to be cut. Ha!