Only in Washington would a slightly smaller INCREASE be called a “CUT”.
This is how THAT political “dirty trick” works:
First, imagine a retiree is receiving $1600 each month from Social Security in 2013.
Now imagine that “average” inflation in 2013 is three percent, but that the prices of different items increase at different rates — as they normally do.
For example, imagine that gasoline prices increase by 6% in 2013.
Now the question is “Should the government include gasoline in its calculation of the “inflation adjustment” to the retiree’s monthly payments as it does now?
Or should the government NOT include changes in the cost of gasoline in its calculation of monthly payments for 2014?
If “gasoline” is included, then the retiree’s monthly payments will increase 3.1% to $1649.60.
But if “gasoline” is NOT included, then the retiree’s monthly payments will increase 2.9% to $1646.40.
The difference (in this example) is $3.20.
So: Is an INCREASE of $46.40 a “CUT” because that number is less than $49.60?
Only in Washington...
That is the plan ..that inflation will lower the expense for the governments...they need to cut payments in half..and buy lowering the annual increases below inflation they will be able to in 15 years...