What a glorious day! House Speaker Nancy “Zombie Skin” Pelosi and I have something we can agree on, but for different reasons. Pelosi said unequivocally today that she is opposed to raising the retirement age, and that scaling back Social Security should not be a means of reducing the deficit.
"To change Social Security in order to balance the budget, they aren't the same thing in my view," the Democrat said today at the Netroots Nation conference in Las Vegas. "When you talk about reducing the deficit and Social Security, you're talking about apples and oranges."
From CBSNews:
“…other Democratic leaders have said they would support it. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said earlier this year he thinks raising the retirement age could be done with other modifications to ensure that Social Security benefits still support those most in need - such as paying out benefits on a progressive scale. House Democratic Whip James Clyburn has also said he would support raising the retirement age.”
I’m in my mid forties, so this whole raising of the retirement age is right up my alley. Just as I can see a light at the end of the tunnel, Congress wants to extend the tunnel… which I guess is better than a bridge to nowhere. I’ve paid a hell of a lot of money into Social Security, and I’d like a little of it back while I’m still young enough to enjoy it rather than being so old the only thing I need the money for is Depends and Matlock DVD’s.
How about Congress offer a lump sum buyout of Social Security. Give me 20% of what I paid in, right now, and I will sign a waiver stating I will not receive ANY Social Security benefits whether I am of age or not. That would be a HUGE savings to the government. And I guarantee I can turn 20% into a hell of a lot more than I would get by putting it in government hands!