The Reason Social Security Is "Sequestered" Is Because Obama Wants Super Committee to Cut a Deal

Here's my take on the 12 member "super committee" and the triggers:


1. Republicans have and always will want to cut Social Security.

2. President Obama wants tax reform or increased revenues.

3. Republicans will NEVER agree to increasing revenues in a meaningful way i.e. raising taxes or let Bush tax cuts expire.

4. Eliminating or reducing loopholes such as the mortgage interest deduction, child care, etc. is on paper increasing revenues. But, this is meaningless if tax rates for upper income brackets are further reduced (i.e. "Gang of 6" proposal). Eliminating loopholes give the GOP cover for saying they didn't technically "raise taxes."

5. David Plouffe, President Obama's political adviser, says the White House will trade Social Security and Medicare cuts for increased tax revenues (which may or may not be a smoke and mirrors game like eliminating loopholes, yet continuing to cut taxes). Plouffe said on Meet the Press:

"Our view is things like Social Security and Medicaid, you know, they can't be part of the solution here unless you've got a balanced package that includes tax reform." Link: http://crooksandliars.com/susie-madrak/meet-press-obama-adviser-plouffe-drop

So my read is that they think they can cut a deal with the GOP during the Super Committee on entitlements cuts in exchange for tax revenues. Otherwise, if the committee doesn't agree, the very programs they are desperate to cut, are "saved" from the automated triggers.

Who knows how everything will play out but this makes the most sense to me. I'm curious what others are thinking here.

tax increases. Obama is not smart enough to think ahead. Big Dog yes, Obama no.

Boehner says no tax increases, Obama says there must be tax increases, they can't both be right.

backdoor policy proposal of cutting it, the fulfillment of bush's privatization of SS when he traveled all over the country a few years ago to garner support. If the cuts or re-modeling comes to be, the history books will say, "Bush was ahead of his time" or some such nonsense.imho

and the Dish ran away with the Spoon

yup

it won't be acknowledged as a cut. It will be a technical adjustment.

cutting their Medicare and Social Security
Democrat and Republican

they know and the Anger grows

they aren't fooling anybody

No question about it.

just as I thought...

As if to make their constituents think they actually want those trigger cuts instead, LOL!

go down the ecoomic ladder and start taxing
people who are not paying taxes now. There is a reson
for the mantra on the RW. "40% of Americans do not
pay taxes" and oh yeah, "ww must broaden the tax base"

This will be the trade just to get the GWB Tax cuts.

The Republicans have been working on the next round
for weeks. Their talking points are out there.

The Super Commission can put Middle Class Tax cuts
on the Table.

Republicans offered this back in 1st round when they
extended GWB Wealthy Tax cuts. Now they are on to
broadening the base. You can only do this by going
down the Income Ladder.

Republicans do not have casual comments. There is
purpose and meaning behind every thing they say.
Our Party has never seem to learn this and end up
flat footed when things happen.