August 25, 2010
Fire Alan Simpson

I always thought that the deficit commission was a bad idea; it has only looked worse over time, as the buzz is that Democrats are caving in to Republicans, leaning ever further toward an all-cuts, no taxes solution, including a sharp rise in the retirement age.

I’ve also had my eye on Alan Simpson, the supposedly grown-up Republican co-chair, who has been talking nonsense about Social Security from the get-go.

At this point, though, Obama is on the spot: he has to fire Simpson, or turn the whole thing into a combination of farce and tragedy — the farce being the nature of the co-chair, the tragedy being that Democrats are so afraid of Republicans that nothing, absolutely nothing, will get them sanctioned.

When you have a commission dedicated to the common good, and the co-chair dismisses Social Security as a “milk cow with 310 million tits,” you either have to get rid of him or admit that you’re completely, um, cowed by the right wing, that IOKIYAR rules completely.

And no, an apology won’t suffice. Simpson was completely in character here; it was perfectly consistent with everything else he’s said, and with his previous behavior. He has to go.

http://krugman.blogs...e-alan-simpson/


Calling on Donald Trump to deliver his "YOU'RE FIRED" to Mr. Simpson!




It's time for heads to roll. It's time to stop making nice with conservatives. President Obama tried the bipartisan route and he got nothing in return. Republicans are all about obstruction, plain and simple. They want the president to fail.

August 25, 2010, 6:16 pm
Simpson Apologizes to Critic
By JACKIE CALMES



Alan K. Simpson, the Republican co-chairman of President Obama’s bipartisan fiscal commission, removed his “size 15 feet” from his mouth to apologize to a critic on Wednesday for a stinging letter in which he compared Social Security to “a milk cow with 310 million tits.”

The apology came as some liberal groups and members of Congress who oppose any changes to Social Security benefits called on Mr. Obama to fire Mr. Simpson, a former senator from Wyoming long known for his irreverent and often biting remarks.

But at the White House, Jennifer Psaki, the deputy communications director, said, “Alan Simpson has apologized and while we regret and do not condone his comments, we accept his apology and he will continue to serve.”

The controversy stoked already heated opposition from the left to the panel Mr. Obama created to recommend by Dec. 1 ways to reduce the federal debt in the short term and the long. For the long term, changes to Social Security — to benefits and payroll taxes for future generations — are among the options.

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010 ... to-critic/



Is anyone else tired of forgiving Republicans????

Social Security should have nothing to do with America's debts. It was to be paid for from a complete other tax. Is it in trouble, well with the GOP attacking it yes.

The simple solution to help SS. and Medicare is to get rid of the limit of a 100 - 200 grand and tax all income on it.

Social Security and Medicare should have nothing to do with OUR GUNS AND BOMBS BUDGET.