SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
Outgoing Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio).
(Photo: AP/Carolyn Kaster)
On Hostage Takers and the Budget Deal
Oct 27, 2015
Last night, the Republican leadership agreed to release their hostages: the need to raise the debt limit, keep the government operating and ensure that all Social Security benefits can continue to be paid in full and on time beyond 2016.
When hostage takers release their hostages, we are, of course, relieved that the hostages are no longer in harm's way, but this is nothing to celebrate. That the ransom isn't steeper is also not something to celebrate.
Among the ransom is a diversion of Social Security resources towards virtually nonexistent fraud. Those provisions will likely require workers with disabilities to wait longer to receive their earned benefits and may prevent some from receiving them completely. That is wrong.
The legislation, along with the ransom, has some good provisions. It ensures that Medicare beneficiaries will not experience drastically large premium increases. It also closes a relatively recent loophole that allows wealthier Americans to game the system by claiming extra benefits inconsistent with the program's goals.
Though some provisions are positive, Social Security legislation, as a matter of principle, should go through regular order in the light of day.
If that were done, Social Security would be expanded. As the overwhelming majority of Americans recognize, Social Security's one shortcoming is that its benefits are too low. Congress should follow the people's will by expanding those modest but vital benefits and restoring the program to a long-range actuarial balance by requiring the wealthiest among us to pay their fair share.
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Nancy J. Altman
Nancy J. Altman is president of Social Security Works and chair of the Strengthen Social Security coalition. She has a 40-year background in the areas of Social Security and private pensions. Her latest book is "The Truth About Social Security: The Founders' Words Refute Revisionist History, Zombie Lies, and Common Misunderstandings" (2018). She is also the author of "The Battle for Social Security" (2005).
Last night, the Republican leadership agreed to release their hostages: the need to raise the debt limit, keep the government operating and ensure that all Social Security benefits can continue to be paid in full and on time beyond 2016.
When hostage takers release their hostages, we are, of course, relieved that the hostages are no longer in harm's way, but this is nothing to celebrate. That the ransom isn't steeper is also not something to celebrate.
Among the ransom is a diversion of Social Security resources towards virtually nonexistent fraud. Those provisions will likely require workers with disabilities to wait longer to receive their earned benefits and may prevent some from receiving them completely. That is wrong.
The legislation, along with the ransom, has some good provisions. It ensures that Medicare beneficiaries will not experience drastically large premium increases. It also closes a relatively recent loophole that allows wealthier Americans to game the system by claiming extra benefits inconsistent with the program's goals.
Though some provisions are positive, Social Security legislation, as a matter of principle, should go through regular order in the light of day.
If that were done, Social Security would be expanded. As the overwhelming majority of Americans recognize, Social Security's one shortcoming is that its benefits are too low. Congress should follow the people's will by expanding those modest but vital benefits and restoring the program to a long-range actuarial balance by requiring the wealthiest among us to pay their fair share.
Nancy J. Altman
Nancy J. Altman is president of Social Security Works and chair of the Strengthen Social Security coalition. She has a 40-year background in the areas of Social Security and private pensions. Her latest book is "The Truth About Social Security: The Founders' Words Refute Revisionist History, Zombie Lies, and Common Misunderstandings" (2018). She is also the author of "The Battle for Social Security" (2005).
Last night, the Republican leadership agreed to release their hostages: the need to raise the debt limit, keep the government operating and ensure that all Social Security benefits can continue to be paid in full and on time beyond 2016.
When hostage takers release their hostages, we are, of course, relieved that the hostages are no longer in harm's way, but this is nothing to celebrate. That the ransom isn't steeper is also not something to celebrate.
Among the ransom is a diversion of Social Security resources towards virtually nonexistent fraud. Those provisions will likely require workers with disabilities to wait longer to receive their earned benefits and may prevent some from receiving them completely. That is wrong.
The legislation, along with the ransom, has some good provisions. It ensures that Medicare beneficiaries will not experience drastically large premium increases. It also closes a relatively recent loophole that allows wealthier Americans to game the system by claiming extra benefits inconsistent with the program's goals.
Though some provisions are positive, Social Security legislation, as a matter of principle, should go through regular order in the light of day.
If that were done, Social Security would be expanded. As the overwhelming majority of Americans recognize, Social Security's one shortcoming is that its benefits are too low. Congress should follow the people's will by expanding those modest but vital benefits and restoring the program to a long-range actuarial balance by requiring the wealthiest among us to pay their fair share.
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.