Obama gives up Social Security as Government Welfare Program that needs cutting.

Proposing any cuts to Social Security and Medicare is not only the opposite of what should happen, but adds credibility to the argument that these programs are truly handouts and not lifesaving safety nets. Click pictures to enlarge.

And yet President Obama, after running on a second term campaign to make no cuts, has essentially harmed the programs credibility in a permanent way. Believe me, I’m not overstating what has happened.

There’s no going back now on the idea seniors need to spend more, with less, for private sector profits. That’s not to say some future congress will return to the original idea of the programs, that will happen, it’s just that we didn't have to repeat the whole process FDR and Johnson fought so hard to create. It's the Republicans who wanted to kick that can down the road for the easy way out today.

Wouldn't it make more sense to lift the cap a little, or even a lot, to shore up SS. Why that’s not still a part of the plan is mystifying.

Fox News: Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., fired off a statement: "In 2008, candidate Barack Obama told the American people that he would not cut Social Security.  Having him go back on his word will only add to the rampant political cynicism that our country is experiencing today."

Chained CPI-a provision to lower cost-of-living adjustments to Social Security: The inflation adjustment would reduce federal spending over 10 years by about $130 billion, according to past White House estimates. Because it also affects how tax brackets are adjusted, it would also generate about $100 in higher taxes and affect even middle income taxpayers.

The reductions in growth of benefit programs, which would affect veterans, the poor and the older Americans, is sure to anger many Democrats.