AARP Idaho says its members depend on monthly Social Security payments, and doesn’t want a panel that Sen. Mike Crapo sits on to consider reductions to the program to balance the national debt.
Crapo serves on a presidential commission on the national deficit that’s taking suggestions on how to balance federal taxing and spending and will make its recommendations in December.
AARP Idaho spokesman David Irwin said he doesn’t want cuts to Social Security to be on the table. “We’ve got an extreme concern about looking at Social Security as a way to balance the budget or reduce the deficit when, quite frankly, it didn’t contribute to one cent to the deficit,” he said. “Quite frankly, it doesn’t even belong in this debate.”
AARP represents 180,000 Idahoans
Irwin said the government program pumps $3 billion into Idaho every year, and that there’s still enough money to cover full benefits for the next 27 years without any changes.
Crapo told IdahoReporter.com he doesn’t want to make reductions to Social Security, but said he would favor some changes to program.
Idaho’s senior senator added that he thinks there is a fix to the government program that wouldn’t hurt seniors.
Irwin said he hopes Crapo and the presidential commission on deficit reduction avoid reducing Social Security. “We’re confident that Senator Crapo will do what’s right, not just for Idaho but for the rest of the nation, when it comes to Social Security,” he said.
Crapo said he thinks the president’s commission, which first met in April is doing good work.
Crapo said he was initially dubious of the commission because it includes 12 Democratic members of Congress and six Republicans, but he said the six presidential appointments to the commission have balanced out the partisan tilt.
No way should Social Security be even mentioned as a way to cut the deficet. Seniors are having a tough time with what they receive at the present. Simpley cut some of the PORK?
I believe Mr. Crapo should do his very best and drop SSA from this discussion on balancing the federal budget. SSA funds are already depleted from the admin “borrowing” funds, then never paying them back, correct? It is wrong to punish the Boomers now looking at retirement in a horrible economic climate, as well as those coming behind who always paid their fair share. No privatization, no raising the age to 70, no more borrowing. Senators need to start living in the real world, and the real Idaho as well–people are hurting, homeless, sick, children are being punished for being poor–it just goes on and on, and needs to stop now.
Ithink all of us seniors should get agroup together and do the same as jon stewart and send all the congressmen letters.