Overheard: Democrats worried by Obama's debt-reduction plan
July 8th, 2011
05:07 PM ET

Overheard: Democrats worried by Obama's debt-reduction plan

Comment of the Day

"The only difference between Social Security and a Ponzi scheme is intent... hmm, I take that back, I guess there is no difference.” –coexistor

 Liberals warn Obama against entitlement cuts

On Friday, Democratic supporters continued to express their frustration with President Obama’s new deficit-reduction plan. The plan includes cuts to Medicare and Social Security — something the president previously said was off-limits. Democrat leaders warned Obama that entitlement cuts represent a sharp shift away from party priorities, putting many who are up for 2012 re-election at risk. Meanwhile, CNN.com readers expressed their own uncertainty about the future of the economy.

Drwelby said, “There have been numerous reports on Social Security problems since the 1980s, so if you've lived since then still under the impression that you could rely on SS to cover your retirement years without a plan ‘B’, you were foolish.”

Reqq1diver was more optimistic, and said the impact from cuts might not be that severe. “The only cuts in entitlement benefits are for the expansion of them, i.e.,  Social Security was meant for seniors, NOT kids and not for the disabled. If we took SS and put it back like it was founded, this country would be back in shape.”

Pabeone had similar sentiments. “I don't want to see anyone’s benefits cut, but we will end up like Greece if we don't do something about it.  We don't need to raise taxes to fix this. We need to lower tax rates but get rid of all loopholes.  If everyone paid their fair share we have enough money to prop up these programs.

TominNYC said, “It's a sticky problem if politicians have been too generous regarding the benefits Social Security offers. Probably no recipient (or prospective recipient) feels the benefits are too generous, and yet you have the baby boom retiring and expecting to be supported by the baby bust generation, whose incomes are stalled out.”

Puhc said, “When you contribute to something for your whole life, with the understanding that you will get that contribution back when you retire, is hardly an entitlement, it's an INVESTMENT. Quit calling it an ‘entitlement’.”

June job report: hiring slow, unemployment on the rise

There were 18,000 jobs added to the economy during the month of June, the government reported Friday, severely missing expectations. The total number of employed people rose to 14.1 million, ticking the unemployment rate up to 9.2%. The news sparked discussion among CNN.com readers, many who blamed economic uncertainty on bipartisan bickering.

Bubbaswife said, “None of this is helping the unemployed. Many long-term were in jobs for more than 15 years and don't fit the current job market but there is no money for retraining. The lack of action is turning a valuable part of our society into indigents, dependant on food stamps and charity. I don't believe this is what the majority of Americans want.”

momomeister said, “Ah...I am loving this 'Hope and Change.'  I am just 'hoping' that I can find some 'change' to eat.”

Ncloc criticized Obama’s expectation for job growth. “I really like Obama, but in relation to jobs he seems a little unrealistic. He keeps talking about future, energy efficient, and innovative ideas for the country to move forward and create jobs, but he fails to understand that not all workers can become software and biotech engineers.”

Tboto said, “I think it has been well documented over the past 20 years that the much touted trickle down economic theory of giving tax breaks to the rich so that the wealth will trickle down and benefit everyone does not work. It doesn't trickle down because all the rich do with it is line their own pockets.”

Kwreader agreed. “Too bad the GOP is more interested in protecting its wealthy donors and scoring political points with deficit BS than it is in helping the economy and reducing unemployment. GOP=Fail, and Obama=Fail for letting the GOP rule the discourse.”

Woman goes from ‘Trekkie’ to NASA engineer

Space shuttle Atlantis lifted off Friday morning, embarking on the final mission of America’s 30-year space program. To commemorate the occasion, NASA engineer Candy Torres shared her own story and photos with CNN iReport. CNN.com readers congratulated Torres on her accomplishments at NASA and discussed their mutual love of "Star Trek."

Tomintexas said, “Candy Torres is a lucky woman.  It's clear she had some lucky breaks.  It's also clear that she has made a lot of her own luck.  That's the story of the women astronauts I have known. You make your own luck.  I wish her the best in this transition period of the U.S. space industry.”

Jbkl said, “What a great report!  Engineer Torres is one of the comparative few trekkers who really wanted and worked for the real deal rather than just the party time space fantasy.”

Gremlinus commented on the ‘Trekkie" vs. ‘Trekker" debate.  “The only people who make a distinction between trekker and trekkie are the same people who played D&D back in the '80s like the DMG was a freaking technical manual. And no one listens to them anyway. Trekkie is fine.”

Nelliewrites said, "Thumbs up to you, Candy!  You are an inspiration to women and young women everywhere who read of your life's adventure!  You are a true HERO! Never give up your dream – never ever!"

Some comments edited for length and clarity.

 Post by:
Filed under: Overheard on CNN.com
soundoff (46 Responses)
  1. Avser Bastian

    COMMUNISM IN EASTERN EUROPE TODAY(2011) !!! http://sloveniatoday.blogspot.com or http://easterneuropetoday.wordpress.com/ OR COMMUNIST GENOCIDE IN "SLOVENIA" WHERE GERMANS(also Croatians in Croatia) ARE GETTING WIPED OUT TODAY IN 2011 UNDER RUSSIAN FLAG AND GREATER BYZANTINE SERBIAN(new Yugoslavia) AGENDA 66 YEARS AFTER WWII OR 20 YEARS SINCE THEIR "INDEPENDENCE"(independence on paper only) JUST AS PREVIOUSLY IN VOJVODINA. Is Merkel truly great diplomat or is simply trading our lives behind our backs with worst enemies(LIBERALISM = RETARDISM = COMMUNISM = IDIOTISM = ZIONISM = CRIME) !!? Visit also DICTATOR OBAMA = STALIN = BUSH or USA = SOVIET UNION http://avsecbostjan.blogspot.com/ or http://avsecbostjan.wordpress.com/ ...TO LEARN WHO, HOW, AND WHY RUINED YOU…FROM 911 TO WHITE AMERICAN REFUGEES IN EXILE SEEKING ASYLUM RIGHT NOW !!! TIME TO DETERMINE WHOSE INDEPENDENCE/AMERICA, WE CELEBRATE TODAY(who want to erase us and denies us the right to exist) !!!

    July 9, 2011 at 6:20 pm | Report abuse |
  2. ben

    thanks Ruffnutt: BTW I have referred to Social Security as a Ponzi scheme myself on occasion, but only in the sense that the Federal Government runs it like one by stealing the money we put into it to pay for all their other pet projects. If the money hadn't been raided over the years social security and medicare would be solvent well into the foreseeable future. That according to the Government's own accounting office.

    July 9, 2011 at 11:11 pm | Report abuse |
    • The Way It Is

      Spot on

      July 10, 2011 at 12:30 pm | Report abuse |
  3. J. Ziggy Wyeth

    Mine is more of a question. When are all the news media going to listen to what someone says? During President Obama's speech today," He told everyone that there was NOT going to be any short term deal, he went to say no 3month, no six month and no 180 day deals." Then when went to questions, the first reporter asked him, " Are there going to be any short term deals?" Was this person even listening?

    July 11, 2011 at 11:58 am | Report abuse |
  4. Veronica Tubbins

    Obama has been doing his best for USA.I can't believe USA put that bad President Bush in Office two times and everyone was talking about him in the first Elerction that he cheated himself in and then u's put him back.Now we have a new President and USA think he can get us out of all the Big Problems that USA did when they let that Bush get in Office in the beginning.Obama is really trying hard and USA keep knocking him down The Republcians should be a shame of themselves and they are doing what there doing so Obama won't get RE-Elected.I'm not voting if Obama don't run.USA is the worses Country in the World.I LOVE OBAMA BECAUSE HE TRYING HIS BEST TO HELP BRING US OUT ALL THIS MESS USA PUT US IN THROUGHT THAT BUSH.OBAMA ISN"T GOD.USA PEOPLE BE THINKING THERE GOD BY ALOT WHAT THEY BE DOING.

    July 11, 2011 at 5:41 pm | Report abuse |
  5. ritasilva

    i belive to president obama,the situacion its orrible for the america but this presiden rappresent the unic oppotunity for changhe,because if go republican to govern,it s finisch,remember president busch,i understein the american people,but it s not obama but lobby to power,if dont changhe this word it s finisch for rich an power,i m not speack good enghis,but the america it s a big state nows it s esemple for the word,now the peole love america,please not quit,tanks to cnn for iìyuor liberal thinksfor information clean,freedommm

    July 14, 2011 at 10:11 am | Report abuse |
  6. Fred

    let the fed cut their own wages, before they cut SS
    Otherwise there will be riots.
    And when the election comes, career politicians will disappear
    Do you know how much more federal employees make than the same job in the private sector?
    GO FIND OUT.
    I promise you, you will be voting them out after you find out about their pay and benefits packages.
    We need to send more people to Washington who will shrink governments "footprint" in this economy.
    And they want to cut SS.
    They will cut their own throat if they cut SS
    If they would stop borrowing money to run the country we could SAVE 40 cents on the dollar!
    What could you buy with all that money?
    But instead the bankers get 40 cents on a dollar for loaning money to the government.
    If we went to a cash basis we would have surplus moneys to pay for things like universal health coverage.
    We would have almost twice as much money available to spend.
    Think, vote.
    Time for government employees pay and benefits look like the private sector.
    THEY ARE NOT GOD'S, they are just people, and they deserve to be paid like the AVERAGE JOE, not some sub god.

    July 17, 2011 at 12:24 pm | Report abuse |
  7. Jean Eckersley

    It was disconcerting to see John Boehner and Nancy Pelosi smiling in their little meeting while they hold the country hostage. I believe they should remove John Boehner and any other GOP representatives who are so rigid in their political agenda that they are willing to throw our country under the buss. They act like spoiled children who want revenge for their party loosing the presidency. Does it occur to them that the majority of Americans side with the President and that's why he won by such a large margin. I think before we loose our tripple A rating, the President should make an executive decision because the GOP is a danger to our country. Our country wants a strong President who would make such a decision if necessary.

    July 25, 2011 at 9:08 am | Report abuse |
  8. Help With Debt Information

    Hello, Neat post. There's a problem along with your website in internet explorer, may check this? IE nonetheless is the marketplace leader and a good section of folks will omit your excellent writing due to this problem.

    April 3, 2012 at 5:05 pm | Report abuse |
1 2 3
« Back to main