Social Security Report Will be Falsely Used to Cut Program When Shows Long-Term Solvency, Says Robert Weiner, Former House Aging Committee Director; Congress Could Repeat 2006 Bush Error in 2010 Elections

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Former U.S. House Aging Committee Director Robert Weiner and Jonathan Battaglia, a Policy Analyst at Robert Weiner Associates, say that the Social Security Trustees' Annual Report, released late this afternoon, may be "used as an excuse for the Debt Commission and Congress to cut the program despite Social Security's long-term solvency."

"It's an illusion that cutting Social Security will reduce the deficit. The new Report points out that the money seniors have given to Social Security keeps it fully solvent through 2037, and after that some 75 percent funded.  "Yet the report will be made into propaganda for cutting the program's benefits. Of particular concern are both the President's new Deficit Commission and Congressional advocates of privatizing Social Security," Weiner and Battaglia say.

Weiner and Battaglia wrote an op-ed in the Palm Beach Post entitled, "Hands Off Social Security: There are Better Ways to Cut the National Debt."

The authors note the Deficit Commission is "littered with politicians and industry CEOs who have a history of wanting to scale back Social Security benefits." The House Judiciary Committee Chairman, Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), told Weiner, "The Commission is loaded with billionaires who want to convert Social Security's money to business."

Weiner and Battaglia highlight the importance of Social Security to retired Americans: "Without Social Security, nearly half of Americans age 65 or older would be below poverty. For two-thirds, Social Security provides the majority of income; for one-third, nearly all."

Weiner and Battaglia give "alternatives to reducing the national debt without cutting Social Security: Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the military needed to cut its 'gusher of defense spending.' Congress could scale back Bush tax cuts for the wealthy to levels under Clinton and could get rid of breaks for U.S. corporations doing business overseas."

Weiner and Battaglia cite the "negative reaction Americans had when President Bush talked about privatizing or cutting Social Security in 2006. Obama should not let the Commission or Congress make the same mistake or it could cost the 2010 elections."

Weiner has written dozens of articles on Social Security's solvency for major papers.  Palm Beach Post:  http://www.weinerpublic.com/20100626.doc

Contact: Bob Weiner/Gavriel Swerling 301-283-0821/202-306-1200

SOURCE Robert Weiner Associates

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